Bologna vs Roma: Venturino Sidelined by Injury, El Aynaoui Eyes Starting Berth

Lorenzo Pellegrini will not be available until the end of August at the earliest, as he continues to recover from a right thigh muscle injury. The Roma midfielder will miss fixtures against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August and Lecce on Monday 31 August. From 1 September, Pellegrini will begin training with the squad, with a week needed to regain match fitness. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had indicated the extent of the layoff following Pellegrini's contract renewal on 8 August, stating: "It will take at least a month. At least. We'll talk about it in September." A call-up for the home match against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September is possible, but the key fixture targeted for Pellegrini's return is the away trip to Torino on Sunday 13 September. The number 7 suffered a recurrence of his muscular injury to the rectus femoris of his right thigh, prolonging his absence from team training and competitive action.

Roma's transfer priorities have shifted following the completion of Rodrigo Mora's signing. The club is now concentrating efforts on the left-back position and has deprioritised other targets, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto. Interest in Malick Fofana has cooled considerably. Roma had an agreement in place with the Belgian winger but has not given Lyon the go-ahead to negotiate further. A proposed deal worth €35 million plus add-ons was deemed excessive by the club. After restructuring the terms to bring Mora to the capital, the Fofana operation has been sidelined. Similarly, pressure on Alessio Cacciamani has been relaxed as Roma refocus their efforts elsewhere. Luis Henrique has become the priority target, with Roma now pressing hard on that front. The challenge now is to find agreement on the financial terms between player and club.

Gian Piero Gasperini is building tactical flexibility into Roma's attack by deploying multiple forward options this summer. The transfer window has brought in players who give the squad genuine alternatives in attacking positions, allowing the coach to rotate his approach and personnel depending on match circumstances and opposition. The expanded attacking depth represents a shift in Roma's squad construction under Gasperini's direction. Rather than relying on a single focal point in the forward line, the club now has the depth to vary its attacking shape and personnel, offering the coach more tactical control and reducing fatigue across a full campaign. This approach reflects Gasperini's preference for tactical adaptability and squad rotation, principles he has applied throughout his managerial career. Roma's transfer strategy this summer has been built around creating multiple paths to attack, giving the coach options to switch formations, playing styles, and personnel to suit different opponents and match situations.

Rodrigo Mora's arrival at Roma is a calculated strategic addition that aligns with Gasperini's established attacking philosophy rather than a departure from it, according to tactical analysis. The Portuguese playmaker, who has generated discussion outside the club's training ground since June, complements rather than overturns the head coach's original plan. Gasperini has consistently sought two different profiles on the left wing in a 3-4-2-1 formation: a more technical player like Mora, and a dynamic runner such as Fofana, who remains a candidate to complete the attack overhaul. Gasperini deployed the 3-4-2-1 throughout the 2025–26 season, using Lorenzo Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder and playmaker rather than a winger. When he needed different characteristics, he rotated players including Venturino, Zaragoza, Baldanzi, Pisilli and El Shaarawy. The trequartista role is integral to his system regardless of Mora's signing, confirming that Roma's attacking architecture has not shifted. Roma's first three league fixtures—against Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta—all deploy a back four, matches in which Mora's profile will prove immediately useful behind the striker pairing. Gasperini used the 3-4-1-2 formation in four of five recent pre-season friendlies, fielding Soulé as trequartista three times and Cristante once. Roma's opening match comes Monday evening against Fiorentina at the Olimpico.

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.

Roma radio commentators dissected the Giallorossi's opening performance on 15 August, offering mixed assessments of the squad's readiness and frustration over the transfer window's output. Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that Roma played well for 15 minutes but were exposed on set pieces, noting that "Dybala is in good form, but won't be able to play this type of match all the time. Soulé hasn't managed to show his qualities yet, and struggles alongside Dybala. El Aynaoui operates at too measured a pace—we'd need a player with different running ability, and I'd think about it from a market perspective. For now Malen is a distant relation of the player we know, but he and Castro are strong. I'm worried Molina gave his best at Atlético Madrid." Mattioli struck a harsher tone, saying "Roma hasn't displeased me, but some players need to improve physically. Roma 'talks, talks', but then at the final moment does nothing. If we look at the desired targets and who has arrived, the balance is zero. The investments have been made, but the names being discussed for two months haven't arrived. Roma must play in the Champions League." Orsi raised tactical concerns about left-sided incompatibility between Soulé and Dybala, and questioned why Roma, pursuing an attacking wide player since 1 July, had not yet secured one. He also flagged concerns over a potential late-window departure of a key player.

