Roma eye Rafa Obrador as backup option to Wesley at left-back

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 radio shows dissected Saturday's 2–2 draw with Inter, with commentators praising the first-half performance but questioning the manager's tactical decisions in the second. Gianluca Piacentini argued that Roma should have converted more of their chances and that Gasperini erred in removing Manu Koné, saying: "For me Gasperini was wrong to take off Koné. If we're looking at who doesn't have 90 minutes in them, Dybala doesn't have it more than Koné does." Mario Corsi defended Koné's role in midfield, remarking: "The Frenchman holds the entire midfield on his own—at one point he seemed like Gullit." Roberto Pruzzo expressed disappointment at the substitutions, noting that Rodrigo Mora "cost an absolute fortune and the manager doesn't even bring him on," and citing Koné's missed opportunities as a turning point: "When you see Koné take two shots and score two goals instead of sending it into the corner, that's a moment you can't waste." Roma dominated the opening 45 minutes, creating numerous chances and holding Inter scoreless at the interval, but conceded almost immediately after the restart—a pattern of weakness several analysts highlighted. Alessio Nardo drew a stark contrast to Roma's 5–2 loss at San Siro on 5 April, saying: "Only a few months have passed, and whilst playing away is different, Roma not only didn't lose, they drew and are also disappointed. The real signal is that." Lorenzo Pes pinpointed the problem: "The goals conceded and the lapses at the start of the second half are the issue to solve." Piero Torri suggested Roma are pursuing left-winger Kvernadze, saying: "I have the impression that Roma are looking for him—and as it happens, he's a left-sided player with a right foot. He seems like an interesting player to me. You're short numerically on that type of player there." Checco Oddo Casano noted that Dybala has scored zero goals this season but provides one assist per match, whilst admitting he has squandered at least three goalscoring chances. Francesca Ferrazza warned of the fixture congestion ahead, stressing Roma need ready players before January. Fabio Petruzzi and David Rossi were among those who felt Roma had matched Inter's intensity, with Petruzzi declaring Roma and Inter "the two strongest teams in the league and will fight it out until the end." The consensus was that Roma's first-half dominance and the narrow scoreline represented real progress, though the defensive vulnerability in the second half must be corrected.

Roma will not pursue free-agent signings during the international break, despite rumours around players such as Darmian, Sancho and Guerreiro. Gasperini prefers to work with his current squad rather than add names for their own sake. The club's transfer strategy will shift in January, when Roma will target the two positions that remained unfilled in the summer window: a left-back and an attacking winger. Oosterwolde, a Dutch defender from Parma, is Roma's primary left-back target. He had already begun his move to Roma but was halted by a thigh tendon injury and subsequently underwent surgery. He will be ready for selection in January. Fenerbahçe intends to loan him out, and the position at Roma—filling a gap alongside Molina, Wesley, Lulli and Rensch—suits Gasperini well. The greater priority remains an attacking winger. After missing out on Leweling and Summerville, Roma's attention has shifted to two players reportedly unhappy at their current clubs: Endrick and Gittens, from Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively. Both clubs could be persuaded to loan their players out. Roma are also monitoring new names, particularly Kvernadze of Frosinone. Tony D'Amico had previously said, "We'll see further ahead" regarding free-agent acquisitions to bolster the summer market. The plan to strengthen an incomplete squad will take concrete shape when the January window opens.

Rome's radio stations have offered their assessment of Roma's early season form, with particular focus on the players needing to regain their fitness ahead of the international break. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo observed that several squad members are working to recover their form, notably Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has not yet been used by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Pes believes Gasperini's strategy has been to start strongly in these opening matches before using the three-week break to build energy levels. Wes­ley has emerged as the player facing the greatest physical difficulty, according to Pes. The defender suffered an injury just days before the league campaign began and therefore missed the normal pre-season preparation his teammates received. "I saw him behind, but I think the others are doing well and I believe this break can help him," Pes said. Despite Gasperini having indicated he sees Pellegrini operating in midfield, the coach has not deployed him there yet, leaving that as a potential tactical option. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino argued that Roma represent a credible threat to Inter, particularly given that the transfer market will offer further opportunities in January. He highlighted the impact of having Donyell Malen available from the start of matches rather than mid-game, alongside Paulo Dybala's strong performances. Luigi Salomone, also of Radio Radio Mattino, assessed Roma's campaign as excellent but suggested they need to address aspects of their display in their upcoming fixture against Inter.

Roma arrive at the international break on the back of an almost perfect start to the season. Gasperini's side sit top of the table with four wins in five league matches, and have impressed with a near-miss against Serie A champions Inter plus a valuable draw away at Fenerbahçe in the Champions League. During the three-week break between matchday five and matchday six, Gasperini will work with players at Trigoria, including Wesley, Malen and Cristante, who are carrying minor injuries, alongside squad members not called up by their national teams. The goal is to have all players at 100% fitness when league action resumes. According to Corriere della Sera, Roma will play two friendlies during the break. These matches will serve both to build match fitness and to involve young academy players, offering them valuable minutes and opportunities to integrate with the senior squad.

