Team news and where to watch Roma v Torino on Monday

Roma returned from their Champions League visit to Fenerbahce with a draw and an encouraging first-half display, though the second half brought frustration. Bryan Cristante opened the scoring, and the team showed positive signs as they began their campaign with a playoff objective in mind. The standout moment came when Leonardo Balerdi entered the pitch in the 74th minute as a substitute for Gianluca Mancini, immediately catching supporters' attention with a composed defensive performance that sparked a wave of praise across social media. Fans seized on Balerdi's brief appearance to call for him to start matches regularly, with many suggesting he should displace either Mancini or Evan N'Dicka in the defensive lineup. The Argentine defender's composure against opposition attackers—notably withstanding challenges from physically demanding forwards—left Roma supporters convinced of his quality after limited exposure. His performance prompted widespread social media reaction comparing him favourably to the club's established defenders and arguing he warrants an immediate promotion to the starting eleven. Fan comments flooded platforms with phrases including: "He must be the starter, a WALL!", "I believe Balerdi is steel reinforced with titanium, how strong he is... Lukaku bounced off his legs, 2 metres by 100 kilos", "Balerdi must always play", and "Why is Balerdi on the bench? A phenomenon." Others added: "Why did Marseille fans thank us for taking Balerdi?! How that excites me." More pointed criticism followed: "Mancini every so often gets distracted, Balerdi I see as much superior", "For me Balerdi is stronger than two out of three defensive players, he comes on and the opposition attack is nullified", and "It's not conceivable that Balerdi is Mancini's backup now."

Roma's opening Champions League match in Istanbul provided a revealing examination of individual readiness at the competition's highest level, exposing both natural fit and shortcomings that Serie A sometimes masks. Manu Koné emerged as the clearest success story. Until a knee injury forced his substitution at the 52nd minute, he appeared to raise his game as the match intensified, showing pressure, physical duels, ball protection and the ability to break the first press. Donyell Malen proved similarly suited to matches where chances are limited and the capacity to attack space becomes decisive. Mile Svilar's performance raised only the question of how far he can progress in the competition. Paulo Dybala demonstrated that while understanding how to play at this level has never been his problem, availability remains the constraint. When his physical condition allows, the Champions League remains his natural habitat: he takes possession facing forward, makes precise decisions, and creates space where others see none. Gianluca Mancini's European credentials are not in doubt, but Istanbul confirmed he appears less sharp and reactive than his usual standard. His replacement by Leonardo Balerdi sharpened the contrast; the Argentine entered immediately into the match's intensity, bringing aggression and intensity. Nahuel Molina passed a significant test, showing he can handle the demands placed on full-backs across both phases. Wesley posed a tactical question: at left-back with his weaker foot, Fenerbahçe systematically closed his inside corridor, forcing him onto the byline with his left foot and making him more predictable. Rodrigo Mora, frequently called upon by Gian Piero Gasperini, revealed that the Champions League is also a physical examination. Pressed, challenged and confined to tight spaces, he could not impose himself as he knows he can. Matías Soulé discovered that talent must be paired with better decision-making as margins shrink. Dybala, Koné, Malen and Svilar appear ready for this dimension; Balerdi entered with force and Molina withstood the impact. Mancini must rediscover his sharpness, Wesley needs a tactical solution, and Mora requires the physical tools to express his talent at this level.

Bryan Cristante scored as Roma returned to the Champions League after a seven-year absence, taking the captain's armband following Daniele De Rossi's last European goal in the competition. Cristante's strike marks a symbolic passing of the torch at the Giallorossi, with the midfielder now surpassing Lorenzo Pellegrini in the captaincy hierarchy. Roma's European comeback under Gian Piero Gasperini comes after a lengthy absence from the continent's elite competition. The victory underscores Gasperini's early impact on the squad as the club looks to establish itself as a fixture in the Champions League.

