Romano on Roma education and Pisilli's breakthrough

Roma are using the international break to work away from the spotlight, with experienced midfielders Marten de Roon and Lorenzo Pellegrini among the senior figures remaining at Trigoria to strengthen their position in the pecking order ahead of the squad's return to action. The Giallorossi want to maintain their strong form when fixtures resume, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini central to Roma's resurgence both on and off the pitch. The club has returned to Champions League football for the first time in seven years, and the financial picture has improved alongside sporting progress. Gasperini has been instrumental in this turnaround, replicating the sustained success he achieved during his nine-year spell at Atalanta. Roma's squad is now valued approximately €150 million higher than it was a year ago, reflecting both the quality of recruitment and the effectiveness of the coaching environment. The improvement comes despite the competitive demands of the current season. The break gives Roma's players the chance to work in concentrated fashion on the training ground without the pressure of immediate fixtures, positioning the club well for the demanding schedule ahead.

Rodrigo Mora, who arrived this summer from Porto, has spoken about his early weeks at Roma while on international duty with Portugal's Under-21 squad. The 2007-born midfielder scored in his second appearance for the club against Lecce and has already featured in the Champions League, describing the experience as an important step in his development. Mora reflected on his transition from Porto, where he spent 19 years and played for the club for 10 of them. "It was a different change. I lived 19 years in Porto and played for Porto for 10. It's a different culture. But I'm happy with the change. It will be a positive change," he said. He emphasised his gratitude for Paulo Dybala's influence in his settling-in period: "He's someone I admired as a child, now to be able to play and train with him…to see the things he does, that few do…He's a humble person and has helped me a lot at the start of my Roma journey. I like him as a player and as a person. I'm grateful to be able to play at his side." On his goal against Lecce, Mora stated: "I love scoring. Scoring for Roma was beautiful, but I still want to score at Stadio Olimpico. It's special and I can't wait to score at Stadio Olimpico. I'm happy with my journey so far. The atmosphere at Stadio Olimpico is something really special and beautiful and it makes you want to play and score for Roma." He spoke candidly about leaving Porto, saying: "Farewells are never easy. It was difficult. It was a long period, it was my home. It will always be my home. All cycles close, they can reopen later. I'm leaving with a full heart, I was a champion with my club. I'm leaving as a champion and I'll continue to be another Porto fan, now supporting from Italy. I wish them good luck. I know things are going well, I hope they continue like that and that the second Scudetto arrives. I knew I needed a new challenge in my life. I'm grateful for all these years, but that's what I wanted, a new challenge in a competitive league like the Italian one." Mora also discussed his ambitions at Roma and his international prospects. "Football changes everything very quickly. Now I want to have a good season at Roma. I made my Champions League debut, it was an important step. I hope to win titles at Roma and play the best football possible. We're in a good phase, but it's a very competitive league. We're on the right track," he said. Regarding his Portugal Under-21 ambitions, he added: "It's everyone's dream. I've already been called up twice, I got injured. That's part of the game, we have a dream. Step by step, and continuing to work, one day it will come true."

Roma are monitoring Georgian forward Kvernadze ahead of the January transfer window, with the club looking to fill an attacking vacancy that remained unfilled in the summer. Kvernadze has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across league and cup this season, building on strong performances in Serie B last year, displaying physical presence, aggression and execution speed. An unexpected advantage in any pursuit is already in place at Trigoria: Alessandro Frara, the former youth academy director who arrived this summer from Frosinone, is working closely with sporting director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Frara will have already briefed both the director and the coach on every aspect of the player, covering both personal background and purely tactical considerations. The financial margins of any deal remain unclear at present, though Frosinone could be approaching safety or close to it if they lose Kvernadze in January.

Roma's squad has increased in value by approximately €150 million over the past year, driven by Gian Piero Gasperini's management since his appointment. The club has returned to the Champions League after a seven-year absence, and the upturn extends beyond the pitch into the club's finances. Gasperini, who built a successful nine-year project at Atalanta, is repeating that model at Roma, with improvements visible across every department of the squad. Mile Svilar arrived on a free transfer and remains unchanged in value as an integral goalkeeper, while Evan N'Dicka, also a free signing, is now valued at €35 million. Mario Hermoso has been transformed from a surplus player into a defensive cornerstone worth €15 million. Gianluca Mancini's value has climbed to €25 million, and Leonardo Balerdi, a recent arrival, has already proven his calibre and reclaimed his place in Argentina's squad. Wesley, signed last summer for €25 million, has attracted a €40 million offer from Chelsea that Roma rejected. Young prospect Emanuele Lulli exemplifies the club's emerging talents whose economic value is rising. Niccolò Pisilli, a Roma academy product who rejected potential summer moves, now commands €30 million. Manu Koné, the headline signing of the summer window, remained at the capital despite interest and is valued at €60 million according to Transfermarkt. Donyell Malen's worth has jumped from the €25 million Roma spent in January plus €2 million in loan fees to a current valuation of €50 million. With numerous young players in the squad—including Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Daniele Ghilardi, and Matías Soulé—these valuations are expected to grow further if on-field performance remains strong.

