Mora ready for his moment as Gasperini prepares him for intensive fixture run

Roma are pursuing Frosinone left winger Giorgio Kvernadze as they continue their search for a solution on the wing following unsuccessful attempts at other targets. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Georgian possesses the attributes Gian Piero Gasperini seeks: he is right-footed, glides past opponents with ease, and has good touch in the box. Frosinone will demand around €25M to negotiate, a price reflective of Kvernadze's explosive start to the season. Including Coppa Italia, he has notched five goals and two assists already, compared to five of each in the entire previous Serie B campaign. Frosinone acquired him from Kolkheti Poti in 2024. Roma are also monitoring Sassuolo's 18-year-old box-to-box midfielder Darryl Bakola, alongside Juventus. His profile reportedly resembles that of Manu Koné, who remains a perennial sale candidate to generate substantial 'plusvalenza' profit. Sassuolo paid Olympique Marseille €10M for Bakola last year, and he has accumulated 12 appearances with each of his clubs so far, providing 4 total assists. The article notes that several Frosinone players have impressed early in the season and may attract top-tier suitors if they sustain their form.

Rodrigo Mora has been singled out as one of the season's early disappointments following a substitute appearance, but broadcaster Francesco Repice has pushed back sharply against the assessment. The 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder was grouped among underperformers during a broadcast of Domenica Sportiva, a judgment Repice described as premature given Mora's contribution since arriving at Roma. Mora has already scored once and provided an assist across his early appearances, alongside several quality performances. His recent omission from the squad against Inter was tactical rather than a sign of decline: Gasperini was unable to make attacking changes because defenders had suffered injuries. Repice stressed that five matches into the season is far too small a sample to draw conclusions, particularly about a teenager signed as a long-term investment. Repice said on air: "You're making a mistake. If you put him among the flops you're making a terrible error. The zero minutes against Inter were because the defenders had got injured and Gasp couldn't make changes up front." He added: "Mora has already scored and is an absolute talent—putting him among the flops is wrong. We're at matchday five and I'd point out that Ramos was paid 70 million." Gasperini is integrating the midfielder gradually into the squad.

Roma have turned their attention to Giorgi Kvernadze, Frosinone's attacking talent, as they pursue a long-standing search for a left-winger. The 2003-born player has made an impressive start to the season with 5 goals and 2 assists across Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Gian Piero Gasperini has been seeking a left-sided winger for two years, and Kvernadze's profile appears to match what the coach wants: a right-footed left-winger capable of driving at defenders, making runs in behind, and offering physicality and pace in the final third. Frosinone acquired Kvernadze for €300,000 but are now targeting a substantial profit of at least €25 million from his sale. The geographical proximity—Frosinone lies roughly 90 kilometres from Rome—adds practical appeal to the pursuit. Napoli are also monitoring the player's availability.

Rodrigo Mora has been singled out as one of the season's early disappointments following a substitute appearance, but broadcaster Francesco Repice has pushed back sharply against the assessment. The 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder was grouped among underperformers during a broadcast of Domenica Sportiva, a judgment Repice described as premature given Mora's contribution since arriving at Roma. Mora has already scored once and provided an assist across his early appearances, alongside several quality performances. His recent omission from the squad against Inter was tactical rather than a sign of decline: Gasperini was unable to make attacking changes because defenders had suffered injuries. Repice stressed that five matches into the season is far too small a sample to draw conclusions, particularly about a teenager signed as a long-term investment. Repice said on air: "You're making a mistake. If you put him among the flops you're making a terrible error. The zero minutes against Inter were because the defenders had got injured and Gasp couldn't make changes up front." He added: "Mora has already scored and is an absolute talent—putting him among the flops is wrong. We're at matchday five and I'd point out that Ramos was paid 70 million." Gasperini is integrating the midfielder gradually into the squad.

