Roma prioritise contract renewals for key players amid summer market interest

Atalanta are preparing to tie down striker Gianluca Scamacca with a contract extension to 2030, after he remained with the Bergamo club despite Roma's interest this summer. Head coach Gasperini had wanted to reunite with Scamacca at Roma, where he could have filled the role of backup to Donyell Malen. Atalanta never seriously considered selling him, viewing him as a cornerstone of their attacking unit. The 26-year-old has established himself as essential to the Bergamo side's attacking plans. According to reports, Atalanta are now moving to protect their investment and secure his future by extending his current deal, with the new contract set to run until 2030.

Endrick has emerged as a target for Roma in the January transfer window, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini identifying the Brazilian forward as a suitable reinforcement for the attacking department. The player was close to joining Roma in the summer, but the move fell through because the 2006-born attacker was committed to proving himself at Real Madrid under Mourinho, who appeared ready to give him opportunities. With limited appearances so far this season, speculation over a potential departure has resurfaced. However, Endrick's representatives have moved to dampen the Roma interest. Alan Redmond, executive vice-president and Global Head of Football at Roc Nation Sports International, the agency representing the forward, has insisted the player remains focused on Madrid. There were multiple clubs from various countries interested in Endrick over the summer, but his determination has never wavered. Redmond said: "In the summer there were many clubs from different countries interested in him. His idea has always been to stay in Madrid. I am convinced that when he gets the opportunity he will score many goals. We will see what happens in the future, honestly I think he will stay at Real for a long time."

Endrick's next move remains unclear after the Brazilian forward failed to secure playing time at Real Madrid, despite José Mourinho blocking his summer move to Roma. With the January transfer window approaching, Roma have joined AC Milan and foreign clubs including Lyon and Aston Villa in pursuing the 2006-born striker. Roc Nation Sports International, the agency representing Endrick, signalled little likelihood of a departure. Alan Redmond, vice-president and Global Head of Football at the agency, said: "In summer there were many clubs from different countries interested in him. His idea has always been to stay in Madrid. I am convinced that when he gets the opportunity he will score many goals. We'll see what happens in the future, honestly I think he will stay at Real for a long time." Redmond added that Endrick had multiple suitors last summer but remained set on continuing in Spain.

Roma earned a hard-fought point on the road at Como, holding a 0–0 draw on 11 October despite playing most of the second half with ten men after Donyell Malen's dismissal. The Dutch winger was sent off early in the second half by referee Fabbri, a decision the raters found excessive given the overall nature of the play, though Malen was noted as somewhat reckless in the challenge. The result counted toward the sixth matchday of the Serie A season. Pierluigi Gollini deputised in goal and drew particular praise for his work on distribution and his alertness to Como's limited chances, keeping the bench-warmer tag away from Mile Svilar. At centre-back, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka formed an imposing partnership; Mancini earned a 7 rating for his battling quality and composure in the tackle despite rare lapses, while N'Dicka dominated a physical duel with Como's Douvikas. Mario Hermoso supported the backline with careful defending before Leonardo Balerdi replaced him in the 60th minute. Marten de Roon covered ground reliably in midfield, earning a 7 for consistency with Gasperini's system. Paulo Dybala was handed a 6, his performance marred by a glaring early miss that could have altered the match entirely. Lorenzo Pellegrini made his return to the pitch and was credited with important work and technical quality, including a shot that struck the post from the edge of the area, though his fitness remained not yet sharp. He gave way to Matías Soulé at the 46th minute. Manu Koné was not at his sharpest, rated 6, while defender Nahuel Molina (5.5) struggled with precision; Devyne Rensch entered in the 81st minute and impressed on arrival. Gasperini himself earned a 6.5, praised for keeping Roma organised and tactically sharp after numerical disadvantage forced him to abandon attacking ambitions and deploy personnel with calculated precision through his substitutions. With parity in numbers, Roma had appeared the superior side and more threatening side before the dismissal.

