Soulé trades Instagram praise with Castro ahead of Roma move

Leonardo Balerdi has posted an emotional farewell to Olympique Marseille, the club he has just left to join Roma this summer. The defender, who served as Marseille captain and made 200 appearances for the French side, shared a video message addressed to the club's supporters and staff. He has already featured in Roma's opening two matches, coming off the bench and delivering strong performances. Bareldi joined Roma as the club's final summer signing and quickly integrated into Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. His departure from Marseille marks the end of a significant chapter; he arrived at the club as a 21-year-old with limited professional experience and progressed to captain the institution before this move. In his message, Balerdi said: "This message is directed at all Marseille people. This day had to arrive. I left some days pass because it wasn't easy for me. I write this with a kind of lump in my chest, a feeling hard to express. I leave my home, a special place, a place that will have a place in my heart for my whole life. A place that opened its doors to me and saw me grow over the years. From that 21-year-old boy who had only a few professional matches under his belt to the day I had the fortune and pride to become captain of this great institution and wear its shirt 200 times—a shirt so special to me. "Marseille is a unique city. Sometimes it makes you fly to touch the sky, and sometimes it makes you feel exactly the opposite. Not everything has always been perfect, but that too is part of what makes this place so special and makes you feel alive. I have only words of gratitude for the supporters. You are a unique crowd, who never stop cheering, who push to never lower your guard. You who are there for the club every day, sometimes putting your own lives aside for this great squad and who make the Vélodrome one of the most mythical stadiums in the world. "I want to thank all the people I shared this adventure with from day one: management, staff, teammates and employees. Many work in the shadows, but they are incredible professionals and above all extraordinary people. Thank you for helping me grow, to progress and for being there in the good moments and the bad ones. I leave with a peaceful spirit, with the certainty of having given everything, every drop of sweat, physically and mentally, for this club that I love so much."

Leonardo Balerdi has posted a farewell message to Olympique de Marseille nearly two weeks after his arrival at Roma. In an emotional social media statement, the defender thanked the club, its supporters and staff for his time in France, where he made 200 appearances and served as captain. "This day had to come," Balerdi wrote. "I leave my home, a special place that will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. A place that welcomed me and saw me grow over the years. From that twenty-one-year-old with only a few professional matches to my name, to the day I had the honour and pride of becoming captain of this great club and wearing its shirt, so special to me, 200 times. Marseille is a unique city. Sometimes it makes you feel like you're flying, other times it makes you feel the exact opposite. It hasn't always been perfect, but that's also part of what makes this place so special and makes you feel alive." Bareldi expressed particular gratitude to the Vélodrome crowd, calling them "a unique public that never stops encouraging us, spurring us to never give up. You are always present for the club, sometimes putting your lives aside for this great society, and you make the Vélodrome one of the most legendary stadiums in the world." He also thanked the Marseille hierarchy, coaching staff, teammates and employees behind the scenes, describing them as "incredible professionals and, above all, extraordinary people." He concluded: "I leave with a clear conscience, certain that I gave everything, to the last drop of sweat, physically and mentally, for this club that I love so much. I gave my best, just as you do every weekend and as every Marseille person does in their daily life. Marseille and Olympique de Marseille, thank you, thank you and thank you again. I will be the first to celebrate with you."

Leonardo Balerdi rejected a loan offer from Boca Juniors to secure a move to Roma during this summer's transfer window. Boca manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena had personally contacted the Argentine defender, who grew up in the Buenos Aires club's youth academy and made his senior debut there in late 2018, intending to strengthen the backline. However, Roma's proposal proved decisive. According to TyC Sports journalist Julio Pavoni, Arruabarrena's call came roughly twenty days ago and was facilitated by a shared agent between the two clubs. Boca had tabled a one-year loan arrangement, but Balerdi was already weighing a more significant opportunity. The defender's response was unambiguous: "I'm not letting this chance slip away." His decision to prioritise Roma underscores the appeal of a move to the Italian club over a return to his formative football home.

