Roma in talks with RB Leipzig over Nusa, says Pedullà

Roma are monitoring Portuguese winger Carlos Forbs, currently at Club Brugge, as sporting director Tony D'Amico looks to add another wide option to the squad. According to the specialist portal TransferFeed, Roma sent scouts to San Siro to watch Brugge's match against Inter. The club are looking to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad after a strong start to the season, with the aim of extending the rotations into the final part of the campaign. Forbs, born in 2002, is not the only club interested. Several Premier League sides are also tracking the player, including Tottenham and Manchester United. In August, Brugge reportedly valued Forbs at around €30 million, a figure that is not expected to differ greatly from their current asking price.

Roma are reportedly monitoring Brugge winger Carlos Forbs as sporting director D'Amico works on January reinforcements to strengthen areas of the squad that are currently thin. The aim, according to the report, is to identify players who suit the style of head coach Gasperini, with Roma wanting to keep their challenge alive after a strong start to the league season. Forbs, a 22-year-old attacking winger who plays for both Portugal and Guinea, is under contract at Brugge until 2029. Citing the portal Transferfeed, the report says Roma have already sent scouts to San Siro for the match against Inter, and the player has been watched on several occasions. Competition is strong, however, with Tottenham and Manchester United also interested. Spanish and German clubs tried to sign him over the summer, and the name of Fiorentina has also been linked with him. The asking price is a significant hurdle. In August 2026, Club Brugge were reportedly demanding around 30 million euros for the player.

Jorge Mendes is working to arrange the departure of his client Alejandro Balde from Barcelona, who is not playing as much as he would like, and has offered the left-back to Roma in recent days. The Giallorossi were keen on the player in the summer and did not reject the suggestion, Il Messaggero reports, via AllFootball. Roma are missing a left-footed specialist, but their wing-backs have been solid so far. Emanuele Lulli has been an early revelation and recently extended his contract until 2031. Balde has featured just three times this campaign. Juventus are also close to Mendes and tracked Balde in the past, but Barcelona placed a €40/50M price tag on him and the Bianconeri did not proceed. That price could be significantly lower a few months later, but Balde is under contract until 2029, so the Catalans still hold plenty of leverage. The negotiation could be eased by including Andrea Cambiaso in the deal. He is far from untouchable for Juventus, but they still value him highly, at about €30M. Juventus would rather part ways with Juan Cabal, but would pull the trigger on Cambiaso's sale for a worthy offer. January often presents this kind of opportunity, but Balde's price tag is out of reach for Italian sides unless the parties get creative. Roma can comfortably stay as they are on the flanks. Their move would be to part ways with Devyne Rensch and bring in a left-footer. Juventus have struggled to find destinations Cambiaso might like after Manchester City approached him in the past, and Barcelona would offer an excellent escape route.

Roman radio pundits were largely focused on Roma after the win over Cagliari, with the debate centring on Mancini's performance, Mora's goal and the fitness of Paulo Dybala. David Rossi of Rete Sport said: “Maybe it was the worst match Mancini has played since he’s been here at Roma. Honestly, after that first half I didn’t think he could come back out, and yet he did.” He added: “In a normal world, you had to take Mancini off after 20 minutes. He wasn’t presentable.” Gianluca Piacentini said Mora's goal had silenced his serial critics, and praised Gasperini for stressing that the points Roma have taken this season, the same number as last season, carry greater weight because they came against Como, Inter, Napoli and Atalanta. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo defended Mancini against the whistles he received, saying: “Mancini plays as a striker on Gasperini’s orders. You can’t go back and forth at two hundred an hour; you lose something along the way.” On the Roma-Cagliari match, Corsi described it as a lacklustre game, adding that the young players had turned it around. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport praised Gollini, who made three important saves, and said he was playing with a concentration he had never shown before, having been given a great opportunity by Svilar’s misfortune. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said: “Mora? If Gasperini had another substitute, he’d have taken him off after a quarter of an hour. That was my impression.” He also said he was pleased that Pisilli and Lulli had partly sorted out the match, and said: “If you have to compare yourself to the Roma market, my friend… I had backed Castro, but if Mina has you in his pocket for 80 minutes, you need changing.” He added that Molina struggles to play in Italian football, and that De Roon was static in midfield. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said: “I thought Roma never would lose this one.” Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Roma had suffered before taking full points. Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista said Roma are unbeaten with six wins and three draws, and argued that Lazio’s eight wins from nine carry a different weight. He said: “I don’t see the Leicester effect in any way. If Lazio finish in the top three, I’ll become a priest.” Mario Corsi said Lazio do not have a team fit for the top places, and Torri noted that Lazio have taken 25 points from 27, with fixtures against Roma, Napoli, Inter, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Torino still to come. The focus then turned to the coming fixtures. Alessio Nardo said the Dybala situation was thorny: he had seemed set to return against Cagliari, but now risked missing the next three matches. He said: “I expect a very, very difficult match against Udinese, and it will take a great Roma to win it.” Lorenzo Pes said Dybala had returned to training on Sunday but would miss Saturday’s game against Udinese, adding: “I think he doesn’t want to miss Manchester-Roma at Old Trafford.” Checco Oddo Casano said the doubt for Saturday against Udinese would be between Mora and De Roon, and said the club’s hopes in attack now depend on Soulé.

