Roma Draw 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund in Pre-Season Friendly

Italy bounced back from their defeat to Belgium with a 4-1 away victory over Turkey in the Nations League on 28 September, claiming their opening three points of the competition. Bastoni, Frattesi and Kayode scored three goals in the opening thirty minutes before Yilmaz halved the deficit early in the second half. Pio Esposito restored Italy's three-goal lead to seal the win. Daniele Ghilardi spent all 90 minutes on the bench, while Gianluca Mancini was not included in the squad at all. France beat Belgium 1-0 on the same day with Oliver Olise scoring in the 88th minute. Manu Koné came off the bench in the closing moments as a replacement for Da Cunha in that fixture. Italy's next Nations League fixture is scheduled for Friday against France.

Italy defeated Turkey 4–1 in a Nations League fixture at Belediye Stadyumu in Bursa on 28 September 2026, with goals from Bastoni, Frattesi, Kayode and Pio Esposito. The result came in the second matchday, with Italy seeking to recover after a home loss to Belgium. Kayode and Sebastiano Esposito made their debuts for the national team, while Ruggeri also earned a first cap. Roberto Mancini's side established control early: Bastoni opened the scoring from a corner in the ninth minute, Frattesi doubled the lead in the 22nd minute after Kayode's initial effort was parried, and Kayode himself added the third in the 27th. Turkey reduced the deficit through Yilmaz in the 47th minute before Pio Esposito headed in a fourth from Tonali's rebound in the 51st minute. From a Roma perspective, Gianluca Mancini was not included in the Italy squad, while Daniele Ghilardi was named on the bench. The match was significant for Italy's Nations League campaign, with a win essential to avoid relegation to League B. Turkey, managed by Vincenzo Montella, had lost their opening fixture to France. Italy's lineup featured Donnarumma in goal with Kayode at right-back, Scalvini and Bastoni as centre-backs, and Ruggeri at left-back. Frattesi, Tonali and Fagioli operated in midfield, with Raspadori, Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito in attack. Italy's bench included Ghilardi, Calafiori, Di Lorenzo, Mandragora, Romano, Doumbia, Cambiaghi, Vergara, Kean and Scamacca.

Roma face back-to-back fixtures on their return from the international break that will reveal much about their credentials as a major club. The standout occasion is a Champions League home match against Real Madrid on 14 October — a reunion heavy with history. José Mourinho returns to the Olimpico, where he spent two and a half seasons and where Roma supporters are primed to salute him properly, though Gasperini's bench will hold no warm pleasantries. The fixture carries particular weight because Roma can approach it without fear: Real Madrid have struggled through the early campaign, including against Inter despite the Bernabéu result, and will arrive in Rome without key players including Konaté, Valverde, and possibly Mbappé, who is recovering from a tendon injury to his knee sustained with France. A dominant first-half display against Inter has delivered confidence and clarity to a squad that has identified gaps in their game — notably goals conceded early in the second half — but retains the hunger to return among Europe's elite. Gasperini has already shown in little more than a year that his football can carry a whole city, and Roma know these two matches will test their maturity against world-class opposition. The coach will not afford to slip. Gasperini's own words on Daniele De Rossi's arrival underscore the tension between different eras: "At Roma De Rossi put football first — before that people sought results through other things," he said, a pointed reference to Mourinho's tenure. Roma's ambition in the Champions League phase and their need to defend the first-half coherence they showed against Inter will define whether this squad belongs among the continent's best.

This week's ratings roundup celebrates the Roma fanbase's enduring bond with Francesco Totti as the club legend approaches his fiftieth birthday. Totti has not simply reached that milestone—his supporters have kept it in play through their unwavering affection, refusing to let the moment pass him by. The city's new stadium project earns the highest architectural praise, described as epochal rather than merely historic, with the piece invoking Dino Viola's pioneering vision as vindication of the long-held dream. Ángel Di María features prominently for his infinite quality and timeless left foot, embodying the passion of his Rosario Central roots. The Argentine's influence proved decisive in a tightly contested Argentina Supercoppa final against Estudiantes, where he took command when the match had turned adversarial. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini's management of squad movements—particularly the potential departures of Nahuel Molina and Paulo Dybala—draws recognition for his paternal firmness. Rather than imposing vetoes, Gasperini demanded maximum intensity in training sessions before players left and upon their return, a form of accountability the Roma players have earned through their pitch performances. The week's wider observations span Italian football's structural challenges. Gigi Cagni's commentary on Italian players and their attitudes, the absence of genuine phenomena alongside widespread affected arrogance, and the loss of academy talent such as Kayode receive critical attention. Germany's national team management under Klopp faces the paradox of overseeing one of the technically weakest squads since the postwar era, while incidents of booing national anthems—both Turkey's conduct towards Italy and Italy's towards Belgium—highlight how incivility transcends borders. A separate note addresses the defacement of Franco Baresi's image, an act of vandalism that damaged a legend's standing while tarnishing only the perpetrator's own reputation.

