Totti hails Pellegrini as Roma must-keep after standing ovation at Bari university

Paulo Dybala has been invited by Lionel Messi to attend the Argentina captain's final match with the national team on 6 October, an invitation that also extends to Roma defender Nahuel Molina. Roma are evaluating whether to release Dybala for the fixture, and according to Corriere dello Sport, the club's preference is to keep him at Trigoria during the international break. The decision hinges on the fixture schedule. Roma's squad, under Gian Piero Gasperini, will return to action just five days after Messi's farewell—on the road against Como in Serie A. The two intercontinental journeys required within days would burden Dybala with travel recovery, jet lag, and preparation for the league match. Roma would rather have Dybala at their training base working under Gasperini's supervision and fully ready for the campaign's resumption. Molina faces the same situation and the same club stance. No final decision has been made, but Roma's current position is to retain Dybala in the capital during the break.

Roma have begun moving in the January transfer window and have identified Frosinone winger Giorgi Kvernadze as a priority target. The Georgian, born 2003, has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across Serie A and Coppa Italia in recent outings that Roma scouts have monitored closely. Napoli are also tracking the situation. The club sits joint-top of Serie A with 13 points from 15 available after an impressive start to the 2026–27 season, level on points with Inter and Lazio. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico recognises that reinforcements are still needed, particularly a left-winger with a right foot — a specific profile the club has prioritised. The five summer signings brought in to implement manager Gian Piero Gasperini's ideas — Leonardo Balerdi, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo Mora, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Marten de Roon — have integrated well, but the squad remains incomplete ahead of the mid-season market. According to reports from Nicolò Schira and confirmed by Il Tempo, Roma have begun their groundwork for January. Kvernadze's form has caught the attention of Roma's recruitment team as the club prepares to strengthen in the coming weeks.

Roma are monitoring Giorgi Kvernadze, Frosinone's Georgian winger, as a potential target to strengthen their attacking flanks this season. Kvernadze has made a brilliant start to the campaign with five goals and two assists across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, attracting interest from multiple clubs. Roma, Napoli and Fiorentina are all tracking the 23-year-old, according to journalist Ekrem Konur. The pursuit reflects an ongoing need at Roma. During the last transfer window, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wanted to reinforce the wide areas but the club failed to complete the department as he wished. Kvernadze's emergence could see the topic resurface in future windows. The Georgian prefers to operate from the left flank before cutting onto his right foot, a profile that could add quality and unpredictability to Roma's attacking play. Kvernadze was born on 7 February 2003 in Samtredia, Georgia, and came through the youth ranks at Saburtalo before stints with Telavi and Dinamo Batumi. Frosinone signed him in 2023 from Kolkheti-1913 Poti initially on loan with a purchase option, which the club exercised in summer 2024. He is contracted to Frosinone until 2028.

Roma's radio stations aired sharp opinion on the club's prospects this season, with Nando Orsi declaring the team was built to compete for the Serie A title while singling out Inter's deficiencies. Orsi said: "This year a squad was constructed to compete for the scudetto, but nobody says it out of superstition. Inter has some football-related shortcomings that need to be fixed. Roma is strong and capable, it just needs to manage its resources. Whoever says otherwise does it out of superstition. Roma has a strong squad; Saturday's match confirmed we are among the strongest. Juventus, Milan and Napoli don't seem like teams that can compete—they are too inconsistent. Roma and Inter instead are more ready at a technical level and in terms of their squads." The consensus across Rome's radio networks highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's recovery from injury and the decision to keep key players available, as well as praise for goalkeeper Mile Svilar's impact. Simone Valdarchi noted that "Pellegrini, although he has fully recovered from the injury he suffered, still needs to find his match rhythm. The work that will be done at Trigoria in these weeks will also be aimed at raising the condition of number 7." Both Valdarchi and Piero Torri stressed Roma's wish to avoid releasing Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina for Argentina's goodbye match for Messi, with Torri arguing that facing two long flights days before the Como match could harm preparations. Lorenzo Pes praised Svilar as "an important factor" who "gives security to the defence and to those watching him," while Roberto Pruzzo highlighted Leonardo Balerdi as an unexpected positive arrival. Mario Mattioli added that Balerdi, who "played 200 matches in the French league," was demonstrating his value in Italian football. Pruzzo also observed that Inter's perceived threat to run away with the title was not materializing as expected, noting he would wait 7–8 more matches to assess the championship's true level.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is closing in on a competitive return after a lengthy absence. The midfielder, who has not featured in any match for Roma this season, last played in April against Pisa. Gasperini's coaching staff has designed targeted tests during the international break to rebuild his match fitness and rhythm as Pellegrini gradually increases his training workload. Pellegrini's comeback will give Gasperini an added resource in the attacking midfield area, a department so far built around Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. The 29-year-old is determined to repay the manager's faith and prove himself on the pitch. Beyond the immediate Roma picture, Pellegrini harbours a second objective: returning to the Italian national team and reclaiming his place under Roberto Mancini after two years away. According to Corriere della Sera, Pellegrini has been sidelined for roughly six months and remains the only outfield player in Roma's squad yet to debut in the 2026–27 campaign. His push for match sharpness and a return to previous form represents a significant boost to Gasperini's squad depth as the season progresses.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has emerged as Roma's key figure during the international break, remaining the only outfield player yet to feature under Gian Piero Gasperini this season. Despite six matches played, the head coach has called upon 19 of his 20 available outfield players, leaving Pellegrini absent from action. Rather than a tactical decision, the situation reflects the need for one of the club's captains to regain full fitness. Pellegrini's last appearance came in Roma's match against Pisa on 10 April. The break in league action has provided an opportunity for him to undertake specific fitness work to restore his match rhythm ahead of the resumption. Gasperini has shown strong confidence in Pellegrini, having actively pushed for his contract renewal on a fresh one-year deal. The manager's backing carries weight as Pellegrini looks to prove the decision justified. Beyond Roma, Pellegrini has his sights set on returning to the Italy squad under head coach Roberto Mancini, having been absent for two years. The international dimension adds further motivation for the 1996-born midfielder. During these opening days of the break, Pellegrini has notably increased his workload, following a preparation schedule delivered by Gasperini's staff. According to reporting from Simone Valdarchi in the Corriere della Sera, the squad rotation and forthcoming fixtures will give Pellegrini the platform to demonstrate the faith placed in him.