Roma drew 1–1 at Fenerbahce in their opening Champions League fixture, a result that reflects only partial satisfaction with Gasperini's approach to the match. The head coach would have preferred a victory but accepted the draw, and while his team selection and in-game adjustments did not convince him entirely, he would likely repeat his starting lineup given the tactical characteristics of the opposition. Fenerbahce manager Kartal surprised observers by setting up more cautiously than usual. The central point of debate centres on Devyne Rensch's promotion to the starting eleven. Gasperini preferred the Dutch defender over the two alternative left-backs available: Nahuel Molina, held back because he is not yet at peak physical condition following the World Cup and his preparation in Spain and will be fully fit after the international break, and Emanuele Lulli, overlooked primarily due to his age—the Champions League is a heavy burden for the youngest defender. The tactical weighting of youth was evident from the substitution patterns: Rodrigo Mora, a contemporary of Lulli's, entered late, while Marten de Roon replaced Donyell Malen in the closing stages rather than Santiago Castro, allowing Bryan Cristante to move into a trequartista role behind Paulo Dybala and Mora. This conservative reshuffling was designed to secure at least the draw.

Roma travel to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday 14 September at 18:30 for their fourth Serie A match of the season against Ignazio Abate's Torino, coming off the back of a 1–1 draw against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is weighing rotation options after the European fixture. Mile Svilar will start in goal. In defence, Leonardo Balerdi is favoured over Daniele Ghilardi following strong performances from the bench, with Emanuele Lulli set to earn a new start at right-back in place of Devyne Rensch. Manu Koné's fitness is being assessed after he left the Fenerbahce match with a knee issue; Niccolò Pisilli stands ready if the midfielder cannot play. Rodrigo Mora may return to the attacking midfield, replacing Matías Soulé alongside Paulo Dybala, while Donyell Malen is the favoured choice in attack over Santiago Castro. Roma arrive in strong form domestically. In their most recent league outing, they came from behind to beat Atalanta at the Olimpico, with goals from Mario Hermoso and Soulé. Torino beat Fiorentina 2–1 away in their last fixture, scoring through Mandragora and Che Adams, and will deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation with Perri in goal and Simeone as their lone striker. Roma's head-to-head record stands at 82 victories, 48 draws and 59 defeats from 189 meetings. The teams last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 2–0 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino through goals by Malen and Dybala. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN via app and website, and on Sky Sport with streaming available on NOW for Sky subscribers. Official team sheets will be confirmed approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahce in their Champions League opener on 10 September, prompting a broad range of reactions from Rome radio stations. Bryan Cristante scored for Roma with a long-range effort in the first half, but the team conceded an equaliser in the second period and failed to hold on despite goalkeeper Mile Svilar making a crucial save and a shot hitting the crossbar. The result leaves Roma with one point from their first league-phase match, with upcoming fixtures at home and away still to come in the group stage. Radio commentators largely viewed the draw as acceptable given the circumstances, though opinion split on whether Roma should have won. Several analysts pointed to a visible physical decline in the second half, with concerns raised over the fitness of Gianluca Mancini and Wesley. Manu Koné suffered a knee issue during the match, raising concern among pundits about his availability for Roma's next fixture away at Turin. Donyell Malen drew criticism for a second successive underwhelming performance, while Paulo Dybala was thought to have played too many minutes late in the match. Mario Corsi said: "The Fenerbahce stadium doesn't seem as infernal as made out—why, because they shout loudly? Fenerbahce is a small team, but it's still Champions League. The 1–1 away is fine, let's take it. Roma showed physical strength, but I'm a bit disappointed because Fenerbahce seemed like a small team and I think you could have won." Alessio Nardo countered the disappointment: "Being upset about the draw means being very far from reality. Thinking Roma could finish in the top eight in Champions would be a complete miracle. There are many teams stronger than Roma: Atlético Madrid, Inter, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund." Lorenzo Pes observed: "There's a clear physical decline. Mancini made some poorly timed moves, Wesley looked tired physically too. I think we'll see changes at Turin—the second-half physical dip seems obvious." Roberto Pruzzo gave the match a grade of six out of ten: "A sufficient performance where you played a good spell. In the second half you dropped and Fenerbahce came in more easily, and the draw at the end is an acceptable result." He noted that Santiago Castro would have been an option for substitution but the coach did not bring him on, and that Rodrigo Mora barely featured. Nando Orsi called it "a point earned and deserved," adding that Roma's next challenge would be to capitalise on home fixtures in the competition.