Radio commentators on Roman sports radio have hailed the approval of AS Roma's stadium project as a major turning point for the club. Carina told Radio Radio: "Yesterday was a watershed day. Now we will have to wait for the executive version of the project. After that the works will begin: and there is always a question mark there, because every time you dig you can find an artefact, a Roman villa, and so on. In any case it is a great victory for Roma. Now we wait and see how long it takes: the idea is to try to fit into the schedule of the Euros. Today Roma returns to training, there should also come a decision on Dybala and Molina. It seems strange to me that Messi is retiring: if the two wanted to leave, it does not seem to me that Gasperini would oppose it. Maybe they are not pushing that hard, but let's see what they decide." Pruzzo added: "We will be in line if we manage to be part of it. It seems to me that there are difficulties everywhere in Italy for stadiums. In any case it is a huge step forward: we will see how long it takes and whether the timescales become biblical or not." Orsi told Radio Radio: "Let's hope this city becomes a bit more European, instead of being strangled by bureaucracy. I hope the Roma stadium, with the green light, moves forward, and I hope the same for the Lazio stadium. With two stadiums of their own Rome would become better."

Roma's training camp at Trigoria resumes today following a rest period authorised by Gasperini. The squad will prepare for the Como fixture with most players available, though those on international duty will not yet return. Evan N'Dicka is the first to rejoin, with Sunday's return to Rome marking the start of a phased reintegration. Wesley, Bryan Cristante and Donyell Malen are improving and will resume group training in the coming days, clearing them for the 11 October away trip. A final decision on Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina's availability will be made today, following Argentina's fixtures.

Roma resumed training at Trigoria on 29 September with three key players absent from the session: Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante, all nursing minor injuries from the previous week. Malen is sidelined with a knee problem, Cristante has lower back pain, and Wesley suffered a right thigh strain in the match against Inter. All three will be assessed and gradually reintegrated into group training, with Cristante expected to return by the end of the week. Wesley and Malen should follow shortly after. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is already looking ahead to the major fixture on 11 October despite the upcoming Como match still some distance away. All three injured players are expected to start when fit. The squad will feature a battle for the playmaker role between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé, while a defensive duel looms between Evan N'Dicka and Leonardo Balerdi. Lorenzo Pellegrini is among those in contention but is unlikely to feature from the start.

Roma's training camp at Trigoria resumes today following a rest period authorised by Gasperini. The squad will prepare for the Como fixture with most players available, though those on international duty will not yet return. Evan N'Dicka is the first to rejoin, with Sunday's return to Rome marking the start of a phased reintegration. Wesley, Bryan Cristante and Donyell Malen are improving and will resume group training in the coming days, clearing them for the 11 October away trip. A final decision on Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina's availability will be made today, following Argentina's fixtures.

Rodrigo Mora is set to return to Roma's squad after the international break and will have a chance to revive his season in the trip to Como on 11 October. The Portuguese midfielder has started three matches this season—against Fiorentina, Atalanta and Lecce, where he scored—but has since sat on the bench for three consecutive fixtures against Fenerbahçe, Torino and Inter. Head coach Giampiero Gasperini remains convinced of his potential, describing him as "an extraordinary talent" while calling on young players to deliver immediate results. Mora leads Roma's squad in dribbling success rate at 80%, ahead of Donyell Malen among attacking players, who sits at 67%. Roma invested €25 million to sign Mora from Porto, with a further €25 million available to eliminate a 50% resale clause owed to the Portuguese club. He is currently on international duty with Portugal's Under-21 side, where he has already provided an assist against Bulgaria, and will rejoin after matches against Gibraltar and Czech Republic. His return is scheduled for 7 October, four days before the league resumes. Gasperini is increasingly considering a 3-4-1-2 formation, which could suit Mora's characteristics alongside Paulo Dybala and Malen. Malen is back from a minor knee issue, while Dybala was not called up by Argentina. Roma resumed training at Trigoria today after four days' rest. The coaching staff will monitor Bryan Cristante, Malen and Wesley, all recovering and expected gradually back in full training during the week. Gasperini is also considering a friendly during the break to prepare for the Como trip. Dybala has been ever-present in the opening six matches and ranks third in playing time among outfield players with 407 minutes, behind Cristante and Mario Hermoso. The Argentine has not yet scored this season but has four assists and is in strong physical condition. Roma plan to deny both Dybala and Nahuel Molina permission to travel to Buenos Aires for Messi's final Argentina match, avoiding two intercontinental trips close to the league's resumption. After Como, the fixture list intensifies sharply: Roma face nine matches in twenty-eight days through October and November, including Champions League encounters with Real Madrid, Napoli and Manchester United. The increased minutes will provide Mora with opportunities to prove he can be far more than an investment for the future.

