Roma pursue Moreira but face hefty asking price; attack reinforcement remains priority

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are among Premier League clubs tracking Emanuele Lulli, Roma's young defender, according to reports in England. Scouts from the English clubs had initially focused on Wesley at Roma, but their attention has also turned to Lulli, a 2007-born product of Roma's academy. Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are also reported to be monitoring the player. Lulli has established himself as an important part of Gasperini's Roma squad this season. The player hopes to feature in tomorrow's match at Como. Separately, Roma have opened talks with the player over a contract renewal, with both parties aiming to extend his current agreement.

The Friedkin Group has opened the door to selling its controlling stake in Everton while reinforcing its long-term investment in AS Roma, marking a strategic shift that places the Italian club at the centre of the Texan ownership's football portfolio. The group stated: "The Friedkin Group is evaluating new investment options for Everton Football Club, including the potential sale of a controlling stake." The move reflects no immediate urgency to divest but signals a willingness to explore offers from buyers deemed capable of "taking the club forward and consolidating the momentum that has been created" while continuing to support it in the interim. The valuation of Everton, according to Il Messaggero, could reach approximately £800 million including debt. Estimates of the group's initial outlay differ: Il Messaggero indicates around £400 million for the acquisition of 94.1% of shares from Farhad Moshiri, while Il Tempo quantifies total investment at approximately £600 million. An exit at that valuation would represent a favourable outcome economically. Crucially, the article identifies UEFA multi-ownership rules governing simultaneous European participation as a factor in the group's thinking—having two clubs from the same ownership in UEFA competitions requires strict compliance with regulations on multiple club ownership, though this is not identified as the sole driver of a potential sale. Roma presents the inverse picture. Since arriving in the capital, the Friedkin Group has committed over €1 billion in investments and tied a central component of its project to building a new stadium at Pietralata, an undertaking estimated to cost around €1.3 billion overall. Everton's 2024-25 accounts showed revenues of £196.7 million and losses reduced to £8.6 million. The group is also reportedly working on establishing a new NHL franchise in Texas in the Houston-Austin area for approximately $3.5 billion, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, further demonstrating its appetite for major sports portfolio expansion. The article emphasizes that any Everton sale proceeds would not automatically flow to Roma, as these represent separate holding-level assets and investments. The strategic signal, however, is unambiguous: while the Friedkin Group evaluates an exit from Everton after stabilizing the club, Roma remains in an active growth and construction phase, with the Pietralata stadium project serving as the ultimate test of Roma's centrality to the ownership's vision.

The Friedkin Group is to sell Everton, with the sale expected to value the Premier League club at around £800 million including £380 million of debt, according to reporting from Il Messaggero. The family acquired 94.1 per cent of Everton from Farhad Moshiri for approximately £400 million, meaning the exit would constitute a significant financial gain if it completes at the reported valuation. Everton's accounts for 2024–25 published by the Premier League showed record revenues of £196.7 million and reduced losses of £8.6 million, demonstrating the group's success in stabilising the club's finances and completing its infrastructure. Roma remains the strategic centre of the Friedkin Group's football interests. While there is no set timeline for the Everton sale, the decision to exit reflects both economic opportunity and a practical conflict: managing two clubs simultaneously in UEFA competitions has proven more difficult than initially anticipated from Houston. The group initially believed it could handle both Roma and Everton's European campaigns concurrently, but that confidence has waned over time. Some observers contend the Everton purchase was a short-term speculation rather than a long-term investment, evidenced by the absence of any deep bond between the English supporters and the ownership. By contrast, the Friedkin Group's commitment to Roma differs markedly. The family has repeatedly strengthened the squad on the transfer market and has kept the Pietralata stadium project at the forefront of strategic thinking. Since taking control of Roma, the group has invested more than €1 billion and is preparing to spend a further €1.3 billion on construction of the new ground. The squad has been made competitive for Serie A's summit and has returned Roma to the Champions League, underscoring where the family's true priorities lie.

