N'Dicka returns to training as Gasperini rebuilds Roma's defence

Arsenal have entered the chase for Roma's Wesley, joining Manchester United and Newcastle in monitoring the Brazilian winger. The Gunners are tracking Wesley as part of their search for reinforcements on the flanks, with the 23-year-old having drawn widespread English attention for his form under Gian Piero Gasperini. Wesley has become one of Europe's most closely watched wingers and has demonstrated his ability to operate on both flanks. Wesley's valuation has risen sharply. Around a year ago, the Brazilian was valued at approximately €30 million; current reports from England suggest that figure has nearly doubled. Roma are now seeking €60 million to consider negotiations. The club has not signalled any intention to sell Wesley, who remains a key part of Gasperini's project. However, the interest from top English sides continues to intensify, with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle identified as the three clubs most closely following his situation. Monaco's Vanderson is also attracting attention from the same trio of Premier League clubs, valued around €40 million and considered a more accessible alternative. For Wesley, the asking price reflects his status as a top-tier prospect: any club wishing to sign him will need to present an offer befitting a player of that calibre.

Gian Piero Gasperini outlined one of his key ambitions for the season as Roma prepare to travel to Como on Sunday. The head coach said: "I feel their confidence, but I want to bring the Friedkin Group closer to Rome. Bringing greater presence with the centenary and the new stadium in mind is an objective of mine." Roma will return to their Trigoria base from Tuesday as players rejoin from international duty, ahead of the Como fixture and a demanding stretch of nine matches in 27 days. Gasperini also addressed the fitness of Bryan Cristante, who continues his recovery from injury. "Cristante is recovering but it will take time," the coach said. On Manu Koné, who did not leave the club during the transfer window, Gasperini explained: "For Koné there were no suitable timings." The coach also paid tribute to José Mourinho, describing him as "a special person." In a lighter moment with Como manager Cesc Fabregas, the two coaches discussed pressing tactics using a Subbuteo table football set, with Gasperini joking: "He beat me here, but on Sunday..."

Italy's Under-21 side secured qualification for the 2027 European Championship with a 6–2 demolition of Poland at the Stadio Adriatico in Pescara. The emphatic victory saw the Azzurrini overtake Poland at the top of their qualifying group on goal difference in a decisive head-to-head encounter. Niccolò Pisilli started in midfield for Italy and played the full 90 minutes, continuing his run of regular selection at Under-21 level. Fellow Roma player Emanuele Lulli remained on the bench throughout. Ndour scored twice in Italy's commanding performance, with additional goals from Koleosho, Lipani, Fini and former Roma forward Cherubini. Manager Baldini's side demonstrated overwhelming attacking prowess to seal their place at the 2027 tournament.

Roma players will begin filtering back to Trigoria from tomorrow, 6 October, as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares his squad for the trip to Como on Sunday 11 October at 12:30. The club have trained with a reduced group during the international break, and the staggered returns will allow Gasperini to resume full preparations. Evan N'Dicka, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Giorgio De Marzi are expected back in the morning, with further arrivals throughout the day. The Italy contingent—Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli—will arrive in the evening. Manu Koné, the France midfielder, will be the last to rejoin, returning to the squad on Wednesday and training with the group a day behind the initial batch of returnees.