Radio studios across Rome aired debate on stadium plans, player valuations and squad rotation as Roma prepare for the weekend's fixture. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said today could bring final approval for Roma's new stadium project. He outlined the financial case: "With the stadium, there would be around 50–70 million euros of extra revenue per year, or more if you're good at it. You could increase turnover by 30–40 percent." The gains would come from ending rental payments on the Stadio Olimpico, roughly a million euros annually; roughly one hundred suites yielding 10–20 million yearly; concerts and a museum. Torri cautioned on ticket pricing: "Apart from the Curva Sud, the rest of the stadium will cost money, and it will cost a lot." On the pitch, Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport defended Roma's decision to block Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to attend Lionel Messi's farewell match with Argentina. With a Serie A fixture scheduled for Sunday, Piacentini said: "Messi, go and greet him when you're on holiday." He emphasized that ownership must set the terms with players: "The owner pays you and you serve here." Fabio Petruzzi countered that honouring invitations from great players was a professional honour, though he acknowledged the fixture clash made avoidance reasonable. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio warned that Mile Svilar will attract serious interest. "Svilar is now a finished goalkeeper with great qualities who will bring points to Roma. He's one of the best keepers in this league, and Roma must hold him tight because soon someone will arrive with 50–60 million." On transfers, Simone Tiribocchi discussed potential January signings, naming Kvernadze as a candidate but cautioning that Gasperini's system demands midfielders who move infield rather than stay wide. He praised Matías Soulé as a quality operator who gives everything when called upon. Roberto Pruzzo noted Emanuele Lulli impressed in a recent friendly in England and merits consideration as a squad alternative. Mario Corsi flagged wing depth as Roma's primary gap, saying external quality would unlock the scudetto. Riccardo Cotumaccio expressed faith that Roma's moment is near, though he stopped short of naming this season. Lorenzo Pes left open a door for Francesco Totti's potential involvement in Roma's 2027 centenary, despite current coolness in their relationship.

Gian Piero Gasperini is building Roma around a fluid squad model of roughly twenty starting-calibre players, where internal competition remains constant and selection shifts based on form. Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro—costlier than €100 million combined—have accumulated just 323 minutes so far, but retain strategic value in a squad lacking depth for the season's demands. The trio face stiff competition from Roma's in-form performers. Gasperini has prioritised players delivering consistently strong displays: from Mile Svilar in goal to Donyell Malen in attack, and the defensive leaders including Paulo Dybala. The manager is studying Koulierakis, Mora and Castro carefully to find the right moments for insertion. Mora's opportunities depend on competition with Dybala and Matías Soulé, while Castro could complement Malen in a dynamic attack. Koulierakis awaits his opportunity, currently blocked by Leonardo Balerdi's growth and Mario Hermoso's solidity at the back. These represent significant investments reflecting the club's ambition to elevate standards and give Gasperini multiple solutions for a long season filled with commitments.

Mile Svilar holds both Belgian and Serbian passports, yet today he has no national team to call his own. The Roma goalkeeper, now a regular fixture in Italian football's top tier, finds himself trapped by a regulatory paradox born from a decision made in 2021. Svilar rose through Belgium's youth system from Under-15 onwards, but on his father's advice accepted a call-up from Serbia in 2021 and made his senior debut in a friendly against Qatar at Debrecen, entering the match only as a substitute. He believed the friendly nature of the fixture would leave the door open for a future switch back to Belgium. When he later expressed his wish to represent Belgium, however, FIFA intervened. Having completed the entire Belgian youth pathway before choosing Serbia at senior level, the rulebook prevented him from changing federations again. The result: Serbia no longer calls him up, Belgium cannot call him up. So one of Roma's most important players sits out every international break. The timing has never been more acute. Thibaut Courtois recently decided against playing the full Nations League campaign for Belgium, creating a temporary gap in their goalkeeper hierarchy. Under different circumstances, Svilar would have had an enormous opportunity to fight for the position. Instead, he remains at Trigoria. His Roma form has only strengthened. Since Daniele De Rossi promoted him to number one, Svilar has recorded 48 clean sheets, equivalent to 38.4 per cent of the matches he has played. He has developed into a commanding presence through his personality, distribution, and one-on-one reading, and his footwork has improved markedly—attributes that have made him fully compatible with Gian Piero Gasperini's aggressive football. For Roma, the paradox offers a small silver lining: Svilar remains in the capital during international breaks, working with the staff and avoiding travel and fixture fatigue. For the player, though, it remains a painful situation. Two passports, two possible national teams, none available today—all because of a choice made in 2021, when he thought a brief appearance in a friendly would not permanently close a door. That door has stayed firmly shut.