Roma radio debate: Gasperini opposed to Dybala and Molina attending Messi farewell in Argentina

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has named his 23-player squad for this evening's Nations League match against Belgium at the Olimpico. Gianluca Mancini is included in the squad, but Daniele Ghilardi has been omitted and will watch from the stands. Bryan Cristante remained at Roma's training ground due to physical issues. Beyond the two Roma players, Italy also leaves out Pessina, Bastoni (suspended), Kouadio, Ruggeri, Ricci, Fagioli, Inacio, Vergara, Nicolò Zaniolo and Sebastiano Esposito from the initial aggregated group. The match is a significant fixture in the Nations League campaign and marks Mancini's first squad announcement as head coach after Italy's failure in the World Cup. The full squad includes: Goalkeepers Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Vicario; defenders Kayode, Ahanor, Calafiori, Coppola, Scalvini, Di Lorenzo, Mancini; midfielders Romano, Mandragora, Tonali, Doumbia, Zoma, Frattesi, Barella; forwards Pio Esposito, Kean, Raspadori, Scamacca, Maldini, Cambiaghi.

Roma's sporting director D'Amico continues to pursue two positions ahead of the January transfer window after failing to complete moves during the summer window. The club's primary need remains an attacking winger, preferably left-footed, to operate on the left flank and provide depth, power and speed. The secondary target is a midfielder with left-sided capability who can add running, physicality and solidity to the squad. Gasperini's requests have been clear since the summer window closed. For the defensive winger role, D'Amico has identified Oosterwolde as the primary candidate. The Dutch player was sent to Istanbul by D'Amico following medical tests and is currently recovering from femoral tendon surgery, with his return to action targeted for the end of October. D'Amico is prepared to wait for Oosterwolde's recovery and will evaluate him in Fenerbahce's matches over the final two months of the year. The Roma director is unbothered by the timeline because Oosterwolde would become both the most defensive of Roma's wingers and the most structurally robust option. A loan deal can be arranged if he returns to full fitness. Looking further ahead to next season, D'Amico is also monitoring Bakola, a French midfielder born in 2007 at Sassuolo, and Kvernadze, a Georgian attacking winger born in 2003 at Frosinone. This mirrors the approach taken with Santiago Castro, who was under observation last winter before being acquired this summer.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is using the international break to complete his recovery and return to full fitness ahead of Roma's resumption of the Serie A season. The club captain has been named in the squad for recent matches against Torino and Inter but has not yet featured, with his last appearance dating to 10 April against Pisa when he suffered a thigh injury. An attempted comeback for the derby in the closing stages of last season resulted in a setback, leading to surgical intervention in Finland in early June. Gasperini indicated before Roma–Inter that the international break presented an opportunity for Pellegrini to increase his workload further. The midfielder is targeting availability for the away fixture at Como and aims to accumulate minutes in the following sequence of fixtures. Pellegrini renewed his contract in the summer for a single season on a net wage of €2.5 million and must now compete for a place on the attacking midfield line, where Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora represent the principal competition. Last season he started 25 of 37 matches in which he was named in the squad, underlining his significance to the group, and Gasperini had pushed for his retention. After six months without a competitive appearance, the focus now centres on his return to the pitch.

Amantino Mancini, former Roma and Inter player, has analysed Saturday's 2–2 draw between the clubs at the Olimpico, telling Tribuna.com that the result was fair and that the title race will stretch beyond just Roma and Inter. "It was undoubtedly the most just result; Roma played well in the first half, while Inter played better in the second," he said. Mancini believes five teams will contest the Scudetto this season. "There will be other squads fighting for the title; I believe Napoli, Juventus and Milan can compete for it alongside Roma and Inter. It's a long championship and there is still a lot of football to be played, but I think these five teams will battle for the title." He acknowledged Roma's improvement over the past year but said Inter still hold a slight edge. "Roma have strengthened well and are a more competitive squad, but I still see Inter slightly ahead because they have been playing together as a group for longer. That said, Roma have improved considerably from last year." On Paulo Dybala, Mancini offered high praise: "We know Dybala's quality and technical gifts. When he is in physical condition and plays with continuity, he is a world-class talent. Fortunately for Roma and for him, this year he has not suffered injuries and is playing really well. He is at the peak of his career." Mancini also highlighted a defensive problem for Inter, noting: "Inter are struggling in defence; the numbers confirm it. They concede too many goals and must fix the back line. Chivu knows it well; he knows how to solve the situation." On Inter striker Lautaro, Mancini rated him highly: "Lautaro pleases me; he is a very strong player, both physically and technically, and he knows how to score. For me he ranks among the five best strikers in the world."