Roma's opening Champions League match in Istanbul provided a revealing examination of individual readiness at the competition's highest level, exposing both natural fit and shortcomings that Serie A sometimes masks. Manu Koné emerged as the clearest success story. Until a knee injury forced his substitution at the 52nd minute, he appeared to raise his game as the match intensified, showing pressure, physical duels, ball protection and the ability to break the first press. Donyell Malen proved similarly suited to matches where chances are limited and the capacity to attack space becomes decisive. Mile Svilar's performance raised only the question of how far he can progress in the competition. Paulo Dybala demonstrated that while understanding how to play at this level has never been his problem, availability remains the constraint. When his physical condition allows, the Champions League remains his natural habitat: he takes possession facing forward, makes precise decisions, and creates space where others see none. Gianluca Mancini's European credentials are not in doubt, but Istanbul confirmed he appears less sharp and reactive than his usual standard. His replacement by Leonardo Balerdi sharpened the contrast; the Argentine entered immediately into the match's intensity, bringing aggression and intensity. Nahuel Molina passed a significant test, showing he can handle the demands placed on full-backs across both phases. Wesley posed a tactical question: at left-back with his weaker foot, Fenerbahçe systematically closed his inside corridor, forcing him onto the byline with his left foot and making him more predictable. Rodrigo Mora, frequently called upon by Gian Piero Gasperini, revealed that the Champions League is also a physical examination. Pressed, challenged and confined to tight spaces, he could not impose himself as he knows he can. Matías Soulé discovered that talent must be paired with better decision-making as margins shrink. Dybala, Koné, Malen and Svilar appear ready for this dimension; Balerdi entered with force and Molina withstood the impact. Mancini must rediscover his sharpness, Wesley needs a tactical solution, and Mora requires the physical tools to express his talent at this level.

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.

Roman radio stations offered varied assessments of Roma's 1–1 draw at Fenerbahce on 10 September, with most analysts treating the result as acceptable but highlighting defensive vulnerabilities in the second half. Antonio Felici (Te La Do Io Tokyo, Tele Radio Stereo) felt Roma were the better side but punished by Fenerbahce's clinical finishing. "The Roma played 10–15 minutes badly, and those were the difference yesterday," he said, adding that Lipsia posed a stronger threat in Roma's group. Lorenzo Pes identified a pattern of weak second-half starts: "The approach to second halves is beginning to be a factor; I think it's a mental problem, difficulty picking up the thread of the game." He noted visible fatigue in Gianluca Mancini and Wesley. Nando Orsi (Radio Radio) argued the point was deserved, particularly in a challenging away fixture. "We cannot think Roma will win every match," he said. "In the second half, they dropped off. It's an international pitch, and errors aren't forgiven. Fenerbahce played well too. Svilar made a great save. For me it's an important point on a difficult ground." Roberto Pruzzo graded the performance as sufficient, calling the draw acceptable given Roma's inability to break Fenerbahce's compact defence. "You had a good spell, but you couldn't find solutions in front because they were very tight," he said, noting that bringing in Santiago Castro might have changed the game. Mario Mattioli highlighted physical decline he did not anticipate, with several players visibly struggling to press consistently in the second period. Piero Torri argued Roma had matched Fenerbahce's rhythm rather than imposing their own, and lacked pace in transitions and courage in decision-making.

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 returned from their Champions League visit to Fenerbahce with a draw and an encouraging first-half display, though the second half brought frustration. Bryan Cristante opened the scoring, and the team showed positive signs as they began their campaign with a playoff objective in mind. The standout moment came when Leonardo Balerdi entered the pitch in the 74th minute as a substitute for Gianluca Mancini, immediately catching supporters' attention with a composed defensive performance that sparked a wave of praise across social media. Fans seized on Balerdi's brief appearance to call for him to start matches regularly, with many suggesting he should displace either Mancini or Evan N'Dicka in the defensive lineup. The Argentine defender's composure against opposition attackers—notably withstanding challenges from physically demanding forwards—left Roma supporters convinced of his quality after limited exposure. His performance prompted widespread social media reaction comparing him favourably to the club's established defenders and arguing he warrants an immediate promotion to the starting eleven. Fan comments flooded platforms with phrases including: "He must be the starter, a WALL!", "I believe Balerdi is steel reinforced with titanium, how strong he is... Lukaku bounced off his legs, 2 metres by 100 kilos", "Balerdi must always play", and "Why is Balerdi on the bench? A phenomenon." Others added: "Why did Marseille fans thank us for taking Balerdi?! How that excites me." More pointed criticism followed: "Mancini every so often gets distracted, Balerdi I see as much superior", "For me Balerdi is stronger than two out of three defensive players, he comes on and the opposition attack is nullified", and "It's not conceivable that Balerdi is Mancini's backup now."

