Morocco beat Canada 3–0 as Ounahi shines in second-half display

Santiago Castro entered Roma's match against Atalanta at the 62nd minute as an unlikely substitute, replacing the league's in-form forward Donyell Malen, yet the move proved to be the turning point in a game the hosts trailed. In his brief appearance, Castro struck the post and crossbar while providing two key passes, underscoring the quality of Roma's bench and prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to praise his aggression. The Argentine's introduction illustrated the gulf between Roma's attacking depth now and the crisis that plagued them throughout the previous season. Last season Gasperini struggled with inadequate backup at centre-forward. Artem Dovbyk managed only 386 minutes in the league, while Evan Ferguson accumulated 776; injuries to both forced the coach into makeshift solutions, sometimes fielding a lone striker. Malen's January arrival from Dortmund transformed the dynamic, yet even then Gasperini was stretched thin managing the Dutchman's workload in a frenetic system that demands fresh energy. Castro's arrival this summer completes the picture. The forward combines goal-scoring instinct, the ability to run channels, ball retention and defensive work rate—qualities already evident in his early outings in red and gold. Gasperini's post-match verdict captured the shift: "The changes were good and that's what we were looking for—to complete this squad with substitutes who could give important help across matches. In finishing and in the forward area we were good, but we lacked intensity. We were sometimes too neat, aside from Castro's post and crossbar." Against Atalanta, Castro fired four shots—two on target and two off the woodwork—laying down a marker as a genuine alternative to Malen. Soulé scored, Molina offered fresh options on the flank and Balerdi commanded the defence like a squad veteran. Gasperini acknowledged the possibility of using both attackers together: "Castro and Malen together? It's an idea for the future. They can coexist, definitely. They can play together. We'll see; we're doing evaluations now. We'll have many matches so there will be chances for everyone and also to vary these systems." The contrast with previous seasons is stark. Roma's manager can now turn to a bench and find genuine competition for the starting eleven rather than, as José Mourinho once lamented, mere children. The scale of available rotation across the squad—particularly in attack and defence—represents a luxury rarely seen at Trigoria in recent years.

Roma will make their Champions League debut for seven years when they travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahçe on 8 September, their first taste of Europe's premier competition since March 2019. After winning their opening three Serie A matches, Gian Piero Gasperini's side returns to the tournament that has been absent from the Stadio Olimpico since the 2018–19 season, when Roma last played in it away to Porto in the round of 16 under Eusebio Di Francesco. The gulf between then and now is vast: that side held De Rossi as captain and featured Dzeko, Kolarov, Marcano, Manolas, Juan Jesus and Karsdorp in defence. Today, Roma take the pitch with fresh momentum and a manager ready for his 35th Champions League bench. For Gasperini, Istanbul marks a return to the tournament after his Atalanta years. Across 34 previous Champions League matches as a coach, his record stands at 12 victories, 9 draws and 13 defeats. His sole previous campaign outside Atalanta came in 2011 on Inter's bench, when he lost 1–0 to Trabzonspor at San Siro. Atalanta provided all 33 other appearances, including his finest hour: the 2019–20 quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, a result that stings still. Atalanta had led 1–0 thanks to Pasalic until the 90th minute, before Marquinhos and Choupo-Moting scored at 90 and 93 minutes respectively. His last Champions League outing was the playoff elimination against Club Brugge in the 2024–25 season, a 5–2 aggregate defeat. For Fenerbahçe, the wait has been even longer: 18 years since they last featured in the group phase, which was the 2008–09 season. Roma's drought has lasted seven years, their previous fixture coming on 6 March 2019, a 3–1 loss after extra time to Porto. Across all European competitions, Roma have played 111 matches, recording 41 victories, 27 draws and 43 defeats, with their finest hour the 1984 European Cup final against Liverpool, decided on penalties. Fenerbahçe's best European run reached the quarter-finals in 2007–08, when they beat Chelsea 2–1 at home before elimination. The two clubs have never met in an official fixture; their only previous encounter was a friendly on 19 August 2014 at the Olimpico, which finished 3–3 before 35,000 spectators in Roma's pre-season presentation under Rudi Garcia. Totti opened the scoring from a penalty at 26 minutes; Bruno Alves equalised from a free-kick six minutes later. Kuyt and Sow put Fenerbahçe 