Roma begin pre-season training at Trigoria; squad list delayed pending Dybala contract ratification

Donyell Malen received his first career red card in Roma's match against Como after a tackle on Kaiki. The Dutch forward protested that a foul had not been called on him moments earlier, but the dismissal stood and was not overturned. He will miss Roma's next fixture against Genoa on Saturday but will be available for the match against Napoli. The suspension stands at one match for serious foul play. Luca Marelli, speaking on DAZN, confirmed the one-game ban and analysed the incident: "It will be one match's suspension for serious foul play. There are all the elements for a red card—the knee is close, there is great speed and the studs are exposed. The fact that Malen did not fully catch Kaiki cannot be a justification; in fact we should be grateful that the Como player was not fully hit by Malen's challenge. There is no doubt about the red card; the referee and VAR made the decision very quickly." Under the laws of the game, "a tackle or challenge that endangers an opponent's safety or is committed with disproportionate force or brutality must be punished as serious foul play. Any player who, when challenging for the ball, strikes an opponent from the front, side or behind using one or both legs with disproportionate force or in a manner that endangers an opponent's safety, is guilty of serious foul play." Malen will return to lead Roma's attack on Wednesday in the fixture against Real Madrid.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a Man of the Match performance in Roma's visit to Como, easing fears that had gripped the club since Mile Svilar's injury sidelined the goalkeeper for a month. With nine Serie A fixtures still to play before the next international break, concern had mounted over a goalkeeper who had barely featured in recent months and had been absent from the league for over two years. Gollini answered with more than saves; he transmitted security to his teammates from the opening moments. Within seven minutes, his decisive early exit to meet Nico Paz's attempted chip allayed those doubts immediately. Throughout the match, Gollini remained alert and reactive: a low claim on Caqueret in the first half, tipping Paz's effort over the bar in the 72nd minute, and another anticipatory intervention five minutes later. His composure particularly shone in his distribution and decision-making when to leave his line—qualities that often reveal the mental state of a goalkeeper returning from an extended absence. He showed no hesitation or nervousness, choosing correctly almost every time he abandoned the goal line. Gollini maintained this concentration even as Donyell Malen's expulsion forced Roma into a prolonged period of defensive strain. The article cautions against swinging from complete distrust to exultation after a single 90-minute showing, as it would have been unfair to judge Gollini inadequate before he had played at all. Gian Piero Gasperini, who knows Gollini from their time together at Atalanta, understands his qualities and must now help him rediscover the consistency that only competitive football can restore. Svilar remains the undisputed first choice and his return will be essential. Yet Como has underscored a simpler truth: possessing an extraordinary number one does not necessarily mean the backup is unreliable. Eight further matches lie ahead before the next break—Real Madrid, Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo—in which continuity, reliability and concentration will determine whether this was merely a fine afternoon by the lake or the start of a convincing run.

Donyell Malen received his first red card of his career in Roma's match against Como. Under the sporting justice code, the suspension he faces will depend on the specific circumstances and regulations governing such dismissals.

Donyell Malen received his first career red card in Roma's match against Como after a tackle on Kaiki. The Dutch forward protested that a foul had not been called on him moments earlier, but the dismissal stood and was not overturned. He will miss Roma's next fixture against Genoa on Saturday but will be available for the match against Napoli. The suspension stands at one match for serious foul play. Luca Marelli, speaking on DAZN, confirmed the one-game ban and analysed the incident: "It will be one match's suspension for serious foul play. There are all the elements for a red card—the knee is close, there is great speed and the studs are exposed. The fact that Malen did not fully catch Kaiki cannot be a justification; in fact we should be grateful that the Como player was not fully hit by Malen's challenge. There is no doubt about the red card; the referee and VAR made the decision very quickly." Under the laws of the game, "a tackle or challenge that endangers an opponent's safety or is committed with disproportionate force or brutality must be punished as serious foul play. Any player who, when challenging for the ball, strikes an opponent from the front, side or behind using one or both legs with disproportionate force or in a manner that endangers an opponent's safety, is guilty of serious foul play." Malen will return to lead Roma's attack on Wednesday in the fixture against Real Madrid.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a Man of the Match performance in Roma's visit to Como, easing fears that had gripped the club since Mile Svilar's injury sidelined the goalkeeper for a month. With nine Serie A fixtures still to play before the next international break, concern had mounted over a goalkeeper who had barely featured in recent months and had been absent from the league for over two years. Gollini answered with more than saves; he transmitted security to his teammates from the opening moments. Within seven minutes, his decisive early exit to meet Nico Paz's attempted chip allayed those doubts immediately. Throughout the match, Gollini remained alert and reactive: a low claim on Caqueret in the first half, tipping Paz's effort over the bar in the 72nd minute, and another anticipatory intervention five minutes later. His composure particularly shone in his distribution and decision-making when to leave his line—qualities that often reveal the mental state of a goalkeeper returning from an extended absence. He showed no hesitation or nervousness, choosing correctly almost every time he abandoned the goal line. Gollini maintained this concentration even as Donyell Malen's expulsion forced Roma into a prolonged period of defensive strain. The article cautions against swinging from complete distrust to exultation after a single 90-minute showing, as it would have been unfair to judge Gollini inadequate before he had played at all. Gian Piero Gasperini, who knows Gollini from their time together at Atalanta, understands his qualities and must now help him rediscover the consistency that only competitive football can restore. Svilar remains the undisputed first choice and his return will be essential. Yet Como has underscored a simpler truth: possessing an extraordinary number one does not necessarily mean the backup is unreliable. Eight further matches lie ahead before the next break—Real Madrid, Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo—in which continuity, reliability and concentration will determine whether this was merely a fine afternoon by the lake or the start of a convincing run.