Mile Svilar's availability for Roma's Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October is uncertain after he sustained a finger injury during the match against Inter. The goalkeeper has not trained with the squad in recent days, and optimism has diminished as the match approaches. Pierluigi Gollini, who arrived in January 2025, stands ready to deputise. Since his arrival in the capital, Gollini has played only once — against Panathinaikos in the final matchday of last season's UEFA Europa League group phase. Gian Piero Gasperini will make his final decision at today's training session. Roma face tactical decisions elsewhere ahead of the 12:30 kickoff on matchday six. Behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, one of Rodrigo Mora, Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini will operate in the attacking midfield role. Marten de Roon will replace the injured Bryan Cristante in the centre of midfield, partnering Manu Koné. Wesley lines up at left back, with a contest between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli for the right flank. The back three consists of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The squad departs for Como today.

Roma travel to Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday to face Como in a Serie A fixture that pits the division's joint leaders against a side seeking to recover from their first defeat of the season. Gian Piero Gasperini's Giallorossi won their opening four league games and were seeking a fifth consecutive victory against defending champions Inter before settling for a 2–2 draw at the Olimpico, with Lautaro Martinez's second-half brace cancelling out Manu Koné's first-half double. Roma spent the international break as joint leaders with 14 goals scored—only Inter have netted more this term—and are the only side to have scored at least two goals in all five matches so far. They bring a five-game winning away league run into this fixture, a streak only once exceeded in the club's history when Roma won 12 consecutive games between February and November 2017. Como enter the match three points behind Roma and seeking to bounce back after Frosinone's 2–0 victory halted their ten-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. Cesc Fabregas' men have otherwise impressed, winning three consecutive league matches to follow their opening 1–1 draw at Udinese. Como's home record is formidable: only defending champions Inter have beaten them in their last nine games at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia (W6, D2), and they have won their last three home meetings with Roma in Serie A—as many victories as in their previous 11 such clashes combined. Como have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six home outings, a defensive strength that will test Roma's attacking prowess. Roma must contend with a potential absence: Bryan Cristante remains the only doubt after a knee injury forced him out of Italy's squad. Wesley Franca withdrew from Brazil's camp but should be fit to start. All eyes will be on Donyell Malen, who leads Serie A's scoring charts with six goals. Como's long-term absentee Jayden Addai has recently resumed full training, giving Fabregas his entire squad available. Tasos Douvikas is likely to start in attack ahead of Moise Kean, seeking to end his home drought after his last five goals all came on the road. Roma's starting XI is expected to line up as follows: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen. Como will deploy: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Da Cunha, Milla; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas. Despite Roma's superior attacking form and impressive away record, Como's resilience at the Sinigaglia makes this a tricky assignment for Gasperini's men. Gasperini could become only the fifth manager to oversee 300 Serie A victories should Roma add to their tally. However, Roma must avoid lapses in concentration in the second half, having conceded their last six goals after halftime.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 10 October ahead of Roma's fixture at Como on 12 October at 12:30, confirming that goalkeeper Mile Svilar will miss approximately one month after suffering a stress fracture to his foot during a training session. Svilar sustained the injury a week ago following a push during the session; the fracture is not displaced but requires around a month of recovery, with medical staff evaluating whether to insert a screw—a procedure that would extend his absence. Pierluigi Gollini will take his place in goal. Gasperini described the injury as "a bad blow", but noted that in long seasons such setbacks can occur. He added: "He will be back after the break. It is a difficult situation, but in lengthy campaigns you can face unexpected problems of this type. Gollini will play and he will have the opportunity to become the important goalkeeper he has been." Konstantinos Koulierakis is also unavailable, having sustained a contusion while on international duty, though Gasperini expects him to return on Monday. Bryan Cristante was noted as the only player to underperform during a full-squad training session on 9 October. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who benefited from recovery time during the international break, is ready to start. Gasperini defended Gollini's credentials despite limited recent playing time: "I was the only one to use him with continuity at Atalanta. He is an excellent reserve goalkeeper and now has the chance to play many matches. When he was at Atalanta he also became Italy's third-choice keeper. He has always trained well and is a valuable player. He deserves everyone's confidence—we are certainly not talking about a goalkeeper with no career experience." Gasperini discussed Roma's tactical outlook and the challenge ahead. "The Inter side, in the judgment of almost everyone, appears to be one step above the others," he said. "We played a very good match against Inter—from my perspective, an extremely positive one—and we must build on that performance. Como, like us, Juventus, Milan, Napoli, Atalanta and perhaps other surprises, form part of that group of teams competing for the best positions behind Inter, hoping that occasionally they might stumble." He confirmed that Wesley has performed excellently in the early season, notably against Inter, and outlined his rotation strategy: "Given that we must play nine matches in twenty-seven days, I believe there will be real opportunity to rotate all the players." On defending set-piece situations after the interval, Gasperini suggested the issue stemmed more from individual episodes than a systemic defensive problem. He also addressed Roma's passionate fanbase, stating: "I do not have to win anyone over—it is the opposite. The people, with the enormous passion they have for this team, infect me and the players. The situation is reversed. Playing surrounded by this passion and enthusiasm, with a stadium always so full, I believe is something extremely favourable and positive, which the squad and players feel in a particular way." Gasperini emphasised the importance of squad depth given the fixture congestion. He will have 18 outfield players plus Gollini available, with 16 starting in matches. "I hope that message gets through," he said. "Today I do not know who will play against Real Madrid, against Genoa, against Slovan, or in all the matches we face until Sassuolo. I simply hope we do not suffer further injuries like Svilar's." On Roma's ownership, he noted: "For a team to become great, as I understand it, I believe it is important also to have an ownership close by. I came here after speaking with Dan and Ryan, and that was precisely what convinced me that important work could be done. I hope there is still the same idea and vision."

