Roma Radio Panel: Ranieri and Gasperini Relationship 'Irreparable', Ownership Under Fire

Federico Balzaretti appeared as the first guest on a new podcast hosted by former referee Giampaolo Calvarese, who now works as a collaborator for Prime Video. The show, titled "Fischio Finale", featured a lengthy conversation spanning new regulations and past incidents. Balzaretti recounted a striking moment from a Sampdoria–Roma match that ended 0–2, which took place during Rudi Garcia's first year in charge. Roma were top of the table at the time and the fixture was tightly contested. According to Calvarese's account, Balzaretti addressed Gabbiadini forcefully: "If you do it again I'll lift you off the ground." When the referee heard these words, he asked the Roma player to calm down. Balzaretti, furious, then spoke to the referee in the same manner. Both men later recalled the episode while joking about it, also reflecting on the human rapport that existed between Calvarese and various players.

Francesco Totti has backed Roma's attacking duo of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as among the strongest in Serie A, while confirming he has been in contact with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking at a Padel Tour event, Totti said of the pair: "One of the strongest. Two great players who so far understand each other perfectly and I hope they can continue on this path." Totti praised Roma's start to the season but cautioned that consistency will be key to challenging for the Scudetto. "No, I didn't expect it and neither did anyone," he said when asked if he anticipated such a strong campaign. "We started with the right foot and accelerator fully pressed. I hope it can continue like this. The league is still long and the Champions League is a separate competition. In February or March the assessments will be made." He identified Inter as the team to beat, though he believes much remains possible for Roma: "For how they've started, yes. I think Inter is the team to beat and it will be difficult. With this Roma anything can happen." On his role in Roma's future, Totti stated there have been no approaches from the ownership regarding the club's centenary celebrations. "No, there have never been any," he said. "With the fans though many beautiful things will be made." He did confirm direct contact with Gasperini, saying simply: "Yes, we have spoken." When asked if they had booked dinner, Totti replied: "Dinner might even be breakfast." On what Roma lack to win the title, he identified a single factor: "Consistency. To win the Scudetto you must have consistency. They expanded the squad from last year and made choices together with the boss and sporting director." Totti also commented on young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, a 2007 birth year player who has relocated: "We're talking about a 2007-born player, he has changed city and culture. He's young, we must wait for him. If the figures are what they say, he's a player who must make a difference immediately."

Francesco Totti has assessed Roma's start to the 2026-27 season, speaking at the EA7 World Legends Padel Tour on 11 September — a date he reflected on for its historical weight. Totti called the draw against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League opening fixture "one point, better 1 than 0", while praising the squad's strong domestic form. "I didn't expect such a powerful start to the season in Serie A, and I don't think anyone else did either," he said. "We started with the right foot and the accelerator flat. I hope it can continue like this. The season is still long and the Champions League is a different competition. In February or March we will take stock." Asked to compare the current squad with Roma's Scudetto-winning team of 2001, Totti cautioned against the comparison. "It is reductive to make parallels. These are two very different squads, different times and different players. We were a great team, this is a good team," he explained. When pressed on what the side lacks, Totti identified a critical gap: "Continuity. To win the Scudetto you must have continuity. The squad has been expanded from last year and choices have been made jointly between the manager and the sporting director." On the relative strength of rivals, Totti assessed: "Given how they have started, yes, I see Napoli, Milan and Juventus a step above. I think Inter is the team to beat and it will be difficult. With this Roma everything can happen." He confirmed recent contact with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, joking that a celebratory meal might follow. Regarding Paulo Dybala, Totti observed: "Paulo is making a great start, and especially in the last matches last season he played at a very high level. This is the Paulo we all know. If he gives this continuity and desire to play for Roma, that is a lot of things." On young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, Totti was measured: "We are talking about a 2007 [birth year], he has changed city and culture. He is young, we must wait for him. If the figures are as they say, he is a player who must make a difference immediately."