Roma radio pundits debate Pellegrini's fit in Gasperini's high-tempo side ahead of Como fixture

José Mourinho has opened up about his relationship with Roma and the painful end to his time at the club, describing a connection with the fanbase that transcended football. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho recalled his arrival in the capital with characteristic candour. "The fans were special with me," he said. "I always tell the story that on the day I arrived in Rome and got off the plane, there were a thousand people. But I had done nothing. I hadn't won anything for these people and I asked myself why. This had a big impact. I didn't deserve it, but this is Rome—you understand it afterwards." Mourinho emphasised the depth of his commitment to the club and its supporters. "A crazy connection was created," he explained. "They understood that I never worried about my image, my relationships with the ownership, Italian football politics, or the press. For me, only Roma and the Romanisti existed. I fought for them, I gave everything of myself and in return I received their love." He highlighted Roma's Europa Conference League victory as a watershed moment, noting that for a club without frequent major honours, such a triumph carried immense significance. "The fans showed a love that touches you for the club. I made mistakes, I lost matches, I got things wrong sometimes, but they always understood that I was fighting for them." The narrative darkened when Mourinho addressed the Europa League final in Budapest and its aftermath. "The end of the Europa League was the highest point of this connection with the fans. Obviously it ended badly for me," he said. "I paid for the relationship with the ownership, which had a profile and approach different from mine over what happened in the final. I was already dead, and after a few months I left." The interview underscores how deeply the wound of his departure runs, and his place in supporters' affection remains secure, though Mourinho himself resists comparisons with Roma's legendary figures.

José Mourinho has explained the breakdown of his Roma tenure in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, linking the fracture with Friedkin ownership to the aftermath of the Budapest final and the Anthony Taylor controversy. Now Real Madrid manager, Mourinho said the consequences of the Taylor incident extended beyond his direct responsibility. "What happened to Taylor at the airport is not my responsibility," he stated. "The responsibility is the insults in the garage, and I only had to pay for that. I paid for it in my relationship with Roma's ownership, since they had a different approach. At that moment I was already out." Mourinho expressed deep affection for Roma's legendary figures Francesco Totti and Bruno Conti. "Francesco is untouchable. I will always stand behind him," he said. "Roma has a beautiful history with historic players, and I also think of Bruno Conti, whom I love." On the broader question of how top clubs treat their greatest figures, Mourinho acknowledged the complexities: "It's impossible for a club to open its doors to all past glories. I also understand the difficulties when you've had so many." Mourinho discussed his return to the Olimpico as an opponent, emphasising the emotional weight of the fixture. "I don't expect anything special," he said. "I only expect respect. I haven't started preparing for that match yet—neither as a coach nor as a former manager returning home. I haven't thought about it yet. I must defend myself and prepare to do my job well, and to do that I need to try to forget where I am and who I'm playing against. I did this with Inter, for example, or with Chelsea. It's never happened to me at Roma, and I must say it will be different. I'll take the road to the Olimpico as an opponent. It will be the first time I go there without the passion of Roma fans. And I'll have to prepare my players for that. Mine are of the highest level and are used to it, but in Rome there's a different atmosphere, a beautiful one." Mourinho added a pointed remark about Taylor's current role: "Taylor is now match delegate in Turkey. But the chief referee in Turkey was recently convicted and went to prison."