Roma held Como to a draw despite playing most of the second half with ten men following Donyell Malen's red card, demonstrating the mental fortitude Gian Piero Gasperini demanded in a match that tested the squad's character. Pierluigi Gollini kept a clean sheet on his seasonal debut, while Marten de Roon marshalled the midfield with authority after Bryan Cristante's absence. The result—a point earned rather than lost—came at the cost of Malen's dismissal, which altered the tactical balance but unified Roma's resolve in the closing stages. The match unfolded as a tactical study between two sides that largely cancelled each other out for long stretches. Como pressed with intent, particularly through Nico Paz, but Roma's defensive line held firm. Gianluca Mancini recovered from an early lapse in concentration to anchor the back four alongside Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, each marshalling their zones methodically. When Hermoso departed in the 59th minute, Leonardo Balerdi seamlessly continued the work. Gasperini's substitutions tightened Roma's shape as Como intensified their assault; the manager made tactical withdrawals to reinforce the rear guard and limit the damage once numerical disadvantage took hold. Wesley battled constantly against Diao on the flank, Nahuel Molina invested considerable energy in both directions, and Paulo Dybala demonstrated leadership by rolling up his sleeves after Malen's dismissal to shoulder the burden. Gollini was tested early—he produced a strong save on Nico Paz within seconds but erred on timing with a second attempt, though he recovered to deny Caqueret. Dybala arrived at Como intent on unsettling the hosts and delivered a crucial ball recovery that unlocked the home defence and set up a Lorenzo Pellegrini shot. Pellegrini himself took ten minutes to settle into the flow but soon began advancing play in Roma's traditional fashion. Manu Koné struggled with accuracy and picked up an avoidable yellow card, while Matías Soulé entered at half-time but collected a caution himself during defensive duties. Malen's dismissal stemmed from a fierce recovery that Gasperini felt may have warranted an earlier stoppage for a preceding foul. The manager himself was far from serene on the touchline, frequently remonstrating with refereeing decisions in a match neither official found straightforward. Roma travel to face José Mourinho's side next week.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 11 October in a tight defensive contest that saw them finish the match with ten men. Pierluigi Gollini made several assured saves to earn a 7 rating, particularly with an early decisive exit against Nico Paz and a clean response to Caqueret when the Como midfielder found himself one-on-one with the Roma goalkeeper. Gollini's display underlined the weight of replacing Mile Svilar, as the shot-stopper answered calls in both halves from Paz. Roma's backline stood firm despite the numerical disadvantage. Gianluca Mancini (6.5) focused on preventive marking and attempted to break the lines, though he was caught out when a loose ball from his touch nearly found Como's Caqueret. Evan N'Dicka (6.5) remained alert throughout, studying Como's Douvikas and maintaining his concentration even after Roma went down to ten. Mario Hermoso (6) operated quietly in the opening period before growing into the match, with Leonardo Balerdi (6) entering at the hour to reinforce the wall. Nahuel Molina (6) threw himself into clearances and defensive support, though he showed less in attack. In midfield, Marten de Roon (7) operated the fundamentals of Gasperini's system with tackles, positioning and pressing, though his vertical distribution lacked precision. Manu Koné (6) began with composure against Como's midfield but produced some unnecessary decisions in front of his own goal. Lorenzo Pellegrini (6) made his return to action after nearly six months, captaining the side with a clear will to create density, and struck the post inside ten minutes before being substituted at half-time. Donyell Malen (5) received a red card for an entry the article describes as avoidable, though he had been among Roma's best performers—setting up a chance for Paulo Dybala in the opening minutes and creating space between the lines throughout the first half. Matías Soulé (6) entered after Malen's dismissal in difficult circumstances and managed some playmaking amid defensive duties. Devyne Rensch (6) and Emanuele Lulli (both appearing late) completed the match.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 12 October 2026 in a match that saw Donyell Malen sent off after only nine minutes of the second half for a hard challenge on Kaiki. The dismissal shaped the entire contest, forcing Roma into a defensive second half as Como pressed under Cesc Fabregas's increasingly aggressive setup. Pierluigi Gollini made the decisive saves to earn the point. The result was unexpected—La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that two attacking-minded coaches, Fabregas and Gasperini, produced the championship's first goalless draw of the season. Gasperini raised his fists at the final whistle, treating the away point like a victory on a ground that had cost Roma three consecutive defeats in recent league visits. The draw leaves Roma without a first-place finish, with SS Lazio now two positions ahead at the top. Roma's squad absorbed difficult news before the match: Mile Svilar's injury meant Gollini stepped in as the primary keeper, with the backup now ready for the Real Madrid fixture. Gasperini also recalled captain Lorenzo Pellegrini from injury—he marked his 350th appearance with a shot that hit the post. Marten de Roon, given up for lost elsewhere, covered the most ground in the side, running 11.6 km in place of the injured Bryan Cristante. Paulo Dybala played the entire match, performing with both technical grace and defensive work rate. Malen's suspension will rule him out of the upcoming visit to Napoli, adding to Roma's challenge ahead.

