Radio voices weigh up Como clash as Gasperini assesses squad fitness; Soulé likely starter if ready

Roma's radio phone-in shows debated the Friedkin Group's position in football following reports of the sale of Everton, with opinion divided on whether the move signals a strategic retreat from sport or a commitment to focus solely on Roma. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport argued the Everton sale could be a precursor to exiting Roma: "The sale of Everton by the Friedkin could be a step towards also selling Roma. They invested first in the stadium and then in the club there. Here in Rome they did the opposite. It may be they realised football is not the business they imagined and are liquidating. When there is final approval for the stadium construction, they could decide to leave Roma too." Tiziano Moroni took the opposite view, seeing the move as freeing resources to concentrate on Roma. Checco Oddo Casano suggested Everton's position in England and location offered poor strategic returns, though he too speculated the Friedkin might eventually sell Roma. Piero Torri expressed hope the sale was genuine, saying: "If the Friedkin have only Roma, it is better for us." On the pitch, David Rossi criticised Gasperini's approach to midfield strength: "There is one thing Gasperini is very wrong about: the number of central midfielders Roma needs to have available. I think four is too few, given the type of strain they undergo. When one gets injured, you have only one substitute at midfield. If there is an unfortunate suspension or something else, you are left with two central midfielders for two places. An ambitious squad cannot go into a grind like the one coming up with three midfielders for two spots. There is another aggravation: Pisilli is a different kind of reserve from all the others—more of an alternative than a reserve. If you need a thinking midfielder, that is another weakness." On Rodrigo Mora, Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said: "The problem for Mora is that he needs time, but Roma has no time. He would need to be protected and sheltered, and for that another player should have been signed to give him time to grow. Instead he has to be a starter already, because you have Soulé who is adapted to the left, you have Pellegrini, and you have nothing else. The point seems clear to me: Mora would need to be sheltered, but we have no time for it." Mario Corsi backed Mora's quality and urged Gasperini to start him at Como. Roberto Pruzzo suggested Pisilli deserved midfield minutes on Sunday. Mario Mattioli rated a draw as the most likely result at Como, defending Marten de Roon's fitness despite his age: "I have followed him always—he is an inexhaustible motor. He has 35 years, and well, there are players who have an athleticism and longevity that others do not. Perhaps he cannot play every match, but we will see his contribution in the coming matches."

Donyell Malen has spoken about his move to Roma and early impressions under Gian Piero Gasperini. Asked about the nickname 'Dymalen' or 'Dybalen' with Paulo Dybala, Malen said: "Dymalen… it makes you think of the connection, yes, it's funny online… The feeling with Paulo was immediate." Malen left Aston Villa by his own choice, seeking regular first-team football. "I wanted to play, to be part of a team where I could get on the pitch every weekend and be important," he explained. "In that phase I didn't feel I was. I think I made the best choice." He believes Roma and Gasperini offer what he was looking for. "I think pretty much everything has changed. I've played a lot and everywhere, but today I believe I'm in the right place with the right people. The coach and my teammates give me a lot of confidence, and all these things together bring me to be what I dreamed of." On Gasperini's approach, Malen said: "The way he manages players—you know he will never lie to you about anything." Malen also recalled Gasperini's exuberant reaction after the Parma match: "It happened after Parma. Amazing. He was too happy—a table flew too."

Roma are close to securing a contract renewal with Emanuele Lulli after the defender emerged as a standout performer in the club's opening weeks of the 2026-27 season. Lulli impressed Gasperini during a pre-season friendly against Dortmund in mid-August, confirming his credentials for the campaign ahead. The club is now moving to tie down his future. With Lulli's contract set to expire in 2027, Roma's management and the player's representatives are in final negotiations. The proposed deal would extend his terms until 2031 on a salary of €500,000 annually, with performance bonuses to increase the package further.