Roma's full-backs have become a cornerstone of Gian Piero Gasperini's push to the top of Serie A, a marked shift from last season when they proved problematic. Wesley and Nahuel Molina are now among the club's key strengths, and both will start when Roma resume the league campaign against Como, where they will face manager Fabregas. The turnaround reflects Gasperini's tactical evolution since arriving at the club: in his first season, Wesley was the only defender fully convincing on the flanks, while Zeki Çelik had to make do elsewhere. Now the picture is entirely different. Gasperini has uncovered Emanuele Lulli in the course of the season, and Molina has gradually built his fitness, delivering quality and assists to Roma's attacking phase. For the Como fixture, Gasperini plans to deploy Molina on the right and Wesley on the left. The selection reflects not just Roma's attacking ambitions but also Gasperini's defensive strategy: by using two attacking full-backs, he aims to stretch Como's wide players—Baturina on one flank and Diao on the other—and occupy them throughout the match. Wesley, the more naturally offensive of the pair, will be tasked with driving forward and supporting the build-up play. Molina is likely to carry greater defensive responsibility, balancing his own contributions with the need to contain Como's threats on the wing.

Gian Piero Gasperini will deploy Nahuel Molina and Wesley as twin wingers in Roma's visit to Como, harnessing simultaneous attacking thrust down both flanks to counter Cesc Fabregas's side. With Molina fully recovered and Wesley in continued form, Roma will field two genuine wide operators capable of delivering width, high pressing and chances for the attacking midfielders. The tactical choice targets Como's possession-based play built around Baturina and Diao's unpredictability; Molina and Wesley are instructed to close down Como's wide references and attacking midfielders immediately, forcing them away from build-up play into long balls. In possession, the overlapping runs of Molina and Wesley will create lateral chains with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, opening space for crosses and inside passes. Last season Roma's right wing relied solely on Wesley alongside the converted Zeki Çelik, but the club now possesses one of Serie A's strongest selections of wide midfielders. Gasperini's side has already created thirteen goalscoring actions from wide midfielders this season—second in the league behind Inter's fourteen. Wesley leads with seven goal contributions, followed by Molina on four and eighteen-year-old Emanuele Lulli, an academy product promoted to the first team, who has added two decisive contributions and demonstrates the depth of alternatives available on the flanks. A key feature of Gasperini's system is the tactical flexibility of both players. Wesley and Molina can interchange wings during matches without loss of effectiveness, alternating deep play and crosses with cuts inside on their stronger foot to link with the attacking midfielders. This constant switching prevents opposing defences from finding fixed reference points and allows Roma to vary attacking approaches throughout the game.

