Materazzi backs Mancini as Serie A's best defender, but Inter hearts go to Stones and Bastoni

Roma will attempt to bring Real Madrid forward Endrick to the club on loan in January, having come close to completing a deal in summer only for former manager José Mourinho to block the move at the last moment. The 20-year-old has barely featured for Real Madrid this season, appearing for just a few minutes so far. Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated recently that a lack of playing time could affect players' chances of national team selection, a factor that may influence Endrick's thinking. Roma are confident that if Endrick does not receive more minutes in the coming months, he will be willing to push for a temporary exit in January, and the club are keen to capitalize. The forward thrived during a six-month loan at Lyon, where he registered eight goals and assists each in 21 appearances. It is clear that Endrick arrived at Real Madrid too early in his development; he needs to play now, and temporary solutions are preferable to continued marginalisation. Should Roma fail to secure Endrick, the club have identified other targets: Ruben van Bommel at PSV, Luiz Henrique at Zenit, and Giorgi Kvernadze at Frosinone. The article notes that Roma have established themselves as an attractive destination for young forwards at present.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about his time at Roma, reflecting on the matches, moments and players that have defined his tenure so far. The most emotionally rewarding fixture, he said, was the recent league match against Verona. "The sensation was of having reached an important milestone, with great satisfaction," Gasperini explained. When asked about his most difficult match, Gasperini pointed to Roma's performance against Inter last season as a period when the team struggled, though he suggested a more recent fixture had presented fresh challenges. On the bright side, the Roma manager identified Donyell Malen's goal tally as the season's major surprise. "It was something nobody could have imagined," Gasperini said of Malen's output. "For the rest, they have all been very positive surprises." Closing the interview, Gasperini was asked which player he would have liked to manage but never had the chance to work with. His answer was unequivocal: Messi. The exchange drew smiles from the interviewer, with Gasperini's reply captured in a video clip shared by the outlet.

AS Roma are preparing a contract renewal for defender Emanuele Lulli that will extend his deal until 2031, with negotiations expected to begin next week. The 2007-born left-back, promoted from the Primavera to the first team, has impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during the summer and the early stages of the season. His current contract expires in June 2027, prompting the club to move swiftly on fresh terms. Lulli will return from international duty with Italy's Under 21 squad, who play a decisive European qualifying match against Poland on Monday in Pescara, before talks commence. The club hold confidence in reaching an agreement quickly, backed by Gasperini's endorsement. According to TMW, the new contract will see his salary rise significantly to nearly one million euros per year.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at the Festival dello Sport on 2 October about the foundations of his Roma project, the character of his squad, and the club's ambitions this season. The coach outlined how he has built the team around a clear playing philosophy focused on taking the ball rather than waiting for opponents, and how he has shaped the personalities of senior players to match that vision. Gasperini praised his defensive line as "one of the best in Europe," highlighting Mario Hermoso and Gianluca Mancini as examples of players with both technical quality and the fighting spirit he demands. He also emphasised Bryan Cristante's importance as a player who sacrifices individual prominence for the collective good. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini said the Argentine has enjoyed an exceptional start to the season with no injuries disrupting his availability: "He still has the enthusiasm to play football, you can see he is well. There have been years of physical fragility, with injuries that held him back. I always thought it was a training matter... He has remarkable fibre, he started training properly and this start to the season is extraordinary. He doesn't miss a minute." Gasperini suggested Dybala's reluctance to shoot from distance stems from past injuries but believes he will regain that ability soon. On young players, Gasperini explained his approach to developing Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli. He brought Lulli into the first team after observing his characteristics in pre-season training. Regarding Gianluca Romano, whom Roma have sold, Gasperini said: "Another young player grown in Roma, very interesting. I was sorry he was excessively criticised after his first Nazionale match, but it is adults who must be more cautious in their judgements. Romano's sale is a capital gain; often societies are forced to sell young players, this is not a good thing. In football the finest jewels must be allowed to grow." On Donyell Malen's arrival and early goal-scoring form, Gasperini explained: "At times planets align and things happen you think are unrealisable. We needed a striker because Dovbyk was injured. There were several names, then I came to know of this opportunity. He was leaving Aston Villa for a tactical reason, he wanted to play as a centre-forward and I have always thought he must play in the penalty area. This his ability to make three very quick touches is his weapon." When asked if Malen could match the 36-goal tallies of Gonzalo Higuaín and Ciro Immobile, Gasperini replied: "I hope so, I've told him that to motivate him... If he reaches 30 goals I would be happy anyway." On Roma's prospects and the atmosphere at the club, Gasperini said: "It was a very positive surprise; outside Rome it is described as an environment that swings back and forth. I found passion and enthusiasm, beautiful but also mature attachment. At this moment the fans are happy and recognise themselves in this squad, then clearly the maximum result would be extraordinary. But the environment is beautiful, there is a desire to play well to enthuse them." He also commented on the new stadium project, saying he had seen the rendering and it was "fantastic" but that the Olimpico in Roma's colours is already "beautiful, though the stands are far from the pitch." Regarding Roma's centenary in 2027, when the first stone of the new stadium will be laid, Gasperini reflected: "A hundred years is a milestone of experience and for me also of emotion. Think of how many people have carried this society forward, how many fans have dedicated their lives to Roma. You must carry all the history without renouncing it, to have an even better future. Roma's second centenary will be even more beautiful than the first."

