Mora and Pellegrini: Roma bank on two weapons during the break

Radio commentators Piero Torri and Rossomando have offered contrasting takes on Roma's recent performance and transfer priorities. Torri, speaking on Radio Manà Manà, expressed regret over the draw against Inter despite Roma's strong display against the Serie A leaders. He believes Roma are pursuing Kvernadze of Frosinone and welcomed the fact that several players have remained at Trigoria, hoping they will be fit for the upcoming match against Como. Rossomando, also on Radio Manà Manà, disagreed with Torri's assessment of the transfer targets. "Between Kvernadze and Soulé I would keep the Argentine," Rossomando said, backing the current squad member over the external option. He was critical of Bryan Cristante's first-half performance, describing it as poor, and questioned the substitution of Manu Koné, saying he would never have removed him from the pitch.

Manu Koné scored his first career brace against Inter, reaching his career record for goals in a single season at Roma as early as September. The French midfielder has emerged as an unexpected standout in Roma's early-season attack, which has already produced seven different goalscorers. Against Inter, Koné delivered a player-of-the-match display: zero dribbling fouls conceded, two duels won from four contested, and 85% pass accuracy. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been instrumental in Koné's development this season, working intensively on both tactical and psychological aspects of his game. The relationship between coach and player has been uneven—ranging from end-of-season criticism last year and after the Turin fixture to unconditional backing—but Gasperini recognises Koné's unique qualities within the squad. Gasperini personally intervened on the final day of the summer transfer window to block Koné's sale to Chelsea, according to Il Messaggero. Koné's importance to Roma's tactical setup is underlined by data from last season: in eight Serie A matches he missed, Roma failed to win in 50% of cases, contributing to their elimination from the Europa League against Bologna. Meanwhile, forward Donyell Malen withdrew from the Netherlands national team call-up due to a muscle strain and will remain in Rome during the international break to recover at Trigoria, where he will work alongside fellow injury victims Wesley and Bryan Cristante.

Nahuel Molina has emerged as a key figure in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma side, playing on the left flank—a position he had rarely occupied in his career. After an initial trial at Torino, Gasperini deployed the Argentine right-back on the opposite flank against Inter, a role Molina has played only nine times overall. The experiment paid off: Molina delivered the assist for Manu Koné's opening goal and impressed enough to convince his manager that the system works. The fullback has since regained ground on his positional rivals, closing a physical gap that had left him sidelined at the start of the season. Gasperini's tactical flexibility is his trademark—the previous season he had shifted Wesley to the left with similar success. Molina possesses greater attacking instinct than Zeki Çelik, and his contributions came through continuous overlaps, off-the-ball movement and crosses from the byline. According to reporting by Niccolò Maurelli in La Repubblica, the Argentine has found the right notes to satisfy Gasperini's demands. Training resumed today with the full squad and continues through Friday, followed by two rest days over the weekend. In the three weeks before Roma face Como, Gasperini plans to arrange friendly matches, possibly against the club's Primavera side, to restore match fitness for those still awaiting playing time. Lorenzo Pellegrini is among those available again after returning from an injury sustained in the final league matches of last season.

Roma have earned promotion to the tier of big clubs following their performance against Inter, demonstrating that the gap between the two squads is far from insurmountable. Gian Piero Gasperini's side showed ferocity and clear identity in their approach, with the Inter fixture serving as proof that the tactical framework is working. The crucial shift the Piedmont coach has instilled concerns mentality in direct matches against top Serie A sides—a historical limitation that has undermined Roma's recent past. Roma take the field without deference, fielding three attacking players and maintaining constant control of play. The numbers validate Gasperini's work: four consecutive victories and a spectacular draw with Inter have delivered 13 points from 15 available. This run begins Roma's autumn schedule in earnest, with the fixture list intensifying rapidly. Rotation will become essential for the technical staff in the weeks ahead, bringing second-string players into the action more frequently. The international break will be valuable for Lorenzo Pellegrini's full recovery. Gasperini will continue developing young talent Rodrigo Mora, who arrived in the summer and is ready to claim greater playing time. Roma travel to Como on Sunday, 11 October for a 12:30 kickoff.

