Roma Primavera Draw Blank Against Sassuolo in Serie A Primavera Matchday 37

Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé both earned their senior Argentina caps in a 7–0 friendly victory against Burkina Faso. Castro came close to scoring but struck the crossbar in the closing stages. Speaking to journalists after the match, the former Bologna forward reflected on the occasion with emotion. "I was nervous before the match, but once you get on the pitch you just have to play and be yourself. To be honest it makes me really happy, I feel so many emotions," Castro said. "After everything I've been through and all this time, I'm really happy. But the goal slipped away – the ball hit the crossbar. Lately I've hit quite a few crossbars and posts (laughs), but anyway I'm really happy and I just have to keep going like this." Castro's reference to recent woodwork touches on Roma's Serie A campaign. In the club's third league match against Atalanta, Castro struck the woodwork twice in what proved a narrow victory, with teammate Soulé scoring the decisive late goal. Both players have now made their mark at international level, with Soulé also featuring in the Argentina side against Burkina Faso.

Santiago Castro made his Argentina debut in a friendly against Burkina Faso last night, hitting the crossbar in the 92nd minute with a powerful right-foot strike from inside the box. The forward remains without a goal this season for both Roma and his national team, having struck the post and bar against Atalanta in Serie A. Castro has come agonisingly close to breaking his drought on multiple occasions. Speaking after the match, he said: "I was nervous before the game, but once you get on the pitch you just have to play and be yourself. Honestly, it makes me really happy—I feel so many emotions. After everything I've been through and all this time, I'm truly happy. But the goal got away: the ball hit the crossbar. Lately I've hit quite a few crossbars and posts (laughs), but anyway I'm really happy and I just need to keep going like this."

Santiago Castro made his Argentina debut in a 7–0 friendly victory over Burkina Faso, coming on in the second half in a moment he described as unforgettable. The Roma forward posted on social media: "There are moments that stay with you forever, and today I had the chance to live one. Wearing this shirt for the first time and representing my country is a pride that is hard to explain in words. I have dreamed of this moment since I was a child, and today I can say it has come true. An unforgettable day. May it be the first of many." Castro had endured difficult months after injury kept him away from the national team, but he is now enjoying his return. Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, he reflected on the emotional weight of the occasion: "I can't describe it in words. It's an immense feeling: seeing my family, my wife who is pregnant... It's a combination of wonderful things." He revealed that he will soon encounter Lionel Messi for the first time during Argentina training sessions, calling it "a marvellous feeling, but also a bit sad, because you wish he could play forever. It's because of him that I fell in love with this sport, with the national team and with this shirt." Castro also spoke to Argentina's official channels about advice from experienced players to enjoy the moment and play as they do at their clubs, giving everything for the shirt. He stressed: "I spent difficult months after the injury because I couldn't be with the national team, but fortunately today I'm enjoying it again."

Gianluca Mancini will not travel with Italy for their fixture against Turkey, with national team coach Roberto Mancini deciding to leave ten players at the Coverciano training centre to continue work there. Mancini joins Ahanor, Barella, Coppola, Inacio, Kouadio, Maldini, Pessina, Ricci and Zoma in staying behind. The decision reflects uncertainty over Mancini's starting place in Italy's defensive line. Coach Roberto Mancini is considering substantial changes to the back four following matches against Belgium, Turkey and France, with Di Lorenzo, Mancini and Coppola potentially replaced by Kayode, Scalvini and Bastoni, the latter returning from suspension. Back at Roma, the fixture list after the international break presents a demanding challenge: seven matches in 23 days beginning with the away trip to Como, followed by Real Madrid, Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari and Udinese. This run will test both Roma's ambitions and the depth of Gasperini's squad. Roma's trip to Bologna on 4 December is under observation by the ONMS owing to a Virtus Bologna Euroliga match against Partizan Belgrade scheduled the same day; the proximity of the basketball arena and the Dall'Ara stadium, just over 2 kilometres apart, raises concerns about contact between supporter groups, though a final decision will come later. The trip to Como faces no such issues.

Roma resumed training on Tuesday 22 September with a severely reduced squad available to Gasperini. Among outfield players, only Hermoso, Molina, Rensch, Pellegrini, De Roon and Dybala trained fully, while Wesley, Malen and Cristante remained at Trigoria for physiotherapy on their respective problems. All three goalkeepers, including Svilar, were available for selection. The squad will continue work through Friday focused mainly on maintaining fitness before a break. In a separate development, Francesco Totti revealed in his book *Oltre* that he came very close to an unexpected return to professional football with Genoa. After initial jokes about a comeback, the club's hierarchy made a formal approach and the former Roma captain began serious training, including gym work, physiotherapy and a tailored diet. Manager Gilardino also wrote to him to try to persuade him, but ultimately his bond to Roma prevailed. Totti reflected on his decision: "A sporting betrayal has no age limit, whether you are 18 or 48 years old." Forward Antonio Arena has returned to Roma Primavera after recovering from a muscular strain. He featured for a spell on Sunday against Milan, and his introduction coincided with Guaglianone's decisive goal. Although Arena has not yet appeared in the UEFA Youth League, he remains eligible to do so despite being included by Gasperini on the senior squad's UEFA list as number 68. Off the pitch, Roma's Pietralata stadium project advanced significantly. The State Superintendence gave a favourable opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment, stating it found no "obstacles to releasing the provision". Conditions remain on archaeological protection, a Roman villa, a cistern and landscaping that must be incorporated into the design. The final Conference of Services meeting is scheduled for Monday 28 September.

Twelve AS Roma players will be absent during the 20-day international break as they answer calls from their national teams, though coach Gian Piero Gasperini managed to retain Wesley, Bryan Cristante and Donyell Malen. The Argentine contingent—Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi—depart for friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin respectively. The final fixture doubles as Lionel Messi's farewell match; Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina have also been invited to that occasion. Italy's representatives Gianluca Mancini and Daniele Ghilardi will face Belgium, Turkey and France in Nations League action, where Manu Koné features for France alongside Italy's other two group opponents. Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli join the Under-21 squad for European qualifying matches against Armenia and Poland. Konstantinos Koulierakis represents Greece, Evan N'Dicka plays for Côte d'Ivoire, and Rodrigo Mora turns out for Portugal's Under-21 side. Third-choice goalkeeper Giorgio De Marzi competes in Under-19 action alongside young prospect Antonio Arena and other Primavera players.