Time for decisions: Gasperini waits for answers

AS Roma have announced the death of Luciano Tessari, a former club goalkeeper who served as assistant to Nils Liedholm in the 1982/83 Scudetto-winning season. Tessari had turned 98 on 29 September. The club paid tribute with a set of historic photographs. The club's statement described him as a historic Roma goalkeeper who also coached the first team and the youth sector, and as Liedholm's deputy in the season the club won the Scudetto in 1982/83. "Tessari is a piece of our history, a man who left his mark on the Roma family," the message read. The club extended its affection to his family and loved ones in their grief. The death is a loss for the club's history, linking the current generation to the side that delivered Roma's second league title under Liedholm. Tessari's roles across goalkeeping, first-team coaching and the youth sector reflect the long service many former players have given to the club.

Gian Piero Gasperini continues to press for reinforcements at Trigoria, with Endrick his first choice for the attack, even as the international break begins. Endrick spoke today about his future: "I don't know what will happen in January; it is in God's hands. Madrid is a wonderful city, but I will always do everything necessary to advance my career." The Brazilian has no doubts anymore and has decided to leave Real Madrid in January. Roma face competition for his signature from Sporting Lisbon, who will lean on the Fonseca factor. Former Roma coach Ruben Fonseca trained Endrick last season at Lyon, and the Portuguese club have already opened contacts with the striker. Roma's plan, however, is clear: sign Endrick on loan to chase the Scudetto, and bring in Kvernadze on a permanent deal in the summer. The idea of using Nagida on the left has also come up as part of the club's planning.

Diego Tavano, agent of Edoardo Bove and others, has spoken about the situation of Slim Bouaskar, the 2009-born goalkeeper whom The Guardian included among the best emerging talents in world football. Speaking to journalist Eleonora Trotta, Tavano said his client's start to the season with Roma has struggled to take off, with just 2 appearances for the Primavera side so far. Bouaskar has also been called up to the senior Tunisia national team, despite the lack of game time at club level. Tavano said Bouaskar has played in every age group for Tunisia and that the senior call-up has now arrived. "Fa piacere che in tanti lo seguano e lo conoscano. Sicuramente lo hanno visto cimentarsi anche in nazionale tunisina, dove ha vestito la maglia di tutte le categorie. Adesso è arrivata anche la convocazione con la nazionale maggiore. Sono scelte tecniche e noi le rispettiamo. Ci resta un anno e mezzo di contratto. È un peccato, perché il suo percorso era stato netto. Ha sempre giocato in tutti i campionati. L'anno scorso sotto età ha giocato nell'Under 18 e ha permesso alla squadra di mister Scala di ottenere ottimi risultati. Sicuramente ci aspettavamo che con la promozione di mister Scala in Primavera, ci fosse continuità. Al momento non è così, ne prendiamo atto. Il ragazzo continua ad allenarsi bene e a fare tutto quello che deve fare. Ripeto, ci resta un anno e mezzo di contratto". On interest from other clubs, Tavano said it is mostly based on what scouts have seen with Roma and Tunisia. "Sicuramente, anche perché il Guardian è uno dei giornali più importanti in Europa, ma non credo sia questo a fare la differenza. Penso che, se stanno prendendo informazioni su di lui, sia soprattutto per quello che hanno visto con la Roma e con la Nazionale. Noi ripartiamo da quello. Il contratto non è lungo, ma non mancherà l'occasione di parlare con la Roma. Ripeto, sicuramente mi dispiace perché oggi i giovani dovrebbero avere più spazio e ci dovrebbero essere persone con più coraggio. Lo immaginavo già stabilmente nel giro della prima squadra e sicuramente a giocare in Primavera". Asked whether Roma's recent struggles have denied him a major shop window, Tavano spoke about the goalkeeping role in general. "Ho avuto a che fare con tanti portieri, ne ho gestiti tanti. È un ruolo un po' particolare. In questo momento, purtroppo siamo l'incudine. Speriamo che un giorno saremo il martello e che possa giocare per un club importante. Il sogno è quello di giocare nella Roma, visto che è cresciuto qui".

