ASR Top 11 #5 – Derby Heroes: Roma's Ideal Formation in the Derby della Capitale

Roma's transfer window is being hampered by the club's ownership, according to commentators on Roman radio. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio Mattino said: "What is holding Roma back is the decisive and determining input from the club. The feeling, as seen in the Fofana case, is that there is no final determination to close operations. Roma's market operators, once they identify the player that suits the manager, seem unable to go beyond certain limits. It happens everywhere, but at Roma it always happens." Nando Orsi raised concerns about Roma's inability to secure a left-sided winger with a right foot after a year of searching, describing the situation as bizarre. He suggested that were Roma to receive an offer of 45 million euros for Svilar, he would consider selling and bringing in Vicario. Roberto Pruzzo acknowledged that unexpected opportunities may still emerge in the market but offered mixed assessments of potential targets. He rated Molina as a player capable of raising standards but felt Luis Henrique and Cacciamani would not represent a significant quality jump. Pruzzo indicated Luis Henrique on loan with an option could be worthwhile but ruled it out at 30 million euros.

Paulo Sergio, the Brazilian forward who played for Roma from 1997 to 1999, has endorsed Real Madrid's Endrick as a potential signing for the club, saying he could thrive under head coach Gasperini. Sergio, who scored 12 goals in Serie A in each of his two seasons in the Giallorossi, told Forzaroma.info that the young Brazilian talent possesses the right qualities for Roma's system. "He is an excellent player," Sergio said. "In Brazil he performed very well, at Madrid he has had a couple of difficulties, but that is normal for a boy his age. At Lyon he has demonstrated his value and at Roma he could be important." Sergio emphasised Endrick's work rate and tactical discipline as key strengths. "He is someone who fights, who presses and gives everything for the team. He can do very well with Gasperini," he added. Endrick currently remains at Real Madrid, with the Spanish club committed to keeping him. Roma's sporting director D'Amico continues to monitor the player, recognising that he could align well with Gasperini's demanding tactical approach. Sergio highlighted Endrick's proven pedigree, noting his strong performances with Palmeiras in Brazil before his move to the Bernabéu. Roma can only observe the situation for now, but should Madrid open a door to a departure, the club would be positioned to pursue a deal.

English referee Taylor, whose controversial decisions in a Budapest final remain contested among Roma fans, has retired from active refereeing and taken up a new role as head of arbitration in Turkey. A month after announcing his retirement, Taylor has spoken to the BBC about the pressures that shaped his decision to step away from the sport. Taylor's legacy at Roma is inextricably linked to that Budapest final, a decision that continues to provoke strong feeling among the Giallorossi support. In his interview, the referee was candid about the toll of elite-level officiating. He acknowledged that pressure and media attention are natural human responses, stating: "Any referee would be lying if they said that pressure or media attention hadn't bothered them, because it's a natural human reaction." He described how accumulated pressures—from fans, coaches, media, and colleagues—fuel self-doubt. "All these things feed doubts about yourself, a lack of confidence. Then the situation can spiral and you lose the ability to have confidence in what you're doing on the pitch." Taylor also reflected on the demands of sustained high-level pressure over long periods, noting that energy, motivation, and confidence eventually decline. He explained his retirement decision simply: "The decision to retire is based solely on the fact that my body and mind have reached their natural equilibrium in the current role and are ready to embark on a new path." In Rome, however, his legacy remains tied to Budapest and a decision that has not been forgotten.

Matías Soulé remains at the heart of Roma's plans despite two months of transfer speculation, with no concrete offer materializing as the summer window enters its final stretch. The Argentine winger has impressed Gasperini during pre-season preparations and is expected to feature in Roma's friendly against Borussia Dortmund tomorrow at 17:30, partnering Paulo Dybala on the attacking line. Soulé's willingness to stay is understood to be genuine, though he is aware that Roma would consider a serious bid should one arrive. Soulé is now the sole natural wide attacker in Roma's squad, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli both sidelined by injury. His performances in capital-based training and across pre-season matches in the UK have earned Gasperini's approval. Borussia Dortmund made an enquiry in June but never pursued a formal approach. Soulé's situation reflects a broader challenge: Roma's various targets have fallen through one by one, and with less than a fortnight remaining before the window closes, his continued presence has shifted from unlikely to increasingly probable. Roma's Argentine contingent has grown with the arrival of Molina, who trained with the group yesterday. The club now boasts Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Molina and Castro among its Argentine contingent—the largest concentration since the post-Scudetto era, when Samuel, Batistuta, Cufré, Balbo and Cejas were all on the books.