Donyell Malen received his first red card of his career in Roma's match against Como. Under the sporting justice code, the suspension he faces will depend on the specific circumstances and regulations governing such dismissals.

Roma's loanees made their mark during the international break, with Mohamed Seck delivering a commanding defensive display, Luigi Cherubini scoring for Italy's Under-21s, and Neil El Aynaoui clocking over 240 minutes for Morocco across three matches. Seck, a 2007-born defender, started the full 90 minutes in Foggia's 2-0 victory at Cosenza, keeping a clean sheet and earning praise from local media. The Corriere della Calabria awarded him 6.5, while Foggiacalciomania highlighted an almost flawless performance. He picked up a yellow card in the 28th minute but remained unaffected. Radoslaw Zelezny continued his fine form between the sticks for Perugia, playing all 90 minutes in a 3-1 derby win over Gubbio; he conceded little that was preventable and earned a 6.5 rating for his security in possession and distribution. Federico Nardin also impressed at Pescara, completing the full match in a 1-0 win at Livorno achieved by a late Sardo goal, and has now been called up to Italy's Under-19 squad for friendlies against Scotland on 10 and 13 October. Cherubini made the most impact during the break. After coming off the bench in the 79th minute of Italy U21's 1-0 win in Armenia, he was introduced again at the same stage against Poland on 4 October and scored just seven minutes later to seal a 6-2 victory and confirm Italy's direct qualification to the Under-21 European Championship final tournament. El Aynaoui started all three of Morocco's matches—a 2-0 win over Gabon (90 minutes), a 2-0 victory against Lesotho (67 minutes), and a 1-1 draw with Mali on 4 October (full 90)—demonstrating his standing with the national team. Anass Salah-Eddine also featured for Morocco, starting the full 90 minutes at left-back in the Mali friendly. Marash Kumbulla entered Albania's 3-0 Nations League win over San Marino at half-time and played the full second half. Artem Dovbyk, on loan at Bologna, skipped his Ukraine convocation to continue recovering from a muscular problem affecting his hamstring and has already resumed full training with the Bolognese squad ahead of the league's resumption.

