Ryan Friedkin arrives in Rome amid derby chaos and transfer decisions

Francesco Totti has spoken about his emotional departure from Trigoria, saying the Roma training ground was his home and that he never thought he would leave it. The former captain also addressed the prospect of returning to the club, insisting that certain things are done by two people. Totti also looked back on Mohamed Salah's two seasons in giallorosso. He described the club as the starting point for the Egyptian's career before his move to Liverpool. Salah, according to Totti, left a very good memory in the capital. Totti said: "A Roma ha vissuto due ottime stagioni. Credo che la squadra giallorossa sia stata il punto di partenza per Salah, prima del suo trasferimento al Liverpool." On Salah's time at the club, he added: "Ha fatto molto bene: era sempre a disposizione, segnava gol e forniva assist. I tifosi lo hanno amato perché, sinceramente, è una persona davvero speciale e molto apprezzata." Totti also praised the forward's commitment to the team: "Era sempre pronto a mettersi al servizio della squadra e a lottare per quei colori. Aveva ambizioni importanti ed era normale che, a un certo punto, sentisse il desiderio di cambiare squadra e affrontare una nuova sfida. È stato un giocatore straordinario."

Former Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove has said Roma have great potential, pointing to their high tempo and suffocating, man-marking style in Serie A at the moment. Speaking to Rai's Domenica Sportiva, Bove said: "In my opinion they have great potential. Especially in Italian football, right now, they have a very high tempo. They defend by attacking, they have an almost suffocating game, man-to-man." He added that he had faced Gasperini when he was in Italy and remembered well the type of football his team played and how much it troubled opponents. "But that Roma are positive, I certainly don't need to be the one to say it," he added. Bove, who now plays for Watford, is confident in the strength of the squad and believes it can aim high. He was at Rai's studios to promote his film, 'In un Battito', and the conversation moved from Roma to his own return to the pitch. He described how he now plays differently. "Of course, I play in a different way now. I prepared during this long period before my return, I knew I would find difficulties mentally, including in my relationship with my heart and its beat. Sometimes there is the fear of remembering. That is also why it was important to face everything, to go through an inner journey that helped me manage it. On the pitch now I am calm, but the difference was made by working with professionals who allowed me to overcome everything." Looking ahead, Bove said being in England made him happy, as it was a dream he had. "I don't hide the fact that I have one eye on Italy."

Paulo Dybala has posed in front of a superhero-style mural of himself painted by street artist Drugi, after the Argentine forward was celebrated on the wall in a pose with a child. The artwork was created in recent weeks, and in the final minutes Dybala had a photograph taken in front of it. The mural shows Dybala as a superhero in the hands of a young boy. Dybala is a hero to supporters on and off the pitch, particularly to younger fans, and the image reflects that bond with the club's followers. The Roma forward's visit to the artwork kept him in the spotlight away from the training ground. Dybala shared the photograph on social media with the caption: "Il calcio mi ha regalato tanto. Poter ricambiare facendo sorridere un bambino per le strade è una delle cose più belle!" In English: "Football has given me so much. Being able to give back by making a child smile on the streets is one of the most beautiful things!"

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing for reinforcements in the January transfer window, with a meeting between the club and the coach expected in the coming days to set the strategy. The November international break arrives at the right moment for Roma, who are enjoying an exciting start to the season, sitting third in Serie A and unbeaten in the league. Gasperini has now been in charge for 521 days, and the club and its management know that making the final leap in quality will require making the most of the January market. According to Il Tempo, Roma have not lost in Serie A for 18 matches, boast the league's best attack with 31 goals, and have the second-best defence. Gasperini sees the fruits of his work and the growth of a group that functions perfectly. He is aware, however, that there are still details to improve, such as finishing and handling decisive moments, if Roma are to close the gap on Lazio and Inter. That is why the winter window, which opens early on 28 December, is a key step. The top priority is clear: Roma need a fast winger capable of providing depth and unpredictability. Gasperini considers that profile fundamental, partly because players such as Dybala and Pellegrini do not offer constant physical guarantees. In other areas, Roma feel covered. The attack is working thanks to Soulé and Mora, and on the flanks the emergence of Lulli has reduced the urgency to act. Defence and midfield also offer good certainties.

Mile Svilar is edging closer to a return, with Roma's goalkeeper still at Trigoria on Sunday continuing his recovery from a fracture to his right foot that has kept him sidelined for the past month. Roma resume training on Wednesday. The Belgian had hoped to speed up his return, but after checks ten days ago, caution prevailed. Svilar is set to be ready to reclaim his place between the posts for the match at Parma, having been replaced by Gollini, who defended the goal well up to Manchester. A back problem also forced the Roman club's number ninety-five to miss the last two matches. The two-week international break, writes Gabriele Turchetti in Il Tempo, presents the perfect opportunity for Paulo Dybala to recover his best form. The Argentine's layoff caused by a calf tear sustained against Real Madrid has been longer than expected, but his condition is now improving and, barring setbacks, he will be available again for the Parma game. Together, the returns of Svilar and Dybala would give Roma a significant double boost ahead of the trip to Parma, with the break allowing both players the time needed to get back to full fitness.