France and Italy drew 1-1 in a Nations League match at the Stade de France in Paris. Olise scored for France and Bastoni for Italy. Roma's two international representatives in the squads, Manu Koné and Gianluca Mancini, both remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes. The fixture was billed as one of the tournament's flagship matches between the sides managed by Zidane and Mancini.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini named his starting XI for the France fixture at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, with kickoff at 20:45. Mancini kept faith with the same eleven that played before, making minimal changes: Calafiori takes the left-wing spot, Pio Esposito leads the attack at centre-forward, Kean moves to the right wing, and Sebastiano Esposito completes the left-side trio. France manager Zinedine Zidane fielded a three-man attacking line of Olise, Dembele and Doué, keeping Manu Koné on the bench. Koné, a Roma player, was not included in Zidane's starting formation despite his availability. Italy's lineup came after two results: a defeat to Belgium and a 4–1 victory over Turkey. The fixture represents a major test for Mancini's side. France (4–3–3): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Jacquet, Truffert; Da Cunha, Rabiot, Cherki; Olise, Dembele, Doué. Italy (4–3–3): Donnarumma; Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Frattesi, Tonali, Fagioli; Kean, Pio Esposito, Sebastiano Esposito.

Matías Soulé could make his Argentina debut in a friendly against Burkina Faso on the night of 3 October, after remaining on the bench for the 4–0 win over Bolivia despite praise from coach Scaloni in the build-up. The Burkina Faso side is expected to arrive in Argentina only hours before the match at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, despite logistical difficulties. Soulé, wearing number 18 for Roma, may start alongside Enzo Fernández and Medina after watching from the sidelines at Córdoba. Leonardo Balerdi, the third Roma player in the Argentina squad, was the only one to feature in the Bolivia match on Thursday 1 October and is now pushing to challenge Martínez for a defensive spot. Santiago Castro is also pressing for a first-team opportunity but faces competition from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez in the forward line. ESPN Argentina reported on Soulé's prospects, while Olé covered Balerdi's claims on the defence.