Gian Piero Gasperini is using the international break strategically at Trigoria, with 12 Roma players away on international duty. Rather than pause, the club's training ground remains the headquarters for squad members to press claims for selection, and two experienced midfielders are positioned to make an impact on their return: Marten de Roon and Lorenzo Pellegrini. De Roon arrived on 30 August in the final hours of the transfer window with a reputation as "Gasperini's soldier". The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder made his debut the day after in Lecce, appeared briefly against Fenerbahce, and demonstrated his worth against Torino with 4 interceptions in the final 26 minutes as Roma pushed for a second goal. His qualities of interception, intensity and tactical reading vindicated Gasperini's decision to bring him to the capital. De Roon was ready to enter against Inter but had to wait when Balerdi's cramps forced Koulierakis into his debut instead. This break now offers ideal opportunity to build fitness after spending the summer on the fringes at Atalanta. With a demanding October and November schedule of nine matches in 27 days ahead, De Roon will deserve regular midfield time, alternating with Cristante alongside either Koné or Pisilli. Pellegrini, Roma's number 7, offers versatility as attacking midfielder and box-to-box option given Gasperini's midfielders' constant attacking runs. After signing a contract renewal last summer, his target is to fully recover from the injury that has sidelined him in recent months. Working at Trigoria without international travel fatigue will restore sharpness to his legs ahead of the fixture congestion. Pellegrini's experience and leadership, combined with the attachment to the Roma shirt he has never hidden, will give Gasperini another weapon to rotate the attacking midfield and deeper positions alike.

Niccolò Pisilli set a new Roma distance record this season by covering 12.53 kilometres in the match against Torino, eclipsing the usual benchmark set by Bryan Cristante. The feat took on added significance as it coincided with Pisilli's 22nd birthday. He capped the display with a goal in stoppage time, scored while already cramping. Pisilli is currently on duty with Italy's Under-21 squad, where he has become a key figure. The Italy coaching staff explained to him that his presence with the Under-21 is particularly important at this stage owing to the squad's European qualifying commitments, while making clear that the door to the senior national team remains open. Since establishing himself in Gasperini's Roma side, Pisilli has continued his development in the azzurri colours, with four goals and one assist in his last four Under-21 matches. The midfielder has impressed with his running, positioning and growing impact in front of goal. His combination of mobility and an ability to influence the outcome—traits that define modern midfield play—have positioned him as one of the elite young prospects in Italian football. At just 22 years old, his next step could be a direct move to the senior national team.

Roma's squad has increased in value by approximately €150 million over the past year, driven by Gian Piero Gasperini's management since his appointment. The club has returned to the Champions League after a seven-year absence, and the upturn extends beyond the pitch into the club's finances. Gasperini, who built a successful nine-year project at Atalanta, is repeating that model at Roma, with improvements visible across every department of the squad. Mile Svilar arrived on a free transfer and remains unchanged in value as an integral goalkeeper, while Evan N'Dicka, also a free signing, is now valued at €35 million. Mario Hermoso has been transformed from a surplus player into a defensive cornerstone worth €15 million. Gianluca Mancini's value has climbed to €25 million, and Leonardo Balerdi, a recent arrival, has already proven his calibre and reclaimed his place in Argentina's squad. Wesley, signed last summer for €25 million, has attracted a €40 million offer from Chelsea that Roma rejected. Young prospect Emanuele Lulli exemplifies the club's emerging talents whose economic value is rising. Niccolò Pisilli, a Roma academy product who rejected potential summer moves, now commands €30 million. Manu Koné, the headline signing of the summer window, remained at the capital despite interest and is valued at €60 million according to Transfermarkt. Donyell Malen's worth has jumped from the €25 million Roma spent in January plus €2 million in loan fees to a current valuation of €50 million. With numerous young players in the squad—including Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Daniele Ghilardi, and Matías Soulé—these valuations are expected to grow further if on-field performance remains strong.

Gianluca Mancini is on course to start at centre-back for Italy against Belgium, according to tactical work at the national team's Coverciano training base. The Roma defender has featured consistently in the centre of defence during recent sessions as coach Roberto Mancini tests a 4-3-3 formation, pairing him regularly with Di Lorenzo, Calafiori and Coppola, who holds the edge over Scalvini due to a minor physical issue. The presence of the Roma centre-back offers security, experience and continuity to the Italian defence, with upcoming sessions before the squad departs for Rome expected to clarify final details — but the indications are clear that Mancini is a fixed point in Italy's defensive setup. The national team is entering the decisive phase of match preparation with technical drills and ball work to settle on the starting eleven. The coaching staff is still evaluating remaining doubts in midfield and attack. Former Roma player Romano, now at Cagliari, has been given opportunities alongside Barella and Tonali in the middle, with Frattesi also under close consideration as an alternative. In the attacking third, the forward line tested with Zaniolo, Pio Esposito and Raspadori could be reshuffled to introduce quality alternatives including Vergara, Zoma or Maldini.

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.