Several Roma-focused radio pundits discussed the club's January transfer options, the Endrick situation and the form of Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in the latest edition of the On Air roundup from Rome's radio stations. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport suggested that Endrick would not join Roma permanently, because he hopes to establish himself at Real Madrid, but that a loan of 18 months could be a good solution. He said Roma could then invest in Kvernadze, who is already performing well in Italy and costs relatively little, as he has a 4 million euro release clause. Piacentini said Frosinone would like to renew his contract, but if he already has an agreement with another club he will not renew. "If it were Roma, you turn up with 10-12 million in January and you take both of them," Piacentini said. He added: "On Pellegrini, and perhaps also on Dybala, you cannot rely, and that is why you need two." Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista said Endrick could arrive on loan, and that Roma could keep control of the player unless that control were well paid for and taken back by Real Madrid, as happened with Nico Paz. He gave an example in which Roma would take him on loan and buy him at 60 million if they valued him, with Real Madrid having to pay 80 million to take him back. Asked whether such a deal was feasible, Lo Monaco said: "At this moment there is nothing." He stated that Endrick's agents know Roma's intentions perfectly well, that there were contacts before the Roma-Real match, and that the giallorossi had reiterated their interest. He said he understood the player would not go to Milan. "If he leaves Real, I can give a percentage: 60-70% that he ends up at Roma," Lo Monaco said. Sandro Sabatini of Radio Radio named Malen, Cristante and, as a surprise, Dybala as the three most important players at Roma, saying Dybala had been phenomenal in the matches he played even though he is currently injured. He said he had thought Soulé was not on Dybala's level, but that Soulé had taken advantage of Dybala's absence and grown enormously. "The club tried to sell him all summer without succeeding, first because Soulé and Dybala cannot play together," Sabatini said. He added: "When Dybala is there, Soulé suffers a psychological inferiority. Soulé plays very well when Dybala is unavailable." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio named Hermoso, Soulé and Malen as the three most important players so far, and said Marten de Roon had been a fundamental signing, while noting that Rodrigo Mora is showing he deserves a starting place in certain matches. He said he did not know whether the club had a trick up its sleeve to sign a striker who could start. "With these players you can go all the way, but avoiding injuries will be decisive," Pruzzo said. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio said that with Malen Roma had made one of the best deals of the last 30 years, having paid 25 million, a figure that now looks ridiculous. He said Malen had become the most decisive striker, more so than Lautaro, and that Roma had made an extraordinary signing. David Rossi of Rete Sport and Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo discussed the club's situation off the pitch. Pes said Gasperini had had no contact with the Friedkins in recent months, but that Galantic had been named CEO for precisely this purpose. He said Roma would face the consequences of the UEFA ruling and the settlement agreement, and that by the end of November the club would know what it faced, which would shape the January market. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said it was not known how much the Friedkins would allow the club to invest and that January was usually a month for loans. He added that the January market must be attacked with clear ideas about what the squad needs to challenge Inter, "until the last matchday of the league."

Roma's radio pundits have focused on the club's transfer plans, the expected UEFA fine and the Dybala-Soulé pairing. Francesco Balzani of Teleradiostereo said Endrick is the club's main target, ahead of Gittens and others. "Right now all the attention is on Endrick, who is the player who most convinces Gasperini. Roma are trying again and will try again. I hope they succeed, because Endrick inserted into this squad can be the extra turbo to reach the Scudetto." Balzani also addressed the UEFA case. He said UEFA sources had indicated a decision was expected by November, and that Roma would learn the outcome unofficially at the end of the hearing. "I think they have more or less understood what the amount will be. They will probably know a strong fine is coming, between 10 and 15 million." Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Gasperini has had no contact with the Friedkins in recent months, but that Galantic was named CEO precisely for that purpose. He said D'Amico has not been idle and that there is likely a list or an investment plan, but that operational detail is still missing. The UEFA ruling, he added, adds an asterisk: Roma will have to deal with the settlement agreement. "By the end of November Roma will know what they are going to face, and this will shift the focus to the January market." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino said: "De Roon has been a fundamental acquisition in midfield. I can't say whether Roma have an ace up their sleeve for a signing who could become a starter at certain moments. If they don't, they will try to go all the way with this squad." He added: "At some point in the season the injury situation will be decisive, especially if Roma are still in the hunt in the Champions League." Sandro Sabatini, also of Radio Radio Mattino, was critical of the forward pairing. "In my view Dybala and Soulé cannot play together. The impression is that they need two balls. When Dybala is available, Soulé still seems psychologically subservient. Roma tried to sell him all summer without succeeding, first because Soulé and Dybala cannot play together." Balzani also handed out his awards for the first part of the season. He chose Hermoso as the player of the season so far, describing him as fundamental to Gasperini, and named Soulé and Malen as the other two candidates. Cristante won his award as best supporting player. Balzani said Mora could become a star in Serie A, but said he expects more from Castro.