Roma's radio phone-in shows debated the Friedkin Group's position in football following reports of the sale of Everton, with opinion divided on whether the move signals a strategic retreat from sport or a commitment to focus solely on Roma. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport argued the Everton sale could be a precursor to exiting Roma: "The sale of Everton by the Friedkin could be a step towards also selling Roma. They invested first in the stadium and then in the club there. Here in Rome they did the opposite. It may be they realised football is not the business they imagined and are liquidating. When there is final approval for the stadium construction, they could decide to leave Roma too." Tiziano Moroni took the opposite view, seeing the move as freeing resources to concentrate on Roma. Checco Oddo Casano suggested Everton's position in England and location offered poor strategic returns, though he too speculated the Friedkin might eventually sell Roma. Piero Torri expressed hope the sale was genuine, saying: "If the Friedkin have only Roma, it is better for us." On the pitch, David Rossi criticised Gasperini's approach to midfield strength: "There is one thing Gasperini is very wrong about: the number of central midfielders Roma needs to have available. I think four is too few, given the type of strain they undergo. When one gets injured, you have only one substitute at midfield. If there is an unfortunate suspension or something else, you are left with two central midfielders for two places. An ambitious squad cannot go into a grind like the one coming up with three midfielders for two spots. There is another aggravation: Pisilli is a different kind of reserve from all the others—more of an alternative than a reserve. If you need a thinking midfielder, that is another weakness." On Rodrigo Mora, Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said: "The problem for Mora is that he needs time, but Roma has no time. He would need to be protected and sheltered, and for that another player should have been signed to give him time to grow. Instead he has to be a starter already, because you have Soulé who is adapted to the left, you have Pellegrini, and you have nothing else. The point seems clear to me: Mora would need to be sheltered, but we have no time for it." Mario Corsi backed Mora's quality and urged Gasperini to start him at Como. Roberto Pruzzo suggested Pisilli deserved midfield minutes on Sunday. Mario Mattioli rated a draw as the most likely result at Como, defending Marten de Roon's fitness despite his age: "I have followed him always—he is an inexhaustible motor. He has 35 years, and well, there are players who have an athleticism and longevity that others do not. Perhaps he cannot play every match, but we will see his contribution in the coming matches."

Andrea Stramaccioni has outlined his tactical views on the upcoming Como–Roma fixture, arguing that the two clubs have made significant progress since last season but Inter retain an edge. "Senza dubbio sarà una sfida tra due squadre che hanno dimostrato di essere cresciute tantissimo nel finale dello scorso campionato e hanno ricominciato più forti e competitive. L'Inter però ha ancora qualcosa in più, anche se il gap si è ridotto," the DAZN analyst said. Stramaccioni highlighted Roma's home victory over Como last season as a blueprint for the contest. Roma's approach then centred on suffocating Como's quality and cutting off their creative outlets. He noted that Gasperini and Como's Fabregas have met four times in Serie A—each winning twice—and on each occasion Roma fielded a midfielder in the trident to provide tactical balance: Pasalic and Samardžić in the two matches against Atalanta, and Pellegrini in the two against Roma. "Quindi assolutamente sì, Lorenzo sarebbe perfetto per avere maggiore duttilità tattica," Stramaccioni said of Pellegrini's capacity to drop deep and provide equilibrium. He added that if Pellegrini were unavailable, Gasperini could deploy Matías Soulé in a more defensive role during phases without possession, as the club managed against Inter. On the battle between the playmakers, Stramaccioni separated Paulo Dybala and Como's Paz: "Sono due giocatori che fanno innamorare chi ama questo gioco." Dybala, he argued, has won everything and operates as a second forward with greater determining power, while Paz possesses crystalline talent and functions as a number ten capable of dropping deeper or drifting right. "Ad oggi, però, Paulo è leggermente più determinante nella Roma di quanto non lo sia Nico nel Como," Stramaccioni concluded.

Bryan Cristante will miss Roma's away fixture against Como this weekend due to a knee problem. The midfielder has been Gasperini's most-used outfield player so far this season but is working to accelerate his recovery, targeting a return to the squad for the Champions League match against Real Madrid on 14 October. The Como–Roma clash pits two of Serie A's best-resourced ownership groups against each other. The Hartono family have invested approximately €390 million in Como's project, while Dan Friedkin has already exceeded €1 billion in Roma investment since 2020, reaching €1.06 billion when combining the club's acquisition and financial support. Roma's losses have fallen significantly from €219 million in 2021–22 to €54 million in 2024–25. The club remains committed to its new stadium project at Pietralata, scheduled for completion in 2029. The match is shaping up to be an international affair, with only one Italian—Gianluca Mancini—potentially among the 22 starting players, representing 13 different nationalities. Gasperini is evaluating Rodrigo Mora as a possible surprise inclusion, with the midfielder's stock rising particularly because Matías Soulé only returned to full training yesterday and will train with the group today alongside Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi. In defence, the trio of Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is expected to return.

