Roma accelerate market activity with Koulierakis deal imminent and Ezzalzouli target in focus

Roma are already preparing for the January transfer window, with sporting director Tony D'Amico studying a deal to bring Real Madrid forward Endrick to the club. The summer transfer window has just closed, but Roma believe the squad assembled in recent weeks can still be strengthened, particularly in attack. D'Amico is exploring a loan arrangement that would include a purchase option for Roma and a counter-option for Real Madrid—a complex formula designed to give both clubs a stake in the player's future while allowing Roma to move beyond a straightforward temporary deal. Endrick is facing limited opportunities at Madrid due to competition in the attacking department, and the prospect of regular playing time in Rome could help facilitate the move. For head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, he would represent another quality option for an attack the manager believes can still be improved. The fact that D'Amico is already studying the mechanics and conditions shows Roma's intent to arrive at January fully prepared and complete what was not possible in the final days of summer. Endrick is no longer merely a name circulating in transfer gossip; it is a target Roma intends to pursue with considerable advance preparation.

Marten de Roon continues to command respect from his former Atalanta teammates despite fan anger at the club, which surfaced during a defeat to Cagliari on 12 September. The midfielder, now a Roma player for the past two weeks, was praised by Lazar Samardzic in the aftermath of that match. Speaking to DAZN after the game, Samardzic said: "Marten is Atalanta for us, he spent ten years here and achieved tremendous results. For us he is a legend, we wish him the best because he is an incredible person who helped so many of the boys who arrived. For us he is number one, he will always be our captain." De Roon's departure to Roma represents a significant moment for Atalanta, where he had become a cornerstone of the squad. The affection shown by current players underscores the influence he wielded during his decade at the club, even as supporters expressed their frustration with recent performances. Atalanta manager Maurizio Sarri also spoke to DAZN following the 2–1 loss to Cagliari at the New Balance Arena. He referenced Roma's 2–1 victory over Atalanta at the Olimpico in the previous round, saying: "I was worried after Bologna, in part after Roma, not certainly after the match with Cagliari. I am very disappointed by the result, but I saw a bit of light at the end of the tunnel."

Roma's transfer activity is not yet complete. Director D'Amico is already planning for January, with Endrick, the Brazilian forward at Real Madrid, emerging as a priority target. The 2006-born striker has found little playing time this season due to the fierce competition for places in Madrid's attack, and Roma see him as an ideal solution for Gasperini's requirements. Gasperini has repeatedly emphasised that the squad needs reinforcement, particularly an left-footed winger on the right flank—a position Roma failed to fill during the summer window despite the coach's request for more than a year. Endrick fits the profile of an attacking player who could provide what the Roma boss demands. D'Amico is working on a loan deal with an optional purchase clause and a counter-purchase option in Real Madrid's favour. The structure mirrors Endrick's move to Lyon in January of last year, which was arranged as a paid loan with performance-related bonuses tied to his appearances.

Donyell Malen faces Torino on familiar ground on 15 September, the same stadium where his Roma career truly began in January when he scored within days of arriving in the capital. The Dutch forward has already netted five goals in Roma's first three league matches and can enter rare historical territory if he scores again: he would become only the third player in Roma's history to score more than five goals after the opening four Serie A fixtures, following Pedro Manfredini (seven in 1960–61) and Francesco Totti (six in 2001–02). Gasperini is expected to start Malen again, knowing the striker thrives when served in depth and attacking space behind the defensive line. The possible absence of Paulo Dybala from the opening lineup could shift Roma's approach, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé tasked with finding Malen in the final third. Behind him, Santiago Castro is pressing for opportunity after remaining on the bench throughout Roma's Champions League match against Fenerbahce. The Argentine, nicknamed "Torito", impressed against Atalanta with two shots that struck the woodwork but could not deliver his first Roma goal. Torino presents a chance for both attackers to make their mark in different ways. Malen seeks his first goal in two matches, while Castro chases his maiden Roma strike. Gasperini now has the luxury of rotating two centre-forwards with contrasting qualities, offering tactical flexibility as the season unfolds.

Gian Piero Gasperini is considering tactical adjustments for Roma's visit to Torino before the international break, with particular focus on his attacking setup. Paulo Dybala finished Roma's Istanbul fixture visibly exhausted and suffering from cramps after playing five consecutive matches as a starter, averaging 85 minutes per outing. The risk of fielding him from the start at Torino looms large, especially with the forthcoming derby against Inter at the Olimpico in mind. Matías Soulé is the only forward certain of a starting place, with Rodrigo Mora likely to feature from the opening minute to complete the forward line. A substitution swap between Donyell Malen and Santiago Castro is probable during the match, with Castro having rested during the Champions League game in Istanbul. The Torino fixture arrives at an opportune moment for Roma to restore the attacking potency displayed across their first three Serie A matches. In the league so far, Roma have scored 10 goals from 71 total shots—an average of 23.6 attempts per match. That output stands in sharp contrast to their Champions League performance in Istanbul, where they managed only one goal from eight shots. Gasperini's use of the five-substitution rule offers tactical flexibility both in the starting XI and during play, allowing the coach to manage load and seize attacking chances as the match develops.