Roma earned their credentials as genuine contenders with a spirited performance against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, drawing with the defending Serie A champions and demonstrating that the gap between the two sides is far smaller than Inter's status as favourites to repeat their title might suggest. Under Gasperini's command, Roma have shed the inferiority complex that plagued big matches in previous years, now playing against any opponent with the same approach—three attackers and a relentless will to dominate. The coach has reshaped the squad entirely in little over a year, instilling his ideas into every corner of the team. Roma's opening to the season has been emphatic: four straight league wins before the draw with Inter has yielded 13 points from a possible 15. The foundation Gasperini has built addresses Roma's historic weakness in high-stakes fixtures, where they previously lacked the self-belief to compete. That mentality shift is now visible on the pitch, with the team playing with constant aggression and the backing of their home crowd. The next assignment comes at Como on Sunday 11 October at noon, with the league campaign resuming there. As Roma push forward, Gasperini will need to develop a broader pool of starting-calibre players to manage inevitable squad rotation. The club will also be hoping to recover players including Lorenzo Pellegrini and Rodrigo Mora, described as the jewel arrived in the summer but still to be fully refined. According to Simone Valdarchi in Corriere della Sera, the transformation under the coach has been the defining factor in Roma's early success.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has been called up by Greece manager Ivan Jovanovic for the country's Nations League campaign in League A. The Roma defender came off the bench in the second half of yesterday's match against Inter and will now represent Greece across four fixtures against Serbia, Germany (twice) and the Netherlands. Koulierakis is an established starter for Roma this season. His international call-up comes as Wesley remains sidelined by a muscle issue and is not responding to Brazil's invitation. Rodrigo Mora has also been selected, called up by Portugal's Under 21 team.

Roma have earned promotion to the tier of big clubs following their performance against Inter, demonstrating that the gap between the two squads is far from insurmountable. Gian Piero Gasperini's side showed ferocity and clear identity in their approach, with the Inter fixture serving as proof that the tactical framework is working. The crucial shift the Piedmont coach has instilled concerns mentality in direct matches against top Serie A sides—a historical limitation that has undermined Roma's recent past. Roma take the field without deference, fielding three attacking players and maintaining constant control of play. The numbers validate Gasperini's work: four consecutive victories and a spectacular draw with Inter have delivered 13 points from 15 available. This run begins Roma's autumn schedule in earnest, with the fixture list intensifying rapidly. Rotation will become essential for the technical staff in the weeks ahead, bringing second-string players into the action more frequently. The international break will be valuable for Lorenzo Pellegrini's full recovery. Gasperini will continue developing young talent Rodrigo Mora, who arrived in the summer and is ready to claim greater playing time. Roma travel to Como on Sunday, 11 October for a 12:30 kickoff.

Roma earned their credentials as genuine contenders with a spirited performance against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, drawing with the defending Serie A champions and demonstrating that the gap between the two sides is far smaller than Inter's status as favourites to repeat their title might suggest. Under Gasperini's command, Roma have shed the inferiority complex that plagued big matches in previous years, now playing against any opponent with the same approach—three attackers and a relentless will to dominate. The coach has reshaped the squad entirely in little over a year, instilling his ideas into every corner of the team. Roma's opening to the season has been emphatic: four straight league wins before the draw with Inter has yielded 13 points from a possible 15. The foundation Gasperini has built addresses Roma's historic weakness in high-stakes fixtures, where they previously lacked the self-belief to compete. That mentality shift is now visible on the pitch, with the team playing with constant aggression and the backing of their home crowd. The next assignment comes at Como on Sunday 11 October at noon, with the league campaign resuming there. As Roma push forward, Gasperini will need to develop a broader pool of starting-calibre players to manage inevitable squad rotation. The club will also be hoping to recover players including Lorenzo Pellegrini and Rodrigo Mora, described as the jewel arrived in the summer but still to be fully refined. According to Simone Valdarchi in Corriere della Sera, the transformation under the coach has been the defining factor in Roma's early success.