Roma's players on loan across Europe experienced a mixed week of midweek and league fixtures. Neil El Aynaoui performed well for RB Leipzig despite a 2–0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, completing 31 of 34 passes and winning 8 of 14 duels while receiving a yellow card in the 74th minute. His statistical rating reached 7.2, among Leipzig's best performances. Anass Salah-Eddine made a convincing debut for Panathinaikos in a Greek Cup tie against Kifisia, playing all 90 minutes on the left flank in a 2–0 victory. FotMob rated him 7.3 for a clean display as Panathinaikos dominated with 71 per cent possession in the first half. By contrast, Angeliño's week at Deportivo La Coruña ended disastrously: he was sent off for a challenge on Miguel Sierra in the 59th minute of a midweek fixture against Sevilla—initially given a yellow card before the VAR review led to a direct red—leaving his side to lose 1–0 already down in the scoreline. Statistical ratings gave him just 5.7, and Deportivo manager Hidalgo noted how the expulsion undermined the team's comeback effort. Angeliño subsequently missed the following 1–1 draw against Betis through suspension. Mohamed Seck at Foggia produced sharply contrasting displays within days. Playing 90 minutes in a goalless midweek draw against Savoia, he was identified as Foggia's best performer, winning nearly every duel against opposing attackers. Coach Auteri retained him for the next match against Inter U23, but this time his form dipped noticeably. Foggia lost 2–1, and a careless passing error by Seck enabled the decisive goal from Fumagalli. Foggiacalciomania rated him 5.5, noting good physical condition but a costly mistake. The week illustrated the growth trajectory of a defender aged just 20, with evident talent and physicality that must be coupled with fewer lapses in concentration. Elsewhere, Federico Nardin at Pescara played the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 midweek draw against Gubbio, earning ratings of 6 and 6.9 for personality and reliability despite some refinements needed, but sat out the subsequent 1–0 win at Vado. Filippo Reale completed 90 minutes for Carrarese in a 1–0 home defeat to Benevento, earning 6 and 6.7 ratings for an orderly display, while Luigi Cherubini entered at the 77th minute for Benevento and struck the post with a close chance in the 83rd. Radoslaw Zelezny, Perugia's goalkeeper, conceded five goals across two matches but received ratings of 6 in both a 3–0 home loss to Spezia and a 2–0 away defeat at Grosseto, with no clear responsibility on most goals. Robinio Vaz at Hull City entered off the bench in the 78th minute during a 2–1 loss at Newcastle after more than ten minutes without notable incident, marking his second consecutive Premier League appearance. Marash Kumbulla remained unused at Rayo Vallecano despite being named in squads for a 2–1 win against Espanyol and a 1–1 draw at Osasuna. Jan Ziolkowski has not returned to action for Monza, continuing recovery from plantar fasciitis. Artem Dovbyk spent another week without playing time at Bologna.

Roma have made contact with free agent Matteo Darmian as they explore defensive reinforcements during an extended fixture break. The 36-year-old has fielded approaches from smaller clubs during the summer with no result, but would prioritise Roma over potential moves to Parma or Torino. He has also received lucrative proposals to move to Dubai and may not wait long for a decision. The Giallorossi created space after sending Anass Salah-Eddine on loan to Panathinaikos with a €7 million option to buy, despite his solid spell at PSV and a Morocco World Cup call-up. While Roma's wingback options are in reasonable condition—with Emanuele Lulli emerging as an early revelation—Gian Piero Gasperini favours adding experienced players to manage demanding roles. A left-sided defender would be the preference. The former Inter man was not retained by the Nerazzurri after six years and over 200 appearances, starting only nine times in 2025-26 owing to competition and a serious calf injury. Darmian, a Milan academy product, began his career at Palermo before flourishing at Torino. He later moved to Manchester United and returned to Italy through Parma before joining Inter. His veteran status and experience align with Gasperini's preferences, though questions remain about his physical condition after a difficult previous season.

Roma's loanees made their mark during the international break, with Mohamed Seck delivering a commanding defensive display, Luigi Cherubini scoring for Italy's Under-21s, and Neil El Aynaoui clocking over 240 minutes for Morocco across three matches. Seck, a 2007-born defender, started the full 90 minutes in Foggia's 2-0 victory at Cosenza, keeping a clean sheet and earning praise from local media. The Corriere della Calabria awarded him 6.5, while Foggiacalciomania highlighted an almost flawless performance. He picked up a yellow card in the 28th minute but remained unaffected. Radoslaw Zelezny continued his fine form between the sticks for Perugia, playing all 90 minutes in a 3-1 derby win over Gubbio; he conceded little that was preventable and earned a 6.5 rating for his security in possession and distribution. Federico Nardin also impressed at Pescara, completing the full match in a 1-0 win at Livorno achieved by a late Sardo goal, and has now been called up to Italy's Under-19 squad for friendlies against Scotland on 10 and 13 October. Cherubini made the most impact during the break. After coming off the bench in the 79th minute of Italy U21's 1-0 win in Armenia, he was introduced again at the same stage against Poland on 4 October and scored just seven minutes later to seal a 6-2 victory and confirm Italy's direct qualification to the Under-21 European Championship final tournament. El Aynaoui started all three of Morocco's matches—a 2-0 win over Gabon (90 minutes), a 2-0 victory against Lesotho (67 minutes), and a 1-1 draw with Mali on 4 October (full 90)—demonstrating his standing with the national team. Anass Salah-Eddine also featured for Morocco, starting the full 90 minutes at left-back in the Mali friendly. Marash Kumbulla entered Albania's 3-0 Nations League win over San Marino at half-time and played the full second half. Artem Dovbyk, on loan at Bologna, skipped his Ukraine convocation to continue recovering from a muscular problem affecting his hamstring and has already resumed full training with the Bolognese squad ahead of the league's resumption.

