Taylor reflects on pressure and doubt as referee steps down a month after retirement

Roman radio pundits have been debating a possible move for Brazilian forward Endrick, with contrasting views on whether he would suit Roma. On David Rossi's Rete Sport show, Rossi said Il Corriere dello Sport reported that both AC Milan and Roma were interested in the player, and that Endrick had said he would not join Milan because the club's symbol is the Devil. Rossi questioned whether that could be credible, adding that when a name is this obvious a deal rarely happens unless it is already done. He also said there was a danger Fonseca wanted Endrick at Sporting, where the player had felt at home under Fonseca at Lyon. "Endrick is a fantastic player," Rossi said. "Gittens may play on the left, but between him and Endrick there are, for me, three categories of difference." The debate comes as Roma are in the title conversation. Gianluca Piacentini named three reasons to believe in the scudetto: the league's strongest coach, room to improve through the January transfer market, and a levelled-down Serie A, which he said was shown by Lazio sitting top of the table. He said he hoped the race would be between Roma and Inter. Piacentini also criticised the 'atleta di Cristo' explanation, saying it was not a fair criterion for choosing a destination. Fabio Petruzzi said Endrick sees little of the pitch and may want to leave to play regularly, adding that if he has not played while Vinicius was suspended for four matches, he will never play. He said that if he were an attacker, Gasperini is the first coach he would want to work with, and that Endrick, a left-footed player, can play on the left. Mario Corsi said the Mora-Endrick comparison was a trap because the two are completely different players. He said Endrick has a strong shot, dribbling and heading ability, and that strong players must be signed. He said Malen should not be deployed on the wing because he must stay in the middle, and that Gasperini and D'Amico had not heard from Friedkin for a long time and were somewhat worried. "If they really want to win, they have to make this move." Francesca Ferrazza said Roma need two forwards with Pellegrini gone, and that Endrick offers the best value for money. Lorenzo Pes said Malen's frequent substitutions also happened last year, and that Retegui at Atalanta rarely finished matches. Valentina Catoni said that when Dybala is fit he always plays. Piero Torri recalled Mourinho saying Endrick would not leave Madrid, noted that the Brazil international has started only one match, and said Endrick is a second striker who would sit behind Soulé and Dybala. Roberto Pruzzo said Endrick wants to play and that Italian football has become a second-tier league. Nando Orsi argued Roma need a right-footed winger who plays on the left, and that Endrick would be of little use with Castro already in the squad. Mario Mattioli warned that bringing Endrick into the Roma dressing room could be an unwanted explosion, calling him very difficult to manage and saying he would have to play always and in every match. "He is not a dressing-room man," Mattioli said, adding that Endrick is not the man who says "let's arm ourselves and set off" when a common effort is needed.

Roman radio pundits have debated Endrick's future, with Filippo Biafora of Radio Manà Manà doubting whether the Real Madrid forward would play every game under Gian Piero Gasperini. Biafora said: "The question for Endrick is only one: he must play a lot. I wonder if with Gasperini he would play all the matches. I'm not sure. He would certainly get more game time than he does today at Real Madrid. I think the coach from Grugliasco would see him on the centre-right." The debate came as several Roman stations weighed in on the club's transfer activity and squad. Ugo Trani of Tele Radio Stereo linked Roma's interest in Endrick to his own Real Madrid situation, saying that Roma are currently paying €25 million for Mora, and that acquiring 100% of his rights and paying Porto €25 million would take the total to €50 million. Trani said: "Mora is doing well in the league and in the Champions League. The problem is the performances of Vaz and Dovbyk. When Bologna send Dovbyk back, you can only sell him on loan. These are Roma's problems." Trani also addressed Endrick directly, saying: "They are talking to several clubs because Mourinho doesn't want to give him to the Friedkins. If you put five clubs in front of Endrick, he will still choose Roma. Roma's directors have been in contact with Real Madrid, with the player's agent and with Endrick himself. The Mourinho obstacle remains, and if he can play a trick on the Friedkins, he would." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Pomeriggio was more positive, saying: "Endrick wants to play. Italian football has become second-tier; players come here to do an apprenticeship. Dumfries made the difference at Inter, but at Real he never plays. Endrick is strong, he would find a place here. It would be a good challenge for him to win a starting place in a team that is going very well…" Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà took a more cautious line, saying: "We need to ask ourselves a series of questions about Endrick. I consider him a striker. In my view he is not the player Roma are looking for in terms of characteristics." Lorenzo Pes of Teleradiostereo turned to the attack, saying: "Dybala's management intrigues me. The best set-up could be the one seen against Real Madrid, with Soulé on the right and Paulo on the left. With Dybala, Malen performs at his best, but offensive output has not decreased." He added: "The best player at the start of this season is Hermoso."

Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli has said he is not the club's captain, describing his 20 minutes wearing the armband as a matter of circumstance, in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca. Speaking about his passion for the club and the goal he scored in front of the Curva Sud, the 22-year-old said: "I have never hidden being a Roma fan since I was very young. It was an honour." He added that a series of circumstances led to the armband landing on his arm. Pisilli was asked about comparisons with club legends Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, and was clear that there is no basis for them. "Totti and De Rossi are sacred monsters who cannot be compared to my 20 minutes," he said. "I don't know how many matches they played with that armband, they made the history of this club. I am still a boy, I am 22 years old, I played 20 minutes as captain by chance. They are myths of the city." He stressed that every minute he has worn the armband has been a great source of pride and a great responsibility. On the Scudetto race, Pisilli described Serie A this season as a very beautiful championship. "Overall, this is a very beautiful league. There is more play, it is more dynamic, there is more effective time and many more goals are scored. I think it is more enjoyable for the audience at home to watch the matches." He said both Roman clubs are doing things well, but added: "We will do the accounts at the end, at the end of the season." Asked what he would do if Roma won the title, he replied: "I don't know. We would celebrate in great style, that is certain. I could not say exactly what I would do. Now we have to think match by match and, as I said, in the end the accounts will be made." Pisilli also paid tribute to head coach Gasperini and former manager Mourinho. He said of Gasperini: "Gasperini does not need an introduction from me. The history of a club like Atalanta has changed. He came to us and in the first year we got an excellent result and returned to the Champions League. He is a master. He is really very good. This is seen in the way his teams play. I try to do well in every training session and at every moment to fully understand what he is asking. I try to learn as much as I can from him too." On Mourinho, he said: "Mourinho identified very strongly with Roma and with the atmosphere of the city. I will always be grateful to him, because he gave me the opportunity to make my debut in this shirt and the great satisfaction of scoring my first goal."