Roma's radio stations have focused heavily on the upcoming Como fixture and squad selection as Gasperini's side prepares for a demanding period. Checco Oddo Casano argued that Devyne Rensch, bought for €5 million, could be sold in January for a profit to bring in a stronger left-back in the style of Moreira. "Rensch is a little player who can fit in Roma's squad, but he'll hardly become a new Gosens, a new Zappacosta or a new Wesley," Casano said. "You bought him at a good price and you can make a profit—maybe in January you can sell him and get a stronger player to improve in that area of the pitch." David Rossi noted that Roma's last league defeat came in April when they lost to Inter at San Siro, despite playing a strong first half. He questioned whether Roma are genuinely weaker than Como or whether the psychological pressure of the fixture is one-sided. Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged Como's strength—demonstrating a solid project over the past season and a half—but emphasised that Roma are equally capable, with both teams among the three strongest in the league. Fabio Petruzzi said Roma and Como have shown significant growth over the last 18 months and play the best football in Italy, even better than Inter, though Inter's superior squad makes them favourites. Piero Torri predicted De Roon will start against Como, saying "he seems made specifically to play with Gasperini." Torri noted Lorenzo Pellegrini could play as a midfielder but has never featured in that role under Gasperini and hasn't played a match since April, making an immediate start unlikely. Torri stated: "I'll be called mad, but for me the Como match is harder than the Real Madrid one." Marco Valerio Corsi reported that Bryan Cristante appears to have a lateral knee ligament problem and will miss both Como and Real Madrid, with the length of the absence still unclear. Roberto Pruzzo called De Roon "a proven reliable player" and "a solid used buy," saying he cannot be ignored as an option despite potential fitness concerns over a run of ten consecutive matches. Nando Orsi said De Roon will "challenge the titularity of one of the two sacred monsters of midfield" if he is physically fit, having praised the signing in advance. Stephan El Shaarawy was not mentioned. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso featured prominently in defenders' debate, with Carina suggesting N'Dicka was sidelined too easily and forming the best back three with Balerdi and Hermoso. Pruzzo still favoured Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso as the core defensive line, while Mattioli predicted Balerdi will become immovable once fully integrated into Italian football and Roma's system.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has decisions to make ahead of the trip to Como, with injuries and international commitments affecting selection in midfield and defence. Matías Soulé, who has been with Argentina, is expected back at Trigoria only on Thursday, opening the door for either Lorenzo Pellegrini or Rodrigo Mora to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in the attacking midfield role. Pellegrini, who has not played since 10 April, is fully fit and ready to return; a start would mark his 350th appearance for Roma. Mora, meanwhile, is currently with the Portugal U21 side and is chasing continuity after scoring an overhead kick against Gibraltar. Gasperini has built a significant strength on Roma's flanks this season—a reversal of last season's problems. The club's wingers have created 24 goal-scoring chances so far: 13 from Wesley, 7 from Nahuel Molina and 4 from Emanuele Lulli, a tally that places Roma second only to Inter. The coach is expected to field Molina on the right and Wesley on the left at Como, with the Brazilian given a more attacking brief and the Argentine tasked with greater defensive responsibility, though Gasperini has signalled he does not regard the flanks as fixed assignments and may shuffle them during the match. Defence has also emerged as a major weapon. Gasperini described Roma's back line as a "difesa di gladiatori" (defence of gladiators), and the numbers back that assessment. Roma lead Serie A with 5.8 recoveries per match in the attacking third and 141 regained possessions in the central areas, generating 17 shots from high-pressure recoveries. The coach has several defensive options in Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka could return to the starting line-up at Como in place of Balerdi, who is still with Argentina and due back at Trigoria later. Gasperini's defensive philosophy is encapsulated in one of his favourite sayings: "Si difende in 11, si attacca in 11"—defence involves all eleven, as does attack.

Donyell Malen spent a scheduled rest day exploring Rome as a tourist, visiting the Vatican Museums with his wife Delisha. The Dutch forward shared a selfie from the Stanza della Segnatura, the room decorated by Raffaello Sanzio. Malen has been at Roma since January, when he arrived from Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund, and has quickly won over the Giallorossi supporters despite appearing to have played for the club for years. During the current international break, Malen declined a call-up to the Netherlands squad due to knee discomfort. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini granted the forward a rest day before training resumed at Trigoria on 6 October. Malen is expected to return to the attack for the trip to Como on 11 October.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Sky Sport from his wine estate in Asti, addressing Roma's upcoming fixtures against Como and Real Madrid after the international break. The head coach discussed the club's ownership, the fitness of his squad, and the decision to retain Manu Koné in the summer transfer window. Gasperini outlined his relationship with the Friedkin Group, saying: "A relationship different to the one I had with Percassi, which was present daily and went beyond work. With the Friedkin it doesn't happen, but I always feel their trust and support from a distance. They come little to Rome, but they put Galantic here who now acts as close liaison between Roma and them. My objective is to manage to involve them much more, but not so much for me as for them themselves and for the fans. Bringing greater presence in view of the centenary and the new stadium is an objective of mine." On José Mourinho, Gasperini said: "He is a special person, and people like that achieve success beyond what happens on the pitch. Here he won a Conference and played a final; in the league perhaps he did less, but he is someone who was appreciated by the supporters and that means he really has something special." Gasperini explained the squad's unusual break during the international pause, noting the team had reduced numbers and could not play friendlies, so "we decided to give continuity the first week. Then we took days of rest like today." On Bryan Cristante's injury, he said: "Cristante has a collateral ligament problem, he is recovering but it will take time. I'm not sure if he will miss both Como and Real but we won't risk anything since there are now many matches and we want him at his best." He praised Matías Soulé's form, noting Soulé "did something extraordinary in the first half last season then was held back by a groin injury. He recovered and when he arrived at the pre-season camp he was overweight but now he is playing at a high level. He debuted with Argentina and that for me is always a reward for the whole squad." Gasperini also confirmed that Malen is fit and Dybala is training as he has since early July. On Koné specifically, Gasperini stated: "He couldn't be replaced in so little time. There was nothing feasible. The market lasted long and making a sale at the last moment was impossible even for the timing. These transfers then require the entry of so many people. Personally I'm happy it went this way; he will have the chance, as he is already doing, to increase his value further." The coach declined to commit to signing a striker in January, saying: "It's not easy; strikers are always expensive and are sought by many. We have a good department; that role is lacking but it's not like we're playing with ten."

