Thirteen Roma players called up for international duty

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi is named in Italy's squad for a second time with the senior side and is among the substitutes for the match against France at San Siro, where he hopes to make his debut during the game. Speaking to Sky Sport before kick-off, he focused on the challenge ahead. Ghilardi, born in 2003, said: "They are all great players, but we must be calm and sure of our qualities. Obviously we will need to pay attention to their attack because they are all stars." He described the fixture as a special occasion, adding that Italy would give their maximum against a major side in a beautiful stadium. For Roma's centre-back, the match is a second call-up to the senior Italy team, which gives him another chance to test himself against top international opposition. He also reflected on the make-up of the squad. "Once again, it is a very beautiful match, we face a great team in a beautiful stadium, so we will certainly give our all. For me it is the second time, we are many young players and all very strong, and I hope everyone can show their qualities." His message was one of confidence: a young, talented group that needs to believe in itself.

Roma are looking to add two forwards to bring their squad up to 25 players, and Fulham's Kevin has emerged as one of the names. The plan has changed from the original idea. D'Amico had initially planned to let Devyne Rensch go to sign a left-sided wide player, a position the squad currently lacks. However, Lorenzo Pellegrini's new and long-term injury, together with the confirmed unreliability of Paulo Dybala, has shifted the focus to strikers, whether left- or right-footed. Kevin, 23, has been used sparingly in the Premier League, playing just 75 minutes so far this season. That is partly because Fulham's coach Arbeola prefers two attacking midfielders in place of wingers. Endrick and Lookman also remain on Roma's list. A wide midfielder to provide cover for Wesley is not a priority. Roma are, however, continuing to monitor Alejandro Balde, a left-back born in 2003. The Spaniard is not finding playing time under Flick at Barcelona and could leave the Camp Nou in January. On the financial front, UEFA's verdict on Roma's settlement agreement under Financial Fair Play will arrive in May.

Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala are edging back towards the starting XI, with the goalkeeper's medical giving a positive result during the international break. Svilar had been sidelined by a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot, picked up in training just over a month ago. He opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery, which allowed the bone callus to form correctly. The Belgian has already trained on the pitch, albeit in a differentiated programme alongside Pierluigi Gollini. The club's aim is to have him back as a regular starter for the trip to Parma when the league resumes. Dybala, who has also returned to group work, could also start from the first minute. Roma are also linked with Atalanta left-back Lorenzo Bernasconi, born in 2003, whose name is picking up transfer speculation ahead of the January window. The left-back, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, has attracted interest from several major clubs including Roma, Milan and Newcastle. His consistency and constant forward runs down the flank have fuelled international interest in a player considered one of the most promising young players in his position in the league. Atalanta, who value their talents highly, are reportedly valuing his contract at between 20 and 25 million euros. Artem Dovbyk, currently on loan from Roma, left the capital last summer in search of more regular football, but his spell at Bologna has not gone as hoped. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his opportunities, and his situation could change during the January window, as Bologna are reportedly considering ending the loan early in the winter session. The two clubs will discuss the matter in the coming weeks. The Ukrainian striker is not part of Gasperini's plans. On Roman radio, the return of Svilar and Dybala was debated. Alessandro Vocalelli told Radio Radio: "Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's. Gollini did very well, although he conceded a few goals he perhaps could have avoided. Vasquez, on the other hand, did his job: he saved a penalty, then had it retaken, and on the goals conceded he had little responsibility." Luigi Ferrajolo added: "Vasquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but the calmness Svilar brings is something else. Gollini was unlucky because he was playing a good game before his injury. I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the match, because I don't think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing."

