Stramaccioni backs Cristante as key to Gasperini's Roma; defends Romano deal

Roma radio commentators have split over whether Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina should be allowed to travel to Lionel Messi's farewell friendly in Argentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having reportedly vetoed the trip ahead of Roma's fixture with Como. The debate centres on the conflict between honouring a historic moment — Messi's retirement from international football — and the club's fixture schedule, with the players facing a long journey and a quick turnaround before their next match. Carina told Radio Radio: "Gasperini has given four days of rest, making clear what the situation is. One of the strongest players in the world cannot play for his national team: it is absurd. If Dybala said to him, 'Boss, send me to this party', I find it hard to think Gasperini would say no." Torri countered on Mana Mana Sport that "the club and Gasperini have every right to prevent them from making a long journey and returning just hours before the Como match, even though I understand it is difficult to say no." Agresti argued for respecting the club's interests, noting: "Wesley, Malen and Cristante did not go because they were not well; making journeys of this kind for a party is a distraction to avoid." Commentators also revisited Roma's sale of Gianluca Mancini, with Pugliese noting the club needed to record sales for financial purposes and that the player sought the move. Camelio called the transfer "a gigantic error", saying: "He wanted to play, it is right that you let him go, but you must put something in your favour." Vocalelli drew parallels to Inter's sale of Nicolò Zaniolo to Roma, observing that such decisions are common in football but that Ranieri had apparently identified potential in Mancini that Gasperini did not immediately see. Ordine raised the point that Roma had already faced criticism from the Dutch national coach over Donyell Malen's absence, questioning consistency in squad release policy.

Roma's radio stations have weighed in on the club's decision to prevent Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina for Lionel Messi's farewell match, with most voices backing Gian Piero Gasperini's stance but expressing sympathy for the players' position. The core issue centres on fixture congestion and recovery time. Gasperini has reportedly blocked the pair from making the intercontinental journey because they are needed for Roma's upcoming match against Como, with the travel and the nature of the trip—a farewell party as much as a football occasion—presenting a fatigue risk. Dybala and Molina played in last summer's Copa América with Argentina and featured in the same World Cup squad as Messi, making the event emotionally significant. Multiple commentators acknowledged the difficulty of saying no to a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, yet sided with the coach's reasoning. Francesco Balzani (Tele Radio Stereo) noted Roma face a potential UEFA fine in November that could affect the January transfer market, though there is no concern at the club's headquarters about European competition exclusion. Alessandro Fusco (Radio Radio Mattino) argued neither player should even request permission, stating they should prioritize the club paying their wages. Franco Ordine added that Roma has already faced criticism from the Dutch national coach over the Donyell Malen situation, where it remained unclear what physical issue kept him unavailable. Stefano Agresti supported Gasperini, pointing out that Wesley, Malen and Bryan Cristante had already missed international action due to fitness concerns. Nando Orsi dissented, calling it excessive to prevent them attending a one-off farewell. Roberto Pruzzo suggested common sense would ultimately prevail. Simone Valdarchi summarized Trigoria's three pending questions: whether friendlies will be scheduled, when injured players return, and whether Dybala and Molina will depart for Messi's match—with the unofficial answer leaning toward no. Piero Torri criticised the scale of praise surrounding Matteo Nicolò Messi's departure from Roma, stating: "It seems like an exaggerated level of excitement about Romano. Certainly Roma made a mistake in not securing a buy-back clause on this player—they didn't leave themselves a safety valve." The official word on Dybala and Molina's travel plans remained pending as of match day.

Roma's radio stations have intensified debate over whether Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina should be permitted to travel to Argentina to attend Lionel Messi's farewell celebration, with head coach Gasperini reportedly opposed to the plan and the club siding with him. The pair would return just 72 hours before Roma's Serie A match at Como—described by one commentator as the second-most difficult fixture in the league after Inter–Roma—raising concerns about recovery time and squad focus. Dybala and Molina both played with Messi for Argentina at the last World Cup and feel the personal pull strongly, but the consensus among most analysed voices is that allowing them to make an intercontinental journey so close to a crucial match would damage Roma's preparation. David Rossi on Rete Sport argued that professional players should not have requested permission in the first place: "They should have said, 'Caro Messi, you could have organised this on 1 October, we leave for Como on the 10th.'" He added that the club "always makes two weights and two measures" regarding Dybala specifically, suggesting he receives disproportionate scrutiny. Francesca Ferrazza on Tele Radio Stereo declared: "I wouldn't even send them to Capri on holiday now that everyone is leaving for these four days off, let alone to Argentina four days before Como–Roma." Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport stated: "Molina and Dybala in Argentina would be counterproductive for Roma, returning 72 hours before the Como match. I think Gasperini and the club are absolutely not in agreement with it." Lorenzo Pes on Tele Radio Stereo said a decision would come "next week." The debate also touched on squad renewal: Lulli and Mario Hermoso are out of contract in June, with Lulli's renewal already under way through Pellegrini's agent. Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also approaching contract expiration, with much depending on how the season unfolds. The situation remains unresolved, with some voices—including Roberto Pruzzo—suggesting that "common sense will prevail" and that "common sense is staying in Rome," while others like Mario Mattioli believe the players will ultimately travel to what is described as a unique, unrepeatable event in football history.

