Roma hold Dybala and Molina back from Messi's Argentina farewell

Roma have not filled the left-wing attacking position during the summer transfer window despite head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requesting the move since his arrival. The club is now focusing on younger targets for January or later, with Giorgi Kvernadze, the 23-year-old Georgian winger at Frosinone, emerging as a leading prospect. Kvernadze has delivered an outstanding start to the season with three goals and one assist in five matches. A natural left winger who shoots right-footed, the class of 2003 player can operate across the attacking line and could follow the same path as Matías Soulé, who moved from Frosinone to Roma. However, Napoli and Fiorentina are also tracking him. Director D'Amico has placed Kvernadze on a list of prospects representing a youth-focused approach, with comparisons being drawn to fellow Georgian Kvaratskhelia. The search for an attacking left winger has stretched across three transfer windows without success. Kvernadze could potentially repeat Soulé's trajectory from the Frosinone academy to the capital. Alongside Kvernadze, Roma are monitoring Darryl Bakola, an 18-year-old French midfielder at Sassuolo. The club had targeted Bakola last year before Sassuolo signed him from Marseille in January for €10 million. A box-to-box midfielder with technical ability and strong attacking projection, Bakola is being viewed by Gasperini and D'Amico as a comparable prospect to Manu Koné or as a future version of Ederson in his Atalanta days. Juventus, led by Sassuolo's former director Carnevali, are also competing for Bakola's signature. Roma will continue contact with both clubs in the coming weeks.

Rodrigo Mora has spoken of his ambition to win silverware with Roma and deliver goals at the Stadio Olimpico following his summer arrival from Porto. The 2007-born playmaker, who scored against Lecce in his second match for the club, gave the interview to Canal 11 whilst with Portugal's U21 squad during qualification for the next European Championship. Mora reflected on the magnitude of his transfer after 19 years in Porto, where he spent 10 playing for the club's first team. "It was a different change. I lived 19 years in Porto and 10 I played for Porto. It is a different culture. But I am happy with the change. It will be a positive change," he said. He emphasized his desire to perform at the Olimpico: "I like to score very much. Scoring for Roma was beautiful, but I still want to score at the Stadio Olimpico. It is special and I cannot wait to score at the Stadio Olimpico. The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico is something truly special and beautiful and it makes you want to play and score for Roma." Mora praised Paulo Dybala as a crucial influence in his early weeks at the club. "He is someone I admired as a child, now being able to play and train with him...seeing the things he does, that few do...He is a humble person and has helped me a lot in this start at Roma. I like him as a player and as a person. I am grateful to be able to play at his side." On leaving Porto, Mora said: "Goodbyes are never easy. It was difficult. It was a long period, it was my home. It will always be my home. All cycles close, they can reopen later. I leave with my heart full, I was a champion with my club. I leave as a champion and will continue to be another fan of Porto, now cheering from Italy. I wish them good luck. I know things are going well, I hope they continue like that and that the second title arrives." Mora added that he wanted to perform well this season and win titles with Roma, having made his Champions League debut. "Now I want to have a good season at Roma. I made my Champions League debut, it was an important step. I hope to win titles at Roma and to play the best football possible," he said.

Paulo Dybala is at the centre of a selection standoff as Argentina prepare for Lionel Messi's final international appearance on 6 October against Benin. Roma have signalled they do not want Dybala and fellow World Cup 2022 winner Nahuel Molina to travel for the match, despite calls from coach Scaloni to include them alongside the three Roma players already convoked — Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. The club's reluctance stems from the fixture congestion that follows. Roma return to action on 11 October for an away trip to Como, only five days after Messi's farewell and the start of a demanding run of nine matches in 27 days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants to deploy Dybala at full capacity during this critical period, and the dual intercontinental journeys would impose recovery, jet lag and preparation penalties ahead of the Lake Como fixture. The evaluation is ongoing, but Roma's position is clear: Argentine players not selected by Scaloni could genuinely remain at Trigoria.