3–1 up in the second half before Mattia Destro's double at 82 and 86 minutes secured a draw. Salih Uçan, who had transferred from Fenerbahçe to Roma weeks before, appeared for Roma in that second half. Romelu Lukaku, who spent one season at Roma as their centre-forward two years ago, will lead Fenerbahçe's attack. He scored 21 goals in 47 appearances for Roma—13 in Serie A, 7 in the Europa League and 1 in the Coppa Italia—under both Mourinho and De Rossi before joining Napoli. Mason Greenwood, the English forward who came close to signing for Roma this summer before Fenerbahçe's intervention secured his services with a substantial offer, will also feature. Mattéo Guendouzi, the French midfielder, is suspended for four match days by UEFA—two of them suspended for a year—following the incident in the playoff against Lyon, and will miss Roma's visit and the subsequent match against Aston Villa. Vedat Muriqi, the Kosovo striker who returned to Fenerbahçe after a spell at Mallorca, has already scored three goals in seven appearances this season, including the decisive strike in a 2–1 win over Lyon that sealed qualification. Jayden Oosterwolde, the defender, was due to join Roma after arriving at Ciampino on 25 August, but a medical examination revealed a serious issue with his left thigh beyond the initial diagnosis. After Roma attempted to renegotiate and Fenerbahçe refused, he returned to Istanbul and underwent surgery in Finland on 1 September; he will watch from the sidelines.

Roma's remarkable late comeback against Atalanta has impressed pundit Lele Adani, who analysed the performance on La Domenica Sportiva. Mario Hermoso equalised in the 89th minute before Roma scored again within three minutes, with Adani highlighting the intensity of the attack: Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala and Santiago Castro all shot during that spell, firing once every 40 seconds in September heat at the Stadio Olimpico with the thermometer at 35 degrees. Adani drew parallels to Gasperini's Atalanta sides, describing Roma's display as an act of faith rather than conventional football. He was struck by Roma's persistence in creating chances even when the match appeared lost and the crowd's overwhelming support. The club completed 39 shots across the entire fixture, which Adani called epic football shaped by the team's determination to attack in the final minutes.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Atalanta on matchday three, addressing injury updates and his feelings about the club. Paulo Dybala's tests have shown nothing concerning, though he will train on the day of the press conference to build confidence before three matches this week. On free-agent recruitment, Gasperini expressed doubt: "I believe it is difficult, I do not know what the possibilities might be, but I would not count on it much." He closed the door firmly on reintegrating Salah-Eddine, stating the player "has had several opportunities that he has refused. As far as Roma goes, I have already made choices and he is not in Roma's plans." Evan N'Dicka's injury status has improved substantially, with Gasperini saying "N'Dicka much better, I believe he is in the match. Today we will try him out." Lorenzo Pellegrini is progressing gradually and may return "perhaps with Inter or after the break," indicating a timeline beyond the immediate fixtures. Donyell Malen continues to impress, though Gasperini suggested working on his repertoire. The coach praised Rodrigo Mora's development after two consecutive appearances: "He is young but has already shown his talent against Fiorentina and Lecce. He has ample room for growth in the physical aspect, resistance and fitness. We are dealing with a boy of absolute value." Gasperini defended his decision not to name hierarchies in midfield despite the departure of Neil El Aynaoui and the arrival of Marten de Roon. "Pisilli is very far advanced: he has taken on maturity, awareness, he has grown, he is strong," Gasperini said. "I have four players there, I do not make hierarchies. De Roon, Balerdi and the latest arrivals must reach their best condition; they will play spells and we will see them at full-time probably after the break. Pisilli, Koné and Cristante are solid. We play in 16 and there are many matches. Do not make distinctions between those who start at the beginning and those who come in because in the end you will see that the playing time will be similar for everyone." On squad depth and tactical flexibility, he confirmed Santiago Castro and Mora can operate as forwards and that multiple tactical interpretations are possible. When asked about his time at Roma changing him, Gasperini reflected: "Certainly this experience has enriched me. I arrived in a different environment after nine years of great satisfaction and great integration with the city and the environment. It was not an easy choice, but I am happy to have made it because the conditions no longer existed. Great gratitude and great respect though for Atalanta. To feel alive again, the Roma piazza has been the maximum: it motivates you, stimulates you and we needed to improve the squad, so there was the challenge of needing to improve on what had been done up to that point." On Matías Soulé, he confirmed the player's pubalgia is behind him and he has recovered to excellent condition.