Niccolò Pisilli is set to start for Roma against Torino on 13 September, filling the midfield slot alongside Bryan Cristante after Manu Koné suffered a slight knee injury during the Champions League visit to Fenerbahçe. The class of 2004 midfielder will make his first Serie A start of the season after three substitute appearances, stepping in as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini manages the squad across a packed fixture schedule. Gasperini opted to deploy Pisilli over Marten de Roon in Turkey, a signal of the hierarchy in midfield. Koné is likely to be rested to avoid compounding the injury ahead of the Inter fixture. Gasperini trusts Pisilli and values his offensive contribution and application without the ball, according to reports in Il Tempo. The coach is expected to make other changes across the defence and attack but will not drastically overhaul the team despite the rapid fixture congestion. Elsewhere, Leonardo Balerdi is pressing for minutes after two decent cameos in earlier games. Devyne Rensch struggled in Istanbul, leaving the right-back position uncertain, with Nahuel Molina still without a league start this season and Emanuele Lulli dealing with flu that prevented him training on 12 September, though he hopes to travel with the squad. Donyell Malen holds a clear advantage over Santiago Castro in attack. The choice among Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora remains fluid; Gasperini has difficulty leaving any of them out and may ask for an effort from one until the international break.

Roma's loanees across Italy and Europe made an impact on the weekend. Artem Dovbyk was the standout performer, coming off the bench in the 66th minute for Bologna against Sassuolo and scoring the equaliser in the 91st minute to secure a 2–2 draw and the Rossoblu's first point of the season. The Ukrainian striker's decisive finish came in an Emilia derby on loan with a right of redemption clause. Elsewhere, young goalkeeper Radoslaw Zelezny put in a strong performance for Perugia in their 2–1 victory over Pineto, playing all 90 minutes as the side's first-choice keeper. The 2006-born Zelezny was blameless for the goal conceded and made several crucial saves, including a high-quality intervention in the first half and a decisive stop in the second. He is on loan at the Umbrian club with an option and counter-option attached. Midfield prospect Alessandro Romano again started for Cagliari in Serie A, remaining on the pitch for the full 90 minutes as the Sardinians won 1–0 away at Lecce thanks to a Daniel Maldini goal in the 29th minute. Romano's loan includes an obligation to buy if certain sporting conditions are met. Neil El Aynaoui made an immediate first-team debut for RB Leipzig, starting in the away fixture against Werder Brema and playing until the 75th minute. However, Leipzig suffered a 3–1 defeat. The Moroccan midfielder's move is on loan with a right of redemption. Filippo Reale, a 2006-born defender, played the full 90 minutes for Carrarese on the flank in their 1–0 home loss to Empoli, conceding in the 74th minute; he is on loan with an option and counter-option in Roma's favour. Luigi Cherubini started in attack for Benevento in the first half at Ascoli before being substituted at the interval; Benevento were reduced to ten men in the 41st minute by Prisco's red card and lost 1–0 to a Brunori penalty in the closing stages. Cherubini's loan includes a right of option and obligation to buy. Mattia Mannini received his first call-up after joining Benevento on loan but remained unused from the bench in the same Ascoli defeat. Angeliño was an unused substitute as Deportivo La Coruña won 3–2 away at Villarreal in La Liga. Robinio Vaz was included in a Premier League squad for the first time after a late-market transfer to Hull City but did not feature in a 0–0 draw with Aston Villa. Jan Ziółkowski was unavailable for Monza's away trip to Parma—which ended 1–1—due to a plantar fascia problem requiring monitoring. Marash Kumbulla likewise missed Rayo Vallecano's 3–2 victory over Racing Santander as he continues to deal with a knee issue.

Roma's supporters delivered a vital performance in the final half-hour against Atalanta, providing what the article describes as a 'cardiac massage to the hope' of a team that deserved better. Gian Piero Gasperini's side produced an assured display under constant, relentless pressure, with Manu Koné orchestrating the midfield and Bryan Cristante directing operations. The team's quality merited victory even before the goals arrived. Matías Soulé scored a deserved goal that crowned a summer of redemption for a player who had battled through earlier difficulties. Gasperini's endorsement of the winger's progress underlined his return to form. Santiago Castro made an immediate impact, showing hunger and clarity in his play, though finishing proved elusive. Artem Dovbyk scored Bologna's goal, salvaging their display after a complex sequence of play. Donyell Malen's performance was erratic; the article suggests he had uneven moments throughout the match. The week's verdicts also included criticism of Luca Percassi's conduct as 'undignified and deplorable, regardless of context', and sharp judgement of the decision to sack Grosso, with the editorial noting that ending a manager's tenure and forcing another coach to restart from zero serves only to worsen matters. Juventus's match against Milan drew unflattering comparison to a sleeping aid, relieved only briefly by Cissè and Gatti.

