Radio voices: Torino presents a tough test before Inter challenge

Roma face Torino in Serie A on 14 September at 18:30, four days after their Champions League return, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini managing squad rotation following the trip to Istanbul. The starting XI appears largely settled, though midfield and the right flank remain open questions. Svilar will start in goal, with the familiar trio of Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso in defence; Ghilardi is the alternative. Wesley is expected to hold the left-back spot, while the right side is contested between Lulli and Rensch, with Lulli marginally favoured, though Gasperini indicated in his press conference that his condition would need to be assessed before the match. The main shift could come in midfield. Manu Koné picked up a knee problem against Fenerbahçe, opening the door for Nicolò Pisilli to partner Bryan Cristante; Koné has attempted recovery and remains an option. Dybala and Donyell Malen are set pieces in attack, with Matías Soulé the likely choice to complete the forward line, while Rodrigo Mora stands ready either from the start or as an in-match solution. The probable Roma formation is 3-4-2-1: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen.

Roma travel to Turin on 14 September with their full squad available and Lorenzo Pellegrini in the matchday group for the first time this season after a lengthy absence. The squad selection remains fluid ahead of the fixture: the defence is expected to feature Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, but uncertainty persists across the flanks, midfield and attack. Emanuele Lulli, Devyne Rensch and Nahuel Molina are competing for a starting place on the right, while Niccolò Pisilli and Manu Koné are in contention alongside Bryan Cristante in the middle. Up front, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are head-to-head for selection, though Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starting positions. Roma carry an open run of eight consecutive Serie A victories into the match—five secured in the closing stages of last season and three in the opening rounds of the current campaign. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will pursue a ninth straight win to reclaim the league lead. The head coach faces a contrasting duel with opposing manager Ignazio Abate: Gasperini has 640 Serie A matches on his bench, placing him fifth in the all-time standings and closing in on Nils Liedholm's tally of 644. Abate, by contrast, is appearing in only his fourth Serie A match in charge. Roma Primavera, meanwhile, play at home today: at 15:00 they face Como at the Agostino Di Bartolomei ground in Trigoria, with coverage on Sportitalia. The youth side aim to remain unbeaten in the fourth matchday following a comeback victory in the Youth League against Fenerbahce. A starting confirmation is expected for Paratici with Morucci in attack, while Cama is highlighted among young players to watch closely.

Roma travel to Torino on Monday 14 September—exactly one year after Torino beat Roma 1–0 at the Olimpico on the same date in 2025, when Giovanni Simeone scored in the 59th minute. The story has reversed since: Roma won 2–0 at the Grande Torino on 18 January this year through goals from Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala, a return to the scene with the roles inverted. Torino has become a hunting ground for the Giallorossi. Roma have scored in all of their last 16 away matches at the Grande Torino, amassing 23 goals across those fixtures. To find Roma's last goalless away trip to Turin requires going back to a 0–0 draw on 16 December 2007. In the last five Serie A meetings between the clubs, Torino have managed only one goal—Zapata's strike in a 1–1 draw in September 2023. The all-time head-to-head record in 91 official meetings still favours the hosts: 38 Torino wins, 32 draws and 21 Roma victories. Torino remain Roma's most-played opponent in Serie A with 162 fixtures, yet Roma have recorded more wins against them than any other side—72 victories. Gasperini's Roma arrive with attacking numbers unprecedented in the modern era. They have scored 10 goals in their opening three league matches, a new record in the three-points-for-a-win era. The previous best was nine goals, achieved in 2000–01, 2003–04, 2016–17 and 2021–22. Nine points from nine in the first three games has not been matched since 2021–22 and represents only the sixth time Roma have taken maximum points from their first three matches since 2000–01. Malen has been central to that form: in the 2026 calendar year, the Dutch forward is Serie A's leading goalscorer with 19 goals in 20 appearances, averaging a goal every 92 minutes across 1,754 minutes played. He scored in that January victory at Torino. In the dugout, Ignazio Abate and Gian Piero Gasperini face each other in an official match for the first time as managers.