Roma have 13 players called up by their national teams for the November break, a total that places them level with AC Milan and Como in the chasing pack behind Inter, Torino and Frosinone, who lead on 14. The squad list was drawn from the official call-ups for the November fixtures and is subject to changes before the matches. The Roma contingent includes goalkeepers Devis Vásquez and Giorgio De Marzi; forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; defenders Leonardo Balerdi, Daniele Ghilardi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Emanuele Lulli, Evan N'Dicka and Wesley; and midfielder Niccolò Pisilli. Behind the leaders, Atalanta and Udinese are on 12, Juventus have 11, and Napoli and Lazio have eight, with the two Lazio absentees excluded from that count. The total could have been higher, potentially reaching or exceeding 17, had several physical issues or technical decisions by the national coaches gone differently. Gianluca Mancini was initially called up by Italy but had to withdraw with a muscle problem that has also kept him out of the recent match against Sassuolo. Italy coach also left Bryan Cristante out of the squad, although the coach explained he had no need to test him at this stage. Manu Koné, who returned and started against Sassuolo, was left out of France's squad by coach Zidane to avoid a possible physical setback. Nahuel Molina had been called up late by Argentina, but a one-match suspension still to be served, together with opposition from Roma and Gian Piero Gasperini, blocked his departure.

Roma's strength lies less in individual numbers than in a group that has fully absorbed Gian Piero Gasperini's football, according to Il Messaggero. Using intelligent management and constant rotation, the coach has got value from almost the entire squad during a recent run of nine matches in 27 days. Every player has become useful, and every piece has found its place. The secret, as Il Messaggero reports, is total involvement. Gasperini does not talk about turnover; for him, "everyone plays", and the numbers back that up. Around a core of solid starters such as Evan N'Dicka and Wesley, the coach has a reliable group ready to answer the call. The clearest example is Niccolò Pisilli. A year ago he had played just six minutes and came close to a loan move to Genoa; today he has almost 700 minutes, four goals, and has become the club's second-highest scorer behind Donyell Malen. Injuries, paradoxically, have accelerated the process, opening the door for many others. De Roon has brought continuity, Rodrigo Mora and Emanuele Lulli have brought freshness, and Leonardo Balerdi has regained his solidity in a defence that can count on four high-level centre-backs and the reliability of Daniele Ghilardi. In goal, Pierluigi Gollini and Devis Vásquez have also answered the call. Even Santiago Castro, who seemed destined for little playing time, has carved out his own role. With Paulo Dybala and Mile Svilar set to return when the season resumes, the group will be more complete still. Despite this, Gasperini has stressed that to keep growing the squad will need to be widened further in January. That view is shared by sporting director D'Amico, who says the club is united, has clear ideas, and wants to plan every step without limits.

Gian Piero Gasperini has built a squad that takes turns in the spotlight, and Roma's rotation now touches almost every player, the club's football reporting notes. Six players form a strong core, ranging from 923 minutes for N'Dicka to 1,063 for Wesley, but there is room for everyone further down the squad. Niccolò Pisilli is the clearest example. Last season, before he became a regular starter at Lecce, he had been used for just 6 minutes, and a loan move to Genoa was almost agreed. Today he has already logged 697 minutes and scored 4 goals, behind only the unreachable Malen in the club's scoring charts. Gasperini does not favour talk of turnover. His usual answer is "Giocano tutti" (everyone plays). He makes no distinction between players who stay on the pitch for 60 or 70 minutes and those who come off the bench for 30, 20 or 10. The rotation excludes nobody, and sooner or later every player gets his chance, though no one should be under any illusions. After the recent match against Genoa, Gasperini made his point clear: "Ormai è evidente che la rosa della Roma è competitiva così, ma non numericamente, serve più volume" (It is now clear that Roma's squad is competitive as it is, but not numerically, it needs more volume). In practical terms, that means at least a couple of new players. Sporting director D'Amico agrees and has confirmed this publicly. Now the club's approval is all that is needed. The analysis, written by Stefano Carino for Il Messaggero, sets out the squad's workload in a table that accompanies the piece. It shows that the transformation from last season's approach has seen rotations that are continuous and involve, to a greater or lesser extent, almost every player. The combination of this depth and Gasperini's ability to extend the squad is central to the side's new identity, which has also brought an almost unnatural knack for finding the net.

Leonardo Balerdi has been one of the more unexpected standouts of Roma's season so far, and his playing time now carries real weight in his future at the club. According to information obtained exclusively by Tele Radio Stereo from sources inside Olympique Marseille, the Argentine centre-back's obligatory buy-back clause is not tied to the number of appearances he makes, but to the percentage of minutes he has played by the end of the season. So far Balerdi has been used for around 50% of the total minutes Roma have played this season, which is enough to trigger the obligatory buy-back at around €15 million, a figure widely reported in recent months. The clause therefore depends on minutes rather than matches, a point the report says differs from what has been read and heard since he arrived in Rome. The final amount Roma would pay to buy his registration outright will also vary according to the percentage of minutes he plays. It could therefore be either lower or higher than €15 million.

