Trigoria: Dybala Back in Full Training; Competing with El Shaarawy for Starting Spot at Bologna

AS Roma has a new pre-season fixture confirmed for their summer preparation. French club Cannes will host the Giallorossi on Sunday, 26 July in an official pre-season friendly. Cannes announced the match through their official channels and website, with the fixture serving as an important test for Roma ahead of the new season. The friendly represents part of Roma's broader pre-season schedule as the club prepares for the upcoming campaign. The match will take place at Cannes' facilities and offers Gasperini's squad an opportunity to build match fitness and tactical understanding during the summer break. Such pre-season encounters are typically used to assess squad condition and test new tactical approaches before competitive play resumes. The fixture was officially confirmed by Cannes on 9 June 2026 through their social media and official website.

Roma have confirmed a pre-season friendly against Cannes on 26 July at home. Both clubs are owned by the Friedkin Group. The Giallorossi declined a proposed friendly at Newcastle's St James' Park but will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, a week before Serie A begins. Coach Gasperini's squad is taking shape ahead of the new campaign. In the transfer market, Roma continue to monitor Mason Greenwood's situation. The English forward will leave Marseille, and Fenerbahçe remain interested despite their recent election result. The club's new president, Aziz Yildirim, stated: "If Greenwood will be useful to us, we will take him. We will review the squad construction with our committee and make a decision." The Friedkin Group is also considering extending Roma's financial settlement agreement to manage fair play compliance. Additionally, Roma are following developments around Aseko and Favasuli in the market. Midfielder Robinio Vaz, born in 2007, may leave on loan, with Roma open to discussions. Details on other targets remain unclear at this stage.

AS Roma have declined a proposed summer friendly against Newcastle United at St James' Park, according to reports from England. The Magpies, managed by Eddie Howe, will need to find alternative opponents after receiving the rejection from the Giallorossi. Roma's decision to turn down the match reflects their choice to pursue other pre-season arrangements. Instead, Roma will prepare for the new season with a confirmed friendly against Borussia Dortmund on August 15, just one week before the Serie A campaign begins. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will use the fixture against the German top club to test his squad's readiness ahead of competitive action. The club has also scheduled a second summer friendly against Cannes, another team owned by the Friedkin Group, to be held in Rome. These pre-season arrangements allow Gasperini to assess his players' fitness and tactical preparation during the critical final stages of summer training. The Dortmund match in particular offers Roma a valuable test against elite opposition as they build toward the start of the domestic season.

Roma's incoming sporting director Tony D'Amico will need to reinforce the defence alongside the planned attacking overhaul, with the club facing potential squad gaps depending on Ndicka's future. Although the attack is the primary focus—built around Malen and Dybala with Pellegrini in support—the defence will require significant investment. The backline was Roma's strongest asset under Gasperini's management this season, forming the foundation for Champions League qualification, but numerical reinforcement is essential. With Kumbulla set to return, Ziolkowski departing for game time, and Ndicka's status uncertain due to Financial Fair Play concerns, Roma would be left with only four senior centre-backs (Hermoso, Mancini, Ghilardi, and possibly Ndicka) for a demanding season requiring at least two players per position. That would leave two additional defenders short. Several targets have been identified. Oosterwolde is viewed as a promising profile but carries a price tag of €20–25 million, becoming viable mainly if Ndicka departs. Bologna's Lucumì, available on an expiring contract, is another option at roughly €20 million—far lower than Bologna's initial €28 million demand. Solet represents an ideal profile but costs at least €25 million and Inter are already advanced in negotiations. Muharemovic is ready to leave Sassuolo, though domestic competition is driving up his price. Gasperini has been clear that Roma needs experienced, quality defenders—both a high-level starter and a reliable backup.

Wesley has suffered an adductor muscle injury and will miss international duty. Roma are exploring transfer options, with Paixao under consideration as a potential target. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal negotiations are reportedly in their final stages, with details remaining unclear on the exact timeline and terms. The injury to Wesley represents a blow to the squad's attacking depth during the international break.

Paulo Dybala's contract renewal with AS Roma is in its final stages, with negotiations described as substantially concluded and only formal details remaining before an official announcement. The Argentine forward has expressed his desire to continue at Roma, and the club shares his commitment to building the team around his talent. Both parties see Roma's recent qualification for the Champions League as an additional incentive to proceed together. Gasperini, the newly appointed head coach, is reportedly eager to begin work with certainty that Dybala will be available from the start of pre-season. Dybala is prepared to extend his stay for two additional seasons, a move viewed as significant for the club's present and future ambitions. The player aims to replicate his previous impact—delivering crucial assists and performances that helped restore Roma to European football's elite competition. According to reports from Matteo Moretto, the atmosphere surrounding negotiations remains positive with no obstacles on the horizon. Fans and the coaching staff await only the formal announcement to complete the process. The renewal represents continuity in Roma's midfield leadership at a pivotal moment for the club as it prepares for its Champions League campaign.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his expectations for Roma's upcoming season following the club's return to European football. Gasperini wants to avoid repeating previous mistakes in the transfer market by bringing in players suited to his tactical system. The coach is demanding at least 16 fit outfield players to compete across Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, recognising that European football demands significant physical and mental resources. Several players have already departed or are expected to leave during the transfer window, including Ferguson, Tsimikas, El Shaarawy, Venturino, and Zaragoza, with Baldanzi and Ziolkowski also on their way out. To maintain squad depth and protect key performers from injury during a gruelling season, Gasperini has identified specific targets: a number 10 or attacking midfielder, a deputy to Gianluca Mancini, a striker, and both right and left-sided defenders. Names under consideration include Vlasic and Greenwood, though negotiations remain in early stages. The arrival of D'Amico as sporting director is pending official confirmation, after which the club is expected to accelerate its recruitment strategy. Gasperini's priority is ensuring the squad composition aligns with his playing philosophy, having identified this as the key lesson from the previous season's recruitment process.