Rodrigo Mora has spoken of his ambition to win silverware with Roma and deliver goals at the Stadio Olimpico following his summer arrival from Porto. The 2007-born playmaker, who scored against Lecce in his second match for the club, gave the interview to Canal 11 whilst with Portugal's U21 squad during qualification for the next European Championship. Mora reflected on the magnitude of his transfer after 19 years in Porto, where he spent 10 playing for the club's first team. "It was a different change. I lived 19 years in Porto and 10 I played for Porto. It is a different culture. But I am happy with the change. It will be a positive change," he said. He emphasized his desire to perform at the Olimpico: "I like to score very much. Scoring for Roma was beautiful, but I still want to score at the Stadio Olimpico. It is special and I cannot wait to score at the Stadio Olimpico. The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico is something truly special and beautiful and it makes you want to play and score for Roma." Mora praised Paulo Dybala as a crucial influence in his early weeks at the club. "He is someone I admired as a child, now being able to play and train with him...seeing the things he does, that few do...He is a humble person and has helped me a lot in this start at Roma. I like him as a player and as a person. I am grateful to be able to play at his side." On leaving Porto, Mora said: "Goodbyes are never easy. It was difficult. It was a long period, it was my home. It will always be my home. All cycles close, they can reopen later. I leave with my heart full, I was a champion with my club. I leave as a champion and will continue to be another fan of Porto, now cheering from Italy. I wish them good luck. I know things are going well, I hope they continue like that and that the second title arrives." Mora added that he wanted to perform well this season and win titles with Roma, having made his Champions League debut. "Now I want to have a good season at Roma. I made my Champions League debut, it was an important step. I hope to win titles at Roma and to play the best football possible," he said.

Paulo Dybala is at the centre of a selection standoff as Argentina prepare for Lionel Messi's final international appearance on 6 October against Benin. Roma have signalled they do not want Dybala and fellow World Cup 2022 winner Nahuel Molina to travel for the match, despite calls from coach Scaloni to include them alongside the three Roma players already convoked — Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. The club's reluctance stems from the fixture congestion that follows. Roma return to action on 11 October for an away trip to Como, only five days after Messi's farewell and the start of a demanding run of nine matches in 27 days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants to deploy Dybala at full capacity during this critical period, and the dual intercontinental journeys would impose recovery, jet lag and preparation penalties ahead of the Lake Como fixture. The evaluation is ongoing, but Roma's position is clear: Argentine players not selected by Scaloni could genuinely remain at Trigoria.

Rodrigo Mora has opened up on his first months at Roma since arriving from Porto in the summer, reflecting on the move to Italian football, his impact at the Olimpico and his relationship with Paulo Dybala. Speaking to Canal 11, the Portuguese midfielder discussed the significance of his new environment and his ambitions with the club. Mora left Porto after 10 years with the club, a move he described as difficult but necessary. "Gli addii non sono mai facili," he said. "È stato difficile. È stato un lungo periodo, era casa mia. Sarà sempre casa mia. Tutti i cicli si chiudono, possono riaprirsi più tardi. Me ne vado con il cuore pieno, sono stato un campione con il mio club. Me ne vado da campione e continuerò a essere un altro tifoso del Porto, ora tifando dall'Italia." He added: "Sapevo di aver bisogno di una nuova sfida nella mia vita. Sono grato per tutti questi anni, ma era quello che volevo, una nuova sfida in un campionato competitivo come quello italiano." Mora has already marked his Roma debut with a goal and made his Champions League appearance for the club, calling it an important step. He expressed particular admiration for Dybala, saying: "È uno che ammiravo da bambino, ora poter giocare e allenarmi con lui… vedere le cose che fa, che pochi fanno… È una persona umile e mi ha aiutato molto in questo inizio alla Roma. Mi piace come giocatore e come persona. Sono grato di poter giocare al suo fianco." Mora's immediate priority is scoring at the Olimpico. "Voglio ancora segnare allo Stadio Olimpico," he stated. "È speciale e non vedo l'ora di segnare allo Stadio Olimpico. L'atmosfera allo Stadio Olimpico è qualcosa di davvero speciale e bellissimo e ti fa venire voglia di giocare e segnare per la Roma." Looking ahead, Mora said: "Ora voglio fare una buona stagione alla Roma. Ho fatto il mio debutto in Champions League, è stato un passo importante. Spero di vincere titoli alla Roma e di giocare il miglior calcio possibile. Siamo in una buona fase, ma è un campionato molto competitivo. Siamo sulla strada giusta." He has been called up twice by Portugal but suffered injuries during both convocations.

Paulo Dybala is at the centre of a selection standoff as Argentina prepare for Lionel Messi's final international appearance on 6 October against Benin. Roma have signalled they do not want Dybala and fellow World Cup 2022 winner Nahuel Molina to travel for the match, despite calls from coach Scaloni to include them alongside the three Roma players already convoked — Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. The club's reluctance stems from the fixture congestion that follows. Roma return to action on 11 October for an away trip to Como, only five days after Messi's farewell and the start of a demanding run of nine matches in 27 days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants to deploy Dybala at full capacity during this critical period, and the dual intercontinental journeys would impose recovery, jet lag and preparation penalties ahead of the Lake Como fixture. The evaluation is ongoing, but Roma's position is clear: Argentine players not selected by Scaloni could genuinely remain at Trigoria.