Rodrigo Mora's time has arrived, with the Portuguese teenager scoring in a third consecutive Serie A match against Sassuolo, following earlier goals against Cagliari and Udinese. In the past few hours he has also earned his first call-up to the Portugal senior national team, in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era. The Corriere della Sera's Simone Valdarchi writes that there is no crown to inherit and no blasphemous comparison to make; this is simply the story of a teenager who has handled the normal difficulties of arriving in Italian football with brilliance, in an important city like Rome and in a season when Gasperini wants to aim for the top of the league. For weeks, things were not going so well for Mora, but he has kept working and waiting for his moment. In recent weeks, with Dybala out and set to return after the international break in Parma, Mora has found space in the trequartista role, adding flair to matches with his touches in the final 30 metres. Alongside his three consecutive Serie A goals, he produced the assist for Soulé's opening goal for Roma against Manchester United at Old Trafford last Tuesday. It was his second assist of the season, after the one against Real Madrid for Malen. Those were not ordinary fixtures. With the goal against Sassuolo, the Portuguese now has four goals, making him the club's second-highest scorer alongside Pisilli and Soulé, behind Malen, who is on 12. Valdarchi's point is that Mora is a teenager, born in 2007, who is adjusting to a new league and a demanding city. Mora's first senior call-up with Portugal marks a further step in a rapid rise, and the youngster now combines international recognition with a growing role in Gasperini's attacking options.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing for reinforcements in the January transfer window, with a meeting between the club and the coach expected in the coming days to set the strategy. The November international break arrives at the right moment for Roma, who are enjoying an exciting start to the season, sitting third in Serie A and unbeaten in the league. Gasperini has now been in charge for 521 days, and the club and its management know that making the final leap in quality will require making the most of the January market. According to Il Tempo, Roma have not lost in Serie A for 18 matches, boast the league's best attack with 31 goals, and have the second-best defence. Gasperini sees the fruits of his work and the growth of a group that functions perfectly. He is aware, however, that there are still details to improve, such as finishing and handling decisive moments, if Roma are to close the gap on Lazio and Inter. That is why the winter window, which opens early on 28 December, is a key step. The top priority is clear: Roma need a fast winger capable of providing depth and unpredictability. Gasperini considers that profile fundamental, partly because players such as Dybala and Pellegrini do not offer constant physical guarantees. In other areas, Roma feel covered. The attack is working thanks to Soulé and Mora, and on the flanks the emergence of Lulli has reduced the urgency to act. Defence and midfield also offer good certainties.

Roma are set to welcome back key players after the international break, with Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala both close to returning from injury, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The break arrives at a convenient moment for the club, which has come through a difficult run of closely spaced matches and numerous injuries. In 27 days Roma played nine games with a limited number of players available, but the injury list is finally emptying and Gian Piero Gasperini will regain fundamental pieces for the second half of the season. The Roman side has managed to cope thanks to the depth of the squad and the early return of Manu Koné against Sassuolo. Svilar's influence is shown clearly by the numbers: with him in goal, Roma had conceded just four goals in six matches, a very low average that inevitably changed during his absence. Dybala's return, meanwhile, will bring back the special quality seen in the first part of the season, even as Roma appreciate the growth of Matías Soulé. Gasperini can also count on Gianluca Mancini and Devyne Rensch, both ready to return to availability, ahead of the trip to Parma on 21 November. Lorenzo Pellegrini will not return until January. Despite that, the overall picture is very positive, with Roma recovering all their players and preparing to become even more competitive.

Roma are third in Serie A, still unbeaten in the league and just two points behind capolista Lazio, and the Gasperini side have five good reasons to believe they can overtake them before Christmas. Their 31 goals in the first eleven matchdays represent a record in Roma's history. The Gazzetta dello Sport highlights that record as the most striking statistic. Roma have scored 31 goals in eleven matches, an average of 2.82 per game. No Roma side had ever scored as many after eleven league rounds. The goals are not down to Donyell Malen alone, who already has 11 league goals this season. Gasperini has seen 14 different players score, including defenders and midfielders, and the team finds the net in many ways and through many players. Gasperini has come through a gruelling spell of nine matches in less than a month with a squad decimated by injuries. Koné has already returned against Sassuolo, while Svilar and Dybala are expected back when the league resumes, both described as fundamental to the team's balance. Mancini is aiming to return against Parma, while Rensch still has some doubts. Pellegrini's recovery will take longer, and he will not return until January. Getting back players of this calibre could significantly increase the coach's options. Beyond the pitch, there is a great deal of enthusiasm among the team, the coach, the club and the fans. The Olimpico continues to push the giallorossi, while at Trigoria there appears to be a harmony that was not always taken for granted in recent years, a unity of purpose that could prove decisive in the most delicate moments of the season. The squad also has plenty of room to improve thanks to its many talents. Soulé, Mora, Wesley, Ghilardi, Lulli, Pisilli and Castro are gaining experience and personality. The most obvious case is Rodrigo Mora, still just nineteen, already decisive in the league and also featuring in the Champions League. When the league resumes, Roma face Parma away and Monza at the Olimpico, two fixtures that look manageable on paper. In the same period Lazio play Lecce and Torino, while Inter face Atalanta and Genoa. The calendar could allow the giallorossi to close the gap on their rivals and perhaps reach December at the top of the table. Gasperini does not want to settle for second place, and the January transfer window could add further options to a squad already considered competitive.