Roma's unbeaten run has reached 16 matches following their win over Cagliari, a streak that began after the 5-0 defeat by Inter. Coach Gasperini has equalled Garcia's mark and now has his sights set on the club's historic records. Ahead of the other stories in the round-up, former striker Marco Borriello, speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, offered a measured view of Donyell Malen, who has scored 10 goals this season. He said: "He has quality, Gasperini brings it out of him, but Serie A today has more mediocrity than in my time. If you put him in a big Spanish or English club, he sits on the bench." Borriello was far warmer about Daniele De Rossi, saying: "He is a predestined one. He is proving to be a competent and intelligent coach, the 'Smart One'. If I were the president of Genoa, I would hold on to him tightly." The unbeaten run is now 16 matches, and Gasperini has matched Garcia's figure. Roma's historic benchmarks lie ahead, with runs of 19, 20, 24 and 25 matches all above them. The most significant mark is the 30 consecutive unbeaten league results set by Liedholm, a record that has stood since the 1980-81 season. In the player ratings, Lulli was named the best player on the pitch unanimously by the newspapers, with a 7.50. Mora followed on 7.25, a standout performance after coming off the bench. Gollini (7.08) and Malen (6.92) also earned praise, while Ghilardi and Soulé (both 6.75) received positive reviews. At the bottom, Mancini was rated 5.08, clearly the worst, followed by Rensch (5.58) and Castro (5.75).

Roma's performance against Cagliari drew sharp verdicts from Rome's radio pundits, with several praising goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini and questioning the side's fitness and depth. Francesco Balzani of Teleradiostereo 92.7 said: "It was the worst Roma of the season and still they closed the match with 4 goals scored. The reasons are many, but there were many tired players. Roma have taken the step mentally; now they have to fill the technical one. If we talk about the very highest levels, Roma still lack something, but Gasperini says that too." He added that Roma need the January transfer market, pointing to Ghilardi and Mora as players who will find far more space. On Mancini, Balzani said he should have been taken off earlier because he was struggling physically. On Mora, he said he had been surprised not to see him start and that he had not got off to a good start again on the day. Balzani said of Mora: "This young man must be waited for." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino 104.5 said: "If Gasp had had another substitution, he would have taken Mora off. But I am happy that two youth-team players solved the problems. I am an admirer of Castro, but Mina put him in his pocket yesterday. He has to make a mental switch, Molina struggles in Italian football. I have big doubts about the giallorossi market." Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio Mattino 104.5, said: "Roma did not struggle against Cagliari. I had the feeling that Roma could never lose the match. Gollini saved the team, I am happy for him. The giallorossi were far too superior to Cagliari." Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà Sport 90.9 gave Gollini special praise, saying Cagliari had scored two goals and Gollini made three important saves, and that he was playing with a concentration he had never had before, aware of the great chance created by Svilar's misfortune. Torri said: "He can show that he is a goalkeeper, and I think this can guarantee him a future at Roma, obviously as the twelfth man." Torri also turned to Lazio, who have 25 points from 27, which he called "a lot of stuff." He noted that they still have to play Roma, Napoli, Inter, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Torino, making the run to the end of the first half of the season much harder, though they arrive with unexpected enthusiasm and a table position. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo 92.7 turned to Paulo Dybala. He said Dybala returned to training on Sunday but will miss Saturday's match, a week later, calling it "something that jars." Dybala was due to train at Trigoria that day despite it being a rest day, and Pes said he believed Dybala would not want to miss Manchester-Roma at Old Trafford. Pes added: "With Dybala it is impossible to make tables: everything depends on his feelings."

Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2, with Rodrigo Mora scoring the decisive goals late in a match that Gasperini's side had made hard work. Cagliari took the lead from a penalty awarded after a VAR check, when Pisilli's arm was judged to have been away from his body in the area; Nzola converted it. Roma responded immediately: Lulli headed an equaliser from a fine cross by Molina, then turned the ball to Pisilli, who put Roma ahead. Pisilli, who has just signed a contract extension until 2031, scored again through his ability to make runs into the area. The result hid a poor performance. Gasperini made several changes, resting Wesley and Malen and giving Castro the central attacking role. Svilar, Koné and Dybala were missing, while Hermoso and Balerdi were on the bench with less than full fitness. Lulli and Molina played wide, and Koulierakis started in defence. Pisacane's Cagliari, coming off two consecutive defeats, were physical, quick and aggressive, and caused problems in one-on-one duels: Nzola held off Ndicka, and Fadera was a constant threat to Mancini. Gollini had to produce one of his best performances of the season to keep Roma in the game. Roma made many elementary errors in possession, and their build-up was disjointed. Pisilli struggled to convince in the double-pivot role, particularly when asked to provide cover and order. Castro was often out of the game, had little impact and lacked the aggression needed in the rare chances he had in the box. Cristante, deployed on the trequartista role, seemed to lack energy, with a heavy stride and slow ideas; the article suggested he was paying for an early return from injury and an intensive run of games. In the second half Gasperini introduced Mora and Malen around the ten-minute mark, but Mora started on the right and Soulé on the left, a configuration that limited both players. Soulé is most effective starting on the right and cutting inside onto his left foot, while Mora prefers the centre-left to drift onto his right. Only when Gasperini switched them back, with Mati on the right and Mora on the left, did the attack improve. Cagliari kept pressing and at 81' Daniel Maldini scored the equaliser for 2-2, silencing the Olimpico. Roma then responded through individual quality. Ghilardi, another substitute, produced a fine run down the right and delivered a perfect cross, and Rodrigo Mora, the smallest player on the pitch, rose to head home the 3-2. Two minutes later Mora combined with Malen and provided the pass for the final 4-2. The article stressed that the final score should not disguise the fatigue Roma showed and the absence of Manu Koné, whose physical dominance, ball recovery and progressive running in midfield were missed. Nobody among his replacements has the same characteristics. With Dybala absent, Rodrigo Mora's contribution became even more important; the Portuguese is very young and must still develop consistency, but he showed how decisive he can be when used in the right conditions. The author concluded that Roma's character is a major asset, but that winning while playing badly cannot be relied upon, and that Gasperini must restore sharpness and solidity in the coming weeks.

Roma came away from Cagliari with the three points, but it was a night of frustration for Gian Piero Gasperini, who spent much of the match berating his players. Cagliari, who had been in a dip for a couple of weeks, proved a difficult opponent, and from the first minutes it was clear Roma could afford very few mistakes at the back. Gasperini's side made more slips than allowed against the likes of Mina and Fadera, and the rebukes came thick and fast: at Mancini himself, at Lulli, and at Koulierakis, among others. The result was secured in a match that was pulled through with teeth and claws, and the criticism came with more calm once the points were in the bag. Gasperini had to put much of his side right because Roma looked a little tired after a run of closely spaced fixtures, and when Maldini equalised it was clear the Sardinians had more fuel and more horsepower. Roma found the winner at the moment least suited to their performance, which could prove an important signal. Players never fully switched off, with Gasperini's instructions constant and the push of the Sud behind them. The match also featured Mora rising to win a header that seemed to add around twenty centimetres to his reach. Ghilardi was due to come on about ten minutes earlier than he did. Gasperini's message throughout was relentless, and the Curva Sud's support carried his team through a night that was far from convincing.

Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in their ninth Serie A match of the season, with Lulli, Pisilli, Mora and Malen on the scoresheet. The result was made to look harder than it was by a performance that Giallorossi.net's player ratings describe as one of the least convincing of the season. Gollini, standing in for the injured Svilar, was named the best Roma player despite conceding twice, rated 7.5 for a string of saves, including a decisive stop on Adopo in the first half and another in the second half, mainly against Mendy. Mancini was given a 5, the lowest mark in the Roma side, after being repeatedly troubled by Fadera's acceleration. Ndicka (6) struggled against Nzola and Mendy, while Koulierakis (6) was solid without standing out. Lulli was the standout of the first half, rated 7.5. He headed in the equaliser and then supplied the pass that set up Pisilli for the go-ahead goal. Pisilli (6) was a mix of error and reward: his handball gave Cagliari a penalty, before he struck a powerful right-foot shot past Caprile to put Roma back in front. The match had been levelled by Obert, who beat Rensch in the move that brought the equaliser, after Rensch (5.5) came on in the 76th minute. De Roon (5.5) had a quiet game and was replaced by Rodrigo Mora in the 56th minute. Mora's introduction changed the match. He was rated 7 after starting on the right, a position that appeared to limit him, before Gasperini moved him to the left. He first scored with a towering header, then played the ball to Malen for the 4-2. Malen, who had wasted a clear chance set up by Mora, came on in the 56th minute and was rated 7 after firing a second right-foot effort past Caprile to seal the win. Molina (6.5) had a good first half, providing the right-foot cross for Lulli's goal, and Wesley (6) was rated 6 after coming on at half-time. Soulé (6) faded after a bright start, and Cristante (5.5) and Castro (5) both had poor games. Ghilardi (7) came on in the 83rd minute and delivered the cross for Mora's winner. Gasperini was rated 6.5. The article says Roma suffered against a strong Cagliari side and often looked close to conceding, but the coach's substitutions turned the game. Its concern was his decision to start Mora on the right and Soulé on the left, which Gasperini reversed at the break, after which Mora changed the match. The reviewer concluded: "Non sarà stata una bella Roma, ma proprio per questo i tre punti valgono ancora di più."