José Mourinho will return to the Olimpico as an opponent for the first time since his Roma departure, arriving on the bench of Real Madrid in a Champions League fixture within a week that will inevitably reignite memories of his connection to the club. In an interview with Ivan Zazzaroni for Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho reflected on his time in Rome and the affection of the supporters, while pinpointing the moment his relationship with the ownership definitively broke down. He spoke of the Conference League trophy Roma won during his tenure as a symbol of that era: "The other day a friend of mine, a procurer, sent me a photo of the Conference that is still at the entrance of the training ground." He also addressed the Europa League final lost to Seville, which he described as the peak of his connection with the fanbase. Mourinho stated: "They have been special with me. I always say: the day I arrived and I saw 1,000 people. I didn't understand why—I hadn't done anything yet. I didn't think I deserved it, but this is Rome and I understood that afterwards." He added: "Our relationship is special because they understood that I didn't care about my image or the relationships I could have with Italian football politics, with the press or with the ownership. I only cared about the good of Roma and the Roman fans. I fought for them, I gave everything." Regarding the Budapest final and its aftermath, Mourinho explained: "After the final, I go on holiday and when I return I am already dead for what the Uefa made me pay. What happened to Taylor at the airport is not my responsibility—what is my responsibility are the insults in the garage, and I should only pay for that." He described that moment as the breaking point with ownership: "And I paid for this in the relationship with Roma's ownership since they had a different approach. In that moment I was already out." On his departure itself, he said: "You know how much Roma's exit hurt me, but there is not a word from me against the club or the ownership. When I leave, I leave clean."

Rome's radio stations dissected Lorenzo Pellegrini's prospects and Santiago Castro's playing time in depth on 8 October, with studio hosts split on whether the midfielder can justify his renewed contract under Gasperini's high-tempo system. Mario Corsi stated bluntly: "Pellegrini knows inside himself that this is the moment where he either succeeds or fails. This is his last chance, because if he has another opaque season I don't think he'll stay at Roma. From a player like Pellegrini it isn't enough to have one good match — he was Roma's captain, and people expect him to make a difference." Lorenzo Pes offered a contrasting view of the tactical fit: "I'm very curious to see how Pellegrini will slot into a Roma going at full speed. He seems a player who is a bit removed from how this team is shaped. He managed the damage in a Roma that wasn't playing at this rhythm, but honestly I struggle to imagine him in this squad." Paolo Cosenza countered that Pellegrini's ability to play vertically and his vision suited Gasperini's approach. Alessio Nardo framed the renewal as a high-stakes gamble: "The society has placed this squad and its fate in Gasperini's hands. All the players were approved by the coach — he and D'Amico are jointly responsible for the players signed, sold and renewed. Dybala has proved he deserved his renewal 100 per cent. Now we will evaluate Pellegrini on the pitch. If Pellegrini doesn't deliver, we will have to hold Gasperini to account for it, because he has always defended him." CCastro's limited first-team action also drew comment. Checco Oddo Casano explained the transfer fee: "Castro cost 35 million partly because Bologna was the only club willing to take Dovbyk, a player with continuous physical problems, absorbing his entire wage and including a purchase option. When a young but promising player has a low wage, he often costs you more in transfer fee." Gianluca Piacentini observed that Donyell Malen was scoring a goal per game, making him a regular starter, but argued Castro deserved playing time to develop. David Rossi advocated for Castro's inclusion: "He's an ambitious player, and you can see it when he takes the pitch. If at the end of the season Malen plays 38 times as a starter and Castro comes on 38 times for five minutes, he'll tell you he made a mistake, because he wants to be the main man." Roberto Pruzzo highlighted the tactical duel in the upcoming Como match: "Think of Nico Paz and Dybala — that could be the key to the game. Pisilli is in form and can give you a midfield alternative in a very static situation, because if De Roon plays, it becomes very readable against Como, who make their quality their best weapon." Nando Orsi predicted Paz would be benched, saying Fabregas uses the bench to punish occasional indolence. The match is scheduled for 12:30, with Orsi defending the early kickoff as standard in English football for years.