Radio Radio Mattino pundit Carina has named Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé as Roma's three most important players at present, while adding that Lulli has been a very pleasant surprise so far this season. Speaking on the same station, Giuseppe Pruzzo said Marten de Roon has been a fundamental signing in midfield. Carina said: "At this moment the three most important players at Roma are Cristante, Malen and Soulé, although Lulli has been a very pleasant surprise at the start of this season. With Dybala's return there will be a switch back of Soulé to the left, which is the side where he performs a little less well." He added: "I still think it is always better to have many players available, because after the international break there will again be a cycle with many closely spaced fixtures." Pruzzo said: "De Roon has been a fundamental signing in midfield. I cannot say whether Roma have an ace up their sleeve regarding a signing who could start in this team at certain moments. If they don't, we will try to go all the way with this squad. At some point in the season, the injury situation will be decisive, especially if Roma are still in the running in the Champions League." The comments come as Roma prepare for a demanding run of fixtures, with Champions League football in the mix this season. Pruzzo's remarks point to the importance of squad depth as the campaign develops.

Thirteen Roma players have left Trigoria for the November international break, a squad-wide exodus that will see the club's men return to Rome only a few days before the match against Parma. Only Inter, Frosinone and Torino have had more players called up by their national teams (14), while Roma sit level with Milan and Como. The number could have been higher, given the less than ideal condition of Mancini and Koné. Daily work at Trigoria under Gasperini was the reason Koné said no to France. Cristante is also out, as explained by Italy coach Mancini: "I didn't need to test him because I know him." Molina will not be going to Argentina; the full-back had been called up at the last minute by coach Scaloni, but Roma and Gasperini opposed the move. Malen is among the most anticipated players, and on his role with the Netherlands, Xavi was clear: "I see him as a centre-forward." The mood around Trigoria is different, with Gasperini wanting to get all his starters back to fight for the Champions League and the derby. The headline also carries a comment from Francesco Totti on the Scudetto: "Something is missing to win the Scudetto." The break brings a mix of departures and returns for Roma, with the squad's fitness and availability becoming the main focus before the next fixture against Parma.

Roma are working on a contract extension for Mario Hermoso, with talks reportedly already under way for a deal running to 2029 with an option for 2030, according to Angelo Mangiante. Three goals this season and increasingly convincing performances have accelerated the process under Gian Piero Gasperini, with the Spaniard described as a pillar of the side. Elsewhere, Paulo Dybala's future may lie in the United States. Piero Torri reports that Inter Miami have already made contact with the Argentinian's entourage, while New York City are reportedly weighing up an offer. No agreement has been reached, but Dybala's contract, which expires in 2027, is fuelling the speculation. Roma are also looking to the January window, with Gasperini hoping for reinforcements. The club's strategy is to target a quick attacking winger, possibly on loan in the mould of Donyell Malen, while Endrick and Gittens remain under observation and Højbjerg has returned as an option for midfield. On the injury front, Mile Svilar and Dybala are aiming to return for the trip to Parma on 21 November, with Gasperini expected to regain two key players during the international break. Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini are also in good shape, while Devyne Rensch remains in doubt. Lorenzo Pellegrini has decided against surgery on his tendon and will continue with conservative therapy, with his return not expected before January. Roma's Argentina international Nahuel Molina has been kept at Trigoria: the club refused Argentina's call-up after his FIFA suspension was reduced, with the invitation arriving only on Saturday during the Roma-Sassuolo match, too late for a long trip for what could be a single friendly. Lorenzo Dattilo, a left-back born in 2010, has signed a three-year contract, turning down Atletico Madrid. The former Under-17 European champion with Italy is already playing for Roma's Under-18 side. In Serie A, Roma sit third, unbeaten in the league and two points behind leaders Lazio, having scored 31 goals and conceded just ten in eleven matchdays. At Frosinone, the club is preparing a move to keep winger Kvernadze, who is being followed by Roma. According to Tuttomercatoweb, a deal worth one million euros a season, five times his current salary, is ready. Behind it sits a four-million-euro release clause, activatable from next summer, which Frosinone could seek to change.