Zeki Çelik produced a costly error in Turkey's match against Italy in Bursa, clearing a corner kick directly to Alessandro Bastoni, who opened the scoring for the Azzurri. Italy dominated the fixture in a redemptive performance after losing to Belgium on Friday. Çelik's mistake was immediately seized upon by social media users, with Roma supporters among those criticising the defender's display. One Roma fan wrote: "La spazza Celik" (Çelik the sweeper), while others joked about whether a 'Çelik-cam' video would emerge—a reference to footage released by DAZN following Çelik's first friendly for Juventus. The Turkish international has endured a difficult start to his spell in Serie A, facing criticism not only from Roma fans but also from his country's supporters.

Mile Svilar's availability for Roma's Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October is uncertain after he sustained a finger injury during the match against Inter. The goalkeeper has not trained with the squad in recent days, and optimism has diminished as the match approaches. Pierluigi Gollini, who arrived in January 2025, stands ready to deputise. Since his arrival in the capital, Gollini has played only once — against Panathinaikos in the final matchday of last season's UEFA Europa League group phase. Gian Piero Gasperini will make his final decision at today's training session. Roma face tactical decisions elsewhere ahead of the 12:30 kickoff on matchday six. Behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, one of Rodrigo Mora, Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini will operate in the attacking midfield role. Marten de Roon will replace the injured Bryan Cristante in the centre of midfield, partnering Manu Koné. Wesley lines up at left back, with a contest between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli for the right flank. The back three consists of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The squad departs for Como today.

Roma travel to Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday to face Como in a Serie A fixture that pits the division's joint leaders against a side seeking to recover from their first defeat of the season. Gian Piero Gasperini's Giallorossi won their opening four league games and were seeking a fifth consecutive victory against defending champions Inter before settling for a 2–2 draw at the Olimpico, with Lautaro Martinez's second-half brace cancelling out Manu Koné's first-half double. Roma spent the international break as joint leaders with 14 goals scored—only Inter have netted more this term—and are the only side to have scored at least two goals in all five matches so far. They bring a five-game winning away league run into this fixture, a streak only once exceeded in the club's history when Roma won 12 consecutive games between February and November 2017. Como enter the match three points behind Roma and seeking to bounce back after Frosinone's 2–0 victory halted their ten-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. Cesc Fabregas' men have otherwise impressed, winning three consecutive league matches to follow their opening 1–1 draw at Udinese. Como's home record is formidable: only defending champions Inter have beaten them in their last nine games at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia (W6, D2), and they have won their last three home meetings with Roma in Serie A—as many victories as in their previous 11 such clashes combined. Como have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six home outings, a defensive strength that will test Roma's attacking prowess. Roma must contend with a potential absence: Bryan Cristante remains the only doubt after a knee injury forced him out of Italy's squad. Wesley Franca withdrew from Brazil's camp but should be fit to start. All eyes will be on Donyell Malen, who leads Serie A's scoring charts with six goals. Como's long-term absentee Jayden Addai has recently resumed full training, giving Fabregas his entire squad available. Tasos Douvikas is likely to start in attack ahead of Moise Kean, seeking to end his home drought after his last five goals all came on the road. Roma's starting XI is expected to line up as follows: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen. Como will deploy: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Da Cunha, Milla; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas. Despite Roma's superior attacking form and impressive away record, Como's resilience at the Sinigaglia makes this a tricky assignment for Gasperini's men. Gasperini could become only the fifth manager to oversee 300 Serie A victories should Roma add to their tally. However, Roma must avoid lapses in concentration in the second half, having conceded their last six goals after halftime.

Rodrigo Mora has emerged as a contender for a starting berth on the attack ahead of Roma's visit to Como on 11 October at 12:30, with his recent overhead-kick goal for Portugal Under 21 catching the eye of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and supporters alike. The young midfielder from Porto is in sharp form and poses a direct threat to Matías Soulé's place in the side. Soulé is hampered by fatigue from a long journey back from Argentina and sparse training time, raising the prospect he may begin on the bench alongside Leonardo Balerdi to allow fresher legs into the line-up. Should Mora start, he would complete a front three alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Dybala remains fully available after Roma firmly blocked his departure for Argentina's farewell match for retiring Messi, keeping the forward at the club's Trigoria training ground to concentrate entirely on the league campaign and title contention. The midfielder picture is complicated by Bryan Cristante's knee injury, opening a contest between the experience of Marten de Roon and the attacking thrust of Niccolò Pisilli. De Roon appears favoured to provide defensive balance, though Pisilli offers running power and forward involvement.