Roma ready Lulli contract extension to 2031

Marco Materazzi, the former Inter player and 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, has publicly backed Gianluca Mancini as the best defender in Serie A. Speaking at the Trento Festival to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Materazzi demonstrated his affection for the Roma defender, whom he has long been an idol to — Mancini wears the number 23 both for Roma and for Italy in tribute. Mancini is no stranger to Materazzi's admiration. When asked to rank Serie A's top defenders, Materazzi named Mancini ahead of Bisseck, Rrahmani, Akanji, Chalobah, Pavlovic, Balerdi, Ramón, Solet, Gila, Hermoso and Alaba. For Balerdi he noted: "You know he's a fan of mine and I'm his idol, so Mancini." On Gila he said: "I can't vote for a Milanista." When it came to Inter players, however, Materazzi's heart took over. Asked to choose between Mancini and John Stones, he replied: "Stones, he's Inter." The English defender prevailed over Scalvini and Bremer, but ultimately finished behind Alessandro Bastoni in Materazzi's final ranking.

Roma are preparing to open contract negotiations with defender Emanuele Lulli, whose current deal expires at the end of the season. The young defender has earned increasing prominence in Gian Piero Gasperini's hierarchy this season, prompting the club to act on his breakthrough form. Talks are expected to begin when Lulli returns to the capital following the conclusion of the Italy Under-21 camp he is currently attending. The club's priority is to secure Lulli on fresh terms and protect one of the standout performers in Roma's opening to the 2026-27 campaign. The new contract is taking shape around a salary of approximately one million euros per year, reflecting Roma's commitment to rewarding the 2007-born player's development and tying down a talent who has established himself as one of the season's most impressive young prospects.

Radio pundit Piero Torri has voiced concern that Bryan Cristante's injury could be more serious than initially thought, and has outlined how he would approach Roma's upcoming fixtures if the midfielder is unavailable. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), Torri said: "I'm afraid Cristante's injury may not be a short one. If he's not fit, I wouldn't risk trying to get him back for Real Madrid. I would play de Roon at Como and Pisilli against Real Madrid." Torri also reflected on head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's handling of Paulo Dybala's minutes, saying the manager's approach has shifted his perspective. "What Gasperini said about Dybala struck me—it erased my previous beliefs about his playing time and management. And so far he's been proved right," Torri noted. He suggested Roma should begin discussions about Gasperini's contract intentions, given that the coach's deal will expire at the end of the season. Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), praised goalkeeper Mile Svilar's importance to the team: "Svilar is a world-class goalkeeper for Roma, I have no doubt about it. If there's a normal goalkeeper, it's easy to lose 3–1. But with him it's different."

Roma are preparing to open contract negotiations with defender Emanuele Lulli, whose current deal expires at the end of the season. The young defender has earned increasing prominence in Gian Piero Gasperini's hierarchy this season, prompting the club to act on his breakthrough form. Talks are expected to begin when Lulli returns to the capital following the conclusion of the Italy Under-21 camp he is currently attending. The club's priority is to secure Lulli on fresh terms and protect one of the standout performers in Roma's opening to the 2026-27 campaign. The new contract is taking shape around a salary of approximately one million euros per year, reflecting Roma's commitment to rewarding the 2007-born player's development and tying down a talent who has established himself as one of the season's most impressive young prospects.

Roma's Friedkin ownership has outlined an ambitious long-term strategy spanning new infrastructure, youth recruitment and squad stability. At the Festival dello Sport in Trento, CEO John Galantic detailed the club's priorities: a new stadium project, accelerated development of young players trained at Trigoria such as Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli, and a commitment to avoid painful departures like that of Romano. The club is also expediting the creation of an Under 23 squad to underpin sustainability. The new stadium represents the centrepiece of the project, described as "without precedent". First stone will be laid between March and April 2027, with an investment of €1.3 billion signalling the Friedkin Group's long-term commitment. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is aligned with this vision, having earned the enthusiasm of supporters while resisting title talk. Gasperini is focused on closing the gap with Inter, which he identifies as the team to beat, rather than making public promises about the Scudetto. Gasperini discussed the management of Paulo Dybala, crediting targeted athletic work with resolving previous concerns about his physical durability. He concluded on an optimistic note, saying he hopes to lead Roma in its new stadium when it is completed.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at the Festival dello Sport on 2 October about the foundations of his Roma project, the character of his squad, and the club's ambitions this season. The coach outlined how he has built the team around a clear playing philosophy focused on taking the ball rather than waiting for opponents, and how he has shaped the personalities of senior players to match that vision. Gasperini praised his defensive line as "one of the best in Europe," highlighting Mario Hermoso and Gianluca Mancini as examples of players with both technical quality and the fighting spirit he demands. He also emphasised Bryan Cristante's importance as a player who sacrifices individual prominence for the collective good. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini said the Argentine has enjoyed an exceptional start to the season with no injuries disrupting his availability: "He still has the enthusiasm to play football, you can see he is well. There have been years of physical fragility, with injuries that held him back. I always thought it was a training matter... He has remarkable fibre, he started training properly and this start to the season is extraordinary. He doesn't miss a minute." Gasperini suggested Dybala's reluctance to shoot from distance stems from past injuries but believes he will regain that ability soon. On young players, Gasperini explained his approach to developing Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli. He brought Lulli into the first team after observing his characteristics in pre-season training. Regarding Gianluca Romano, whom Roma have sold, Gasperini said: "Another young player grown in Roma, very interesting. I was sorry he was excessively criticised after his first Nazionale match, but it is adults who must be more cautious in their judgements. Romano's sale is a capital gain; often societies are forced to sell young players, this is not a good thing. In football the finest jewels must be allowed to grow." On Donyell Malen's arrival and early goal-scoring form, Gasperini explained: "At times planets align and things happen you think are unrealisable. We needed a striker because Dovbyk was injured. There were several names, then I came to know of this opportunity. He was leaving Aston Villa for a tactical reason, he wanted to play as a centre-forward and I have always thought he must play in the penalty area. This his ability to make three very quick touches is his weapon." When asked if Malen could match the 36-goal tallies of Gonzalo Higuaín and Ciro Immobile, Gasperini replied: "I hope so, I've told him that to motivate him... If he reaches 30 goals I would be happy anyway." On Roma's prospects and the atmosphere at the club, Gasperini said: "It was a very positive surprise; outside Rome it is described as an environment that swings back and forth. I found passion and enthusiasm, beautiful but also mature attachment. At this moment the fans are happy and recognise themselves in this squad, then clearly the maximum result would be extraordinary. But the environment is beautiful, there is a desire to play well to enthuse them." He also commented on the new stadium project, saying he had seen the rendering and it was "fantastic" but that the Olimpico in Roma's colours is already "beautiful, though the stands are far from the pitch." Regarding Roma's centenary in 2027, when the first stone of the new stadium will be laid, Gasperini reflected: "A hundred years is a milestone of experience and for me also of emotion. Think of how many people have carried this society forward, how many fans have dedicated their lives to Roma. You must carry all the history without renouncing it, to have an even better future. Roma's second centenary will be even more beautiful than the first."