Lorenzo Pellegrini announced he is fully fit and eager to resume after six months out of action, speaking at an event where he received the Colalucci award. The midfielder, who had appeared on the bench twice before the international break but was not yet ready, said the three-week gap gave him the perfect opportunity to train, push himself and prove his readiness. "I'm finally back at the disposal of the team," Pellegrini said. "This break came at the perfect moment, because I had the chance to work, push and also test myself. I'm very happy and very charged for this restart." Roma sit high in the league after five matches without Pellegrini, though the season is only four hours old. The midfielder's return comes as the club prepares to resume domestic fixtures and chase Champions League duties on midweek. Asked about whether the coming fixture against Como will decide who becomes the main challenger to Inter, Pellegrini cautioned against premature judgments. "It's very difficult to say now. These are the first four hours of the campaign, and then we restart after a very long break. There will also be new things for us: not playing for three weeks is particular, and it's difficult to have to restart. We have lots of matches, because we'll then play the midweek Champions game. It will certainly be complicated." He added: "It's difficult to say this is the match that decides who will be Inter's rival, because the season is long, it's just started and we come from a break that never happened before." Pellegrini reflected on his longer journey at Roma, describing himself as a reserved but simple person deeply attached to the club. "I've always done what I felt was right," he said of his decision to stay. "I believed it could make me happy, and I'm proud of that, because you must never compromise when you do what you feel and when you respect above all the love you have for yourself, for what you do and for where you do it. Here in Rome it's very important to us." He also noted that Roma's dressing room under the current regime is strong and united. "I prefer the dressing room from before," he reflected on past approaches, "but I must say our dressing room is truly a lovely group: united, calm, working, serene and strong. It knows what its group objective is." On the morning after receiving his award, Pellegrini expressed hope that the occasion would bring good fortune for Sunday's fixture.

Radio commentators offered contrasting views on Roma's squad depth and title prospects ahead of the Como fixture. Piero Torri said Lorenzo Pellegrini could start, noting that despite arriving at 30 and having some difficult seasons, the captain has been a key player in strong campaigns. Torri acknowledged competition for the role from Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora, who have been on international duty. "I'm becoming convinced he could start from the beginning," Torri said of the number seven. Simone Valdarchi urged caution about Roma's championship credentials. "A good performance would lift you up even after a defeat," he said. "There's still a bit to go before the title contenders emerge. It's still too soon—maybe it won't take twenty matchdays as Gasperini says, but for now it's still too little, and it would still be too little even after Como."

Rodrigo Mora is set to win the third attacking slot for Roma's Serie A trip to Como on Sunday, according to Sky Sport's Angelo Mangiante. The Portuguese midfielder impressed in a training match at Trigoria this morning against Sorianese alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who has recovered from injury. Mora appeared in sharp form following his appearances with Portugal Under 21 and has convinced head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to deploy him at the Sinigaglia stadium. The selection would complete an attacking trident built on technique, quality and ability to move between the lines. Mora is seizing his opportunity after a productive international break with Portugal's youth side.

Roma held a friendly match against Sorianese, a team from the Eccellenza division, at Trigoria on the morning of 8 October as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad continued preparations for Sunday's trip to Como. The most significant development came with Donyell Malen and Wesley returning to full group training after working only partially with their teammates in recent sessions, confirming their progress towards the Sinigaglia fixture. Manu Koné and Rodrigo Mora also trained with the squad after returning from international duty. Gasperini is close to having almost his entire squad available just days before the league resumes, with Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi undergoing a recovery session following their long journey back from Argentina. From tomorrow the coach should have virtually the full group at his disposal, with the exception of the injured Bryan Cristante.

Roma's squad completed a training session at Trigoria on 8 October ahead of Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia. Donyell Malen and Wesley trained fully with the group and are set to start, while Manu Koné and Rodrigo Mora have just returned from international duty and participated in the session. The Argentine players Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro underwent a recovery session. The Roma squad was bolstered by the return of Koné and Mora after their national team commitments. Malen and Wesley's availability is a significant boost for Sunday's fixture. The training included a friendly match against Sorianese, a team from Italy's top regional division.