Roma coach Palladino has said Artem Dovbyk is not yet fit enough to play a full 90 minutes, though the striker is available for selection. Palladino said: "We had a discussion and he tried to put my requests into practice. He doesn't have the condition to last ninety minutes but he is available." The striker has struggled to make an impact recently. Over the last two matches Dovbyk has watched from the bench, and across his last four appearances he has played just 14 minutes in total, a meagre return well below expectations. Palladino made clear the problem is not quality but fitness, stating that the Ukrainian is not yet able to guarantee minutes and reliability. There are signs of progress. Palladino admitted: "Artem pushed harder during the week." Roma face Monza today, and Dovbyk is hoping to earn a place in the starting line-up. Should things remain as they are, his return to Rome could come sooner than expected.

Roma's first team is running smoothly under Gian Piero Gasperini, with well-targeted signings, a recognisable style and young players developing well. The problem lies with the players out on loan in Serie A and abroad, who have struggled to establish themselves. Some were signed under the previous management of Massara, others under Ghisolfi, and some have been drifting between clubs since the Mourinho era. Many of them, if not all, could return to the club in June without having been redeemed, which the article calls a clear loss. Goalkeeper Zelezny is on loan at Serie C side Perugia. He has started every match, but his figures are less impressive: 17 goals conceded in 11 games for a side that was expected to be among the leaders. In defence, Angelino, Ziolkowski and Kumbulla are out on loan. Angelino, who has recently suffered serious health problems, returned to Deportivo La Coruña. He has made only one start, against Sevilla, and was sent off in the 59th minute. Kumbulla has not played a minute for Rayo Vallecano in La Liga and has made just one appearance in the Copa del Rey. Ziolkowski has one appearance on record, due to a serious plantar fascia injury, and is expected back in November. In midfield, El Aynaoui is a regular starter for Leipzig, but his performances have been unexceptional, with a single assist. Leipzig are fifth in the Bundesliga and 29th in the Champions League. Setting aside Romano and Baldanzi, who both have an obligation to buy, Cherubini has made 7 appearances and scored one goal for Benevento. Salah Eddine, who moved to Panathinaikos in September, has four appearances in total, and it is still too early to judge him. Robinio Vaz's start at Hull City has been disappointing: no starts, only a few minutes late in matches, and no goals. The Frenchman cost 25 million in January and is not finding a place in the side as he did under Gasperini. Mannini, who has also moved to Benevento, has no starts. Dovbyk risks returning as early as January. Palladino never picks him, preferring Osteegard in the unusual role of centre-forward given Piccoli's absence. The Ukrainian has scored one goal in four matches, all under Tedesco while he was still in charge at Bologna.

Artem Dovbyk's loan at Bologna could be cut short as early as January, with the Ukrainian forward continuing to struggle for playing time and full fitness. After Bologna's win at Cagliari, coach Raffaele Palladino sent a clear message to the striker: "Artem must push harder in training, because by doing so he too will have his chance." The words reflect a difficult moment for Dovbyk, who has scored just one goal and has yet to start a Serie A match. He has also been hampered by trouble regaining his condition after a long lay-off for an injury in January. The latest match seemed to offer an opening: with Piccoli unavailable and Enem dealing with a tendon problem, Palladino chose Odgaard as the centre-forward, leaving Dovbyk on the bench for the full ninety minutes. "Odgaard played because he has gone well in training and he has deserved it. Dovbyk has to give me more," the coach reiterated. Bologna signed Dovbyk on loan from Roma with a buy-back option set at €15 million, but it currently looks difficult for the club to exercise it. According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Bologna intend to wait until January to assess any developments. An early termination of the loan is not ruled out, with Dovbyk potentially returning temporarily to Rome before seeking a new club. That scenario remains hypothetical and would require agreement between the parties. The situation would be a dramatic turn, given the expectations with which the Ukrainian began his new adventure. Last summer Dovbyk said he wanted to rediscover the joy of playing at Bologna after the difficulties he had experienced in the capital. So far, however, his revival has not arrived, and the competition appears to have once again pushed him to the margins. Palladino is waiting for a response on the pitch, while Roma are following a situation that could reopen a transfer file considered closed.