Roma face Torino in Serie A on 14 September at 18:30, four days after their Champions League return, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini managing squad rotation following the trip to Istanbul. The starting XI appears largely settled, though midfield and the right flank remain open questions. Svilar will start in goal, with the familiar trio of Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso in defence; Ghilardi is the alternative. Wesley is expected to hold the left-back spot, while the right side is contested between Lulli and Rensch, with Lulli marginally favoured, though Gasperini indicated in his press conference that his condition would need to be assessed before the match. The main shift could come in midfield. Manu Koné picked up a knee problem against Fenerbahçe, opening the door for Nicolò Pisilli to partner Bryan Cristante; Koné has attempted recovery and remains an option. Dybala and Donyell Malen are set pieces in attack, with Matías Soulé the likely choice to complete the forward line, while Rodrigo Mora stands ready either from the start or as an in-match solution. The probable Roma formation is 3-4-2-1: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen.

Roma travel to Turin on 14 September with their full squad available and Lorenzo Pellegrini in the matchday group for the first time this season after a lengthy absence. The squad selection remains fluid ahead of the fixture: the defence is expected to feature Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, but uncertainty persists across the flanks, midfield and attack. Emanuele Lulli, Devyne Rensch and Nahuel Molina are competing for a starting place on the right, while Niccolò Pisilli and Manu Koné are in contention alongside Bryan Cristante in the middle. Up front, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are head-to-head for selection, though Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starting positions. Roma carry an open run of eight consecutive Serie A victories into the match—five secured in the closing stages of last season and three in the opening rounds of the current campaign. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will pursue a ninth straight win to reclaim the league lead. The head coach faces a contrasting duel with opposing manager Ignazio Abate: Gasperini has 640 Serie A matches on his bench, placing him fifth in the all-time standings and closing in on Nils Liedholm's tally of 644. Abate, by contrast, is appearing in only his fourth Serie A match in charge. Roma Primavera, meanwhile, play at home today: at 15:00 they face Como at the Agostino Di Bartolomei ground in Trigoria, with coverage on Sportitalia. The youth side aim to remain unbeaten in the fourth matchday following a comeback victory in the Youth League against Fenerbahce. A starting confirmation is expected for Paratici with Morucci in attack, while Cama is highlighted among young players to watch closely.

Roma radio commentators have weighed in on the club's fixture schedule and squad rotation ahead of the international break. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio mattino argued that fatigue from Roma's Champions League match will not be a significant factor, saying: "I believe the physical impact of the Champions League match is relative; four days of rest are more than sufficient for properly trained athletes. The physical impact will not have an effect except perhaps in the first few minutes. I hope Castro is used as soon as possible—it would be a shame to let him lose his rhythm. I don't believe in tiredness anyway; Roma has the numbers to impose themselves, the players have adapted to Gasperini's system and the squad gives confidence." Roberto Pruzzo and Nando Orsi also addressed squad conditioning and selection priorities. Pruzzo noted that Paulo Dybala is in optimal condition after a good preparation period, and stressed the importance of depth: "Playing on Thursday and then in the league is complicated; there is a need for Castro and Mora to be able to change things." Orsi focused on Dybala's mental state and recovery, noting that Gasperini observes the player closely during the week and recognizes Dybala's current need for playing time. Mattioli's intervention reflects broader debate among Rome's radio commentariat about squad management under Gasperini, with Castro emerging as a key figure in rotation plans ahead of the international break.

Roma radio commentators have weighed in on the club's fixture schedule and squad rotation ahead of the international break. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio mattino argued that fatigue from Roma's Champions League match will not be a significant factor, saying: "I believe the physical impact of the Champions League match is relative; four days of rest are more than sufficient for properly trained athletes. The physical impact will not have an effect except perhaps in the first few minutes. I hope Castro is used as soon as possible—it would be a shame to let him lose his rhythm. I don't believe in tiredness anyway; Roma has the numbers to impose themselves, the players have adapted to Gasperini's system and the squad gives confidence." Roberto Pruzzo and Nando Orsi also addressed squad conditioning and selection priorities. Pruzzo noted that Paulo Dybala is in optimal condition after a good preparation period, and stressed the importance of depth: "Playing on Thursday and then in the league is complicated; there is a need for Castro and Mora to be able to change things." Orsi focused on Dybala's mental state and recovery, noting that Gasperini observes the player closely during the week and recognizes Dybala's current need for playing time. Mattioli's intervention reflects broader debate among Rome's radio commentariat about squad management under Gasperini, with Castro emerging as a key figure in rotation plans ahead of the international break.

