Roma target Greenwood as Marseille connection heats up

Marten De Roon's arrival at Roma in the final days of the summer transfer window had raised eyebrows among supporters, not least because of the departure of Neil El Aynaoui. The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder faced scepticism over his age and a history of social media provocations directed at Roma following clashes between his former club Atalanta and the Giallorossi. But in his early appearances, De Roon has already justified Gian Piero Gasperini's decision to reunite with him. Gasperini has deployed De Roon more frequently than any other player across his managerial career—361 appearances, compared to Toloi's 289—demonstrating the depth of their working relationship. De Roon left Atalanta after falling out of favour under Sarri, and Gasperini brought him to Roma on what amounted to a free transfer within 48 hours. His arrival initially unsettled Roma's fanbase due to past social media friction, but De Roon apologised immediately and made himself available. Though his competitive minutes remain limited—35 across Serie A and Champions League—his early impact has been positive, with Gasperini appearing to orchestrate play from the dugout with precision. De Roon brings valuable experience to a squad that is shorter than last season but higher in quality. After Paulo Dybala, he holds the second-most Champions League appearances in the group with 44, offering younger players like Niccolò Pisilli the chance to develop under an established presence. His integration has helped stabilise a Roma side operating with Gasperini's direct tactical methods.

Marten De Roon has arrived at Roma to rejoin Gian Piero Gasperini, the coach who has deployed him more frequently than any other manager in his career. The 35-year-old midfielder left Atalanta after Sarri and D'Amico determined he no longer fit their plans, and Roma secured him on what was reportedly a nominal fee within 48 hours. His exit from Bergamo prompted Atalanta ultras to unveil a pointed banner: "You chose to pass through our history but not to belong to it. Goodbye little flag." Gasperini responded swiftly: "Should he have become an old shoe gathering dust in a cupboard? He didn't leave of his own accord." De Roon's arrival initially unsettled Roma's fanbase, given tensions dating back to social media provocations in previous years. He apologised immediately and made himself available. Though his minutes remain limited—35 across Serie A and the Champions League—his impact has been positive. De Roon understands Gasperini's system instinctively; the coach appears to operate him with remote-control precision from the bench. The squad is smaller than last season but superior in quality, and his presence is a luxury. He has brought experience to the group: after Paulo Dybala, he ranks second for Champions League appearances with 44, and younger players such as Niccolò Pisilli can develop optimally alongside him.

Marten de Roon has rejoined Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma, reuniting with the coach he knows best after 361 appearances together across their time at Atalanta—far more than any other player Gasperini has managed, save Toloi with 289. The 35-year-old's departure from Bergamo drew sharp criticism from Atalanta's ultras, who unveiled a banner stating: "You chose to pass into our history but not to belong to it. Goodbye flag-carrier." Gasperini dismissed the barb, saying: "Should he have become an old shoe in a cupboard? He did not leave by his own choice." De Roon exited because he no longer fitted Sarri and D'Amico's plans at Atalanta, allowing Roma to bring him to the club quickly and at minimal cost in the space of 48 hours. De Roon's arrival initially caused unease among Roma's support, given his history of social-media provocations toward the club's fanbase, but he apologised immediately upon joining and has made himself available to Gasperini. Playing time has been limited—35 minutes across league and Champions League matches so far—though his impact has been positive. Gasperini appears to conduct de Roon almost telepathically, the midfielder knowing the coach's system inside out. Roma's squad is shorter than last season but measurably stronger in quality; having de Roon is described as a luxury. Beyond his tactical nous, he has brought experience: after Paulo Dybala, he holds the second-highest tally of Champions League appearances in the squad with 44, and younger players like Niccolò Pisilli can benefit from his presence as they develop.

Roma's perfect Serie A start continued with victory against Torino to secure four wins in four matches—a run the club has not achieved since the 2014–15 season under Rudi Garcia. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side are displaying a clear attacking identity matched by defensive solidity, having scored in all four league fixtures and built a goal difference of +11, among the best in Europe at this stage. Only Barcelona have outpaced Roma, with an impressive +17. Roma have conceded just one goal, placing them level with Arsenal among the continent's strongest defences. The excellence runs through the squad's individual performers. Donyell Malen has scored six goals in the opening four matches—an extraordinary return matching the output of elite names like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, and trailing only Mbappé by one goal. Paulo Dybala's contribution is equally vital: the Argentine has provided four assists, second in the early season standings behind Barcelona's Gordon on five, with Jude Bellingham and others further back on three.

Gasperini made three tactical adjustments in the 55th minute during Roma's match against Torino, transforming the side from their standard 3-4-1-2 formation into a more compact 3-5-2 to protect the midfield and manage the game at a critical moment. With Roma bright in the first half but tiring in the second, and Torino pressing harder after their tactical shift, the coach reshaped his defence and midfield: Balerdi dropped to midfield during out-of-possession phases, allowing Mancini to slot into the back three, while Lulli moved to the right as a centre-back and Soulé was lowered to the right flank to provide additional balance. The adjustment proved decisive, giving Roma greater defensive cover without sacrificing attacking threat and allowing them to resist Torino's pressure before securing victory with late goals from Malen and Dybala. The change exemplified Gasperini's approach to in-game management—reading the match, shifting shape at the right moment, and maintaining Roma's identity while adapting to opposition movements. Where Torino's increased intensity and the injection of Braganca had created danger, Roma's new shape absorbed pressure and controlled the midfield space. Gasperini's willingness to vary his setup without abandoning his 3-4-1-2 framework, toggling between formations as circumstances demand, has become a hallmark of his tenure at the club. The tactical evolution comes with Inter's visit next on the horizon—another fixture demanding close reading of the game and precision in execution. Gasperini's Roma are proving capable of winning through detail, intensity, and sustained concentration across the full 90 minutes, qualities the coach is embedding as the side plots their course through the season.