Paulo Dybala has been invited by Lionel Messi to attend the Argentina captain's final match with the national team on 6 October, an invitation that also extends to Roma defender Nahuel Molina. Roma are evaluating whether to release Dybala for the fixture, and according to Corriere dello Sport, the club's preference is to keep him at Trigoria during the international break. The decision hinges on the fixture schedule. Roma's squad, under Gian Piero Gasperini, will return to action just five days after Messi's farewell—on the road against Como in Serie A. The two intercontinental journeys required within days would burden Dybala with travel recovery, jet lag, and preparation for the league match. Roma would rather have Dybala at their training base working under Gasperini's supervision and fully ready for the campaign's resumption. Molina faces the same situation and the same club stance. No final decision has been made, but Roma's current position is to retain Dybala in the capital during the break.

Roma's radio stations aired sharp opinion on the club's prospects this season, with Nando Orsi declaring the team was built to compete for the Serie A title while singling out Inter's deficiencies. Orsi said: "This year a squad was constructed to compete for the scudetto, but nobody says it out of superstition. Inter has some football-related shortcomings that need to be fixed. Roma is strong and capable, it just needs to manage its resources. Whoever says otherwise does it out of superstition. Roma has a strong squad; Saturday's match confirmed we are among the strongest. Juventus, Milan and Napoli don't seem like teams that can compete—they are too inconsistent. Roma and Inter instead are more ready at a technical level and in terms of their squads." The consensus across Rome's radio networks highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's recovery from injury and the decision to keep key players available, as well as praise for goalkeeper Mile Svilar's impact. Simone Valdarchi noted that "Pellegrini, although he has fully recovered from the injury he suffered, still needs to find his match rhythm. The work that will be done at Trigoria in these weeks will also be aimed at raising the condition of number 7." Both Valdarchi and Piero Torri stressed Roma's wish to avoid releasing Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina for Argentina's goodbye match for Messi, with Torri arguing that facing two long flights days before the Como match could harm preparations. Lorenzo Pes praised Svilar as "an important factor" who "gives security to the defence and to those watching him," while Roberto Pruzzo highlighted Leonardo Balerdi as an unexpected positive arrival. Mario Mattioli added that Balerdi, who "played 200 matches in the French league," was demonstrating his value in Italian football. Pruzzo also observed that Inter's perceived threat to run away with the title was not materializing as expected, noting he would wait 7–8 more matches to assess the championship's true level.

Paulo Dybala has signed a new annual contract with Roma heavily weighted to performance. The forward has taken a 72 per cent pay cut from his previous deal, with a fixed base of €2.2 million. He will earn an additional €100,000 for each match in which he plays as a starter for at least 45 minutes, up to a maximum of 20 appearances and €2 million in bonus payments. Niccolò Pisilli marked his 22nd birthday on Wednesday as a protagonist in Roma's latest fixture. Against Torino, he set a new club record for distance covered in a single match at 12.53 kilometres, adding a goal despite suffering from cramps. The midfielder has also scored four goals and provided an assist in his last four matches for the Under-21 side, strengthening his case for further involvement with the first team. Roma's women's team began their Champions League campaign today with a fixture at OH Leuven's Den Dreef stadium, kicking off at 18:45 and broadcast on Disney+. Manager Piovani said: "We have the opportunity to bounce back immediately," seeking redemption after losing the Women's Cup final on penalties to Juventus. Piemonte travelled with the squad but is unlikely to feature due to a cracked rib, while Pilgrim remains sidelined and Lukasova is unavailable.