Roma have kept Mancini at Trigoria and decided not to send Nahuel Molina to Argentina, meaning Italy coach Mancini will be without the Roma defender for the matches against France and Belgium. Mancini returned to the club with problems after Italy's Nations League games in late September and early October, and Gasperini has never had him at full fitness. Before the Sassuolo match, Gasperini decided not to call him up, which left the Italy coach with no option but to forgo his presence against France and Belgium. Molina is still serving a suspension for one match, following the reduction of his ban from seven matchdays to four. Roma's decision on Molina came on Saturday evening. Sending him to Argentina would have meant a long journey for just one of two friendlies, with the first test on Friday in Buenos Aires against Uruguay and the second in Córdoba against Costa Rica. Molina would then have had a long, tiring trip back to Trigoria, due next Thursday, which the club judged unworkable. The Argentine FA accepted the decision and will rely on Balerdi, Soulé and Castro. The international break has long concerned club coaches, who are forced to accept few training sessions and plenty of injuries. Roma's approach reflects that problem: protecting fitness for the club's own schedule rather than releasing players for every national team request.

Mario Hermoso is close to signing a contract extension at Roma, with negotiations underway and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pushing to finalise the agreement. According to La Repubblica, as reported by TeleRadioStereo, the deal would add two more years with an option. The centre-back's current contract expires at the end of the season. Hermoso has enjoyed a strong run in Rome, scoring 8 goals in 49 appearances for the club, three of them in the current campaign. Gasperini was influential in keeping him at the club in the first place. Hermoso joined as a free agent in 2024 after his time at Atlético Madrid, but he struggled to win regular minutes in his first few months. He was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen in January, and a shoulder injury prevented the German side from buying him outright, so he returned to Roma. Hermoso was reportedly on the chopping block in the summer of 2025, until Gasperini took a liking to him. The coach made him a linchpin of the side, as his skill set and dynamism suited his style well. The Real Madrid product also spent time at Espanyol earlier in his career and has five caps for Spain, although he has not been called up since 2019. Gasperini likes good ball handlers and sound athletes in every position, and especially in the 'braccetti' role. Hermoso's goalscoring is a bonus that has served the team well, as they can bring almost the whole side into the final third when they are firing. The extension is seen as a no-brainer, as the financial sums are not expected to be a problem.

