Ranieri returns to Italian football with a new challenge after Roma departure

Gianluca Mancini made his 250th Serie A appearance for Roma in the 9th matchday fixture against Cagliari. The milestone makes him the first defender to reach 250 Serie A appearances in the giallorossi shirt in the three-points-for-a-win era, which began in 1994-95. Mancini, a Tuscan centre-back, has been with the club since July 2019, as per the club's squad records. Reaching the mark on home soil against Cagliari underlines his long service and consistency in the Roma defence under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The record is the club's own benchmark for defenders in the modern league format, and it places Mancini at the top of that list for the Roman side. Roma remain focused on building momentum in the domestic campaign.

Actor Marco Giallini, a well-known Roma fan, has described how he juggled filming commitments with his club's matches, telling the podcast Nonlofaccioxmoda that when Roma were playing, filming simply did not happen. Asked by interviewer Giulia Salemi how he managed to reconcile set commitments with Giallorossi fixtures, he answered without hesitation: "No, e chi gira!" ("No way, who's filming?"). Giallini recalled an episode during the shooting of the film Perfetti sconosciuti. Several members of the crew were rival supporters, including the director of photography and Paolo Genovese. Giallini and Mastandrea were watching the match, but their friends were ahead by 30 seconds because they were watching on television, while Giallini and Mastandrea were following it on a computer. The film needed a goal to progress, and the rivalry on set became heated. Giallini said: "Ao, aspetta un attimo!" when the crew called them back to shoot. He then continued: "Dovevamo fare un gol per passare il turno e a un certo punto sento uno dei due amici dire: 'No, fagliela guardare'." The remark immediately told him how the match would end. "E lì ho pensato: 'Non vengo più, me ne vado'. Me ne volevo andare. Io e Mastandrea ce ne siamo andati. È stata la cosa più brutta che ho ricevuto da due amici fraterni." The episode ended with the crew calling them back: "Ma dove andate? Stiamo girando un filmone!" ("Where are you going? We're shooting a great film!").

Il Messaggero has published a further look at the social media habits of Roma winger Wesley, focusing on displays of wealth, luxury cars and controversial episodes from his time at Flamengo, days after his wife Amanda Martins announced their separation on social media and accused him of repeated infidelity. The newspaper highlights one of the player's recent TikTok posts, showing stacks of 50-euro banknotes and two luxury watches placed in front of a gaming setup. The images drew attention from users and raised questions about publicly displaying high-value items. Il Messaggero notes that it is not known whether the banknotes shown are genuine or replicas. The newspaper also points to the security risks such displays could carry. In September 2025, thieves reportedly tried to break into the player's villa. In early October, Wesley showed his car collection on social media, and a few days later he was photographed behind the wheel of his Lamborghini at Ponte Milvio. Earlier content had also drawn interest over the summer, including a July video in which the Brazilian showed his wife virtual accessories he had bought for a video game, among them a digital knife costing more than 2,000 euros. Il Messaggero also revisits earlier incidents from his time in Brazil. In March 2024, while playing for Flamengo, Wesley was reported to police by a businessman over an alleged assault at a beach kiosk. The player rejected the accusation and gave a different account of the episode. In August of the same year, a video showing him at a nightclub after a defeat to Botafogo caused controversy. The report comes the day after Amanda Martins's harsh outburst on social media, in which she announced the separation and accused her husband of repeated infidelity. Those accusations are her version of events and have not been established as fact. The newspaper's main question is whether these off-pitch matters could in future affect Wesley's performances on the field. That remains a concern rather than an established consequence, as the Brazilian continues to be an important asset for Gasperini's Roma.

Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari on a midweek night at the Stadio Olimpico, with two youth-team products, Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli, at the centre of the win. Cagliari took the lead in the 7th minute after Pisilli won a penalty, a handball that went to VAR before referee Feliciani pointed to the spot. Nzola sent the kick past Gollini to make it 0-1. Lulli then equalised, and Pisilli turned from culprit to decisive figure within 11 minutes. Their energy and willingness to take responsibility, from shots to runs to final passes, broke down a stubborn Cagliari side and reignited the crowd during a difficult spell. The match was not a polished performance, and the article describes this Roma side as young in its flaws. Just as it seemed the game was won, Maldini slipped past Mancini and beat Gollini, silencing the Olimpico. Gasperini was seen gesturing from the touchline as the tempo dropped and Mancini struggled. Mora and Malen, both thrown on to add freshness and weight to the final attack, changed the momentum and the scoreboard. Roma won, though more narrowly than expected. The article contrasts this response with the previous match against Real Madrid, where the pride to hit back was missing. Lulli, who recently signed a contract extension until 2031, opened Roma's scoring and was described as having been protected to avoid repeating past mistakes. Pisilli and Lulli together brought a contagious energy to the pitch, with their surges and hunger for loose balls breaking Cagliari's resistance. Their approach to the match, following a difficult game against Napoli, was seen as a sign of personality. The article also notes that the win recalled the phrase 'La Roma di Pisulli', a nod to the two young players who had dreamed of wearing the shirt from the stands or from Trigoria. The article leaves no further fixtures or decisions to report at this stage.

Mancini struggled and Lulli stood out in Roma's match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico, according to the player ratings from the Italian press. Mina faded at the crucial moment, and Maldini was not enough to change the result.

Roma came away from Cagliari with the three points, but it was a night of frustration for Gian Piero Gasperini, who spent much of the match berating his players. Cagliari, who had been in a dip for a couple of weeks, proved a difficult opponent, and from the first minutes it was clear Roma could afford very few mistakes at the back. Gasperini's side made more slips than allowed against the likes of Mina and Fadera, and the rebukes came thick and fast: at Mancini himself, at Lulli, and at Koulierakis, among others. The result was secured in a match that was pulled through with teeth and claws, and the criticism came with more calm once the points were in the bag. Gasperini had to put much of his side right because Roma looked a little tired after a run of closely spaced fixtures, and when Maldini equalised it was clear the Sardinians had more fuel and more horsepower. Roma found the winner at the moment least suited to their performance, which could prove an important signal. Players never fully switched off, with Gasperini's instructions constant and the push of the Sud behind them. The match also featured Mora rising to win a header that seemed to add around twenty centimetres to his reach. Ghilardi was due to come on about ten minutes earlier than he did. Gasperini's message throughout was relentless, and the Curva Sud's support carried his team through a night that was far from convincing.