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has decisions to make ahead of the trip to Como, with injuries and international commitments affecting selection in midfield and defence. Matías Soulé, who has been with Argentina, is expected back at Trigoria only on Thursday, opening the door for either Lorenzo Pellegrini or Rodrigo Mora to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in the attacking midfield role. Pellegrini, who has not played since 10 April, is fully fit and ready to return; a start would mark his 350th appearance for Roma. Mora, meanwhile, is currently with the Portugal U21 side and is chasing continuity after scoring an overhead kick against Gibraltar. Gasperini has built a significant strength on Roma's flanks this season—a reversal of last season's problems. The club's wingers have created 24 goal-scoring chances so far: 13 from Wesley, 7 from Nahuel Molina and 4 from Emanuele Lulli, a tally that places Roma second only to Inter. The coach is expected to field Molina on the right and Wesley on the left at Como, with the Brazilian given a more attacking brief and the Argentine tasked with greater defensive responsibility, though Gasperini has signalled he does not regard the flanks as fixed assignments and may shuffle them during the match. Defence has also emerged as a major weapon. Gasperini described Roma's back line as a "difesa di gladiatori" (defence of gladiators), and the numbers back that assessment. Roma lead Serie A with 5.8 recoveries per match in the attacking third and 141 regained possessions in the central areas, generating 17 shots from high-pressure recoveries. The coach has several defensive options in Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka could return to the starting line-up at Como in place of Balerdi, who is still with Argentina and due back at Trigoria later. Gasperini's defensive philosophy is encapsulated in one of his favourite sayings: "Si difende in 11, si attacca in 11"—defence involves all eleven, as does attack.

Italy closed their Nations League window with a 3–1 victory over Turkey at the Dall'Ara in Bologna, following a 4–1 win in Bursa, to reach 7 points in Group A1. Roberto Mancini's side made nine changes from the draw with France. Gianluca Mancini started in central defence alongside Bastoni; Scamacca opened the scoring at the 26th minute after Di Lorenzo's cross, finishing low past the goalkeeper. Turkey equalised through Aral Simsir on the hour, left unmarked at the far post following a low cross from the right, but Italy responded within three minutes when Riccardo Calafiori, greeted by the Bologna crowd's ovation, rose above the Turkey defence to head in Barella's cross and make it 2–1. Gianluca Mancini's return to the Italy starting eleven was a positive night for the Roma defender, though the article notes Daniele Ghilardi was absent from the squad. Italy made it three consecutive positive results—after the 4–1 win in Turkey and the 1–1 draw in France—and secured a third successive competitive outing without defeat heading into November's final two group matches against France and Belgium. At the 87th minute, Doumbia broke down the right, crossed low, and Romano's shot was deflected in by Pio Esposito to seal the 3–1 scoreline. Esposito, with that goal, took his tally to seven in thirteen national team appearances. Donnarumma made an important save late in the match to preserve Italy's lead.

Italy host Turkey at the Dall'Ara in Bologna in the fourth matchday of the UEFA Nations League group phase. The Italians come into the match off the back of a draw away to France, while Turkey suffered a 4–1 defeat to Italy in the reverse fixture a week earlier. Coach Roberto Mancini makes further squad rotation and hands Scamacca a starting position in attack. From Roma's perspective, Gianluca Mancini starts in defence for Italy, while Daniele Ghilardi does not feature in the squad. ITALY (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Ruggeri; Barella, Romano, Doumbia; Vergara, Scamacca, Maldini. Coach: Roberto Mancini. Substitutes: Carnesecchi, Vicario, Scalvini, Calafiori, Kayode, Tonali, Fagioli, Frattesi, Cambiaghi, Inacio, S. Esposito, P. Esposito. TURKEY (4-3-3): Cakir; Celik, Bardakci, Kabak, Kadioglu; Elmali, Ozcan, Kahveci; Simsir, Akgun, Yuksek. Coach: Vincenzo Montella. Substitutes: Bayindir, Sengezer, Demiral, Topcu, Elmaz, Tiknaz, Kabasakal, Eskihellac, Fakili, Akturkoglu, Aydin, Gul.

France defeated Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France in Paris in the fourth matchday of Nations League Group A1, with Roma midfielder Manu Koné selected to start in midfield by head coach Zidane. Belgium took the lead through Lukebakio's goal in the 35th minute, but France came from behind after the interval. Koné was substituted around the hour mark for tactical reasons despite a solid performance; France then added three goals through Doue, Cherki, and a double from Olise to seal the comeback. Koné had been an unused substitute in France's previous fixture against Italy last Friday, alongside his Roma teammate Gianluca Mancini, who was also benched for that match. France remained top of the group with 10 points, three points clear of Italy in second and four ahead of Belgium in third.