Roma are closely tracking two breakthrough prospects as the club pursues a strategy of acquiring young talent to strengthen the squad's depth and potential. Following summer additions Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro, the Giallorossi have set their sights on Mathis Bakola, a French midfielder born in 2007 at Sassuolo, and Giorgi Kvernadze, a Georgian winger at Frosinone. The club intends to move early to secure Bakola ahead of the January window, though Juventus have also registered interest in the eighteen-year-old. Kvernadze, born in 2003, represents a concrete candidate for the January transfer window and possesses the characteristics of a left-sided winger with attacking thrust and quality that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has long sought to complete the forward line. Roma must overcome competition from Napoli, who are also pursuing the Frosinone talent. The January window will likely determine whether either deal progresses further, with the left-winger position emerging as a priority for Gasperini to address the attacking setup.

Roma head into a demanding stretch of fixtures with Gasperini now ready to rely heavily on the summer recruits who have gradually been introduced to the squad. The club closed the first part of the campaign level on points with Inter and Lazio at the top of the table, but a punishing run awaits: between Serie A and Champions League, there will be no respite until November. With only one week in four featuring a European fixture so far, Gasperini has largely favoured the established players while carefully integrating the new arrivals, deploying them either from the start or off the bench. Several summer signings have already made an impact. Balerdi has made a strong early impression, while Molina began well despite arriving physically behind schedule after playing in the World Cup final. He provided his first assist against Inter and showed promising effectiveness when fielded on the left at Turin. Rodrigo Mora presents a mixed picture: the Portuguese midfielder impressed in two starting performances against Fiorentina and Atalanta but struggled when introduced as a substitute, failing to read the rhythm of matches. Paradoxically, he scored when coming off the bench at Lecce. Gasperini intends to gradually unlock the full potential of the talent he strongly pursued. Konstantinos Koulierakis and Marten de Roon will also prove invaluable—the latter was Gasperini's move to shore up the midfield. Lorenzo Pellegrini completes the picture as the squad faces its most testing period of the season.

Francesco Totti has revealed that AS Roma attempted to persuade him to present the number 10 shirt to Paulo Dybala during his official unveiling in 2022. The club sent Totti an indirect message asking him to hand over the iconic number, but he declined. Totti's response was direct: "But you are all mad." Totti explained that the number 10 carries profound historical weight at Roma and cannot simply be assigned to a player without them first establishing a meaningful journey at the club. The retired captain acknowledged Dybala's quality as both a footballer and a person, but emphasised the significance of continuity and the bond built with the club over time. He stressed that the number 10 of Roma carries weight and would inevitably invite comparisons with himself. Totti told the club: "If you have the courage, give it to him yourselves. Nothing against the player — quite the opposite, I like him very much, and he is a very good lad. If you have this intention, go ahead, without putting me in the middle. The 10 of Roma weighs heavily, and it would bring inevitable comparisons with me. Dybala, if he is fit, can make the difference for you."

Abel Balbo, the former Roma striker, has praised the club's attacking prowess in an interview with Il Messaggero, backing them to challenge for the Serie A title this season. Balbo said Roma are "beautiful to watch, entertaining and getting results" and predicted "an extraordinary campaign", though he acknowledged Inter remain the stronger squad overall. "Roma is the only one that can compete for the title," he said. Balbo reserved special praise for Dybala and Malen's partnership. On Malen specifically, he said: "He is a simple and effective player and the most difficult thing in football is to play with simplicity and he does it better than anyone. He's quick, he knows how to move, he attacks spaces, he sees goal easily. He is outstanding. He scores goals the way great strikers do." Balbo highlighted Malen's versatility: "He scores in every way. With great play or as he did against Torino by shooting from the ground. The striker is like that — he doesn't care how he puts the ball in the net as long as he scores and reaches the objective." When asked if Malen could surpass the 36-goal record held by Higuain and Immobile, Balbo said: "It's difficult to maintain that goal average but if others have managed it why can't he? I wish it for him because if he does it means Roma would get close to or even actually win the title." On Dybala, Balbo added: "Paulo is a champion and he always improves. This year he is doing extraordinary work, with him on the pitch the team flows better. He is magic and fantasy." Balbo also noted the importance of Roma's Argentine contingent, saying they bring "character and quality" and a "winning mentality that they transmit to the group."

