Roma's defence remains Serie A's best as Como challenge awaits

Roma resumed training on 29 September, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini beginning preparations for the 11 October match against Como. Three players are currently unavailable: Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante are working separately following ongoing treatment. Malen is managing a knee issue, Cristante is dealing with lower back pain, and Wesley is recovering from a right thigh strain sustained in the most recent match against Inter. The medical staff are monitoring all three players closely, with their status to be assessed day by day as they return to group training progressively. Cristante is closest to full recovery and is expected to return to the squad by the end of the week, after which the other two will follow.

Roma resumed training at Trigoria on 29 September after a four-day break. The focus is now on the upcoming Serie A fixture against Como at the Sinigaglia. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must work with a depleted squad, with 12 players away on international duty. Three players trained on site but remained under careful management: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley all carried out differentiated work rather than joining full sessions. The club has mapped out a structured recovery plan. Individual work will come first, followed by a gradual return to group training, with the aim of having the squad fully ready for Como without rushing the process. Gasperini is waiting for the 12 internationals to return before building back to full strength.

Roma's commanding position at the top of Serie A after five matches, with thirteen points earned, is no accident but the direct product of a ruthless pressing strategy orchestrated by Gian Piero Gasperini. The cornerstone of his tactical system is the speed of ball recovery: over 40% of Roma's regains occur within just six seconds of losing possession, directly in the opponent's half. This immediate re-aggression is underpinned by a compact defensive setup, where the gap between the three centre-backs and the two midfielders has been reduced to less than twelve metres, maintaining a high centre of gravity and choking off any play between the lines. Manu Koné, the French midfielder, embodies this aggressive philosophy perfectly. He has already made twenty-one ball recoveries and won 75% of his individual duels, functioning as a ball-breaking shield capable of snuffing out opposition build-up within the critical six-second window before instantly reversing play with the ball at his feet. This midfield aggression doubles as the first line of defence for Roma's rearguard, which has kept three clean sheets from five matches and conceded just three goals overall. Bryan Cristante provides a screen for aerial balls, while Niccolò Pisilli's dynamism in closing stages has reduced shots against the team to just 2.8 per match. Roma's ability to break the first press with dribbling is equally decisive. The team averages 10.4 successful dribbles per game, joint-top in Serie A, creating the platform for Paulo Dybala's creative output—four assists—and Donyell Malen's goal tally of six so far this season. The attacking width opened by Malen has allowed Roma to flood the penalty area with suffocating density, translating midfield dominance into attacking thrust. Gasperini's system, refined through meticulous attention to recovery times, pressing distances, and ball-carrying efficiency, has transformed Roma's midfield into the engine of their early-season success.