Roma have made a strong start to the 2026-27 season with 13 points from five matches, matching Inter and Lazio at the top of Serie A but ahead on goal difference. A second-half goal by Lautaro in a direct clash with Inter prevented a perfect record, but the squad's overall level remains high. The arrival of summer players has been central to the club's early form. Nahuel Molina is still building fitness but establishing himself in the team, while Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact with a goal already on his account. Leonardo Balerdi has already won over the supporters and claimed a starting berth, and Konstantinos Koulierakis, Marten de Roon and Santiago Castro are all expected to become important resources as the fixture list intensifies through October and November, though some have yet to feature heavily. The squad recruitment was balanced by significant outgoings managed by director Tony D'Amico, which allowed Roma to fund their incomings. With the first international break now reached, a review of Roma's players still on loan across Europe becomes timely. Neil El Aynaoui and other loan-out players carry combined recall obligations of €95 million, making their performances and development over the coming months a matter of considerable financial consequence for the club.

Roma's players on loan across Europe experienced a mixed week of midweek and league fixtures. Neil El Aynaoui performed well for RB Leipzig despite a 2–0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, completing 31 of 34 passes and winning 8 of 14 duels while receiving a yellow card in the 74th minute. His statistical rating reached 7.2, among Leipzig's best performances. Anass Salah-Eddine made a convincing debut for Panathinaikos in a Greek Cup tie against Kifisia, playing all 90 minutes on the left flank in a 2–0 victory. FotMob rated him 7.3 for a clean display as Panathinaikos dominated with 71 per cent possession in the first half. By contrast, Angeliño's week at Deportivo La Coruña ended disastrously: he was sent off for a challenge on Miguel Sierra in the 59th minute of a midweek fixture against Sevilla—initially given a yellow card before the VAR review led to a direct red—leaving his side to lose 1–0 already down in the scoreline. Statistical ratings gave him just 5.7, and Deportivo manager Hidalgo noted how the expulsion undermined the team's comeback effort. Angeliño subsequently missed the following 1–1 draw against Betis through suspension. Mohamed Seck at Foggia produced sharply contrasting displays within days. Playing 90 minutes in a goalless midweek draw against Savoia, he was identified as Foggia's best performer, winning nearly every duel against opposing attackers. Coach Auteri retained him for the next match against Inter U23, but this time his form dipped noticeably. Foggia lost 2–1, and a careless passing error by Seck enabled the decisive goal from Fumagalli. Foggiacalciomania rated him 5.5, noting good physical condition but a costly mistake. The week illustrated the growth trajectory of a defender aged just 20, with evident talent and physicality that must be coupled with fewer lapses in concentration. Elsewhere, Federico Nardin at Pescara played the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 midweek draw against Gubbio, earning ratings of 6 and 6.9 for personality and reliability despite some refinements needed, but sat out the subsequent 1–0 win at Vado. Filippo Reale completed 90 minutes for Carrarese in a 1–0 home defeat to Benevento, earning 6 and 6.7 ratings for an orderly display, while Luigi Cherubini entered at the 77th minute for Benevento and struck the post with a close chance in the 83rd. Radoslaw Zelezny, Perugia's goalkeeper, conceded five goals across two matches but received ratings of 6 in both a 3–0 home loss to Spezia and a 2–0 away defeat at Grosseto, with no clear responsibility on most goals. Robinio Vaz at Hull City entered off the bench in the 78th minute during a 2–1 loss at Newcastle after more than ten minutes without notable incident, marking his second consecutive Premier League appearance. Marash Kumbulla remained unused at Rayo Vallecano despite being named in squads for a 2–1 win against Espanyol and a 1–1 draw at Osasuna. Jan Ziolkowski has not returned to action for Monza, continuing recovery from plantar fasciitis. Artem Dovbyk spent another week without playing time at Bologna.