Paulo Dybala could return to Roma's starting line-up for the trip to Parma on 21 November, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly weighing up a start for the Argentine forward at kick-off, while Matías Soulé may begin on the bench and be introduced during the game. The reasoning centres on the international break, which has left Roma with 11 players called up to their national teams, more than any other club in the squad sense described by the source. Argentina are the national side with the largest number of Roma players called up: Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé will all be involved in Argentina's upcoming fixtures. Argentina face Uruguay on 14 November and Costa Rica on 18 November. The Costa Rica match is the one that could cause Gasperini problems ahead of the resumption of Serie A and the away trip to Parma, scheduled for 21 November at 18:00. After the game against Costa Rica, Soulé, Castro and Balerdi will not return to Rome until 19 November. That leaves Gasperini just two days to work with them alongside the rest of the group, before accounting for the inevitable fatigue of the long intercontinental journey. For this reason, the Roma coach is reportedly considering starting Dybala from the first minute against Parma, while Soulé could start on the bench and be used once the match is underway. Roma's total of 11 internationals is the headline figure for the break, and it is the travel schedule rather than the opponents that is shaping Gasperini's selection options for the Parma match. The Argentine trio's late return means that the Parma fixture is the key pressure point for the coach's rotation decisions.

Leonardo Balerdi, who left Marseille for Roma, has become one of the pillars of Gian Piero Gasperini's side and is now being considered by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni to fill the central defensive void left by Otamendi's departure. The Marseille supporters who celebrated his exit in August now have a Roma fan base enjoying his performances instead. Balerdi defends, commands his area, supports attacks and, when he has space, can carry the ball forward. His combination of qualities is reminiscent, in some respects, of the best version of Manolas. Gasperini has repeatedly praised him, and the start to this season has confirmed how important the Argentine has become to the balance of the team. His progress has also not gone unnoticed back home. Scaloni continues to call him up to the national team, and now a new opportunity may open for him. With Otamendi gone, Argentina are searching for a new reference point at the heart of the defence. According to TyC Sports, the Giallorossi defender is among the candidates for a starting berth in the friendly against Uruguay, with Lisandro Martínez expected to partner him. The report underlines how quickly Balerdi has established himself as a key figure at Roma, moving from a player whose departure Marseille supporters welcomed to a central defender the national team is considering for a starting role. A call-up and a starting place against Uruguay would represent a significant step for the 2026-27 season.

Paulo Dybala could return to Roma's starting line-up for the trip to Parma on 21 November, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly weighing up a start for the Argentine forward at kick-off, while Matías Soulé may begin on the bench and be introduced during the game. The reasoning centres on the international break, which has left Roma with 11 players called up to their national teams, more than any other club in the squad sense described by the source. Argentina are the national side with the largest number of Roma players called up: Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé will all be involved in Argentina's upcoming fixtures. Argentina face Uruguay on 14 November and Costa Rica on 18 November. The Costa Rica match is the one that could cause Gasperini problems ahead of the resumption of Serie A and the away trip to Parma, scheduled for 21 November at 18:00. After the game against Costa Rica, Soulé, Castro and Balerdi will not return to Rome until 19 November. That leaves Gasperini just two days to work with them alongside the rest of the group, before accounting for the inevitable fatigue of the long intercontinental journey. For this reason, the Roma coach is reportedly considering starting Dybala from the first minute against Parma, while Soulé could start on the bench and be used once the match is underway. Roma's total of 11 internationals is the headline figure for the break, and it is the travel schedule rather than the opponents that is shaping Gasperini's selection options for the Parma match. The Argentine trio's late return means that the Parma fixture is the key pressure point for the coach's rotation decisions.

