Roma complete Angeliño and Kumbulla departures on loan

Roma are already looking to the January transfer window to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, with the club's primary target a left-sided attacking winger who plays with his right foot. Sporting director Tony D'Amico confirmed the plan to Sky Sport in the pre-match build-up to Roma-Sassuolo. D'Amico said: "We are missing a winger with pace, a player who can counter-attack. We will try to sign one in January, evaluating the opportunities, to give these characteristics to the coach." The winger has been a long-standing request from Gasperini. D'Amico said the list of profiles includes several interesting names, some already pursued at length in the summer. Among the favourites are Gittens of Chelsea, Kvernadze of Frosinone and Endrick of Real Madrid. The international break brings mixed news for Roma. Gianluca Mancini had already complained of a muscle problem in the previous days and felt pain in his right hamstring again on the morning of the Sassuolo match, forcing him to withdraw. The injury also rules him out of Italy duty. In total, 13 Roma players have been called up by their national teams: Vásquez (Colombia), De Marzi (USA U21), N'Dicka (Ivory Coast), Ghilardi and Pisilli (Italy), Lulli (Italy U21), Balerdi, Castro and Soulé (Argentina), Koulierakis (Greece), Wesley (Brazil), Mora (Portugal) and Malen (Netherlands). Mario Hermoso has been one of the club's key figures this season, becoming a fixture in every phase of play: solid in defence, effective in build-up and dangerous in the box. He has scored three goals this season, including the one that broke the deadlock against Sassuolo. The club want to tie him down and have reportedly already opened talks over a contract extension. The Spaniard's deal is currently due to expire in June. Those talks are said to be at an advanced stage, with both sides keen to reach an agreement and close the matter quickly. On Roman radio, the focus has been on the progress of Rodrigo Mora. Fabrizio Aspri told Radio Radio: "Mora's situation tells us that Gasperini is very intelligent. Mora was not a useful player for the coach. The player is moving very well, that goal is a number 10's goal. Not everyone makes that diagonal run, and the players who are important score that kind of goal. Gasperini is wise and has re-evaluated the player. Well done Gasperini first and foremost, then a little further on, well done Mora." Andrea Pugliese added: "Mora is an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have the pace to play on the flank. In January D'Amico will find a winger with pace. Mora wasn't used to defending at Porto. Last year he had different numbers. Malen, on that missed goal, did not expect that assist from Soulé."

AS Roma have already opened talks over a contract extension for defender Mario Hermoso, according to La Repubblica, with the Spaniard's current deal due to expire in June 2027. The discussions are reportedly at an advanced stage, with both sides keen to reach an agreement that would secure the defender's long-term future at the club. Hermoso has become one of the fixed points of Gian Piero Gasperini's side this season. He has earned the coach's trust through consistent performances and his ability to contribute in attacking phases, a level of form that is carrying growing weight both in team selection and in the club's thinking about the future of the squad. Gasperini is reportedly the main driving force behind keeping the player, having already pushed for him to stay at Trigoria last season. The coach's faith has been repaid on the pitch, and a renewal would strengthen one of the key figures in the back line. The report does not contain any details on the length of a new agreement or its financial terms. Hermoso joined Roma in July 2024 as a free transfer from Atlético Madrid, and his contract expiry in June 2027 makes the renewal a priority for the club as the season progresses.

Mario Hermoso scored the opening goal in Roma's 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a strike that came almost as if from a midfielder and underlines the freedom Gasperini gives the Spaniard within the Giallorossi system. Hermoso has become one of the symbols of Gasperini's Roma, operating as a centre-back, full-back, ball-playing presence and, when needed, an attacking threat. Gasperini has repeatedly described him as "the perfect example". According to Niccolò Maurelli of La Repubblica, the coach is pushing for Hermoso's contract to be renewed. The Spaniard's deal currently runs until 2027, and dialogue over an extension is reportedly already well advanced. Hermoso is now one of the players the coach regularly calls part of the "nucleo portante", the core of the squad, and is a reference point in the dressing room for his attitude, availability and performances. Hermoso's importance is also reflected in his numbers. Across Serie A and the Champions League, he has missed only the match against Cagliari and has scored three goals, against Atalanta, Slovan Bratislava and Sassuolo. Gasperini had wanted to keep him at Trigoria a year ago, and Roma are now working to secure him for even longer. Hermoso is 31.

Roma's loan contingent produced mixed results across European and domestic competitions this week, with midfielder Luigi Cherubini and midfielder Neil El Aynaoui delivering attacking contributions while others awaited their chance. Cherubini, on loan at Benevento with a right of option and obligation to buy, scored in the 93rd minute of Benevento's 2–0 win over Cesena. Introduced from the bench in the 79th minute, the 2004-born winger capitalized on a defensive error by Ilic, rounded the goalkeeper and finished to seal victory. He was booked in the 81st minute and initially had a goal ruled out for offside before his late winner. The performance earned him a rating of 7 from BeneventoNews24 and PianetaSerieB as Benevento secured a third consecutive victory. El Aynaoui, a midfielder on loan at RB Lipsia with a right of rescission, provided the assist for Banzuzi's opening goal after just one minute in a 6–0 Bundesliga demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt. Deployed in the starting lineup by Demichelis, El Aynaoui contributed to a dominant first half that saw Lipsia lead 4–0 at the interval, including a hat-trick from Nkunku. He was booked in the 27th minute and substituted in the 58th when the scoreline already stood at 5–0. Elsewhere, defender Filippo Reale (Carrarese, on loan with option and counter-option) played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 away win over Padova, maintaining a clean sheet. Young defender Mohamed Seck (Foggia, on loan) completed all 90 minutes in a 3–1 home defeat to Potenza and received a rating of 5, criticized for poor positioning during the opposition's counter-attacks. Forward Artem Dovbyk (Bologna, on loan with right of rescission) returned to the squad after a muscular injury to his flexors but remained unused on the bench in Bologna's 2–1 away win at Lecce. Forward Robinio Vaz (Hull City) was named in the squad for a 2–2 Premier League draw against Everton but played no part, remaining on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