Roma radio commentators have split over whether Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina should be allowed to travel to Lionel Messi's farewell friendly in Argentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having reportedly vetoed the trip ahead of Roma's fixture with Como. The debate centres on the conflict between honouring a historic moment — Messi's retirement from international football — and the club's fixture schedule, with the players facing a long journey and a quick turnaround before their next match. Carina told Radio Radio: "Gasperini has given four days of rest, making clear what the situation is. One of the strongest players in the world cannot play for his national team: it is absurd. If Dybala said to him, 'Boss, send me to this party', I find it hard to think Gasperini would say no." Torri countered on Mana Mana Sport that "the club and Gasperini have every right to prevent them from making a long journey and returning just hours before the Como match, even though I understand it is difficult to say no." Agresti argued for respecting the club's interests, noting: "Wesley, Malen and Cristante did not go because they were not well; making journeys of this kind for a party is a distraction to avoid." Commentators also revisited Roma's sale of Gianluca Mancini, with Pugliese noting the club needed to record sales for financial purposes and that the player sought the move. Camelio called the transfer "a gigantic error", saying: "He wanted to play, it is right that you let him go, but you must put something in your favour." Vocalelli drew parallels to Inter's sale of Nicolò Zaniolo to Roma, observing that such decisions are common in football but that Ranieri had apparently identified potential in Mancini that Gasperini did not immediately see. Ordine raised the point that Roma had already faced criticism from the Dutch national coach over Donyell Malen's absence, questioning consistency in squad release policy.

Roma's radio stations have weighed in on the club's decision to prevent Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina for Lionel Messi's farewell match, with most voices backing Gian Piero Gasperini's stance but expressing sympathy for the players' position. The core issue centres on fixture congestion and recovery time. Gasperini has reportedly blocked the pair from making the intercontinental journey because they are needed for Roma's upcoming match against Como, with the travel and the nature of the trip—a farewell party as much as a football occasion—presenting a fatigue risk. Dybala and Molina played in last summer's Copa América with Argentina and featured in the same World Cup squad as Messi, making the event emotionally significant. Multiple commentators acknowledged the difficulty of saying no to a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, yet sided with the coach's reasoning. Francesco Balzani (Tele Radio Stereo) noted Roma face a potential UEFA fine in November that could affect the January transfer market, though there is no concern at the club's headquarters about European competition exclusion. Alessandro Fusco (Radio Radio Mattino) argued neither player should even request permission, stating they should prioritize the club paying their wages. Franco Ordine added that Roma has already faced criticism from the Dutch national coach over the Donyell Malen situation, where it remained unclear what physical issue kept him unavailable. Stefano Agresti supported Gasperini, pointing out that Wesley, Malen and Bryan Cristante had already missed international action due to fitness concerns. Nando Orsi dissented, calling it excessive to prevent them attending a one-off farewell. Roberto Pruzzo suggested common sense would ultimately prevail. Simone Valdarchi summarized Trigoria's three pending questions: whether friendlies will be scheduled, when injured players return, and whether Dybala and Molina will depart for Messi's match—with the unofficial answer leaning toward no. Piero Torri criticised the scale of praise surrounding Matteo Nicolò Messi's departure from Roma, stating: "It seems like an exaggerated level of excitement about Romano. Certainly Roma made a mistake in not securing a buy-back clause on this player—they didn't leave themselves a safety valve." The official word on Dybala and Molina's travel plans remained pending as of match day.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has named his 23-player squad for this evening's Nations League match against Belgium at the Olimpico. Gianluca Mancini is included in the squad, but Daniele Ghilardi has been omitted and will watch from the stands. Bryan Cristante remained at Roma's training ground due to physical issues. Beyond the two Roma players, Italy also leaves out Pessina, Bastoni (suspended), Kouadio, Ruggeri, Ricci, Fagioli, Inacio, Vergara, Nicolò Zaniolo and Sebastiano Esposito from the initial aggregated group. The match is a significant fixture in the Nations League campaign and marks Mancini's first squad announcement as head coach after Italy's failure in the World Cup. The full squad includes: Goalkeepers Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Vicario; defenders Kayode, Ahanor, Calafiori, Coppola, Scalvini, Di Lorenzo, Mancini; midfielders Romano, Mandragora, Tonali, Doumbia, Zoma, Frattesi, Barella; forwards Pio Esposito, Kean, Raspadori, Scamacca, Maldini, Cambiaghi.