Roma radio commentators offered mixed assessments of the Ferragosto fixture, with former striker Roberto Pruzzo highlighting both positives and concerns over the club's attacking setup. Pruzzo noted that Roma played well for 15 minutes against an opponent still warming up, but conceded the opening goal through poor pressing discipline. He praised Paulo Dybala's fitness but questioned whether the Argentine can sustain that level every match. On Matías Soulé, Pruzzo observed: "Soulé is not yet able to express his qualities; with Dybala he struggles." He also assessed Neil El Aynaoui's tempo, saying the winger "goes at too measured a rhythm" and suggested Roma should consider a different profile in that position during the transfer window. Radio panellists raised frustration over Roma's transfer activity. Nando Orsi emphasised that since 1 July, Roma has searched for an attacking fullback without success, and pointed out that the pairing of Soulé and Dybala—both left-footers who want to play on the right—creates tactical incompatibility: "It is difficult for them to play well together." Mario Mattioli expressed concern that despite significant investment, none of the players Roma targeted two months ago have arrived, warning that "the Roma must play Champions League." Pruzzo added that Donyell Malen remains a pale shadow of his former self, though he and Castro possess quality, and warned that Molina may have already given his best at Atlético Madrid.

Roma drew 2–2 with Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park in their final pre-season fixture before the Serie A campaign begins. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring in the 4th minute, then set up Bryan Cristante for a second-half header five minutes later, but goals from Ryerson and Guirassy at the 12th and 28th minutes brought Dortmund level. Gasperini fielded a strong starting XI featuring the familiar defensive trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Mile Svilar in goal. Bryan Cristante and Neil El Aynaoui controlled midfield, while Matías Soulé and Dybala supported Donyell Malen up front. Lorenzo Pellegrini, Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley were absent, the latter sidelined by a mild ankle sprain. The match showcased Roma's physical improvement over the summer, though defensive vulnerabilities remain. Dybala played with notable sharpness, while Gasperini offered frequent tactical instruction to Soulé, urging him to widen play. Roma's pre-season campaign closes in Germany, with the squad returning to Trigoria on Wednesday morning to resume preparations for the opening league fixture against Fiorentina. The match against Fabio Grosso's side arrives in seven days at the Stadio Olimpico, marking Roma's first competitive test and their return to Champions League football under Gasperini, now in his second season in charge.

Rodrigo Mora's arrival at Roma is a calculated strategic addition that aligns with Gasperini's established attacking philosophy rather than a departure from it, according to tactical analysis. The Portuguese playmaker, who has generated discussion outside the club's training ground since June, complements rather than overturns the head coach's original plan. Gasperini has consistently sought two different profiles on the left wing in a 3-4-2-1 formation: a more technical player like Mora, and a dynamic runner such as Fofana, who remains a candidate to complete the attack overhaul. Gasperini deployed the 3-4-2-1 throughout the 2025–26 season, using Lorenzo Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder and playmaker rather than a winger. When he needed different characteristics, he rotated players including Venturino, Zaragoza, Baldanzi, Pisilli and El Shaarawy. The trequartista role is integral to his system regardless of Mora's signing, confirming that Roma's attacking architecture has not shifted. Roma's first three league fixtures—against Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta—all deploy a back four, matches in which Mora's profile will prove immediately useful behind the striker pairing. Gasperini used the 3-4-1-2 formation in four of five recent pre-season friendlies, fielding Soulé as trequartista three times and Cristante once. Roma's opening match comes Monday evening against Fiorentina at the Olimpico.

Roma will discover their eight group-stage opponents on 27 August 2026, with their first Champions League match scheduled for 8 September. The club returns to European football's premier competition for the first time in seven years, a milestone marked by the famous UEFA Champions League anthem composed by Tony Britten, adapted from Georg Friedrich Händel's Zadok the Priest. The 2026–27 campaign will feature a new league-phase format across 36 clubs, with all final matchday fixtures played simultaneously on 27 January 2027. Under the restructured format, the top eight finishers in the league phase advance directly to the knockout rounds. Teams finishing 9th to 24th must contest a playoff stage, while positions 25 to 36 are eliminated. Roma's captain Stephan El Shaarawy scored the decisive goal that secured the club's qualification for this season, a moment recalled as a turning point after years away from the competition. The Champions League final was initially assigned to San Siro but has been moved to Madrid due to stadium construction work. From 2027 onwards, the defending champions will open each season with a standalone Tuesday evening fixture.

Roma will learn their eight group-stage opponents for the 2026–27 Champions League on 27 August 2026, with their first match scheduled for 8 September. The club will compete in the new 36-team league phase format, where the top eight finishers advance directly to the knockout stages, sides finishing ninth to 24th enter a playoff round, and teams ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated. The campaign concludes on 27 January 2027, when all final matchday fixtures kick off simultaneously. Roma's return to Europe's premier competition marks an end to a seven-year absence from the Champions League. The announcement has sparked anticipation among supporters, with references to Stephan El Shaarawy's goal that secured the club's qualification. The iconic Champions League anthem, composed by Tony Britten and adapted from Georg Friedrich Händel's Zadok the Priest, will herald the giallorossi's participation in the tournament once more. From 2027 onwards, the defending champions will open their season with a standalone Tuesday evening fixture. The 2027 final was initially assigned to San Siro but has been relocated to Madrid due to stadium renovation work.