Radio commentators have linked AS Roma with a number of attacking targets, with Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick named as the main options for a left-sided attacker. Speaking on Radio Radio Pomeriggio, Pugliese said: "For the trip to Parma, Svilar and Dybala will be available again. Paulo will start, while Soulé could start from the bench after his commitments with Argentina. For Roma, the most important presence remains Koné." He added that Gasperini wants three players to complete the squad: a midfielder, a wide man and the much-discussed left winger. However, Pugliese believes it is very likely Roma will only be able to sign the offensive winger. On Marten de Roon, Pugliese said there is nothing concrete yet over a new contract. The player reportedly wants to stay for another season but has not spoken with the ownership since April, and no official talks are currently taking place. Pugliese said: "The main names are Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick, but I do not rule out some surprise." Sabatini focused on Kvernadze, saying there is a release clause of around €4 million. He said: "If Roma came in with an offer of €8-10 million, they could sign him straight away." Sabatini also said Soulé has played matches at levels similar to Dybala and that their output does not double when they play together, sometimes performing better without Paulo. On goalkeepers, he said Vásquez could have been mainly responsible for the defeat at Manchester, but conceded goals he could do little about, and that Gollini has been surprising in some games. Ferrajolo said Vásquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but that Svilar's composure is a different thing. He said Gollini was unlucky because he was playing well before his injury. Ferrajolo said: "I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the game, because I do not think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing." Melli said Malen has blossomed under Gasperini, having previously played mainly as a winger, which explains why he does not perform for the national team as he does at Roma. He said: "Gasperini's contribution to his growth has been fundamental." Vocalelli said everyone has scored under Gasperini, and that the decision to deploy Malen as a centre-forward was decisive. He said Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's, and that Vásquez saved a penalty, which was retaken, and had little responsibility for the goals conceded. Orsi praised Malen as a great player whose qualities emerge especially inside the box, describing him as a true centre-forward rather than a deep-lying striker, unlike Castro, who tends to move more outside the area. He added: "Gasperini wants to strike back against Inter."

Marten De Roon has said the Netherlands lack the fierce winning mentality of the Argentines, citing his Roma team-mates as an example, in an interview with Ziggo Sport about his experience at the World Cup with the Dutch national team. The midfielder, who is on Roma's books, spoke at length about his unexpected call-up. De Roon recalled a brief conversation with Koeman in March, when the coach told him he was not in his plans for that month but that he could keep the possibility of a call-up in mind should something happen ahead of the World Cup, without giving any guarantees. The midfielder said he had often been linked with the squad in the press when players were missing or injured, but did not count on it. He had played almost every match for Atalanta since 2024, and so he was not thinking about it much. He told Koeman: "Mister, I'm focusing on working on myself. If you need me, I have never said goodbye to the national team and I am not in a position to do so. So, if you need me, I'm there, but make your choices." De Roon said he did not go on holiday after the season, wanting to be ready. When the phone rang and it was Koeman, he realised it could be very positive news. The call was quick: Koeman asked him how he felt, whether he was in form, and whether he had doubts. De Roon said he had not expected anything so as to avoid disappointment. Koeman replied: "Well, for me there are no doubts, come with us." De Roon said the smile that followed stayed on his face until the 120 minutes against Morocco. Comparing his mindset with 2022, when he expected to play and perform, De Roon said he approached this tournament differently: "If I can play and help the team, very gladly, but if I can do it in another way that's fine too." He said he had been told he was important to the group for how he behaves off the pitch and as a person, and that he simply tried to bring positive energy. Knowing his role, he said he could be very useful if things became complicated and the defence needed to be shored up. He added: "Unfortunately not with the result we hoped for, but I really appreciated every single moment." De Roon also praised the organisation of the tournament in the United States, despite some negativity beforehand. He described a hotel with an area reserved for the squad, with a gym, table tennis and games, and an excellent training centre where the squad trained at what he believed was the Kansas City women's team centre, with pitches in perfect condition in a real football city. He said fans were happy to see the players in the streets and that the group atmosphere was fantastic. Looking ahead under Xavi, De Roon said he had watched two of the four matches and the Netherlands had done well. He praised the performance against Germany and the second half away to Greece, saying he saw Xavi's influence and that the team had quality. He said what was missing was the fierce conviction Argentines have to go beyond their limits. Pointing to Roma, he named Molina, Dybala and Castro as Argentines in the squad, and said: "Off the pitch they are sociable, but when they play they transform themselves to win." He concluded that if the team developed more cohesion alongside its talent, it would eventually win.