Luciano Moggi and Gian Piero Gasperini were photographed together at a bar in Turin on 15 September, prompting speculation among Roma supporters about the encounter between the club's current head coach and a figure long associated with Juventus and the Calciopoli scandal. Moggi, speaking to Radio Radio, clarified that the two have known each other for years from their time working together at Juventus, when Gasperini coached the youth academy and Moggi held a director's role. Moggi stressed that Gasperini requires no advice, saying: "Abbiamo parlato della partita, del più e del meno. La squadra è quella che è, è prima in classifica ma a prescindere da quello che sta dimostrando ha un'ossatura importante, un gioco importante. Davanti ha chi fa gol" ("We talked about the match and other things. The squad is what it is—they're top of the table, and regardless of what they're showing, they have an important structure, important football. Up front they have goalscorers"). Moggi also addressed Roma's comparison with Juventus, stating that Roma are superior across defence, midfield and attack, with particular praise for midfielder Manu Koné, noting that Juventus would be a different proposition if they had a player of his calibre. On Roma's title prospects, Moggi said: "La Roma si può giocare lo scudetto" ("Roma can compete for the Scudetto"). He highlighted Donyell Malen as a crucial acquisition, describing him as "Un affare per il rapporto economico-sportivo" ("A deal in economic and sporting terms"), crediting Malen with energizing teammates and improving Paulo Dybala's consistency. Moggi noted that Malen had been a reserve elsewhere, but that Italy's league offers such players a platform to emerge as starters. He concluded that if Roma maintain continuity with Malen, they can challenge Inter, with Gasperini described as "super" and the squad possessing quality across all departments. Roma face Inter on Saturday at 18:00.

Roma's perfect Serie A start continued with victory against Torino to secure four wins in four matches—a run the club has not achieved since the 2014–15 season under Rudi Garcia. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side are displaying a clear attacking identity matched by defensive solidity, having scored in all four league fixtures and built a goal difference of +11, among the best in Europe at this stage. Only Barcelona have outpaced Roma, with an impressive +17. Roma have conceded just one goal, placing them level with Arsenal among the continent's strongest defences. The excellence runs through the squad's individual performers. Donyell Malen has scored six goals in the opening four matches—an extraordinary return matching the output of elite names like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, and trailing only Mbappé by one goal. Paulo Dybala's contribution is equally vital: the Argentine has provided four assists, second in the early season standings behind Barcelona's Gordon on five, with Jude Bellingham and others further back on three.

Gasperini made three tactical adjustments in the 55th minute during Roma's match against Torino, transforming the side from their standard 3-4-1-2 formation into a more compact 3-5-2 to protect the midfield and manage the game at a critical moment. With Roma bright in the first half but tiring in the second, and Torino pressing harder after their tactical shift, the coach reshaped his defence and midfield: Balerdi dropped to midfield during out-of-possession phases, allowing Mancini to slot into the back three, while Lulli moved to the right as a centre-back and Soulé was lowered to the right flank to provide additional balance. The adjustment proved decisive, giving Roma greater defensive cover without sacrificing attacking threat and allowing them to resist Torino's pressure before securing victory with late goals from Malen and Dybala. The change exemplified Gasperini's approach to in-game management—reading the match, shifting shape at the right moment, and maintaining Roma's identity while adapting to opposition movements. Where Torino's increased intensity and the injection of Braganca had created danger, Roma's new shape absorbed pressure and controlled the midfield space. Gasperini's willingness to vary his setup without abandoning his 3-4-1-2 framework, toggling between formations as circumstances demand, has become a hallmark of his tenure at the club. The tactical evolution comes with Inter's visit next on the horizon—another fixture demanding close reading of the game and precision in execution. Gasperini's Roma are proving capable of winning through detail, intensity, and sustained concentration across the full 90 minutes, qualities the coach is embedding as the side plots their course through the season.

Luciano Moggi and Gian Piero Gasperini were photographed together at a bar in Turin on 15 September, prompting speculation among Roma supporters about the encounter between the club's current head coach and a figure long associated with Juventus and the Calciopoli scandal. Moggi, speaking to Radio Radio, clarified that the two have known each other for years from their time working together at Juventus, when Gasperini coached the youth academy and Moggi held a director's role. Moggi stressed that Gasperini requires no advice, saying: "Abbiamo parlato della partita, del più e del meno. La squadra è quella che è, è prima in classifica ma a prescindere da quello che sta dimostrando ha un'ossatura importante, un gioco importante. Davanti ha chi fa gol" ("We talked about the match and other things. The squad is what it is—they're top of the table, and regardless of what they're showing, they have an important structure, important football. Up front they have goalscorers"). Moggi also addressed Roma's comparison with Juventus, stating that Roma are superior across defence, midfield and attack, with particular praise for midfielder Manu Koné, noting that Juventus would be a different proposition if they had a player of his calibre. On Roma's title prospects, Moggi said: "La Roma si può giocare lo scudetto" ("Roma can compete for the Scudetto"). He highlighted Donyell Malen as a crucial acquisition, describing him as "Un affare per il rapporto economico-sportivo" ("A deal in economic and sporting terms"), crediting Malen with energizing teammates and improving Paulo Dybala's consistency. Moggi noted that Malen had been a reserve elsewhere, but that Italy's league offers such players a platform to emerge as starters. He concluded that if Roma maintain continuity with Malen, they can challenge Inter, with Gasperini described as "super" and the squad possessing quality across all departments. Roma face Inter on Saturday at 18:00.