Roma's opening Champions League match in Istanbul provided a revealing examination of individual readiness at the competition's highest level, exposing both natural fit and shortcomings that Serie A sometimes masks. Manu Koné emerged as the clearest success story. Until a knee injury forced his substitution at the 52nd minute, he appeared to raise his game as the match intensified, showing pressure, physical duels, ball protection and the ability to break the first press. Donyell Malen proved similarly suited to matches where chances are limited and the capacity to attack space becomes decisive. Mile Svilar's performance raised only the question of how far he can progress in the competition. Paulo Dybala demonstrated that while understanding how to play at this level has never been his problem, availability remains the constraint. When his physical condition allows, the Champions League remains his natural habitat: he takes possession facing forward, makes precise decisions, and creates space where others see none. Gianluca Mancini's European credentials are not in doubt, but Istanbul confirmed he appears less sharp and reactive than his usual standard. His replacement by Leonardo Balerdi sharpened the contrast; the Argentine entered immediately into the match's intensity, bringing aggression and intensity. Nahuel Molina passed a significant test, showing he can handle the demands placed on full-backs across both phases. Wesley posed a tactical question: at left-back with his weaker foot, Fenerbahçe systematically closed his inside corridor, forcing him onto the byline with his left foot and making him more predictable. Rodrigo Mora, frequently called upon by Gian Piero Gasperini, revealed that the Champions League is also a physical examination. Pressed, challenged and confined to tight spaces, he could not impose himself as he knows he can. Matías Soulé discovered that talent must be paired with better decision-making as margins shrink. Dybala, Koné, Malen and Svilar appear ready for this dimension; Balerdi entered with force and Molina withstood the impact. Mancini must rediscover his sharpness, Wesley needs a tactical solution, and Mora requires the physical tools to express his talent at this level.

Roma travel to Torino on Monday at 18:30 aiming to maintain their position at the top of Serie A after their Champions League fixture. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini plans several squad changes, with injury concerns and fatigue prompting rotation. Manu Koné exited yesterday with knee discomfort and faces a serious risk of missing the Piemonte match; Niccolò Pisilli is expected to replace him. Gianluca Mancini appeared off the pace and will likely be substituted, with Leonardo Balerdi (favoured) or Daniele Ghilardi replacing him. Balerdi made a positive impact when introduced yesterday and is now pushing for a starting berth. On the right flank, Devyne Rensch will make way, probably for Emanuele Lulli or Nahuel Molina. Paulo Dybala could start from the bench, while an attacking rotation between Donyell Malen and Santiago Castro is anticipated, though Malen is expected to begin the match. Lorenzo Pellegrini may receive his first call-up, though he would occupy a substitute place at best.

Roma kick off their Champions League campaign against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming a strong starting lineup. Gasperini has retained the core of Roma's winning run this season, with one change: Devyne Rensch starts at left-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Paulo Dybala takes his regular place in attack, flanking Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Rodrigo Mora is unused among the substitutes, expected to come on in the second half if needed. Nahuel Molina's first-team debut from the start is postponed. Roma field: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen. Among the squad available from the bench are De Marzi, Gollini, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, Molina, De Roon, Pisilli, Mora and Castro. Fenerbahce start with Ederson in goal and deploy Muriqi as their centre-forward, supported by Mason Greenwood and Ferdi Aktörkoglu in attacking midfield. The Turkish side's squad includes Raphaël Varane in their defensive ranks.

Roma face Fenerbahce in the opening match of the Champions League league phase at 18:45 in Istanbul, marking their return to Europe's elite club competition after seven and a half years. The fixture promises intensity in an atmosphere the hosts say is completely sold out, with Fenerbahce's Turkish contingent including former Serie A stars Skriniar, Muldur, and Lukaku, who previously played for Roma, alongside Muriqi and Mason Greenwood, whom Gasperini pursued this summer. Fenerbahce are managing their own crisis: their coach Kartal faces the sack after a derby loss to Besiktas, and they are themselves back in the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Roma must not be daunted, according to Gasperini, who stressed the need for confidence and tactical clarity in his pre-match press conference. The squad possesses genuine pedigree in this competition. Gasperini himself brings 34 European matches in the dugout—33 with Atalanta and one with Inter—having arrived in Rome after guiding Atalanta to Champions League qualification just weeks earlier. He reiterated yesterday: "It is a satisfaction to find the Champions League with Roma, it is a reason for greater gratification. In this competition you face top teams in their championship, with great players, who can change the inertia of a match at any moment." Key players carry substantial experience: Paulo Dybala has appeared 53 times at club level and scored 18 goals with 4 assists (all from his Juventus years); Marten de Roon has 43 Champions League appearances with Atalanta and 4 assists; Nahuel Molina has 37 matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, with 1 goal and 3 assists. Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso both have 31 appearances each from spells in the competition. Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Gollini have 13, 14, and 10 Champions League outings respectively. Eight players will make their debut in the competition: Mancini, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, Wesley, Koné, Pisilli, and Rodrigo Mora, and will wear UEFA debut patches.