Roma's radio phone-in shows debated the Friedkin Group's position in football following reports of the sale of Everton, with opinion divided on whether the move signals a strategic retreat from sport or a commitment to focus solely on Roma. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport argued the Everton sale could be a precursor to exiting Roma: "The sale of Everton by the Friedkin could be a step towards also selling Roma. They invested first in the stadium and then in the club there. Here in Rome they did the opposite. It may be they realised football is not the business they imagined and are liquidating. When there is final approval for the stadium construction, they could decide to leave Roma too." Tiziano Moroni took the opposite view, seeing the move as freeing resources to concentrate on Roma. Checco Oddo Casano suggested Everton's position in England and location offered poor strategic returns, though he too speculated the Friedkin might eventually sell Roma. Piero Torri expressed hope the sale was genuine, saying: "If the Friedkin have only Roma, it is better for us." On the pitch, David Rossi criticised Gasperini's approach to midfield strength: "There is one thing Gasperini is very wrong about: the number of central midfielders Roma needs to have available. I think four is too few, given the type of strain they undergo. When one gets injured, you have only one substitute at midfield. If there is an unfortunate suspension or something else, you are left with two central midfielders for two places. An ambitious squad cannot go into a grind like the one coming up with three midfielders for two spots. There is another aggravation: Pisilli is a different kind of reserve from all the others—more of an alternative than a reserve. If you need a thinking midfielder, that is another weakness." On Rodrigo Mora, Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said: "The problem for Mora is that he needs time, but Roma has no time. He would need to be protected and sheltered, and for that another player should have been signed to give him time to grow. Instead he has to be a starter already, because you have Soulé who is adapted to the left, you have Pellegrini, and you have nothing else. The point seems clear to me: Mora would need to be sheltered, but we have no time for it." Mario Corsi backed Mora's quality and urged Gasperini to start him at Como. Roberto Pruzzo suggested Pisilli deserved midfield minutes on Sunday. Mario Mattioli rated a draw as the most likely result at Como, defending Marten de Roon's fitness despite his age: "I have followed him always—he is an inexhaustible motor. He has 35 years, and well, there are players who have an athleticism and longevity that others do not. Perhaps he cannot play every match, but we will see his contribution in the coming matches."

Andrea Stramaccioni, a technical commentator for DAZN and former Roma Primavera manager, has analysed the Como–Roma fixture scheduled for 11 October at 12:30 in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. He positions the match as a contest between two of Inter's principal challengers, noting that both teams strengthened significantly in the final stages of last season and resumed this campaign more competitive, though Inter still hold an edge. Stramaccioni identified the tactical battleground as one between Como's model of technical possession and horizontal circulation—characteristic of Cesc Fabregas's setup—and Roma's aggression, speed and vertical intensity under Gian Piero Gasperini. He said: "The key will favour whoever succeeds in removing more 'certainties' from their opponent, that is, preventing them from playing as they wish by imposing their own rhythm." He predicted Como will employ rotations to draw Roma's key markers out of position and create space in transition. Against this, Roma can replicate their dominant performance in last season's home fixture, when they limited Como's possession and suffocated their creative sources, though he cautioned against an imbalanced approach. On Roma's midfield balance, Stramaccioni highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's potential dual role as a left-sided player who can drop deeper. He noted that in all four Serie A meetings between Gasperini and Fabregas—each won two apiece—a midfielder with an "equilibrating" function has started in Roma's attacking three: Pasalic and Samardzic against Atalanta, Pellegrini against Como. Alternatively, Matías Soulé could be deployed in a match requiring greater defensive sacrifice, as occurred against Inter. On the respective playmakers, Stramaccioni assessed Paulo Dybala and Nicolás Paz: "Both are players who captivate lovers of the game. They are obviously at different stages of their development and have different characteristics. Paulo has won everything; he is a player who determines outcomes and functions as a second striker. Nico has crystalline talent and is more of a number ten, capable of dropping deeper or starting decentred on the right. Today, however, Paulo is slightly more decisive in Roma than Nico is in Como."

Andrea Stramaccioni has outlined his tactical views on the upcoming Como–Roma fixture, arguing that the two clubs have made significant progress since last season but Inter retain an edge. "Senza dubbio sarà una sfida tra due squadre che hanno dimostrato di essere cresciute tantissimo nel finale dello scorso campionato e hanno ricominciato più forti e competitive. L'Inter però ha ancora qualcosa in più, anche se il gap si è ridotto," the DAZN analyst said. Stramaccioni highlighted Roma's home victory over Como last season as a blueprint for the contest. Roma's approach then centred on suffocating Como's quality and cutting off their creative outlets. He noted that Gasperini and Como's Fabregas have met four times in Serie A—each winning twice—and on each occasion Roma fielded a midfielder in the trident to provide tactical balance: Pasalic and Samardžić in the two matches against Atalanta, and Pellegrini in the two against Roma. "Quindi assolutamente sì, Lorenzo sarebbe perfetto per avere maggiore duttilità tattica," Stramaccioni said of Pellegrini's capacity to drop deep and provide equilibrium. He added that if Pellegrini were unavailable, Gasperini could deploy Matías Soulé in a more defensive role during phases without possession, as the club managed against Inter. On the battle between the playmakers, Stramaccioni separated Paulo Dybala and Como's Paz: "Sono due giocatori che fanno innamorare chi ama questo gioco." Dybala, he argued, has won everything and operates as a second forward with greater determining power, while Paz possesses crystalline talent and functions as a number ten capable of dropping deeper or drifting right. "Ad oggi, però, Paulo è leggermente più determinante nella Roma di quanto non lo sia Nico nel Como," Stramaccioni concluded.