Lionel Messi will mark his official retirement from international football on 6 October in a friendly against Benin at the Monumental stadium. He has invited all his teammates from Argentina's successful recent cycle, including Nahuel Molina and Paulo Dybala. Roma faces a fixture-scheduling dilemma. According to Corriere dello Sport, the travel costs and timing of the match — which falls shortly before Roma's Serie A return against Como — make Dybala's participation a financial and logistical burden. The club will make a final decision in the coming days.

Paulo Dybala has been invited by Lionel Messi to attend the Argentina captain's final match with the national team on 6 October, an invitation that also extends to Roma defender Nahuel Molina. Roma are evaluating whether to release Dybala for the fixture, and according to Corriere dello Sport, the club's preference is to keep him at Trigoria during the international break. The decision hinges on the fixture schedule. Roma's squad, under Gian Piero Gasperini, will return to action just five days after Messi's farewell—on the road against Como in Serie A. The two intercontinental journeys required within days would burden Dybala with travel recovery, jet lag, and preparation for the league match. Roma would rather have Dybala at their training base working under Gasperini's supervision and fully ready for the campaign's resumption. Molina faces the same situation and the same club stance. No final decision has been made, but Roma's current position is to retain Dybala in the capital during the break.

Paulo Dybala is at the centre of a selection standoff as Argentina prepare for Lionel Messi's final international appearance on 6 October against Benin. Roma have signalled they do not want Dybala and fellow World Cup 2022 winner Nahuel Molina to travel for the match, despite calls from coach Scaloni to include them alongside the three Roma players already convoked — Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. The club's reluctance stems from the fixture congestion that follows. Roma return to action on 11 October for an away trip to Como, only five days after Messi's farewell and the start of a demanding run of nine matches in 27 days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants to deploy Dybala at full capacity during this critical period, and the dual intercontinental journeys would impose recovery, jet lag and preparation penalties ahead of the Lake Como fixture. The evaluation is ongoing, but Roma's position is clear: Argentine players not selected by Scaloni could genuinely remain at Trigoria.

Gian Piero Gasperini is using the international break strategically at Trigoria, with 12 Roma players away on international duty. Rather than pause, the club's training ground remains the headquarters for squad members to press claims for selection, and two experienced midfielders are positioned to make an impact on their return: Marten de Roon and Lorenzo Pellegrini. De Roon arrived on 30 August in the final hours of the transfer window with a reputation as "Gasperini's soldier". The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder made his debut the day after in Lecce, appeared briefly against Fenerbahce, and demonstrated his worth against Torino with 4 interceptions in the final 26 minutes as Roma pushed for a second goal. His qualities of interception, intensity and tactical reading vindicated Gasperini's decision to bring him to the capital. De Roon was ready to enter against Inter but had to wait when Balerdi's cramps forced Koulierakis into his debut instead. This break now offers ideal opportunity to build fitness after spending the summer on the fringes at Atalanta. With a demanding October and November schedule of nine matches in 27 days ahead, De Roon will deserve regular midfield time, alternating with Cristante alongside either Koné or Pisilli. Pellegrini, Roma's number 7, offers versatility as attacking midfielder and box-to-box option given Gasperini's midfielders' constant attacking runs. After signing a contract renewal last summer, his target is to fully recover from the injury that has sidelined him in recent months. Working at Trigoria without international travel fatigue will restore sharpness to his legs ahead of the fixture congestion. Pellegrini's experience and leadership, combined with the attachment to the Roma shirt he has never hidden, will give Gasperini another weapon to rotate the attacking midfield and deeper positions alike.

Leonardo Balerdi has made an immediate impression at Roma following his move from Olympique Marseille this summer. Speaking from his national team camp, the defender praised his reception: "At Roma I was welcomed very well. The challenge with Lautaro? I already knew him, so I knew it would be very complicated. And indeed it was, but it was a good match." Bareldi has already won over head coach Gasperini, appearing as a starter in two matches and contributing further appearances off the bench. He finished the fixture against Inter cramping in his calf, prompting a precautionary approach to manage the injury. Though still working toward full match fitness, his appearances for his national team are expected to aid his physical development. The defender has two further opportunities to establish himself before Como, with no serious calf concerns reported.