Roma returned from Como without a win but with a draw that carried greater significance than the single point on the surface. The 0-0 at the Sinigaglia reflected a squad showing greater depth, maturity and resilience than it had displayed months earlier, particularly after playing nearly forty minutes with ten men. The first half saw both sides play at high tempo, with Roma creating the clearest chances. Paulo Dybala had the most obvious opening at the sixth minute, receiving the ball on his left inside the box, but his shot was weak and central, handed straight to the goalkeeper. Lorenzo Pellegrini struck the post shortly after, and Donyell Malen enjoyed another promising position following excellent control in depth. Roma had played an authoritative first half despite arriving without two key regulars, Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante. Their replacements proved decisive: Pierluigi Gollini, back as a Serie A starter after more than two years, showed security, personality and sharp reactions, particularly on an early save from Nico Paz. Marten de Roon, making his first start for Roma, delivered a performance of substance, attention and tactical intelligence, playing his own game rather than attempting to replicate Cristante's role. The display demonstrated that Roma was developing squad depth capable of absorbing significant absences without losing immediate structure and competitiveness. The match transformed completely at the fifty-third minute when Malen was sent off for his intervention on Kaiki, leaving Roma to defend in numerical inferiority for nearly forty minutes. The red card appeared harsh: Malen arrived uncontrolled and the contact was dangerous, but he also touched the ball with no apparent intent to strike the opponent, and the move began after a clash for which Roma had appealed for a foul not given by referee Michael Fabbri. With the game changed, Roma's objective shifted from victory to avoiding defeat. Como dominated possession and pressed constantly, yet rarely converted control into clean chances. Roma dropped its defensive line, closed gaps, defended the area and accepted the burden of suffering. The contrast with the previous season stood out starkly: at this same venue in March, Roma had lost 2-1 in a comeback after Wesley's red card at the sixty-fourth minute. This time, facing identical adversity, the squad reacted entirely differently—maintaining cohesion, preserving distances and denying Como the emotional momentum to overwhelm them. Gollini and a focused defensive line completed the work. Como attacked at length but repeatedly struck a wall. Fabbri was forced to leave the field around the sixty-seventh minute through injury and was replaced by fourth official Simone Sozza. At the final whistle, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini celebrated on the bench—not the exultation of acceptance but the recognition of difficulty in extracting a point away from home while playing against one of the league's most organized teams in such circumstances. Roma had regrets: the chance to play the full match at equal strength, Dybala's opening opportunity after six minutes, Pellegrini's strike against the post. Yet the balance remained positive. After three weeks without league football and on the eve of a fixture run that could define the season, Roma showed character, depth and identity.

Roma held Como to a draw despite playing most of the second half with ten men following Donyell Malen's red card, demonstrating the mental fortitude Gian Piero Gasperini demanded in a match that tested the squad's character. Pierluigi Gollini kept a clean sheet on his seasonal debut, while Marten de Roon marshalled the midfield with authority after Bryan Cristante's absence. The result—a point earned rather than lost—came at the cost of Malen's dismissal, which altered the tactical balance but unified Roma's resolve in the closing stages. The match unfolded as a tactical study between two sides that largely cancelled each other out for long stretches. Como pressed with intent, particularly through Nico Paz, but Roma's defensive line held firm. Gianluca Mancini recovered from an early lapse in concentration to anchor the back four alongside Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, each marshalling their zones methodically. When Hermoso departed in the 59th minute, Leonardo Balerdi seamlessly continued the work. Gasperini's substitutions tightened Roma's shape as Como intensified their assault; the manager made tactical withdrawals to reinforce the rear guard and limit the damage once numerical disadvantage took hold. Wesley battled constantly against Diao on the flank, Nahuel Molina invested considerable energy in both directions, and Paulo Dybala demonstrated leadership by rolling up his sleeves after Malen's dismissal to shoulder the burden. Gollini was tested early—he produced a strong save on Nico Paz within seconds but erred on timing with a second attempt, though he recovered to deny Caqueret. Dybala arrived at Como intent on unsettling the hosts and delivered a crucial ball recovery that unlocked the home defence and set up a Lorenzo Pellegrini shot. Pellegrini himself took ten minutes to settle into the flow but soon began advancing play in Roma's traditional fashion. Manu Koné struggled with accuracy and picked up an avoidable yellow card, while Matías Soulé entered at half-time but collected a caution himself during defensive duties. Malen's dismissal stemmed from a fierce recovery that Gasperini felt may have warranted an earlier stoppage for a preceding foul. The manager himself was far from serene on the touchline, frequently remonstrating with refereeing decisions in a match neither official found straightforward. Roma travel to face José Mourinho's side next week.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 12 October 2026 in a match that saw Donyell Malen sent off after only nine minutes of the second half for a hard challenge on Kaiki. The dismissal shaped the entire contest, forcing Roma into a defensive second half as Como pressed under Cesc Fabregas's increasingly aggressive setup. Pierluigi Gollini made the decisive saves to earn the point. The result was unexpected—La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that two attacking-minded coaches, Fabregas and Gasperini, produced the championship's first goalless draw of the season. Gasperini raised his fists at the final whistle, treating the away point like a victory on a ground that had cost Roma three consecutive defeats in recent league visits. The draw leaves Roma without a first-place finish, with SS Lazio now two positions ahead at the top. Roma's squad absorbed difficult news before the match: Mile Svilar's injury meant Gollini stepped in as the primary keeper, with the backup now ready for the Real Madrid fixture. Gasperini also recalled captain Lorenzo Pellegrini from injury—he marked his 350th appearance with a shot that hit the post. Marten de Roon, given up for lost elsewhere, covered the most ground in the side, running 11.6 km in place of the injured Bryan Cristante. Paulo Dybala played the entire match, performing with both technical grace and defensive work rate. Malen's suspension will rule him out of the upcoming visit to Napoli, adding to Roma's challenge ahead.