Francesco Totti has given his assessment of Roma's opening to the 2026–27 season, speaking on the sidelines of the World Padel Legends Tour. Reflecting on Roma's draw in their opening Champions League fixture against Fenerbahçe, Totti said: "It's a point, hopefully it can help with the final table. Better a point than zero as they say. Let's see, it's the first Champions League match and everything is still to play for." He did not expect Roma to start the season as they have, stating: "No, I think almost nobody expected it. We started with the right foot, with the accelerator pressed and I hope it can continue like that. The league is still long, the Champions League is a separate competition, the summaries will be drawn in February–March." Totti praised the partnership between Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, calling it "one of the strongest in the championship". He said: "Yes, we're talking about players who until now understand each other with their eyes closed. I hope they can continue like this." He also confirmed recent contact with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying: "Yes, I heard from him." When asked if they had booked dinner, Totti replied: "Maybe a lunch…" On the wider title picture, Totti offered his view: "Well, let's say that from how they've started, yes, they are a step ahead. Inter is the team to beat and it's difficult to do that, but with this Roma everything is possible." He emphasized that Roma's main need is consistency: "Continuity — to win the Scudetto you need that. Roma expanded their squad from last year, they made the choice of taking the right players to have a great season." Addressing young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born prospect who recently joined the club, Totti said: "We're talking about a 2007, he changed city, culture, way of working. You have to stand by him and wait for him. Of course, if the figures are what they say, he must make a difference right away." Totti also reflected on his own legacy and future involvement with the club. On his status for Roma's continued campaign, he said: "Maybe in the league as well, maybe. Centenary? I don't know, but in the league and Champions sure." He declined to confirm progress on Roma's centenary plans, stating: "No (laughs). After what I said? There never have been."

Francesco Totti has assessed Roma's start to the 2026-27 season, speaking at the EA7 World Legends Padel Tour on 11 September — a date he reflected on for its historical weight. Totti called the draw against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League opening fixture "one point, better 1 than 0", while praising the squad's strong domestic form. "I didn't expect such a powerful start to the season in Serie A, and I don't think anyone else did either," he said. "We started with the right foot and the accelerator flat. I hope it can continue like this. The season is still long and the Champions League is a different competition. In February or March we will take stock." Asked to compare the current squad with Roma's Scudetto-winning team of 2001, Totti cautioned against the comparison. "It is reductive to make parallels. These are two very different squads, different times and different players. We were a great team, this is a good team," he explained. When pressed on what the side lacks, Totti identified a critical gap: "Continuity. To win the Scudetto you must have continuity. The squad has been expanded from last year and choices have been made jointly between the manager and the sporting director." On the relative strength of rivals, Totti assessed: "Given how they have started, yes, I see Napoli, Milan and Juventus a step above. I think Inter is the team to beat and it will be difficult. With this Roma everything can happen." He confirmed recent contact with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, joking that a celebratory meal might follow. Regarding Paulo Dybala, Totti observed: "Paulo is making a great start, and especially in the last matches last season he played at a very high level. This is the Paulo we all know. If he gives this continuity and desire to play for Roma, that is a lot of things." On young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, Totti was measured: "We are talking about a 2007 [birth year], he has changed city and culture. He is young, we must wait for him. If the figures are as they say, he is a player who must make a difference immediately."

Francesco Totti offered a bullish assessment of Roma's season prospects in remarks at the World Legends Padel Tour in Rome, insisting that despite Inter's status as favourites, the club can compete for the Scudetto if they maintain consistency. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Totti reflected on Roma's opening to the 2026-27 campaign and addressed several squad matters as the club prepares for their Champions League campaign. On yesterday's result — a draw — Totti struck a pragmatic tone: "It's a point, hoping it can help the final table. Better one than zero." He acknowledged surprise at Roma's opening: "I didn't expect it, and nobody expected it either. We started with our foot on the accelerator, and I hope it can continue that way. The league is long, the Champions League is a separate competition. When we reach February or March, we'll take stock." Totti praised the attacking partnership, saying of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen: "One of the strongest, two great players who understand each other without words. I hope they can continue this way." He also weighed Inter's challenge, noting: "Inter is the team to beat and it's hard to beat. But with this Roma everything is possible." Totti was asked about a potential return for Roma's centenary, but gave no commitment: "I don't know, but in the league and in the Champions League certainly." He denied any formal approach from the club: "There have never been any." Regarding Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born prospect, Totti urged patience while setting high expectations: "He's changed city, culture, way of working. He's young and you have to stand by him, you have to wait for him. But if the figures are what they are, he must make a difference straightaway." On Gasperini's handling of Dybala, he said: "Paulo is having a great start to the season, at a very high level. This is the Paulo we all know — with this consistency and desire to play for Roma, it's a lot of things."