Pellegrini ready for Como return after six-month injury absence

Lorenzo Pellegrini is fit again and will become a major reinforcement for Gian Piero Gasperini when Roma resume after the international break. The midfielder has completed his recovery from a right thigh strain that sidelined him since 10 April, when Roma played Pisa—his last match. The injury forced him to undergo surgery and miss 12 matches in total. At Como, Pellegrini is expected to return to the starting lineup after six months away. Gasperini does not yet have a settled starter on the left of the attacking midfield, with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora alternating in the role. Pellegrini is the real candidate to establish himself as the regular occupant of that position.

Kylian Mbappé returned to Madrid today after sustaining a left knee injury during France's international fixture against Turkey yesterday evening, easing Real Madrid's concerns ahead of their Champions League visit to Roma on Wednesday 14 October at the Olimpico. Medical examinations carried out by Real Madrid's staff today diagnosed a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee. The club confirmed in a statement: "Following examinations performed today by Real Madrid's medical staff, our player Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee. His recovery will be monitored." Roma's schedule sees them face Como at the Sinigaglia on Sunday 11 October at 12:30, before the Champions League super-clash four days later. The injury adds to Real Madrid's existing absences—Konaté and Valverde are practically ruled out—but Mbappé's prognosis has improved significantly from initial fears. Zidane suggested in his post-match comments that the injury appeared serious, telling reporters: "Serious injury. He must return to Madrid." Sky Sport reported that Mbappé is expected to recover in 10–12 days, putting him on course to feature in the Roma fixture. Mbappé left the pitch during France's match against Turkey visibly in pain, hands on his head. He arrived at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training centre today and departed just 20 minutes later, according to reports.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is working his way back to full fitness after injury, having regained his place in the squad and edging closer to a return to action. The number 7 has not played for six months but is now focused on rediscovering his sharpness on the pitch. Despite the extended absence, Pellegrini says he is in a settled place personally, reflecting on his recovery journey through a social media post at Trigoria's training ground. Pellegrini shared his thoughts on his mindset during rehabilitation, writing: "True happiness is being at peace with who you are." He accompanied the message with photographs from the training ground, his home gym work, and even a lighter moment improvising as a pizza maker. The recovery underscores Roma's patience with one of the club's academy graduates as he works toward match readiness.

Francesco Totti celebrated his 50th birthday on 27 September in Las Vegas, but his milestone resonated across Rome's football community and beyond. The former captain, who spent his entire career at the club and retired in 2017, holds no formal position at AS Roma despite contact and attempts in recent months to bring him back into an official role. He currently serves as an advisor to Maxima Roma, a newly promoted basketball franchise making its Serie A debut, and has recently published an autobiography titled *Oltre*. Despite his absence from the club's structure, Totti embodies the supreme symbol of Roman football identity. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has recognised and valued a unique asset in the current squad: three players developed in Roma's academy who are visceral supporters of the shirt they wear. Gasperini has demonstrated this understanding through his handling of Lorenzo Pellegrini, whom he has protected and guided through a contract renewal; Niccolò Pisilli's emergence as a significant midfielder; and his immediate block of Matteo Lulli's departure on loan to Avellino. These decisions underscore how the thread of belonging remains a determining factor for the club's present and future.

Francesco Totti celebrates his 50th birthday today, 27 September 2026, surrounded by loved ones in Las Vegas, but his significance to Rome and its football culture transcends the distance. The city's neighbourhoods—Porta Metronia, Trigoria, Casal Palocco, the Eur and Vigna Clara—mark the occasion, and Roma as a whole observes a tradition of birthday wishes that has endured since his playing days. Beyond football, Totti is now an advisor to Maxima Roma, a newly formed basketball club that debuts in Serie A today, and has released a new book, *Oltre*, documenting his life after football. Though he has been linked with a return to Roma's leadership structure, no such appointment has materialised. Gasperini has built something rare: a Roma squad featuring three academy graduates who are genuine supporters of the club they now represent—a strength rather than a limitation. The coach has nurtured this foundation, most notably with Lorenzo Pellegrini, whom he persuaded the board to tie down with a contract renewal, and Niccolò Pisilli, who has carved out a significant role despite limited initial expectations. The third is Emanuele Lulli, whose emergence proved important enough that the club blocked his planned loan move to Avellino. In Serie A's upper tier, few clubs can claim such a cohort of homegrown, emotionally invested players. Totti's enduring presence in Rome's consciousness—despite holding no official role—illustrates a singular bond between player and place. He carries the identity of the city even in his absence from the club structure, much as the academy graduates now do through their performances on the pitch.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is fit again and will become a major reinforcement for Gian Piero Gasperini when Roma resume after the international break. The midfielder has completed his recovery from a right thigh strain that sidelined him since 10 April, when Roma played Pisa—his last match. The injury forced him to undergo surgery and miss 12 matches in total. At Como, Pellegrini is expected to return to the starting lineup after six months away. Gasperini does not yet have a settled starter on the left of the attacking midfield, with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora alternating in the role. Pellegrini is the real candidate to establish himself as the regular occupant of that position.

Rodrigo Mora produced an eye-catching performance for Portugal U21, laying on a decisive assist and displaying moments of outstanding quality as the team's number ten, though Portugal still lost 2–1 to Bulgaria. Mora was man of the match for his side in the fixture, deployed as a central attacking midfielder behind striker Varela in a 4-2-3-1 formation that appeared to suit his strengths. The performance is welcome news for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who has backed Mora since the midfielder's arrival at Roma. His central attacking midfield role — his most natural position — brings out his vision of play and ability in the final pass. However, a tactical puzzle remains: while Mora's qualities are beyond question, his best position is a 4-2-3-1 setup that Gasperini employs only sporadically as a match-in-progress tactical change. Finding tactical common ground will be the crucial step in coming weeks. With the restart of the league campaign and a packed fixture list spanning Serie A and European competition, Mora will have plenty of opportunities to stake a claim for a significant role in the squad.

Rodrigo Mora delivered a decisive assist and played the best football of his international appearance for Portugal Under 21 in Friday's 2–1 defeat to Bulgaria, earning man-of-the-match honours despite the loss. The performance will encourage Gasperini, who has invested heavily in the midfielder. For Roma, however, the question is not about Mora's quality but where he fits. In national team football, Mora operates as a central attacking midfielder behind the striker Varela in a 4-2-3-1 formation—a role that appears natural to him. Gasperini deploys that system only sporadically at Roma, creating a tactical puzzle the club must solve. The next phase will require both player and coach to find common ground, with opportunities to work through the position issue set to arise when the international break ends and Roma resume their season.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is fit again and will become a major reinforcement for Gian Piero Gasperini when Roma resume after the international break. The midfielder has completed his recovery from a right thigh strain that sidelined him since 10 April, when Roma played Pisa—his last match. The injury forced him to undergo surgery and miss 12 matches in total. At Como, Pellegrini is expected to return to the starting lineup after six months away. Gasperini does not yet have a settled starter on the left of the attacking midfield, with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora alternating in the role. Pellegrini is the real candidate to establish himself as the regular occupant of that position.