Andrea Stramaccioni, a technical commentator for DAZN and former Roma Primavera manager, has analysed the Como–Roma fixture scheduled for 11 October at 12:30 in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. He positions the match as a contest between two of Inter's principal challengers, noting that both teams strengthened significantly in the final stages of last season and resumed this campaign more competitive, though Inter still hold an edge. Stramaccioni identified the tactical battleground as one between Como's model of technical possession and horizontal circulation—characteristic of Cesc Fabregas's setup—and Roma's aggression, speed and vertical intensity under Gian Piero Gasperini. He said: "The key will favour whoever succeeds in removing more 'certainties' from their opponent, that is, preventing them from playing as they wish by imposing their own rhythm." He predicted Como will employ rotations to draw Roma's key markers out of position and create space in transition. Against this, Roma can replicate their dominant performance in last season's home fixture, when they limited Como's possession and suffocated their creative sources, though he cautioned against an imbalanced approach. On Roma's midfield balance, Stramaccioni highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's potential dual role as a left-sided player who can drop deeper. He noted that in all four Serie A meetings between Gasperini and Fabregas—each won two apiece—a midfielder with an "equilibrating" function has started in Roma's attacking three: Pasalic and Samardzic against Atalanta, Pellegrini against Como. Alternatively, Matías Soulé could be deployed in a match requiring greater defensive sacrifice, as occurred against Inter. On the respective playmakers, Stramaccioni assessed Paulo Dybala and Nicolás Paz: "Both are players who captivate lovers of the game. They are obviously at different stages of their development and have different characteristics. Paulo has won everything; he is a player who determines outcomes and functions as a second striker. Nico has crystalline talent and is more of a number ten, capable of dropping deeper or starting decentred on the right. Today, however, Paulo is slightly more decisive in Roma than Nico is in Como."

Andrea Stramaccioni has outlined his tactical views on the upcoming Como–Roma fixture, arguing that the two clubs have made significant progress since last season but Inter retain an edge. "Senza dubbio sarà una sfida tra due squadre che hanno dimostrato di essere cresciute tantissimo nel finale dello scorso campionato e hanno ricominciato più forti e competitive. L'Inter però ha ancora qualcosa in più, anche se il gap si è ridotto," the DAZN analyst said. Stramaccioni highlighted Roma's home victory over Como last season as a blueprint for the contest. Roma's approach then centred on suffocating Como's quality and cutting off their creative outlets. He noted that Gasperini and Como's Fabregas have met four times in Serie A—each winning twice—and on each occasion Roma fielded a midfielder in the trident to provide tactical balance: Pasalic and Samardžić in the two matches against Atalanta, and Pellegrini in the two against Roma. "Quindi assolutamente sì, Lorenzo sarebbe perfetto per avere maggiore duttilità tattica," Stramaccioni said of Pellegrini's capacity to drop deep and provide equilibrium. He added that if Pellegrini were unavailable, Gasperini could deploy Matías Soulé in a more defensive role during phases without possession, as the club managed against Inter. On the battle between the playmakers, Stramaccioni separated Paulo Dybala and Como's Paz: "Sono due giocatori che fanno innamorare chi ama questo gioco." Dybala, he argued, has won everything and operates as a second forward with greater determining power, while Paz possesses crystalline talent and functions as a number ten capable of dropping deeper or drifting right. "Ad oggi, però, Paulo è leggermente più determinante nella Roma di quanto non lo sia Nico nel Como," Stramaccioni concluded.

Donyell Malen has spoken about his move to Roma and early impressions under Gian Piero Gasperini. Asked about the nickname 'Dymalen' or 'Dybalen' with Paulo Dybala, Malen said: "Dymalen… it makes you think of the connection, yes, it's funny online… The feeling with Paulo was immediate." Malen left Aston Villa by his own choice, seeking regular first-team football. "I wanted to play, to be part of a team where I could get on the pitch every weekend and be important," he explained. "In that phase I didn't feel I was. I think I made the best choice." He believes Roma and Gasperini offer what he was looking for. "I think pretty much everything has changed. I've played a lot and everywhere, but today I believe I'm in the right place with the right people. The coach and my teammates give me a lot of confidence, and all these things together bring me to be what I dreamed of." On Gasperini's approach, Malen said: "The way he manages players—you know he will never lie to you about anything." Malen also recalled Gasperini's exuberant reaction after the Parma match: "It happened after Parma. Amazing. He was too happy—a table flew too."