Nahuel Molina has emerged as a key figure in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma side, playing on the left flank—a position he had rarely occupied in his career. After an initial trial at Torino, Gasperini deployed the Argentine right-back on the opposite flank against Inter, a role Molina has played only nine times overall. The experiment paid off: Molina delivered the assist for Manu Koné's opening goal and impressed enough to convince his manager that the system works. The fullback has since regained ground on his positional rivals, closing a physical gap that had left him sidelined at the start of the season. Gasperini's tactical flexibility is his trademark—the previous season he had shifted Wesley to the left with similar success. Molina possesses greater attacking instinct than Zeki Çelik, and his contributions came through continuous overlaps, off-the-ball movement and crosses from the byline. According to reporting by Niccolò Maurelli in La Repubblica, the Argentine has found the right notes to satisfy Gasperini's demands. Training resumed today with the full squad and continues through Friday, followed by two rest days over the weekend. In the three weeks before Roma face Como, Gasperini plans to arrange friendly matches, possibly against the club's Primavera side, to restore match fitness for those still awaiting playing time. Lorenzo Pellegrini is among those available again after returning from an injury sustained in the final league matches of last season.

Vincent Candela, the former Roma defender and Serie A champion, has backed Gian Piero Gasperini's side as genuine title contenders. Speaking on Rai Radio 1's Anch'io sport, Candela analysed Roma's challenge to Inter and praised the performances of the Giallorossi's squad ahead of a direct clash between the two sides. Candela believes Roma have the depth and cohesion to mount a sustained title push. "Roma and Inter have given us great football, great beauty," he said. "They are the two teams playing for the title. Inter have a broad squad, but with Gasperini Roma can match them all the way. This Roma is a title-winning side—they can give Inter, who are the strongest, a real problem. Dybala reminds me of the top players of my time, and Koné has personality and charisma. I think Roma are the only squad that can genuinely fight with Inter. They have a very strong and cohesive group." Candela also offered thoughts on Italy's national team rebuild, saying that the country remains a football institution and must rediscover its roots after a period of decline. He backed manager Luciano Mancini's experience to guide a youth-focused reconstruction, noting: "Italy has football in its blood, Mancini has the experience. Now it will take time because we are rebuilding from the young players."

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has backed Gian Piero Gasperini's side as genuine Serie A title contenders, naming them as Inter's only realistic threat in the championship race. Speaking on Rai Radio 1's Radio anch'io sport, Candela analysed the direct clash between Roma and Inter, singling out the performances of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné for particular praise while assessing the wider squad strength at the Stadio Olimpico. Candela said: "Roma and Inter have given us great football, great beauty. They are the two squads playing for the Scudetto. Inter has a broad squad, but with Gasperini they will fight it out to the end. This Roma is a title-winning team; it can give Inter — who are the strongest — problems. Dybala reminds me of the top players from my era. Koné has personality and charisma. I think Roma is the only squad that can battle with Inter. It has a very strong and cohesive group." Candela also turned his attention to the Italian national team, offering a longer-term view of the rebuilding process. He stated: "Italy is a football heritage. I hope it rebuilds its roots, which were lost for a while. Italy has football in its blood. Mancini has the experience. Now it will take some time because we are starting again from the young players."

Roma go into the international break as league leaders following a draw with Inter, but with several players nursing injuries that Gasperini will have time to manage. Wesley remained in Rome with a right thigh muscle strain and should need about a week to recover fully before the trip to Como. Bryan Cristante stayed behind as well, sidelined by lower back pain that prevented him from joining Italy's national team camp. Donyell Malen was forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad due to muscle fatigue, while Manu Koné's condition is being assessed after an demanding performance against Inter. Gasperini has an interesting group available for work at Trigoria during the break. Goalkeepers, Mario Hermoso, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala will all remain in the capital, excluded from their respective national team duties for various reasons. Pellegrini warrants particular attention: the number 7 has only recently returned from a long layoff and still needs to build match minutes, rhythm and match fitness. Gasperini is reportedly considering organising friendlies during the break to maintain match sharpness for players staying at Trigoria and accelerate recovery for those needing competitive action. The three-week break is crucial preparation for what follows. When the season resumes, Roma face nine matches across twenty-eight days, spanning Serie A fixtures from Como to Sassuolo and Champions League ties against Real Madrid, Slovan Bratislava and Manchester United. The depth of the squad will need to deliver more than theory—rotations, quick recoveries and an expanding pool of players capable of matching the standards of the regulars will be essential. Roma arrive at the break top of the league with renewed confidence, and Gasperini has the time to rebuild before the relentless stretch begins.