Gian Piero Gasperini has given Roma a three-day break before the squad returns to work on Tuesday afternoon at Fulvio Bernardini to prepare for the match against Como. Bryan Cristante will be sidelined for around two weeks with a lateral collateral ligament problem, forcing him to miss approximately five matches with a target return date of 24 October against Napoli. To manage the midfield absence, Gasperini is considering Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon, with the Dutch midfielder poised to make his starting debut at Como alongside Manu Koné. National team commitments will complicate preparations, with players returning to Trigoria in stages. Evan N'Dicka will be the first arrival back after his involvement with Ivory Coast. The final players to return will be the Argentine trio of Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé, who are not expected at the training ground until Thursday. The staggered returns mean Gasperini must manage a gradual integration of the international contingent while addressing the pressing issue of Cristante's absence in midfield.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has given Roma's squad three days off before recalling them to Trigoria on Tuesday afternoon to prepare for the match against Como. Bryan Cristante will not be available for training as he continues to recover from a knee collateral problem. The goal is to have the captain fit for Roma's fixture at Napoli on 24 October. Gasperini will begin reintegrating the players involved in the international break from Tuesday onwards. Evan N'Dicka will be among the first to return after completing Ivory Coast's final match of the international window today. The last players to report back will be the Argentines Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé, who are expected at Trigoria on Thursday.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at the Festival dello Sport on 2 October about the foundations of his Roma project, the character of his squad, and the club's ambitions this season. The coach outlined how he has built the team around a clear playing philosophy focused on taking the ball rather than waiting for opponents, and how he has shaped the personalities of senior players to match that vision. Gasperini praised his defensive line as "one of the best in Europe," highlighting Mario Hermoso and Gianluca Mancini as examples of players with both technical quality and the fighting spirit he demands. He also emphasised Bryan Cristante's importance as a player who sacrifices individual prominence for the collective good. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini said the Argentine has enjoyed an exceptional start to the season with no injuries disrupting his availability: "He still has the enthusiasm to play football, you can see he is well. There have been years of physical fragility, with injuries that held him back. I always thought it was a training matter... He has remarkable fibre, he started training properly and this start to the season is extraordinary. He doesn't miss a minute." Gasperini suggested Dybala's reluctance to shoot from distance stems from past injuries but believes he will regain that ability soon. On young players, Gasperini explained his approach to developing Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli. He brought Lulli into the first team after observing his characteristics in pre-season training. Regarding Gianluca Romano, whom Roma have sold, Gasperini said: "Another young player grown in Roma, very interesting. I was sorry he was excessively criticised after his first Nazionale match, but it is adults who must be more cautious in their judgements. Romano's sale is a capital gain; often societies are forced to sell young players, this is not a good thing. In football the finest jewels must be allowed to grow." On Donyell Malen's arrival and early goal-scoring form, Gasperini explained: "At times planets align and things happen you think are unrealisable. We needed a striker because Dovbyk was injured. There were several names, then I came to know of this opportunity. He was leaving Aston Villa for a tactical reason, he wanted to play as a centre-forward and I have always thought he must play in the penalty area. This his ability to make three very quick touches is his weapon." When asked if Malen could match the 36-goal tallies of Gonzalo Higuaín and Ciro Immobile, Gasperini replied: "I hope so, I've told him that to motivate him... If he reaches 30 goals I would be happy anyway." On Roma's prospects and the atmosphere at the club, Gasperini said: "It was a very positive surprise; outside Rome it is described as an environment that swings back and forth. I found passion and enthusiasm, beautiful but also mature attachment. At this moment the fans are happy and recognise themselves in this squad, then clearly the maximum result would be extraordinary. But the environment is beautiful, there is a desire to play well to enthuse them." He also commented on the new stadium project, saying he had seen the rendering and it was "fantastic" but that the Olimpico in Roma's colours is already "beautiful, though the stands are far from the pitch." Regarding Roma's centenary in 2027, when the first stone of the new stadium will be laid, Gasperini reflected: "A hundred years is a milestone of experience and for me also of emotion. Think of how many people have carried this society forward, how many fans have dedicated their lives to Roma. You must carry all the history without renouncing it, to have an even better future. Roma's second centenary will be even more beautiful than the first."

