Pellegrini eyes starting role as Roma prepare for Como; De Roon and Balerdi push for inclusion

Lorenzo Pellegrini is in line to feature in Roma's attacking midfield against Como after returning to full availability under Gian Piero Gasperini. The number 7 is ahead of Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in the battle to complete the attacking setup in the away fixture. Gasperini's selection may be influenced by workload management. Pellegrini remained at Trigoria throughout the international break and has been able to work continuously under the coach's direction, while his direct rivals have been on international duty. Soulé is only expected back in the capital as the match approaches following his commitments with Argentina, while Mora returns this afternoon after time with Portugal Under 21. With the match just days away, this situation could affect Gasperini's starting decisions.

Radio commentators have raised concerns about Roma's preparation ahead of their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, scheduled for next week. Nardo asked on TeleRadioStereo whether Roma are truly ready for the encounter. Other analysts highlighted potential squad-rotation issues as players return from international duty. Frenquelli noted on Radio Romanista that Balerdi and Soulé may not be deployed immediately given their late return, but said there is no cause for concern yet regarding Wesley and Malen. Mirabella observed that Roma's functional squad numbers only 24–25–26 players. Bighi, however, expressed worry about Wesley and Malen's fitness, reporting that both have continued training separately from the main group.

Lionel Messi scored and provided two assists as Argentina closed out his 21-year international career with a 3–0 friendly victory over Benin at the Monumental stadium in front of over 85,000 supporters. Messi was visibly moved during the celebrations. Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring at 48 minutes from a Messi assist, Nico Paz doubled the lead at 61 minutes also from the captain's pass, and Messi himself converted a penalty at 71 minutes—his 126th and final goal for the Selección. The match ended his playing journey that included victory at the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles across 208 appearances. Three AS Roma players took no part in Messi's farewell. Leonardo Balerdi remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes, while Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro were not included in the squad at all. Both Soulé and Castro had made their senior debuts for Argentina in the earlier friendly against Burkina Faso. The international break now concludes for the Roma trio, and they return to Trigoria ahead of the squad's trip to Como on Sunday. Gian Piero Gasperini will prepare them for that fixture. For Soulé and Castro, the break marked the realisation of a significant milestone—their first appearances for the national team.

Paulo Dybala has continued intensive training at Trigoria during the international break, preparing Roma for their Serie A fixture at Como on Sunday 11 October. The Argentine remained in the capital rather than join his national team, giving him uninterrupted access to work under Gian Piero Gasperini as the training ground progressively repopulates with squad members returning from international duty. Dybala worked at high intensity in the latest session, combining tactical work with his usual closing game. His commitment throughout the break—when most players have been away on international assignments—positions him as a strong candidate for minutes at the Sinigaglia. Gasperini will use the coming days to finalise his attacking setup and assess returning internationals, but Dybala's continuous preparation gives the coach scope to build tactical awareness ahead of the trip to Como. The number 21 has shown great participation and eagerness throughout the break, with positive signs emerging about his physical condition. Gasperini will now have him available to prepare the attack for the resumption of the league campaign. Dybala is keen to return to match action and is positioning himself to be ready when Roma resume their Serie A challenge.

Paulo Dybala met artist Lorenzo Verrecchia, known as Drugi, at Trigoria yesterday following the international break, after the Argentine forward saw and appreciated a mural by the artist that appeared at Garbatella. The work depicts a child holding a small Roma superhero wearing the number 21 shirt. Dybala had expressed a desire to meet and thank Verrecchia personally after viewing the piece, and the break in fixtures allowed the meeting to take place at the training ground before the squad resumed preparation. The mural shows a seated child with a small Roma superhero in its hands: a yellow-and-red cape, the number 21 on the shoulders, and a fist pointed toward the sky. The image was clearly inspired by Dybala and the bond the Argentine has built with Roma supporters over time. The meeting occurred inside the Giallorossi training facility, where the two discussed the artwork and the passion that drove its creation. Dybala had been particularly struck by the mural and requested the opportunity to meet its creator. For the occasion, Drugi prepared a special gift: a reproduction of the work printed on canvas and set in a handcrafted frame made of leccio wood. According to reports, the gift moved Dybala. The forward has already decided where to place it: in the gymnasium of his Roman home. The gesture reflects the relationship Dybala has built over the years with Roma and the city—a bond forged on the pitch and one that has become a source of inspiration for both artists and supporters.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is available again and in contention to start in the attack alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala for Roma's match against Como, a fixture that could reinforce the club's title ambitions. Gasperini now has the midfielder fully recovered after positive signs during training on 6 October. Pellegrini holds an advantage over Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora because he is the only one of the three who has had no international commitments; Soulé will return just 48 hours before the Como match following Argentina's post-Messi celebration fixture, while Mora returns to Rome on 7 October afternoon after Under-21 duty. Pellegrini's availability also offers tactical flexibility to support a midfield left without Bryan Cristante. The rotation between the three attacking midfielders will be necessary given Roma's fixture schedule—Real Madrid (managed by Mourinho) and Genoa (managed by De Rossi) will arrive at the Olimpico within four days. Pellegrini's return, awaited since April following injury and a protracted contract dispute, represents a significant moment. For two months he was a free agent but chose to honour his commitment to Gasperini, halve his salary and reject offers from Juventus and Besiktas to remain in the capital. In defence, Evan N'Dicka and Leonardo Balerdi compete for a place, while Marten de Roon will substitute for Cristante in midfield.

