Roma seek the breakthrough at Verona

Roma's early-season form has sparked debate among Rome radio commentators about the club's ability to challenge for the Serie A title. Leonardo Balerdi, the defender who arrived this summer, has made an immediate impact that surprised analysts, though questions remain about the decision to bench Evan N'Dicka and the inconsistency of established players. Mattioli told Radio Radio that Balerdi "is a player of experience, he has played 200 matches in the French league. I'm pleased he came to Italy and is showing what he is worth." Pruzzo added: "I did not expect Balerdi's impact, it is a positive surprise. He is reactive, very practical and does not take risks when there is no need to. On the defensive phase he is numerically sound, he is an added value." Orsi struck a bullish tone about Roma's prospects, saying the squad was built to compete for the title this year and that Roma, alongside Inter, are more ready technically and in terms of squad depth than Juventus, Milan and Napoli, which he described as "too inconsistent." Carina offered a more measured assessment, praising Balerdi's impact but cautioning that benching N'Dicka—"the strongest in one-on-one marking in Serie A"—required courage. He criticised Gianluca Mancini's defending, saying "on the goal conceded by Roma there is his fingerprint," and suggested that with five matches played, it is premature to draw firm conclusions about title contenders, noting that Juventus and Milan remain close in points despite negative talk. Pes on Teleradiostereo highlighted Mile Svilar as a decisive advantage over rivals including Inter and Como, describing him as "a goalkeeper who brings points" and an element that provides security. Pes added that if Roma can increase their goalscoring output beyond the players currently delivering—Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli—the team will become genuinely interesting.

Antonio Carlos Zago, a member of Roma's 2001 Serie A title-winning squad, believes the current team can compete for the championship this season. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Zago reflected on Roma's recent performance against Inter, saying: 'I watched the match on Saturday, Roma had a good first half but when you lose concentration against a side like Inter you pay the price at the end.' He acknowledged the gap between that legendary squad and the present group but remains optimistic about their prospects. 'The Scudetto dream is possible,' Zago said. 'Inter is the only rival. Roma have a great defensive unit. The attack is strong too, they can compete until the final day.' Zago praised Wesley, Roma's Brazilian defender, as one of the world's best full-backs, noting that Real Madrid and Manchester City had also pursued him. 'There is little to say—for me he is one of the strongest full-backs in the world,' Zago remarked, adding that despite scoring less frequently, Wesley's overall performances remain excellent. On head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Zago was emphatic: 'If he is not the strongest of the last ten years, he is certainly in the top three. In Serie A he is the best. The team must follow him and can aim for great results.'

Paulo Dybala has undergone a striking transformation at Roma this season, shifting from a pure finisher to a playmaker under Gian Piero Gasperini. With four official assists in Serie A — reportedly seven without regulatory technicalities — he has become the league's leading provider. The change reflects reduced obsession with scoring and greater focus on team service, aided by an exceptional physical condition never matched since his arrival at the club and buoyed by new attacking partners including Donyell Malen, who have eased the burden of single-handedly leading the attack. Dybala's resurgence stems principally from his fitness, managed by new athletic staff led by Alessandro Pilati, who arrived from Genoa after 22 years there. He has logged record minutes across Serie A and the Champions League, underpinned by his decision to abandon personal trainers and rely solely on occasional pilates sessions with his wife Oriana. That choice has yielded immediate results alongside strong leadership in the dressing room, evidenced by his decision to cut his salary significantly to remain tied to Roma. This period of enhanced prominence coincides with an invitation from Lionel Messi to participate in what is likely Messi's final match for Argentina, against Benin at the Monumental stadium. Gasperini and his coaching staff, however, prefer to avoid a long and demanding journey on the eve of the league's resumption and Roma's fixture against Como. The plan is to keep Dybala at Trigoria, protect the work accomplished so far, and ensure continuity in the new chapter of the club's campaign.