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the Gazzetta dello Sport's Festival dello Sport in Trento, reflecting on his arrival at Roma and the squad's early development under his management. He described his first message to the players as the creation of something new from the ground up. "It's like when you do a new construction: you must lay new and different foundations straight away," Gasperini said. "We never spoke about my previous years. We had to build something new immediately, founded on concepts different from what many players were used to, but also what they expected from me and asked of me. Football can be played in many ways, but the first concept was to win the ball back from the opponent and not wait for him to make a mistake." Gasperini singled out the defensive group for particular praise, naming Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso as standout performers but extending credit to goalkeeper Mile Svilar and Evan N'Dicka, who he said had been among Europe's best defenders for months. On Mancini, he revealed his approach: "I knew him when I was his opponent and I would think 'why is he so disagreeable?' and I immediately tried to tell him 'look, this penalises you, for many years you didn't go to the national team because of these attitudes.' That was the first thing I worked on." Mancini had "a fantastic season" and has since returned to the Italy squad. Hermoso, despite a difficult previous year, brought experience from Atlético Madrid's defensive discipline alongside Spanish quality and tactical knowledge. On Bryan Cristante, Gasperini explained his confidence in the midfielder despite early doubts. "I knew him as a young player. Very often in players you don't look at the 'control room'—personality, the way of playing for the squad and putting teammates' needs first—and that's something I've always considered," he said. "When I was at Atalanta we sold Gagliardini to Inter and he couldn't stand out. Sartori gave me his name, I met the young Beppe Riso and got to know this guy. He couldn't have lost his technical qualities. I spoke to him a lot and he convinced me. I was facing the right person, with motivation, and I hoped that footballistically he would come out and he did." Cristante has suffered a knee injury but should recover quickly. Gasperini acknowledged that "playing many matches, if you're out two weeks you risk missing five matches. He'll miss the first matches but will recover soon." On Paulo Dybala's remarkable early form this season, Gasperini said: "He's started the way it hasn't happened to him for years. I knew him in Palermo when he was very young. As with all great players, he still has enthusiasm and strength. When he's on the pitch he's well and wants to play." Regarding Romano, a young academy graduate, Gasperini was critical of circumstances beyond football: "The fact that Romano was sold is down to needs for capital gains and balance-sheet requirements. This is not something good for our football—you need the chance to let your best gems grow, but when there are these needs they become the first to be cut." Gasperini also discussed Donyell Malen's unexpected summer arrival. "Sometimes the planets align and things happen that you weren't thinking about days before," he said. "Malen was a known player; in summer we'd seen his characteristics, which were already known. Then things happen during the market where you think you've planned everything and then maybe something unforeseen comes up—sometimes bad, in this case good. In a moment when we were looking for a striker, this opportunity with Malen came up, exiting Aston Villa for a tactical reason. He wanted to play centre-forward and I've always seen centre-forward characteristics in him."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Roma's early-season progress at the Festival dello Sport in Trento on 2 October, praising Paulo Dybala's physical transformation while confirming Bryan Cristante will miss matches after the international break due to a knee problem. Gasperini outlined his tactical philosophy from his first training session, saying his immediate aim was to build something new at Roma. "My only objective was to create something new. It's like when you do a new construction: you must immediately lay new and different foundations," he said. He emphasised his defensive principles: "The first concept was to recover the ball from the opponent and not wait for him to make a mistake. That's where the rest started from." On his defence, Gasperini highlighted Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and Evan N'Dicka as key figures, noting that Hermoso brought experience from his time at Atlético Madrid alongside Spanish technical quality, while Mancini had undergone a personal shift. "I told him straight away: 'Look, this attitude is penalising you — for many years you didn't go to the national team because of these behaviours.' It's the first thing I worked on. He had a fantastic season, people have started talking about Mancini as a player again, and he's back in the national team." On Cristante, Gasperini revealed his long knowledge of the midfielder: "I knew him as a young player. Very often in players you don't look at the 'control room' — personality, the way of playing for the squad and putting teammates' needs first. It's something I've always considered." Regarding his current injury: "He had a knee problem, but playing many matches, if you're out for two weeks you risk missing 5 matches. He'll miss the first matches but will recover quickly." Dybala has drawn particular praise for his physical robustness this season. Gasperini explained: "He started the way it hasn't happened for years. He's had years of physical fragility — I thought it was a training matter. Many told me he has silk muscles, that I had to preserve him, and he'd continuously get injured. He has considerable fibre; some injuries were random. This season's start is extraordinary physically. He doesn't miss a single training session or match minute. It's proof of what I've always believed: through training you can improve endurance and performance." On young academy products Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli, Gasperini stressed his faith in developing youth: "I grew up in the youth sector and started coaching under-10s, so I've always maintained that approach. Training in youth football helps you see the boy not as something definitive but as something you imagine could evolve." Gasperini also addressed the departure of another academy prospect, Romano, citing financial pressure: "The fact that Romano was sold is represented by profit and balance-sheet needs. This isn't good for our football — the best jewels must have the chance to grow, but if there are needs they become the first to be cut."