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.

Angeliño, loaned to Deportivo La Coruña this summer with a buy option, made his first start in a year in the sixth matchday of Liga between Deportivo and Seville on 17 September 2026. The move brought no luck. After sitting on the bench for the opening four rounds, Angeliño was fielded in the starting XI but lasted only until the 60th minute, when he was sent off for a hard challenge on Miguel Sierra. The referee initially showed yellow but upgraded it to red after consulting the VAR. The dismissal came at the worst moment for Deportivo, who were already trailing 0–1 following Sierra's goal in the 52nd minute. Seville held on to win 0–1, leaving Angeliño's long-awaited return to competitive action marked by a straight red card.

Roma are already looking to the January transfer window to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, with the club's primary target a left-sided attacking winger who plays with his right foot. Sporting director Tony D'Amico confirmed the plan to Sky Sport in the pre-match build-up to Roma-Sassuolo. D'Amico said: "We are missing a winger with pace, a player who can counter-attack. We will try to sign one in January, evaluating the opportunities, to give these characteristics to the coach." The winger has been a long-standing request from Gasperini. D'Amico said the list of profiles includes several interesting names, some already pursued at length in the summer. Among the favourites are Gittens of Chelsea, Kvernadze of Frosinone and Endrick of Real Madrid. The international break brings mixed news for Roma. Gianluca Mancini had already complained of a muscle problem in the previous days and felt pain in his right hamstring again on the morning of the Sassuolo match, forcing him to withdraw. The injury also rules him out of Italy duty. In total, 13 Roma players have been called up by their national teams: Vásquez (Colombia), De Marzi (USA U21), N'Dicka (Ivory Coast), Ghilardi and Pisilli (Italy), Lulli (Italy U21), Balerdi, Castro and Soulé (Argentina), Koulierakis (Greece), Wesley (Brazil), Mora (Portugal) and Malen (Netherlands). Mario Hermoso has been one of the club's key figures this season, becoming a fixture in every phase of play: solid in defence, effective in build-up and dangerous in the box. He has scored three goals this season, including the one that broke the deadlock against Sassuolo. The club want to tie him down and have reportedly already opened talks over a contract extension. The Spaniard's deal is currently due to expire in June. Those talks are said to be at an advanced stage, with both sides keen to reach an agreement and close the matter quickly. On Roman radio, the focus has been on the progress of Rodrigo Mora. Fabrizio Aspri told Radio Radio: "Mora's situation tells us that Gasperini is very intelligent. Mora was not a useful player for the coach. The player is moving very well, that goal is a number 10's goal. Not everyone makes that diagonal run, and the players who are important score that kind of goal. Gasperini is wise and has re-evaluated the player. Well done Gasperini first and foremost, then a little further on, well done Mora." Andrea Pugliese added: "Mora is an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have the pace to play on the flank. In January D'Amico will find a winger with pace. Mora wasn't used to defending at Porto. Last year he had different numbers. Malen, on that missed goal, did not expect that assist from Soulé."

Roma closed their last Serie A fixture before the international break with a win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and defender Leonardo Balerdi was quick to celebrate on social media. The Argentina international shared his satisfaction with the team's performance and turned his attention to his next commitments with his national side. The result came as a welcome lift for Gian Piero Gasperini's side, who had been left disappointed by their European campaign against Manchester United. Roma have regained their enthusiasm in front of their home crowd, and the victory is also a boost to the morale of the squad as they prepare to say goodbye to the players called up by their national teams. Balerdi wrote: "One last night at the Olimpico before the international break. A great victory and so many reasons to be proud. Now our focus is on Argentina."

Roma comfortably beat Sassuolo 3-0 last night, with goals from Hermoso, an own goal by Walukiewicz and a late strike from Mora completing the win. Italian newspapers handed out their player ratings, with Hermoso and Mora the standouts. Gazzetta dello Sport gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, while Corriere dello Sport rated Hermoso an 8 and Soulé 7.5, with Mora also at 7.5. Il Messaggero gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Corriere della Sera rated Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7. La Repubblica gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Il Tempo rated Mora 7 and Balerdi and Ndicka 7. Coach Gasperini was rated 7 by Gazzetta, Il Tempo, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, and 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport. Across the newspapers, Vásquez, Molina, Wesley and Malen received mostly solid marks, with Koné and Cristante generally rated 6.5 to 7. Pisilli and De Roon were typically given 6, and Castro and Koulierakis were rated 6 by Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, with several reports not assigning them a mark.