Roma returned from Como without a win but with a draw that carried greater significance than the single point on the surface. The 0-0 at the Sinigaglia reflected a squad showing greater depth, maturity and resilience than it had displayed months earlier, particularly after playing nearly forty minutes with ten men. The first half saw both sides play at high tempo, with Roma creating the clearest chances. Paulo Dybala had the most obvious opening at the sixth minute, receiving the ball on his left inside the box, but his shot was weak and central, handed straight to the goalkeeper. Lorenzo Pellegrini struck the post shortly after, and Donyell Malen enjoyed another promising position following excellent control in depth. Roma had played an authoritative first half despite arriving without two key regulars, Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante. Their replacements proved decisive: Pierluigi Gollini, back as a Serie A starter after more than two years, showed security, personality and sharp reactions, particularly on an early save from Nico Paz. Marten de Roon, making his first start for Roma, delivered a performance of substance, attention and tactical intelligence, playing his own game rather than attempting to replicate Cristante's role. The display demonstrated that Roma was developing squad depth capable of absorbing significant absences without losing immediate structure and competitiveness. The match transformed completely at the fifty-third minute when Malen was sent off for his intervention on Kaiki, leaving Roma to defend in numerical inferiority for nearly forty minutes. The red card appeared harsh: Malen arrived uncontrolled and the contact was dangerous, but he also touched the ball with no apparent intent to strike the opponent, and the move began after a clash for which Roma had appealed for a foul not given by referee Michael Fabbri. With the game changed, Roma's objective shifted from victory to avoiding defeat. Como dominated possession and pressed constantly, yet rarely converted control into clean chances. Roma dropped its defensive line, closed gaps, defended the area and accepted the burden of suffering. The contrast with the previous season stood out starkly: at this same venue in March, Roma had lost 2-1 in a comeback after Wesley's red card at the sixty-fourth minute. This time, facing identical adversity, the squad reacted entirely differently—maintaining cohesion, preserving distances and denying Como the emotional momentum to overwhelm them. Gollini and a focused defensive line completed the work. Como attacked at length but repeatedly struck a wall. Fabbri was forced to leave the field around the sixty-seventh minute through injury and was replaced by fourth official Simone Sozza. At the final whistle, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini celebrated on the bench—not the exultation of acceptance but the recognition of difficulty in extracting a point away from home while playing against one of the league's most organized teams in such circumstances. Roma had regrets: the chance to play the full match at equal strength, Dybala's opening opportunity after six minutes, Pellegrini's strike against the post. Yet the balance remained positive. After three weeks without league football and on the eve of a fixture run that could define the season, Roma showed character, depth and identity.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 12 October 2026, holding on to a point after Donyell Malen was sent off in the 53rd minute. Playing without Mile Svilar, Roma dominated the first half and created three clear chances: Paulo Dybala's effort from close range, a Lorenzo Pellegrini strike that hit the post, and Malen's attempt that went wide. Como responded with chances of their own, including a strike by Nico Paz that Pierluigi Gollini saved. The turning point came early in the second half when Malen was shown a direct red card for his challenge on Kaiki following a foul on him and a lost ball. Gollini made two further saves to keep Roma level as they defended with numerical disadvantage, with Dybala operating across the pitch in support of the back line. The draw keeps Roma in contention with Inter and Lazio in the Serie A table. Gasperini was visibly angered by the sending-off and spoke critically of the decision during his post-match comments. He said: "There is a repeated foul on Malen before the slip. There is no intention to do harm. It is useless to stop the frame, football is not made of frames. What counts is the concept, stop with frames because they falsify reality. From this year you manage to see truer football, let's not go back." He added that the result demonstrated Roma's character: "You must have a great heart and great fitness to play in this way at Como." Roma now prepare to face Real Madrid, with Gasperini noting that while José Mourinho left an extraordinary legacy at the club, "our is a different squad compared to his, one that is giving me great satisfaction."