Amantino Mancini, a former player at both Roma and Inter, analysed Saturday's 2–2 draw between the clubs at the Olimpico, calling it the correct result. "It was undoubtedly the fairest outcome; Roma played well in the first half, while Inter performed better in the second," he said. Mancini expects the Serie A title race to extend beyond Roma and Inter. "There will be other teams fighting for the Scudetto; I believe Napoli, Juventus and Milan can compete for the title alongside Roma and Inter. It's a long season and there's still plenty of football to be played, but I think these five teams will be battling for the title." He acknowledged Roma's improvement but maintained Inter's slight edge. "Roma have strengthened well and are a more competitive team, but I still see Inter slightly ahead because they've been playing together as a group for longer. That said, Roma have improved considerably compared to last year." On Paulo Dybala, Mancini was emphatic: "We know Dybala's quality and technical gifts. When he's physically fit and playing regularly, he is a world-class talent. Fortunately for Roma and for him, this year he has suffered no injuries and is playing really well. He is at the peak of his career." Regarding Inter's defensive vulnerabilities—having fallen two goals behind in three consecutive league matches before recovering—Mancini identified structural issues. "Inter are struggling in defence; the numbers confirm it. They concede too many goals and must fix the backline. Chivu knows this well; he knows how to resolve it. This isn't the first time it's happened: the team has serious defensive problems." Mancini also rated Lautaro among the world's top five strikers and praised fellow Brazilian Carlos Augusto, suggesting he deserves a call-up to the national team despite not being a regular starter.

Donyell Malen has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad due to left-knee discomfort sustained in Roma's match against Inter. Medical tests have ruled out serious damage, and the forward has been undergoing targeted work and physiotherapy in recent days. When training resumes on Tuesday, he will initially continue on an individual programme before gradually returning to group work. Roma are taking a cautious approach and aim to have him fully fit when the season resumes. Francesco Totti will take on a role within the new Maxima Roma structure, though not in player recruitment. Instead, he will work to grow the club's fan base. Totti has reiterated his enduring attachment to the club, saying: "Roma remains always magical for me. That is my first skin." Despite two recent meetings with Ryan Friedkin over recent months, a return to Trigoria has not materialised. Among the tactical strengths of Gasperini's Roma is one-on-one play. The club has improved dramatically from a 39.2 per cent successful dribbling rate last season to 61.73 per cent so far this campaign, climbing from 19th place to the top of that category. Malen and Soulé lead with 2.6 successful dribbles per match, followed by Mora at 2.1 and Ghilardi at 1.9. Dybala trails at 0.9.

Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina have been invited to Argentina to participate in Lionel Messi's farewell match for the national team, creating a dilemma for Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of a crucial Serie A fixture. The pair, both World Cup winners with Messi, face a choice heavy with emotional and sporting weight: attend one of the defining moments in their football lives, or remain available for Roma's trip to Como just days after the international break ends. The timing presents a genuine problem for Gasperini. The event falls only a few days before the league resumes, requiring Dybala and Molina to undertake an intercontinental journey, endure long flight times, navigate a significant time difference, and return with minimal recovery time before a match Roma cannot afford to lose. Como have begun the season as one of the most ambitious sides in Serie A and represent a direct rival for the top positions in the table. Gasperini has not yet given the green light for either player's departure; his preference would be to keep both at Trigoria during this three-week domestic break. However, a flat refusal carries its own risk. For Dybala, the personal dimension cuts deeper—he has not been called up to Argentina's official windows recently, and the chance to stand beside Messi on the day of his exit from international football holds obvious significance. For Molina, a World Cup winner and integral member of that group, the emotional pull is equally strong. Gasperini has constructed much of Roma's strong start on group cohesion and mutual trust between coach and players. A firm rejection could leave some friction at a delicate moment. Dybala has been heavily used in this opening segment of the season, and Roma have worked extensively to restore the physical consistency that eluded him in recent years. Exposing him to a transatlantic journey and a time-zone shift so close to Como would be a risk the club's staff prefers to avoid. Molina has only recently found continuity and condition after a more complicated pre-season. A compromise solution might involve granting permission while asking both players to manage their involvement with extreme caution, avoiding any overexertion and planning travel and return in precise detail. No definitive decision has yet been made. Gasperini knows what he wants as coach; Dybala and Molina know that opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. The tension lies not between one match and another, but between the heart of Argentina and Roma's immediate interests. A final answer is expected in the coming days.