Roma travel to Turin today at 18:30 with a chance to extend their perfect start and claim a fourth consecutive Serie A win, holding top spot before the upcoming clash with Inter. Gasperini has made clear there will be no rotation or pre-planned rest periods, insisting that players who are fit will play. "One rests when they are tired. If someone is well, what do I do, put him to sleep?" the coach said, speaking chiefly about Paulo Dybala. The Argentine has started all four matches this season, completing the last two in full, and continues to serve as Roma's key playmaker with four assists already recorded in the opening three matches — though he remains without a league goal since a trip to Torino in January of last year. Dybala is expected to play from the start again, likely operating behind Donyell Malen. The Dutch forward made his Roma debut at the same Turin stadium and scored immediately, beginning a run that has established him as one of the squad's most effective attacking outlets. Gasperini's philosophy resists strict hierarchies; he has stated he has 20 players available and sees no problem fielding one or another depending on need. Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are competing for space in midfield, with Santiago Castro available as an important option from the bench. The coach intends to use all five substitutions to manage energy without sacrificing quality in the starting eleven. The midfield has strengthened: Manu Koné has recovered from a knee issue sustained in Istanbul and is fit for selection, though he is managing ongoing inflammation that requires careful management. A contest with Niccolò Pisilli remains open, but Koné's return is a significant boost for the side's physicality and ability to break lines. More importantly, Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to the squad for the first time this season after over five months out. He is not yet ready for full involvement and will be reintegrated gradually, but his availability is a milestone: Gasperini now has access to virtually his entire group. The coach has underlined his refusal to split the squad into fixed categories of starters and reserves, emphasizing that Champions League football demands everyone feels part of the project and ready to contribute when called upon. Roma arrive on a strong run: including the end of last season, they have won eight consecutive Serie A matches. Gasperini, however, resists letting that feed into complacency, keeping his focus on maintaining aggression, intensity and mental hunger. The objective remains the same: take the three points from Turin, keep hold of the table's summit, and face Inter fresh and on form.

Gian Piero Gasperini has ruled out resting Paulo Dybala ahead of Roma's away fixture against Torino, insisting that the Argentine forward will play if fit. The head coach rejected the idea of rotating his key players despite the midweek demands of Champions League football, saying: "If he's well you put him to sleep? You can't predict injuries, we don't have a crystal ball. If someone is well they play and Paulo is well. All matches are difficult, playing Torino isn't any easier than playing other teams." Donyell Malen has become central to Roma's attacking output, reaching 19 goals in 21 matches since January and chasing the record of Totti and Manfredini, who scored 6 goals in the first 4 matchdays. Gasperini defended his use of Malen against speculation about rotation with Santiago Castro, explaining: "When I signed Malen I knew he would be important but we're going beyond the numbers with him. Castro in his place? Then he becomes a starter and Malen a sub? Everyone is doing well and then you'll see the minutes increase. Castro has come in every time, and today we're also getting Pellegrini back who will be in the squad." Manu Koné's availability remains uncertain after suffering a blow in Istanbul, with Niccolò Pisilli standing ready to start in midfield. Emanuele Lulli is expected to return at right-back after recovering from flu, while in defence Balerdi or Ghilardi may press Gianluca Mancini's claim. Gasperini firmly addressed suggestions of a squad hierarchy: "I'm asking you to stop talking about hierarchies, it's not right towards the players giving everything. There are no failures on anyone. Otherwise we get into a mechanism of controversy that only damages the team. In Torino too, 16 players will play as starters, not eleven." The coach also defended Marten de Roon following criticism from Atalanta supporters: "Leaving Atalanta wasn't his choice. What was he supposed to become? An old shoe locked in a cupboard?"