Matías Soulé has emerged as an unexpectedly valuable squad member for Roma ahead of the club's friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30. Two months of uncertainty in the transfer market—with multiple enquiries but no formal offers—have left him as Roma's sole pure winger, securing his position as Gasperini eyes him for the Dortmund clash alongside Paulo Dybala. The German club itself conducted a June inquiry without following through on a move. Soulé's expected permanence comes as Roma now hosts a substantial Argentine contingent. Molina joined the group yesterday for his first training session, joining Dybala, Castro, and Soulé—a concentration of Argentine talent unseen since the year following the Scudetto, when Samuel, Batistuta, Cufré, Balbo and Cejas were at the club. The winger's willingness to stay has been constant; he wishes to play Champions League football but understands the club would consider any offer that arrived. His impressive performances across the capital and in pre-season fixtures have impressed the coach. Soulé's prospects are strengthened by injuries elsewhere: Lorenzo Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli remain sidelined, leaving the attacking midfield ranks thin. The former Juventus player, once in an outcast role, now offers Gasperini tactical flexibility heading into the competitive season.

Nahuel Molina trained with Roma for the first time on 13 August, a day after his official arrival was confirmed. The Argentine right-back took part in the squad's preparation at Trigoria ahead of a friendly against Borussia Dortmund scheduled for 15 July at 17:30. CEO John Galantic attended the session from the sideline to monitor the new arrival's integration. Molina's debut in giallorossi colours marks another addition to Gasperini's squad as Roma continue their pre-season build-up for the 2026-27 campaign. The club will be without Lorenzo Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli for the time being, both remaining unavailable during this training phase. Molina's arrival strengthens Roma's options in defence as the season approaches. The friendly against Dortmund will offer an early chance to assess the new defender's form and understanding with his teammates ahead of competitive fixtures.

Roma will face Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park. Gian Piero Gasperini's side complete their build-up after a British tour with this test match in Germany. Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Neil El Aynaoui and Bryan Cristante anchor the midfield, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen in attack. Borussia Dortmund will deploy an identical shape, managed by Kovac. Tickets are available through the Borussia Dortmund club website. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text updates available on ilromanista.eu.

Roma suffered a second defeat in three pre-season outings, losing 3–0 to Brighton in what Gasperini described as a concerning display two weeks before the season begins. Wesley emerged as the standout performer, while Neil El Aynaoui stepped back from his midweek form, and the defence was repeatedly breached. Gianluca Mancini (5) lost his man on Brighton's third goal and appeared less commanding than usual, while Mario Hermoso (5) was partly culpable for the opening goal and departed with a foot problem. Evan N'Dicka (5.5) offered insufficient security at the back, and Devyne Rensch (4.5) endured a forgettable afternoon at right-back following several indecisions; Koulierakis (6) and Daniele Ghilardi (6) came on at half-time and improved the display, though the match was already decided. Wesley (6) impressed with his physicality and athleticism, particularly a close effort at the 28-minute mark, while Paulo Dybala (5.5) created Roma's most dangerous opportunity despite a subdued showing. Neil El Aynaoui (4.5) was erratic in midfield, losing the ball in an exchange with Rensch that led to Brighton's second goal. Bryan Cristante (5.5), the captain, struggled to control the midfield as his experience might demand. Matías Soulé (5.5) lacked incisiveness despite constant movement. Donyell Malen (5) remained short of match fitness and rarely troubled the goalkeeper. Gasperini rated the performance 5, noting that Roma has conceded eleven goals across the last 360 minutes of pre-season play. Though he acknowledged no points are at stake in August, he expressed disappointment for the 750 Roma supporters in attendance. The transfer market remains underdeveloped, he added, but the squad must perform better ahead of competitive fixtures.

Roma faced Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final warm-up match of their British tour. Gasperini named Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, while leaving new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis on the bench to manage their workload ahead of the 2026–27 season opener. The Roma boss fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and a four-strong midfield of Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, and Wesley. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala occupied the advanced midfield roles, with Malen leading the attack. The fixture served as a final examination of the squad's preparation during the pre-season tour, with Gasperini using the match to assess combinations and match sharpness before competitive action resumes.