Several Roma-focused radio pundits discussed the club's January transfer options, the Endrick situation and the form of Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in the latest edition of the On Air roundup from Rome's radio stations. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport suggested that Endrick would not join Roma permanently, because he hopes to establish himself at Real Madrid, but that a loan of 18 months could be a good solution. He said Roma could then invest in Kvernadze, who is already performing well in Italy and costs relatively little, as he has a 4 million euro release clause. Piacentini said Frosinone would like to renew his contract, but if he already has an agreement with another club he will not renew. "If it were Roma, you turn up with 10-12 million in January and you take both of them," Piacentini said. He added: "On Pellegrini, and perhaps also on Dybala, you cannot rely, and that is why you need two." Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista said Endrick could arrive on loan, and that Roma could keep control of the player unless that control were well paid for and taken back by Real Madrid, as happened with Nico Paz. He gave an example in which Roma would take him on loan and buy him at 60 million if they valued him, with Real Madrid having to pay 80 million to take him back. Asked whether such a deal was feasible, Lo Monaco said: "At this moment there is nothing." He stated that Endrick's agents know Roma's intentions perfectly well, that there were contacts before the Roma-Real match, and that the giallorossi had reiterated their interest. He said he understood the player would not go to Milan. "If he leaves Real, I can give a percentage: 60-70% that he ends up at Roma," Lo Monaco said. Sandro Sabatini of Radio Radio named Malen, Cristante and, as a surprise, Dybala as the three most important players at Roma, saying Dybala had been phenomenal in the matches he played even though he is currently injured. He said he had thought Soulé was not on Dybala's level, but that Soulé had taken advantage of Dybala's absence and grown enormously. "The club tried to sell him all summer without succeeding, first because Soulé and Dybala cannot play together," Sabatini said. He added: "When Dybala is there, Soulé suffers a psychological inferiority. Soulé plays very well when Dybala is unavailable." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio named Hermoso, Soulé and Malen as the three most important players so far, and said Marten de Roon had been a fundamental signing, while noting that Rodrigo Mora is showing he deserves a starting place in certain matches. He said he did not know whether the club had a trick up its sleeve to sign a striker who could start. "With these players you can go all the way, but avoiding injuries will be decisive," Pruzzo said. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio said that with Malen Roma had made one of the best deals of the last 30 years, having paid 25 million, a figure that now looks ridiculous. He said Malen had become the most decisive striker, more so than Lautaro, and that Roma had made an extraordinary signing. David Rossi of Rete Sport and Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo discussed the club's situation off the pitch. Pes said Gasperini had had no contact with the Friedkins in recent months, but that Galantic had been named CEO for precisely this purpose. He said Roma would face the consequences of the UEFA ruling and the settlement agreement, and that by the end of November the club would know what it faced, which would shape the January market. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said it was not known how much the Friedkins would allow the club to invest and that January was usually a month for loans. He added that the January market must be attacked with clear ideas about what the squad needs to challenge Inter, "until the last matchday of the league."

Roma's radio pundits have focused on the club's transfer plans, the expected UEFA fine and the Dybala-Soulé pairing. Francesco Balzani of Teleradiostereo said Endrick is the club's main target, ahead of Gittens and others. "Right now all the attention is on Endrick, who is the player who most convinces Gasperini. Roma are trying again and will try again. I hope they succeed, because Endrick inserted into this squad can be the extra turbo to reach the Scudetto." Balzani also addressed the UEFA case. He said UEFA sources had indicated a decision was expected by November, and that Roma would learn the outcome unofficially at the end of the hearing. "I think they have more or less understood what the amount will be. They will probably know a strong fine is coming, between 10 and 15 million." Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Gasperini has had no contact with the Friedkins in recent months, but that Galantic was named CEO precisely for that purpose. He said D'Amico has not been idle and that there is likely a list or an investment plan, but that operational detail is still missing. The UEFA ruling, he added, adds an asterisk: Roma will have to deal with the settlement agreement. "By the end of November Roma will know what they are going to face, and this will shift the focus to the January market." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino said: "De Roon has been a fundamental acquisition in midfield. I can't say whether Roma have an ace up their sleeve for a signing who could become a starter at certain moments. If they don't, they will try to go all the way with this squad." He added: "At some point in the season the injury situation will be decisive, especially if Roma are still in the hunt in the Champions League." Sandro Sabatini, also of Radio Radio Mattino, was critical of the forward pairing. "In my view Dybala and Soulé cannot play together. The impression is that they need two balls. When Dybala is available, Soulé still seems psychologically subservient. Roma tried to sell him all summer without succeeding, first because Soulé and Dybala cannot play together." Balzani also handed out his awards for the first part of the season. He chose Hermoso as the player of the season so far, describing him as fundamental to Gasperini, and named Soulé and Malen as the other two candidates. Cristante won his award as best supporting player. Balzani said Mora could become a star in Serie A, but said he expects more from Castro.