Aspri backs Leão as possible Roma move; Vespa predicts 20 goals from Malen

Dario Bonetti, a former Roma defender, has given a detailed interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport reflecting on his time with the club in the early 1980s. Bonetti made his Serie A debut in the 1980–81 season under Dino Viola, arriving after military service and settling at Trigoria alongside Carlo Ancelotti. He came to the club alongside Falcao and developed a deep admiration for teammates including Bruno Conti and, particularly, Agostino Di Bartolomei. Bonetti spoke reverently of Di Bartolomei's influence on the squad. "He was a master and a second father," Bonetti recalled. "He barely spoke in public, but in private he knew how to make himself heard. And he was an encyclopedia. I remember great conversations about art—it was a pleasure to listen to him. He also had a great way of managing the dressing room: he simplified things, especially with the champions. I think Carlo took a lot from him." Bonetti expressed sadness over Di Bartolomei's death, describing it as a tragedy he still struggles to understand, and noting that Di Bartolomei had been abandoned by the football world. Despite fielding a strong squad, Roma repeatedly fell short of major honours during Bonetti's tenure. He cited a disallowed goal to Turone as a crucial moment that cost the club a scudetto. He also highlighted the infamous Roma–Lecce match, which he describes as "inexplicable, cursed"—he was watching from the stands, suspended, and recalls it "like a nightmare." Bonetti expressed regret at not winning the league title in 1983, which would have been his first. Roma also lost the European Cup at home, a defeat Bonetti attributes in part to poor refereeing: "Their goal came from an obvious foul on me," he said of the Liverpool match.

Dario Bonetti, a former Roma defender, has reflected on his time at the club and his Serie A career in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Bonetti made his Serie A debut in the 1980–81 season under Dino Viola, arriving at Roma after military service. He recalled sharing accommodation at Trigoria with Carlo Ancelotti and arriving alongside Falcao, though he named Bruno Conti as his favourite teammate: "a Brazilian born by mistake in Nettuno." Bonetti also spoke movingly about Agostino Di Bartolomei, one of Roma's most revered figures. "He was a gentleman unlike few others," Bonetti said of the legend. "His death was a tragedy I still cannot explain to myself. He was a man of great culture, somewhat introverted, and he was abandoned by the football world. I believe that was one of the reasons for his gesture." Bonetti's recollection underscores the deep impact Di Bartolomei had on those who played alongside him during Roma's golden era.

Radio commentators have weighed Roma's compliance with UEFA financial rules after the club failed to make a significant sale this summer. Pugliese told Radio Radio Pomeriggio that previous management under Massara and Ranieri had repeatedly stated a major exit was necessary to avoid breaching UEFA thresholds and exclusion from European competition. That sale has not materialised, he noted, but Roma now faces the prospect of a substantial fine and squad-size restrictions. "Not having made any major sales, they will have to cut somewhere else," Pugliese said, suggesting the club is calculating these financial penalties at their training ground. Marcacci addressed the potential cost of departures, telling Radio Radio Pomeriggio that selling both El Aynaoui and Ziółkowski would be financially beneficial but technically damaging. "If Roma manage to move El Aynaoui and Ziółkowski in the exit market, it would be an excellent thing from a financial point of view but a great loss from a technical standpoint, especially regarding the Moroccan player," Marcacci said. "His departure would not be painless at all."

Gasperini is preparing Roma's opening lineup for Monday's visit of Fiorentina, with the shape of his team already taking clearer form in the final days of the transfer window. The Stadio Olimpico will host Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, who despite their youth and last season's league position will present a stern test. Gasperini has identified Fiorentina's preference for a 4-3-3 setup during summer friendlies and is likely to counter with a 3-4-1-2 formation against their four-man defence, adapting his usual structure. That system would see Rodrigo Mora operating as the trequartista behind the Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen partnership, a position where the Argentine could make an immediate impact and deliver more options than Matías Soulé offers from the left flank. The formation can shift to a 3-4-2-1 during play when Malen presses higher up the pitch. Gasperini will keep some selection decisions until the final stages of Monday's match. Wesley and Molina appear set for the right flank, while Kostas Tsimikas contests the left-back role against Mario Hermoso for a starting place. The central defensive duel between Evan N'Dicka and Fiorentina's Kean will be a critical battleground — N'Dicka has struggled more than usual against Kean's pace and explosive moments from his time at Juventus. Fiorentina's Arthur Atta will be their wildcard variable, looking to disrupt Roma's defensive shape by dropping deep and unsettling the back line. Molina will have dual duties: creating danger down the flank through his runs while containing the constant forward drives of Valdepeñas. The final training session takes place this afternoon at Trigoria, where remaining selection dilemmas—including the Mora-Soulé contest and the Cristante-Neil El Aynaoui decision—will be resolved. Gasperini continues to wait for one more attacking wide player with different characteristics from Mora during the summer window. Monday brings the first competitive test of the season, a tactical chess match between two managers with distinct philosophies and clear identities. Roma will need a strong start in a title race that this year features more Champions League contenders than ever before.

Roma and Fiorentina meet in what is arguably the most compelling opening fixture of the 2026–27 season. The two clubs arrive from markedly different 2025–26 campaigns: Roma finished strongly to become protagonists, while Fiorentina struggled throughout. Both have signalled growth ambitions in the transfer market. Gasperini requested reinforcements and secured some of them, while Fiorentina's roster has been bolstered by what is described as a fantastic summer window. The match will pit established strengths against new arrivals—Malen and Kean chief among the recognised talents on show—as both sides prepare to compete.

Roma face Fiorentina in their Serie A opener on 24 August with Nahuel Molina poised to make his debut at right-back, ahead of Devyne Rensch, while Wesley is fully fit at left-back after recovering from an ankle problem. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield slot alongside Paulo Dybala and behind centre-forward Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé currently leads the competition for the position after impressing the coaching staff with his dedication since the start of pre-season, losing excess weight and setting aside transfer speculation. Rodrigo Mora provides competition and is eager to make his debut. Gasperini retains a tactical option to consider deploying Bryan Cristante as a number 10. The 1995-born midfielder has been used repeatedly in that role during the previous season in Roma's 3-4-1-2 formation, delivering balance and positive results. Should Gasperini select Cristante, the midfield would comprise Manu Koné alongside either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli. The final decision will come only after the pre-match training session on 24 August, with Gasperini assessing the fitness of El Aynaoui, who remains behind schedule following the World Cup, and Pisilli, who has only recently rejoined the squad.