Flavio Cobolli, a former AS Roma youth player turned professional tennis player, is competing in his first Grand Slam final at the French Open on June 7, facing Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros. Several Roma players and personalities have sent video messages of encouragement ahead of the match. El Shaarawy, currently on his honeymoon, told Cobolli: "Hi Flavio, I wanted to greet you and congratulate you for everything you're doing and where you've reached. I'm wishing you the very best for the final, I promise: we're all rooting for you, you're our pride." Radja Nainggolan added: "Flavietto, I'm wishing you the very best. You deserve it because you've played incredibly. I'm rooting for you: first because you're Roma, second because you're from Rome, third because we know each other personally and you're someone who works hard. I know you'll make it, big hug." Niccolò Pisilli, currently with the Italian national team, also sent his wishes: "Hi Fla', I wanted to wish you the very best for the final. We're all very proud of your journey. All the best." Other notable figures including actors, musicians, and athletes including Danilo Gallinari sent video messages of support for Cobolli's historic moment.

Roma announced Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach on 6 June 2025, marking the start of his first season in charge. The club achieved Champions League qualification, with El Shaarawy among the goal scorers during the campaign. Gasperini's appointment came following the departure of Claudio Ranieri, who had managed the club in the 2024–25 season. The 'condottiero' (commander) has guided Roma towards European football's elite competition in his inaugural year, fulfilling a key objective for the Friedkin Group ownership.

Donyell Malen squandered a straightforward goal-scoring opportunity in a Netherlands warm-up match against Uzbekistan, which the Dutch won 2–0 through two penalties converted by Gakpo. Malen, a current AS Roma player, failed to capitalize on the chance in the penalty area—an uncharacteristic error for him. This marked his second blank outing in the pre-World Cup friendlies, having also failed to score in an earlier test against Algeria, which ended in defeat. Netherlands coach Koeman addressed the finishing concerns in his post-match press conference, acknowledging the squad's broader issue with converting opportunities. The coach noted that in both recent friendlies, the team had scored only from penalties, adding pressure to performers in open play. Koeman stated: "In these two matches we've scored two goals from penalties. We create the chances, but if we don't score these matches we risk drawing them. Summerville and Malen missed two goals." The Netherlands opens its World Cup campaign on 14 June against Japan, followed by matches against Sweden and Tunisia. Malen's involvement in those fixtures will be closely watched given his recent form in front of goal during the preparatory phase.

Donyell Malen featured as a starter for the Netherlands in a friendly match against Uzbekistan, which ended in a 2–1 victory for the Dutch. Malen played for 65 minutes before being substituted by Brobbey. The Netherlands, managed by Koeman, secured the win through two penalties converted by Gakpo, with the second coming at the end of regular time. Uzbekistan, captained by Shomurodov, provided the opposition in what served as a final warm-up fixture ahead of the upcoming tournament. For the Roma attacker, this friendly represents preparation before a significant group-stage encounter scheduled for June 14 against Japan, with kickoff at 22:00. Malen shared the attacking line with Summerville, who also started in the Dutch attacking triad. The match allowed both players to develop their understanding and rhythm as the international competition draws near. Malen will now return to focus on Roma's preparations after completing this national team commitment. His involvement in the friendly confirms his fitness and readiness for the competitive fixtures ahead.

Roma's incoming sporting director Tony D'Amico will need to reinforce the defence alongside the planned attacking overhaul, with the club facing potential squad gaps depending on Ndicka's future. Although the attack is the primary focus—built around Malen and Dybala with Pellegrini in support—the defence will require significant investment. The backline was Roma's strongest asset under Gasperini's management this season, forming the foundation for Champions League qualification, but numerical reinforcement is essential. With Kumbulla set to return, Ziolkowski departing for game time, and Ndicka's status uncertain due to Financial Fair Play concerns, Roma would be left with only four senior centre-backs (Hermoso, Mancini, Ghilardi, and possibly Ndicka) for a demanding season requiring at least two players per position. That would leave two additional defenders short. Several targets have been identified. Oosterwolde is viewed as a promising profile but carries a price tag of €20–25 million, becoming viable mainly if Ndicka departs. Bologna's Lucumì, available on an expiring contract, is another option at roughly €20 million—far lower than Bologna's initial €28 million demand. Solet represents an ideal profile but costs at least €25 million and Inter are already advanced in negotiations. Muharemovic is ready to leave Sassuolo, though domestic competition is driving up his price. Gasperini has been clear that Roma needs experienced, quality defenders—both a high-level starter and a reliable backup.