Rodrigo Mora is set to win the third attacking slot for Roma's Serie A trip to Como on Sunday, according to Sky Sport's Angelo Mangiante. The Portuguese midfielder impressed in a training match at Trigoria this morning against Sorianese alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who has recovered from injury. Mora appeared in sharp form following his appearances with Portugal Under 21 and has convinced head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to deploy him at the Sinigaglia stadium. The selection would complete an attacking trident built on technique, quality and ability to move between the lines. Mora is seizing his opportunity after a productive international break with Portugal's youth side.

Rome's radio stations dissected Lorenzo Pellegrini's prospects and Santiago Castro's playing time in depth on 8 October, with studio hosts split on whether the midfielder can justify his renewed contract under Gasperini's high-tempo system. Mario Corsi stated bluntly: "Pellegrini knows inside himself that this is the moment where he either succeeds or fails. This is his last chance, because if he has another opaque season I don't think he'll stay at Roma. From a player like Pellegrini it isn't enough to have one good match — he was Roma's captain, and people expect him to make a difference." Lorenzo Pes offered a contrasting view of the tactical fit: "I'm very curious to see how Pellegrini will slot into a Roma going at full speed. He seems a player who is a bit removed from how this team is shaped. He managed the damage in a Roma that wasn't playing at this rhythm, but honestly I struggle to imagine him in this squad." Paolo Cosenza countered that Pellegrini's ability to play vertically and his vision suited Gasperini's approach. Alessio Nardo framed the renewal as a high-stakes gamble: "The society has placed this squad and its fate in Gasperini's hands. All the players were approved by the coach — he and D'Amico are jointly responsible for the players signed, sold and renewed. Dybala has proved he deserved his renewal 100 per cent. Now we will evaluate Pellegrini on the pitch. If Pellegrini doesn't deliver, we will have to hold Gasperini to account for it, because he has always defended him." CCastro's limited first-team action also drew comment. Checco Oddo Casano explained the transfer fee: "Castro cost 35 million partly because Bologna was the only club willing to take Dovbyk, a player with continuous physical problems, absorbing his entire wage and including a purchase option. When a young but promising player has a low wage, he often costs you more in transfer fee." Gianluca Piacentini observed that Donyell Malen was scoring a goal per game, making him a regular starter, but argued Castro deserved playing time to develop. David Rossi advocated for Castro's inclusion: "He's an ambitious player, and you can see it when he takes the pitch. If at the end of the season Malen plays 38 times as a starter and Castro comes on 38 times for five minutes, he'll tell you he made a mistake, because he wants to be the main man." Roberto Pruzzo highlighted the tactical duel in the upcoming Como match: "Think of Nico Paz and Dybala — that could be the key to the game. Pisilli is in form and can give you a midfield alternative in a very static situation, because if De Roon plays, it becomes very readable against Como, who make their quality their best weapon." Nando Orsi predicted Paz would be benched, saying Fabregas uses the bench to punish occasional indolence. The match is scheduled for 12:30, with Orsi defending the early kickoff as standard in English football for years.

Papu Gomez, the former Atalanta player, has backed Roma to challenge for the Serie A title this season. Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Gomez said: "Today I see Roma as a strong team that knows how to play. If Roma is in good health and the strong players are in good health, for me it is the team that can fight against Inter for the Scudetto." Gomez's comments come as Roma have started the 2026-27 season in positive form. He emphasised that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad has the quality to mount a genuine title challenge, provided all key players remain fit and available. Gomez, who spent years under Gasperini at Atalanta and served as captain for five years, spoke about the relationship between Gasperini and the Roma players. When asked whether Maurizio Sarri could open a winning cycle at Atalanta comparable to the one Gasperini built there, Gomez said: "It will be very difficult to follow a path like Gasperini did: ten years of success. I wish him well, but it's difficult. Then many things need to change because Sarri's football is not Gasperini's football. That team has assimilated Gasperini's concepts and now must get used to playing another type of football. So we hope Sarri has time and can build something important." Gomez also praised Gasperini's regard for him and expressed hope that Paulo Dybala performs well at Roma.