Gian Piero Gasperini has granted Roma an additional day off, cancelling training and rescheduling the squad's return to Trigoria for Tuesday afternoon. The head coach will spend the intervening days away from Rome. Lorenzo Pellegrini is back fit and ready to feature in the trip to Como on 11 October after sitting out the last two consecutive matches against Torino and Inter. Wesley, Bryan Cristante and Donyell Malen are all available with no fitness concerns. The main talking point, however, centres on a potential trip to Argentina for Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina. Both players have received official invitations from the Argentine Football Association to attend a tribute ceremony for Lionel Messi's international retirement on 6 October at the Monumental stadium, an event open to all members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad. Gasperini would prefer to avoid the lengthy intercontinental journey for the pair just days before the Como league fixture, particularly given that neither would feature in that match. Dybala and Molina are both keenly motivated to attend an occasion of profound emotional and historical significance to Argentine supporters. Discussions between the club, coaching staff and players are set to continue in the coming days.

Gasperini has cancelled training on 25 September, giving the squad an extra day's rest before Roma's match at Como on 11 October. The head coach will spend the coming days away from Rome. Lorenzo Pellegrini's physical condition is improving and he should be available for the Como fixture after two spells on the bench during matches against Torino and Inter. Wesley, Bryan Cristante and Donyell Malen are not a concern. The central issue, however, is the planned Argentina trip by Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina. Both have been invited by the Argentine Football Federation to attend Messi's farewell match for the national team on 6 October at the Monumental stadium. All members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad will be present, but Gasperini would prefer not to release them. With Roma's fixture at Como scheduled for 11 October, the coach wants to avoid an intercontinental journey for two players who would not even be taking the field. Both Dybala and Molina are keen to attend an occasion that will be historic for all Argentines.

Giancarlo Antognoni, head of Italy's U21 delegation, has backed Emanuele Lulli for his first-ever senior youth squad call-up, saying the Roma defender merits the honour because he is playing regularly for his club. Speaking on the Amore Giallorosso programme on T9, Antognoni said: "I believe that Lulli deserves this call-up because he is playing as a starter for Roma and so coach Baldini has rightly taken him into consideration. Emanuele is an important player for Roma and will be for the national team too because his is a position that is somewhat uncovered. Before him we had Palestra and Kayode who were called up to the senior squad and so I believe that Lulli can represent an important surprise for the national team in future, and this is thanks to Roma for playing him. I believe Baldini sees something important in him." Lulli is among Roma's current squad and plays in the defensive ranks. Antognoni noted that Italy's U21 side have performed positively under coach Baldini, winning two recent senior friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. The delegation head said the upcoming fixtures are pivotal: "We have these last two matches, and if we manage to win both of them we will qualify by right to first place. If something different happens, we will have to review our path a bit." Antognoni also discussed fellow Roma academy player Niccolò Pisilli, who is with the U21 squad. He stressed that being selected for the youth team rather than the senior side is not a demotion. "Pisilli is a guarantee for us," Antognoni said, "and being here instead of with the senior national team is not a step back. Mancini had called him up with the first squad, but since he is an important player for the U21 and we have these two important matches, it was decided to have him play with us." Pisilli celebrated his birthday during the squad's preparation phase. Italy's U21 team face Armenia next, followed by what Antognoni described as a probably decisive match against Poland as they pursue automatic qualification to the European Championship.

Emanuele Lulli's summer turned from a near-certain departure into one of Roma's most compelling stories of the season's opening weeks. A loan move to Avellino with a right of redemption appeared all but done in early July, until Gian Piero Gasperini intervened during the club's pre-season training camp. Struck by Lulli's physical attributes, the head coach halted the transfer and insisted on assessing him for first-team action—a decision backed entirely by the young defender's performances. Lulli has made four starts and accumulated 332 minutes across Roma's opening fixtures against Fiorentina, Lecce and Torino, displaying ball-carrying progression and athletic endurance at the highest level. His form has prompted his first call-up to the Italian Under-21 national team under Carmine Nunziata. With his contract set to expire in 2027, Roma's board is now opening talks with his representatives to secure a renewal that reflects his on-field development. Gasperini elaborated on his confidence in the player: "For athletic values, speed and resistance, he is superior to everyone, even Wesley. A force of nature. And he is a golden lad. He must grow technically." The tactical transformation underlines how thoroughly Lulli has altered his standing at the club in the space of weeks.

Roma's attacking threat from full-back positions has transformed under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, with the discoveries of Emanuele Lulli and the arrival of Nahuel Molina — described as a clear upgrade on Zeki Çelik — providing multiple offensive weapons beyond Wesley alone. Last season the giallorossi often struggled on the wings, but now rank among Serie A's most dangerous teams in wide areas. Lulli has created 4 chances, Molina 7 and Wesley 13 from their full-back positions, totalling 24 opportunities for Gasperini's side. This figure is surpassed in Italy only by Inter, whose wing-backs Dimarco and Diouf have combined for 26.