Radio commentators have raised concerns about Roma's preparation ahead of their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, scheduled for next week. Nardo asked on TeleRadioStereo whether Roma are truly ready for the encounter. Other analysts highlighted potential squad-rotation issues as players return from international duty. Frenquelli noted on Radio Romanista that Balerdi and Soulé may not be deployed immediately given their late return, but said there is no cause for concern yet regarding Wesley and Malen. Mirabella observed that Roma's functional squad numbers only 24–25–26 players. Bighi, however, expressed worry about Wesley and Malen's fitness, reporting that both have continued training separately from the main group.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is available again and in contention to start in the attack alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala for Roma's match against Como, a fixture that could reinforce the club's title ambitions. Gasperini now has the midfielder fully recovered after positive signs during training on 6 October. Pellegrini holds an advantage over Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora because he is the only one of the three who has had no international commitments; Soulé will return just 48 hours before the Como match following Argentina's post-Messi celebration fixture, while Mora returns to Rome on 7 October afternoon after Under-21 duty. Pellegrini's availability also offers tactical flexibility to support a midfield left without Bryan Cristante. The rotation between the three attacking midfielders will be necessary given Roma's fixture schedule—Real Madrid (managed by Mourinho) and Genoa (managed by De Rossi) will arrive at the Olimpico within four days. Pellegrini's return, awaited since April following injury and a protracted contract dispute, represents a significant moment. For two months he was a free agent but chose to honour his commitment to Gasperini, halve his salary and reject offers from Juventus and Besiktas to remain in the capital. In defence, Evan N'Dicka and Leonardo Balerdi compete for a place, while Marten de Roon will substitute for Cristante in midfield.

A documentary about Donyell Malen's path to AS Roma is being released on YouTube on 14 October, produced by Amazon Prime Italia. The film, titled *From Home to Rome*, traces the forward's origins and early development in football, including his time at youth club Success, where he took his first steps in the game. Malen has made a strong impression at Roma since his arrival and settled quickly in the capital. The documentary crew visited the Success academy's training ground to film and conducted interviews with Malen's mother and grandmother. The content will detail his childhood, the places that shaped him, and the journey that brought him to his new life in Rome.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is in line to feature in Roma's attacking midfield against Como after returning to full availability under Gian Piero Gasperini. The number 7 is ahead of Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in the battle to complete the attacking setup in the away fixture. Gasperini's selection may be influenced by workload management. Pellegrini remained at Trigoria throughout the international break and has been able to work continuously under the coach's direction, while his direct rivals have been on international duty. Soulé is only expected back in the capital as the match approaches following his commitments with Argentina, while Mora returns this afternoon after time with Portugal Under 21. With the match just days away, this situation could affect Gasperini's starting decisions.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is available again and in contention to start in the attack alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala for Roma's match against Como, a fixture that could reinforce the club's title ambitions. Gasperini now has the midfielder fully recovered after positive signs during training on 6 October. Pellegrini holds an advantage over Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora because he is the only one of the three who has had no international commitments; Soulé will return just 48 hours before the Como match following Argentina's post-Messi celebration fixture, while Mora returns to Rome on 7 October afternoon after Under-21 duty. Pellegrini's availability also offers tactical flexibility to support a midfield left without Bryan Cristante. The rotation between the three attacking midfielders will be necessary given Roma's fixture schedule—Real Madrid (managed by Mourinho) and Genoa (managed by De Rossi) will arrive at the Olimpico within four days. Pellegrini's return, awaited since April following injury and a protracted contract dispute, represents a significant moment. For two months he was a free agent but chose to honour his commitment to Gasperini, halve his salary and reject offers from Juventus and Besiktas to remain in the capital. In defence, Evan N'Dicka and Leonardo Balerdi compete for a place, while Marten de Roon will substitute for Cristante in midfield.

Roma travel to Como for a Serie A encounter on Sunday at 12:30 for matchday six, immediately after the international break. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon and Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are set to operate in the attacking third, with Donyell Malen leading the line. Competition for places remains open in several positions: Evan N'Dicka and Balerdi are competing for the third centre-back slot, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are battling for a spot in the advanced midfield alongside Pellegrini. The selection is being shaped by ongoing injury concerns across the squad. Roma arrive still near the top of the league table but must recalibrate after two weeks disrupted by international departures. For Gasperini, the priority is assessing the condition of players returning late from their national teams and rotating the squad without sacrificing defensive stability in what is expected to be a challenging away fixture. Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, will field a 4-2-3-1 setup and attempt to exploit home advantage and their attacking resources. Historically, Roma hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record, with 13 victories compared to Como's 7, and 8 draws across 28 Serie A meetings. The most recent encounter came on 15 March 2026 at the Sinigaglia, where Como won 2-1. Roma took the lead through Donyell Malen's penalty on 7 minutes, but Como reversed the result in the second half with goals from Douvikas and Diego Carlos. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN via smartphone, PC, tablet or the official website. Official lineups will be announced approximately one hour before kick-off.