Pisilli shining under Gasperini and with Italy Under-21 as he targets Serie A title

Former Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio has assessed the club's strong start to the 2026–27 season in an interview, singling out Mile Svilar for particular praise. Sergio believes Roma have narrowed the gap on Inter, who remain the team to beat, though he acknowledges that Champions League involvement this season will demand significant energy. On Svilar specifically, Sergio said: "Currently, in my view, he can be considered among the three best goalkeepers in the world. He is a beast, he manages to be quick and has very good technique." Sergio highlighted Rodrigo Mora as the summer arrival with the greatest potential impact. "Rodrigo Mora I really like a lot and I am sure he will be an important player over the course of the season," he said. Wesley, the Brazilian defender, was assessed as needing to improve his consistency both physically and technically. Sergio also commented on the attacking form of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, describing them as "a great pairing," though he urged caution about title ambitions: "They are a great couple, but it is still too early to talk about the Scudetto."

Julio Sergio has urged caution over Roma's title prospects despite their strong start to the season. The former Brazilian player, who came close to winning a Serie A title at Roma, acknowledged that Gian Piero Gasperini's side has narrowed the gap to Inter but stopped short of declaring them contenders. "On the level of performance I think Roma have got closer to Inter, who remain the team to beat," Sergio said in an interview with Il Tempo. "This year, though, Roma will also be protagonists in the Champions League, a commitment that takes a lot of energy away." Speaking about the club's readiness for a title challenge, Sergio was measured. He singled out Rodrigo Mora as a player capable of making a significant impact this season: "Rodrigo Mora I really like a lot and I'm sure he can be an important player over the course of the season." On Wesley's development, he identified consistency as an area for improvement. "He needs to be more consistent, not only from a physical point of view but also technically." Sergío lavished praise on goalkeeper Mile Svilar, placing him among the world's elite. "Currently, in my opinion, he can be considered among the three best goalkeepers in the world. He's a beast, he manages to be quick and has very good technique." Asked whether the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, both in strong form, could inspire a title push, Sergio remained unconvinced. "They are a great couple, but it is still too early to talk about winning the scudetto."

Roma have scored 14 goals in their opening five Serie A matches of the 2026–27 season, a dramatic improvement on last season's pace. The club sits joint top of the table after four wins and a draw—the draw coming against Inter—and the attacking output tells the real story of Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival taking hold. In the equivalent five-game stretch of 2025–26, Roma managed only 5 goals. Now, led by Donyell Malen, who was named Serie A's best player for September, the team scores nearly three times as much and has increased the volume of shots on goal by more than 50%. Both seasons saw Roma accumulate 12 points after five matches in 2025–26 and 13 points this year—a single-point gain—but the underlying performance has shifted fundamentally. Last season Roma scraped results with minimal effort, distributing goals sparingly across their opening run. This season the squad produces far more, applying Gasperini's principles with growing confidence. The club kept its core group and added pieces in the summer transfer window, and the combination is now delivering the high-intensity football the coach demands, featuring man-to-man marking and high pressing from the start.

Bryan Cristante is a doubt for Roma's trip to Como on 11 October, with kickoff at 12:30 on Sunday, after the midfielder withdrew from international duty with lower back pain and subsequently picked up a knee issue. The medical staff will assess Cristante in the coming days; if he is unavailable, Manu Koné is on standby, with either Niccolò Pisilli or Marten de Roon as alternatives. Roma resume their campaign after the October international break in what is billed as a significant fixture. The club has contingency options in midfield to cover a potential absence from a key player. Gasperini will make a final decision on Cristante's fitness ahead of the match. On transfer matters, the article notes several developments: Inter are reportedly considering a move for a midfielder, with Roma holding a 10 per cent sell-on clause from Cagliari on that player. Two other stories have emerged concerning Roma—Gasperini's involvement in Paulo Dybala's contract renewal, during which Dybala rejected approaches from both Juventus and Napoli, and a claim from Spanish sources that a deal for Real Madrid's Endrick to join Roma was agreed before being halted.

Italy's U21 side won 1–0 away to Armenia in Yerevan in their penultimate European Championship qualifier on 1 October. The match remained goalless at half-time despite Italy creating multiple chances. The Azzurrini stepped up the pressure in the second half, though a Koleosho penalty was saved by Ghazaryan. Cisse sealed victory in the 96th minute with a decisive finish that keeps Italy's qualification hopes alive. For the group to be won, Italy must beat Poland in a direct encounter on Monday 5 October in Pescara, but must do so by a margin of two goals. Only the group winners and the best runner-up qualify for the European Championship. Two Roma players featured: Niccolò Pisilli started and played the full match, while Emanuele Lulli came on at half-time and contributed to Italy's second-half siege. Both received yellow cards, Pisilli in the 31st minute and Lulli in the 94th.

Bryan Cristante is doubtful for Roma's away fixture against Como on Sunday 11 October after sustaining a knee injury that will require close monitoring from the club's medical staff over the coming days. The midfielder had already withdrawn from his national team's call-up due to a lower back problem, but the knee issue has now become the primary concern as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini assesses whether Cristante can return to full availability or must be managed with extra caution. In the event of Cristante's absence, Roma will face a selection decision in midfield alongside Manu Koné. The main alternatives are Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon. De Roon has not yet started a league match for Roma but has had the international break to train at Trigoria and build his match fitness since his arrival. Gasperini will await developments in Cristante's condition before deciding whether the midfielder can feature against Como. His presence for the match remains uncertain as the coaching staff continues to evaluate the knee problem.