Molina impresses on Roma debut as Atlético fans react with surprise

Manu Koné has dismissed the prospect of a Chelsea move and reaffirmed his commitment to Roma after the midfielder came close to leaving the club during the summer transfer window. The French midfielder has become a key player for Roma this season, notably scoring twice in a 2–2 draw against Inter. He was also called up to the French national team during the international break. Koné's importance to Gasperini's plans meant the club resisted Chelsea's late approach. The midfielder has credited Roma with his development since joining from Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he played from 2021 to 2024. He arrived at the Serie A club at age 23 and has grown considerably both tactically and physically in that time. Speaking at a France press conference ahead of a fixture against Italy, Koné said: "Things have happened for me, but I'm at Roma, I'm focused. What happened has happened. I give 100% for this club, I'll give everything to meet expectations, and that's all." On his time in Rome, he added: "When I arrived in Italy, I was younger (I was 23), and that brought maturity to my playing style. I became more focused. Tactically, I didn't have the skills I have now. I also improved my energy management, which made me the player I am today. I was going through a difficult period at Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Roma approached me; I'm very grateful to them."

Roma attempted to sign Lucas Da Cunha from Como during the summer transfer window that closed a month ago, but the French midfielder and Como captain declined the move to remain with Fabregas's side. Napoli and Atalanta also showed interest in the 2001-born player, as did several Premier League clubs, but Da Cunha opted against leaving. The failed pursuit comes as Roma successfully resisted late-window pressure to sell Manu Koné, a key midfielder for the club. Da Cunha has since impressed for France's national team and earned widespread praise in his home country, making the missed opportunity notable for the Giallorossi as they navigated the summer market.

Alessandro Romano, a midfielder born in 2006 who debuted for Italy against Belgium, has emerged as one of the season's breakout performers after joining Cagliari on loan with a €5 million purchase option from Roma this summer. His rapid impact has triggered intense transfer interest, with Inter and Juventus now actively pursuing the 20-year-old alongside several Premier League clubs who have submitted offers to Cagliari. Roma retain a financial stake in Romano's future: the club has secured a 10% resale clause on any profit Cagliari generates above the €5 million they paid to sign him. Inter are reportedly balancing their pursuit of Romano against ongoing difficulties in renewing the contract of Turkish midfielder Gordon Stipic, while the player's development has become a priority for the club's sporting directors Marotta and Baccin, who have been tracking him for several weeks.

Roma's training ground atmosphere remained positive on 30 September, with Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina among the smiling faces in footage released by the club. The pair had been withdrawn the previous day from an event organised in Argentina to mark Lionel Messi's retirement, a decision that appeared to cause no ill feeling based on the images distributed by the club. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini maintains a calm environment despite ongoing absences. Wesley, Donyell Malen and Bryan Cristante have not yet returned to full group training and continue their recovery programmes, while international players remain away on duty with their national teams. Lorenzo Pellegrini is working hard to regain peak condition during the extended break and may feature in a friendly against the Primavera to build match fitness ahead of competitive action. Roma face Como in eleven days, providing Gasperini with adequate time to prepare for the Sinigaglia fixture and monitor the recovery of unavailable players. The objective is to have the largest possible squad available when the league campaign resumes.

Roma's radio stations aired a wide-ranging discussion on the club's direction under owner Dan Friedkin, the recent signing of midfielder Marten de Roon and the decision to prevent Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from joining Argentina's national team during the international break. David Rossi from Rete Sport criticised Friedkin's limited public engagement, saying: "The boss made quite an illuminating statement: 'Between the stadium and first place, it's really a beautiful period…' incredible, eh! I hadn't thought of it, but now that the lieutenant Dan has told me. It doesn't seem to me that he's made statements that have broadened our minds. Now everything is fine, we're top of the table, but that doesn't make us forget that at corporate level there have been other moves—the man in question likes to go to the ECA to play the big shot as Roma's president, but he hasn't set foot here for a year and a half now." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo defended the ownership, contrasting them with previous regimes: "Those before were a bunch of con artists, the Friedkins aren't con artists. These ones are building a stadium, they're putting money in, and it will be a beautiful stadium. This one doesn't take bribes, he doesn't take Roman rubbish. Galactic is a gentleman, speaks perfect Italian, and he's in love with Roma." Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo noted a change in direction: "It seems that, fortunately, the course at Roma has changed. From Gasperini's arrival onward, the choices made on Ranieri, on the sporting director, on the stadium question, and also this strong stance on Dybala and Molina—the Friedkins have suddenly shown they've learned something. They're more present, more attentive, or maybe they have someone advising them better than they did a few years ago." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio praised the De Roon signing: "In a midfield department where you're short on numbers, De Roon is important because otherwise you'd be thin. At Bergamo they even burned his shirt over his departure. It seems there was a technical evaluation that led Roma to make an operation like this." Francesca Ferrazza stressed the need to maintain critical thinking: "We joke and play with predictions, but the Friedkins are serious people. We like the stadium, but critical spirit should never be set aside—it should always be maintained. Many newspapers have completely lost that critical spirit from other years. Critical spirit is constructive; if you say 'But are there car parks?', that doesn't mean you don't want the stadium, but you ask the question."

Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not travel to Argentina for Lionel Messi's international farewell match, a decision made by mutual agreement between the players and the club. Despite their affection for Messi, both declined to force the issue, understanding Roma's preference to avoid a cross-continental journey just hours before the Como fixture. Dybala's focus is entirely on the upcoming match at the Sinigaglia. He has been a regular starter this season and used his four rest days granted by Gasperini to train in his home gym, preparing himself for the showdown against Fabregas's side. Dybala has already recorded four assists this season but remains goalless, with his last goal coming on 18 January against Torino. He will feature on 11 October and later face Mourinho in the Champions League clash against Real Madrid on 14 October. Sunday's match will pit two Argentine talents against each other: Dybala versus Como's Nico Paz, a generational duel between players considered among the strongest in their country. Paz, who will return from international duty on 8 October, is regarded in Argentina as Messi's successor—a player Como are unlikely to rest. Dybala, despite a twelve-year age gap with Paz, remains intent on proving he can deliver decisive moments.