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years when they travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on Thursday evening. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will deploy a squad combining several players making their maiden appearance in the competition's main draw alongside seasoned European campaigners. Gianluca Mancini and Manu Koné will make their Champions League debuts, as will younger squad members including Pisilli, Lulli, Mora and Ghilardi. Gasperini can call on considerable experience to balance the newcomers. Paulo Dybala and Marten de Roon have accumulated nearly one hundred appearances between them at the highest level. Nahuel Molina and Mario Hermoso both bring over sixty European appearances from their time at Atlético Madrid, while Donyell Malen, Leonardo Balerdi and Artem Dovbyk add further continental pedigree. Dybala will lead the attack and is targeting a European goal; his last came in the Europa League final in Budapest against Seville. Roma will be supported by approximately 2,300 fans in the away section at the Turkish stadium. The domestic competition faces a ticketing restriction for the upcoming Serie A fixture against Torino: the CASMS has banned ticket sales to residents of Rome province due to potential clashes with Parma supporters travelling to Como, permitting purchases only to AS Roma Card holders from other Italian regions.

Roma's defensive hierarchy may begin to shift. Gianluca Mancini remains one of Gian Piero Gasperini's key figures, but in the last two matches he has shown signs of fatigue, while Leonardo Balerdi has made the most of every minute he has been given from the bench. Against Atalanta and Fenerbahce the pattern was identical: Mancini started and Balerdi came on in the second half. In just two substitute appearances totalling 39 minutes, the Argentine defender has caught attention through his personality, aggression in duels and physical engagement. Gasperini introduced him with a precise description: "A captain"—not merely a reference to the armband Balerdi wore at Marseille, but above all a reflection of a defender who appears to need little time to settle mentally into matches. Mancini remains understandably one of Roma's certainties and it would be premature to speak of a true reversal of the pecking order. However, two consecutive substitutions and the need to manage a third match in a few days could open the door. Against Torino, Balerdi could have his first real opportunity to start. It also signals the depth the defensive unit has reached. With Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso ahead, Gasperini can call on alternatives including Balerdi, Koulierakis and Ghilardi. The Argentine is the one pushing hardest right now to change the hierarchy. Mancini remains the starter and Balerdi has begun to knock on the door. At Torino, Gasperini may decide to open it.

Roma radio stations aired differing assessments of the club's draw away to Fenerbahçe and the squad assembled for the 2026–27 season. Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio mattina, praised Roma's display as good but not spectacular, and expressed lingering doubts about the expanded squad's overall quality. He acknowledged that Castro is the best option among the substitutes, but highlighted concerns about the club's recruitment strategy. "I had many doubts about this enlarged squad, perhaps it is not qualitatively as good as people say," Pruzzo said. "When you need to change in the second half, a good player comes on but with different characteristics." On the forward Mason Greenwood, he added: "For Greenwood an extra effort should have been made—he is someone who changes the balance of matches. The problem was the wages, but in a season like this you needed certainties like him who in matches like these shakes everything up. I would not have spent money on Koulierakis, a profile Roma already has in the squad. I would have signed a midfielder instead." Pruzzo also offered qualified praise for Leonardo Balerdi, the summer arrival on defence, and said he expects Matías Mastantuono to prove decisive. He stressed that Roma must be competitive across every component of the squad. Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio mattina, countered that the expanded roster was necessary for rotation across three competitions, and that Roma's single point from Istanbul was a valuable one. Filippo Biafora (Radio Manà Manà – 90.9) was less critical of the draw, calling it unexpectedly tough, and suggested that Manu Koné will be preserved for the match against Torino after a minor complaint, with Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli expected to form the midfield pairing.

Roma kick off their Champions League campaign against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming a strong starting lineup. Gasperini has retained the core of Roma's winning run this season, with one change: Devyne Rensch starts at left-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Paulo Dybala takes his regular place in attack, flanking Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Rodrigo Mora is unused among the substitutes, expected to come on in the second half if needed. Nahuel Molina's first-team debut from the start is postponed. Roma field: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen. Among the squad available from the bench are De Marzi, Gollini, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, Molina, De Roon, Pisilli, Mora and Castro. Fenerbahce start with Ederson in goal and deploy Muriqi as their centre-forward, supported by Mason Greenwood and Ferdi Aktörkoglu in attacking midfield. The Turkish side's squad includes Raphaël Varane in their defensive ranks.