Former striker Abel Balbo has praised Roma's early-season form under Gian Piero Gasperini, saying the team is entertaining to watch and delivering results. Balbo singled out Donyell Malen for particular praise: "He is very strong, scores like the great strikers and is functional to Gasperini's style of play." He also commended Paulo Dybala: "He is magic and fantasy; with him on the pitch the team runs better." On Roma's league position, Balbo assessed that while Inter remain superior, Roma are now the only side capable of competing for the title. Matías Soulé has earned a callup to Argentina's squad following a strong start to the 2026–27 season. The winger has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist across his first 6 matches. Soulé will join teammates Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi in the Argentina setup for forthcoming friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. The fixture against Benin on 6 October will be Lionel Messi's final appearance for the Argentina national team. Soulé marked the moment on social media: "Enjoying these moments."

Abel Balbo, the former Roma striker, has praised the club's attacking prowess in an interview with Il Messaggero, backing them to challenge for the Serie A title this season. Balbo said Roma are "beautiful to watch, entertaining and getting results" and predicted "an extraordinary campaign", though he acknowledged Inter remain the stronger squad overall. "Roma is the only one that can compete for the title," he said. Balbo reserved special praise for Dybala and Malen's partnership. On Malen specifically, he said: "He is a simple and effective player and the most difficult thing in football is to play with simplicity and he does it better than anyone. He's quick, he knows how to move, he attacks spaces, he sees goal easily. He is outstanding. He scores goals the way great strikers do." Balbo highlighted Malen's versatility: "He scores in every way. With great play or as he did against Torino by shooting from the ground. The striker is like that — he doesn't care how he puts the ball in the net as long as he scores and reaches the objective." When asked if Malen could surpass the 36-goal record held by Higuain and Immobile, Balbo said: "It's difficult to maintain that goal average but if others have managed it why can't he? I wish it for him because if he does it means Roma would get close to or even actually win the title." On Dybala, Balbo added: "Paulo is a champion and he always improves. This year he is doing extraordinary work, with him on the pitch the team flows better. He is magic and fantasy." Balbo also noted the importance of Roma's Argentine contingent, saying they bring "character and quality" and a "winning mentality that they transmit to the group."

Former striker Abel Balbo has praised Roma's early-season form under Gian Piero Gasperini, saying the team is entertaining to watch and delivering results. Balbo singled out Donyell Malen for particular praise: "He is very strong, scores like the great strikers and is functional to Gasperini's style of play." He also commended Paulo Dybala: "He is magic and fantasy; with him on the pitch the team runs better." On Roma's league position, Balbo assessed that while Inter remain superior, Roma are now the only side capable of competing for the title. Matías Soulé has earned a callup to Argentina's squad following a strong start to the 2026–27 season. The winger has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist across his first 6 matches. Soulé will join teammates Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi in the Argentina setup for forthcoming friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. The fixture against Benin on 6 October will be Lionel Messi's final appearance for the Argentina national team. Soulé marked the moment on social media: "Enjoying these moments."

Donyell Malen has become Roma's ideal centre-forward under Gian Piero Gasperini's guidance this season. The 27-year-old Dutch forward, now operating centrally rather than from the wing as he did at Aston Villa, has formed a complementary partnership with Paulo Dybala that echoes Roma's great attacking pairings of the past—Pruzzo with Falcao, Conti, and Totti with Batistuta. While shy and reserved away from the pitch, Malen transforms into an unstoppable force once play begins, combining precise coordination, a devastating first step, and clinical finishing. Gasperini deserves credit for identifying Malen's finishing potential and repositioning him closer to goal. The repositioning from the wing to a more advanced attacking role has made him the driving force of Roma's offensive system. Malen's statistics underline his impact: he is averaging a goal every 58 minutes played and maintains a frequency of at least two shots on target per match. This efficiency demonstrates the effectiveness of Gasperini's tactical adjustment and the quality Malen brings to the Giallorossi attack.