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on the eve of Roma's fixture against Atalanta, confirming that Paulo Dybala and Evan N'Dicka will be assessed in training to determine their readiness for the match. Gasperini said Dybala "has nothing particular wrong with him, but today he will try: it is important that he feels safe and confident. There will be three matches in one week and he must be sure he can play. These are very important matches, to be played at their best." On N'Dicka, he stated: "N'Dicka is better, tomorrow I think he will be in the squad: today we will try him and Dybala." Gasperini was asked whether Roma would turn to free agents given the absence of an incoming winger, but he dismissed the prospect. "It is difficult to draw on free agents, I don't know what opportunities there could be. I wouldn't count on it much," he said. He also confirmed that Salah-Eddine had received "three or four offers that he refused; technical choices were made and he is not part of Roma's plans." On Lorenzo Pellegrini's availability, Gasperini said the midfielder "has started to do something with the group, but I don't know if he will return with Inter or after the break" in terms of playing time. He praised the squad's maturity and described the upcoming spell—which includes matches against Atalanta, Inter, Como and Napoli, plus Champions League football from Thursday in Turkey—as "a test of strength, of value." Gasperini discussed the midfield rotation that has seen Neil El Aynaoui make way for Marten de Roon, emphasizing that Niccolò Pisilli, Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante form a solid core without hierarchy. "De Roon, like Balerdi and Molina, the very latest arrivals, needs to be in top condition. They will play spells and we will probably see them at full time after the break," he explained. He also addressed Rodrigo Mora's potential, saying the young midfielder has "shown his talent in the first two" matches and possesses "broad room for growth on the physical front, endurance and stamina. But he is of absolute value, it is hard to deny." Gasperini expressed his affection for the squad's environment and unity: "Here there is pleasure in coming. You feel good when you train. When you are in an environment without friction, without antipathies and with pleasure in being together, it is beautiful. It is beautiful to see the pleasure with which we train." On Matías Soulé, Gasperini confirmed the attacker is fully recovered from a pubalgia injury. "For Soulé, pubalgia is a distant memory. He is well, he has played excellent matches." He acknowledged Atalanta's quality under their new management and recent additions, noting that the club "has taken Kessié, Rowe, who fit into a high-level squad. It has a Champions-level squad, with important changes and very reliable players." Roma face Atalanta tomorrow before Champions League action in Turkey and a subsequent match against Torino on Monday.

Evan N'Dicka has overcome the inflammation that sidelined him against Lecce and returned to partial group training at Trigoria, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini monitoring his recovery ahead of the Roma-Atalanta fixture. The defender will continue his rehabilitation in the coming days, with the next sessions decisive in determining whether he can be included in the squad for the Olimpico clash. The Lega Serie A has confirmed fixtures from matchday 6 to 12, with Roma's standout fixture a visit to Napoli on Saturday 24 October at 18:00 at the Maradona, alongside a midweek tie against Cagliari. Though the summer transfer window has closed, Roma continue to monitor free agents, with sporting director Tony D'Amico targeting an offensive left-winger with different profile characteristics from those already in the squad. Wilfried Zaha, the Ivorian currently without a club, represents a potential zero-cost opportunity and has been reexamined by Roma after being linked to the club in 2023. Legend Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino: "I think Dybala is Roma's best signing; last year you never had him at this level. We'll see further down the line when the team starts playing three times a week what the real value of this market is. I also think the squad has improved, but in the first two line-ups of the year when the team played brilliantly there are the same players as last year. El Aynaoui I criticised from the day he arrived; I think in midfield there is a need for changes beyond de Roon to give Cristante and Koné a rest." Piero Torri observed that D'Amico appeared slightly worried at the start of his press conference before becoming more assured.