Rome Stadium Project Clears Major Environmental Hurdle

Donyell Malen has praised his instant connection with Paulo Dybala and described Roma as the right environment for him to flourish, in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. The forward, who joined from Aston Villa, credited the club's dimension—its importance, supporters, coaching staff and squad—with accelerating his development. "I've never felt like this before, and from the first days," Malen said. "I think everything has changed. I've played a lot and everywhere, but today I believe I'm in the right place with the right people. The manager and my teammates give me so much confidence, and all of these things together bring me to be what I dreamed of being." Malen explained his decision to leave Aston Villa: "It was me, I wanted to play, to be part of a squad where I could take the field every weekend and be important. In that phase I didn't feel I was, so I think I made the best choice." His impact at Roma has been significant—he highlighted his debut as a turning point. "The first match. Starting very well, scoring a hat-trick, was fundamental. As a squad, we were strong and connected, and the feeling I had was immediately very good. From moments like this we can build and do something special." On his preferred position, he stated: "In the centre is where I feel better, more comfortable." Malen expressed surprise at the quality of midfielders Niccolò Pisilli and Manu Koné. "He is very young, I saw immediately he has quality. Manu, fantastic," he said. He also praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's directness in managing players: "The way he manages the players, you know he will never lie to you about anything. After Parma he was too happy—even a table flew." Malen described differences between Italian and English football, noting the defensive blocks in Serie A and the contrasting tactical philosophies, before declining to engage in a comparison with Lautaro Martínez over goalscoring: "Better that I concentrate on myself."

Roma face Como on Sunday 11 October in Serie A's sixth matchday, a fixture that pits not only Fabregas and Gasperini against each other but also two ownership structures emblematic of football's new global dimension. The Hartono family and the Friedkin Group have collectively invested over €1.5 billion in Italian football in recent years, each pursuing distinct visions for their clubs. The Hartono family, who transformed the Djarum group into an empire and hold a Forbes-estimated fortune of $43.8 billion, have invested approximately €390 million in Como since 2019. Their project encompasses football, academy, tourism and retail. With Fabregas as head coach and over €350 million spent in the transfer market—including €60 million for Nico Paz—Como has become an ambitious laboratory, though the club remains unprofitable with an operating loss of €132 million recorded in its latest accounts. The centrepiece of their plan is the Sinigaglia stadium redevelopment, scheduled for 2028. The Friedkin Group, whose fortune originates in the automotive conglomerate Gulf States Toyota (€14.5 billion revenue in 2025) alongside investments in luxury (Auberge Resorts) and cinema (Neon), brings personal wealth of $12.5 billion. Dan Friedkin has invested over €1 billion in Roma since 2020, injecting €824 million into the club's coffers after taking it private. Roma's losses have narrowed substantially: from €219 million in 2021-22 to €54 million in the latest accounts. Qualification for the Champions League has revitalised the project, which now awaits its defining moment with the new Pietralata stadium, approved in late September and scheduled for 2029.

Slim Bouaskar, a goalkeeper born and raised in Rome who chose to represent Tunisia internationally, has been named by The Guardian among the world's most talented and promising players born in 2009. Though largely unknown to Roma's supporters, Bouaskar continues to impress in the club's youth ranks and at the U17 World Championship. He has not yet made a senior debut, but Ranieri gave him an opportunity following José Mourinho's words to him: "In a few years you will train with my team." Bouaskar's dream is to compete for the number one shirt with Mile Svilar in the coming years. The two goalkeepers speak often, and Svilar's recognition of the young talent underscores Bouaskar's standing within the club's goalkeeper contingent.