Dybala's Turbulent End-of-Season Form: The Data

Fabio Capello has assessed AS Roma's fixture list for the upcoming season in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Capello expects Roma to start the new campaign with the same certainty and quality they showed at the end of the previous season, given that Gasperini is the new head coach. However, he warns that the early schedule presents significant challenges. Capello highlighted that Roma will not face any newly promoted teams in their opening ten fixtures—an unusual circumstance that leaves them vulnerable to a demanding run of matches. The Giallorossi will encounter Inter, Napoli, Como, Atalanta, and Fiorentina during this period, alongside difficult away trips to Torino and Udinese. Roma's opening match will be against Fiorentina, while their season concludes with an away fixture at Cagliari. Capello stated: "Knowing Gasperini, I expect a Roma that in August restarts from the certainties and the brilliance with which it ended this season. The schedule is not, however, very straightforward: the Giallorossi will not face any newly promoted sides in the first ten matches, but instead they will come up against Inter, Napoli, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina… plus complicated away trips like those with Torino and Udinese."

Roma's tactical development is being shaped by the rapid growth of academy talents, with midfielder Niccolò Pisilli playing a key role in the team's set-piece strategy. The data surrounding corner-kicks has become a positive factor for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Pisilli's contribution to Roma's corner-kick approach is viewed as an encouraging sign for the club's evolving tactical system. The Giallorossi continue to rely on young homegrown players as central pillars of their tactical framework under Gasperini's direction.

Roma finished third in the Serie A standings and secured Champions League qualification, but their away record reveals a significant weakness. The Giallorossi rank seventh in Serie A for points earned on the road, indicating consistent difficulty when playing away from the Stadio Olimpico. This disparity between home and away performance highlights an area requiring attention as Roma prepare for the new season. The contrast suggests that while Roma have been competitive overall, their struggles in away fixtures have prevented them from challenging for the title.

Roma's announcement of Tony D'Amico as a new staff member continues to be delayed, though an official statement is expected soon. D'Amico remains in Bergamo finalizing the last details with Atalanta. Roma will not be required to pay any release clause to secure the executive, and optimism surrounds the move. Once the official announcement arrives, Roma will request a regulatory waiver to allow D'Amico to begin work immediately, given the workload ahead. D'Amico's first priority will be contract renewals for Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Çelik. The club also aims to complete player departures before the 30 June deadline. Ziolkowski may leave the club, while reports of Inter pursuing Gianluca Mancini have been dismissed. Mancini is keen to remain at Roma and is close to signing a contract extension through 2029. Details remain unclear on the exact timeline for the announcement, though Roma's expectation is that it will arrive within the coming days.

Roma are monitoring Davide Frattesi as a potential midfield target, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini viewing him as a possible replacement should Koné depart. Frattesi, currently at Inter, is expected to leave the club this summer. He came through Roma's youth academy and previously came close to joining the club in 2023 before Inter secured him from Sassuolo. His contract at Inter runs until 2028, though his valuation has decreased in recent years — Inter previously sought €35 million but that asking price is no longer in play. There are currently no direct contacts between Roma and the player. Gasperini reportedly holds Frattesi in high regard and sees him as a suitable option if Roma lose Koné. The French midfielder is considered among the club's potential departures this summer. However, Roma's primary defensive focus remains on contract extensions rather than outgoings, with Gianluca Mancini close to securing a new deal through 2029 with an option until 2030. Mancini is central to Gasperini's plans and has no intention of leaving. No player swap involving Mancini is being considered. Gasperini has requested contract extensions for several key players including Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Celik as the squad is built around his trusted core for the upcoming season. Further developments regarding Frattesi's potential transfer are expected soon.

Tony D'Amico is set to become AS Roma's new sporting director following meetings with Atalanta to finalize his contract termination. An official announcement is expected in the coming days, with D'Amico reportedly agreeing a three-year deal worth 1.5 million euros per season. Today he travels to Bergamo to complete the final details of his departure from Atalanta, where he has worked alongside Gasperini for three years. D'Amico will inherit a substantial workload at Roma, including contract renewals for Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala, and Celik, as well as managing player sales before the June 30 deadline. The director and Gasperini are reuniting after their successful period at Atalanta, during which they won the Europa League in 2024 and reached the Coppa Italia final the same year. Gasperini is also in Bergamo today for a charitable event, though the two are unlikely to meet in person given their schedules. Recent contacts between them have been frequent as they prepare to work together again at Roma.