Roma radio pundits have weighed in on the club's opening to the season, with strong praise for the attack and defence but lingering regret over the Inter result. Carina on Radio Radio called Roma deserving of a high mark after difficult fixtures against Fiorentina, Atalanta and Inter, saying they can compete for a Europa League place. "Dybala is the strongest at Roma, he makes the difference when he's fit," Carina said. "The attack is the best in Italy in my view and the defence is the best in the league. There are things to adjust, but there are many positive aspects." Carina also reflected on remarks Gasperini made suggesting he feared Dybala could be injured, believing a mental "switch" occurred in the Inter match that could unlock the forward's goalscoring. Pruzzo on Radio Radio backed Roma's credentials against Inter despite calling for January clarity in the transfer market, noting that Malen's availability from the start and Dybala's form are encouraging signs. Salomone also on Radio Radio acknowledged Roma's fine campaign but suggested the Inter result could have been different with earlier substitutions. Pes on Teleradio Stereo praised Gasperini's athletic work but highlighted uneven recovery in the squad. "Pellegrini hasn't been used yet and still needs to regain form," Pes said, while Wesley was singled out as struggling most physically after his injury just days before the season started. Pes added: "Gasperini said he sees Pellegrini in midfield, but hasn't put him on yet. I think that could be a card to play." The pundit expects the international break to give Wesley time to catch up with his teammates.

Niccolò Pisilli has become a crucial asset for Gasperini at Roma, combining industry with impact despite not yet commanding a regular starting place. In Roma's match against Torino, Pisilli played all 90 minutes and capped an excellent display with a goal in the closing stages. The midfielder also set an individual benchmark during that fixture: according to Sofascore data, he covered 12.53 km on the pitch—more than any other Serie A player that day. Pisilli's profile reflects Gasperini's approach to squad depth. Though further down the pecking order, the midfielder appears whenever called upon and steps into the starting XI when circumstances demand it. His willingness and work rate embody Roma's collective commitment, with every player subordinating himself to a single objective. The record distance covered underscores the team's defensive and transitional intensity across the match. Pisilli's performance against Torino stands as proof of Gasperini's ability to extract maximum value from every resource at his disposal. The midfielder will develop into a regular starter in time, but his current role—reliable, energetic, and decisive when it matters—has already established him as indispensable to Roma's campaign.

Gianluca Mancini has become the subject of fierce criticism on social media after losing possession 50 metres from goal in Roma's recent match against Inter, a mistake that led to Lautaro Martinez scoring to reopen the contest. The backlash has been swift and unforgiving, with supporters on social networks reversing their judgment of a player they had celebrated for his derby heroics, his displays of the Roma flag to the Curva Sud, and his willingness to cut his salary to remain at the club. The shift in sentiment mirrors a broader contemporary football phenomenon: judgement rendered from the armchair, divorced from the physical realities of elite sport. The article notes that Mancini's mistake, while real, did not directly assist Inter's goal—the team had to develop the play further before Martinez finished with a technical strike. Beyond that single error, his display against Inter was not disastrous. A week earlier, at Turin, Mancini had been among Roma's best performers; in the 93rd minute, with the team defending a narrow advantage and several players exhausted, he fought on the sideline and contributed the decisive work in the build-up to Niccolò Pisilli's goal that made it 2–0. In seven days, he has moved from catalyst to liability in the court of online opinion. The article invokes a point made by Daniele De Rossi: "From the armchair everyone is good. Because from the armchair there is no tiredness, pressure, preventive marking, seventy metres covered in transition, heavy legs or opponents earning millions precisely because they know how to exploit mistakes." Mancini may indeed be fatigued; recent displays have offered subtle signs. With the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, coach Gian Piero Gasperini now has defensive alternatives and the freedom to rotate. The article emphasises that Gasperini, not social media, must decide whether Mancini plays less—and that decision should come from observing him in training and matches, not from a frozen frame posted on social media. The difference between critiquing an error and declaring a player suddenly incapable remains meaningful, the article concludes, "at least until the next match."

Roma's midfield has become the engine driving the club's strong start to the season, with centrebacks contributing five goals across Serie A and the Champions League so far. The standout moment came from Manu Koné, who scored twice against Inter at the Olimpico in what the club sees as his breakthrough performance. Beyond Koné's brace, the midfield has drawn on contributions from nearly all its members, showcasing a collective potency that is pushing Roma towards the top of the league. Niccolò Pisilli has emerged as an extraordinary box-to-box threat, remarkably having scored ten goals for Roma with all of them coming after the eightieth minute. Bryan Cristante combines defensive work, equilibrium and distance shooting, demonstrated in the first half against Inter. Koné, whom Gasperini considers a central player capable of changing the team's level, was notably absent last season and his presence is being keenly felt. Gasperini is evaluating rotations across the group, including the possibility of using Lorenzo Pellegrini more regularly in the heart of midfield—an idea sketched out last year and now being applied. Marten de Roon has featured less frequently but will be incorporated into the rotation plans. This depth of midfield options becomes crucial when attackers like Donyell Malen must drift wider to escape opposing markers. Roma's midfield strength underpins the club's remarkable run of thirteen consecutive results without defeat stretching back to last April in San Siro, a streak that best illustrates the squad's growth. The team prepares for the match against Como from the top of the table, bolstered by that unbroken sequence of performances across league and cup competition.