Roman Radio Figures Assess Roma's Season and Ownership

Matteo Guendouzi, the former Lazio midfielder now at Fenerbahce, was caught on camera being told to be quiet by a young child wearing a Galatasaray shirt before a derby match in Istanbul two days ago. The child repeatedly gestured for Guendouzi to stay silent with a smirk, and the moment went viral on social media, particularly among Roma fans. The incident drew comparisons to Paulo Dybala's iconic derby provocations against Lazio, including the famous shin-guard celebration from two years ago and a January 2025 exchange in which Dybala repeatedly mocked Guendouzi while reminding him of his lack of trophies with Lazio. Guendouzi's day in Istanbul ended poorly: Fenerbahce lost the derby 0–3, continuing his poor record in high-stakes matches. He also lost his composure after the final whistle, becoming involved in a brawl and later stating: "I don't want to talk about the referee, he killed the match." The incident reportedly led to the dismissal of Fenerbahce manager Domenico Tedesco. The viral video highlighted Guendouzi's reputation for losing his temper in competitive fixtures, a trait that has made him a frequent target for opponents' psychological tactics.

Carlo Verdone, a prominent Roman actor, commented on AS Roma's recent managerial changes at an event in Rome. Verdone expressed disappointment at the departure of Claudio Ranieri, the former manager who left the club recently. He also stated hopes that Roma can avoid qualifying for the Conference League, suggesting preference for higher European competition or domestic focus. Details of his full remarks remain unclear from the available information.

Director and Roma fan Carlo Verdone has commented on the recent tensions at the club, expressing sympathy for the departing figure while voicing support for the current coach. Speaking at a film presentation in Rome, Verdone acknowledged the difficult situation that has dominated discussion at the club in recent weeks. He stated: "I was sorry. I know him, he is a very decent person, very reliable, serious. But I don't know what elements triggered this fire." Verdone also noted: "I am a friend of Ranieri, I respect Gasperini, so I don't take sides. Then I have to tell the truth, I didn't understand what happened between the two and what the real elements of disagreement are." The comments come amid the recent departure of a senior advisor role at Roma following reported conflict with the coaching setup. Verdone, a lifelong Roma supporter, refrained from taking a definitive stance on the internal club matters, citing his personal relationships with those involved. Regarding Roma's season outlook, he expressed hope for a strong finish: "The end of the season? Let's hope for the best and to qualify for a cup, especially that it's not the Conference League, for goodness' sake." His remarks reflect broader concern among Roma fans about the club's direction and European ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.

Roma secured a decisive 2-0 away victory at Bologna, with the goals coming in the first half. Donyell Malen delivered an outstanding performance, scoring one goal and providing an assist. Wesley, returning from injury, proved crucial to the result, while El Aynaoui also contributed a goal and an assist—marking his first Serie A goal. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar made important saves when called upon, and the defensive trio performed solidly throughout. The win keeps Roma's Champions League ambitions alive as Juventus faced AC Milan the same evening. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini received praise from multiple newspapers for his tactical setup and team management. Midfielder Niccolò Pisilli impressed with a solid display, while the midfield and defensive structure remained compact and disciplined. The ratings across major Italian publications were relatively consistent, with Malen earning scores between 7.5 and 8, and El Aynaoui consistently rated 7.5. Wesley and Svilar also drew positive marks across the board. Gasperini himself was rated 7 to 7.5 by the publications surveyed.

AS Roma defeated Bologna 2–0 away at the Dall'Ara stadium in a dominant performance that keeps the club in pursuit of a Champions League place. Donyell Malen scored in the 7th minute from a pass by El Aynaoui, and El Aynaoui himself added a second goal in the 47th minute from a Malen cross. Malen has now reached 10 goals in 13 appearances since his January arrival. Paulo Dybala also made a return to the pitch in the final stages after three months absent. The victory extends Gian Piero Gasperini's positive run since taking charge. Roma's display was described as solid and rapid, with Mile Svilar making one notable save. Bologna, by contrast, suffered their eleventh home defeat of the season and were booed by their own supporters for the first time in many years. The win suggests the squad has not been destabilized by recent turmoil, including the departure of former manager Claudio Ranieri following a public disagreement, and the anticipated exit of the sporting director. Gasperini stated: "Who has responsibility must be satisfied," reflecting confidence in the team's trajectory. Roma created multiple clear-cut chances throughout the match, while Bologna rarely troubled the visitors' defence after the opening half. The Giallorossi maintained control through to the 92nd minute, with Orsolini's strike hitting the crossbar being Bologna's closest approach in the second half.

A goal by Edmundsson was disallowed in the final minute of stoppage time during Hellas Verona's match against Lecce on April 25. Referee Massa initially validated the strike but overturned the decision after an on-field review, citing a foul on goalkeeper Falcone. Edmundsson had made contact with Falcone's arm while attempting to block the ball, prompting the VAR check. The disallowed goal has drawn comparisons to a controversial decision from January 3, when Atalanta defeated Roma 1–0 with a goal by Scalvini at the New Balance Arena. Scalvini's goal generated significant debate because the defender appeared to place both hands on Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar's face while being obstructed by Rensch, before scoring. Despite a lengthy VAR review, the goal was awarded, sparking criticism from football experts. Luca Marelli, an arbitral expert at DAZN, stated: "Scalvini has both hands on Svilar's face and the goal should have been disallowed. The hands are on the goalkeeper's face before he strikes the ball." The contrast between these two decisions—one disallowed for contact with the goalkeeper, the other awarded despite similar circumstances—has fuelled debate about consistency in refereeing standards. Andrea De Marco, former referee and institutional relations officer for Serie A and Serie B, defended the Scalvini decision after reviewing the evidence. He explained that officials determined Scalvini struck the ball before contacting Svilar, and that the subsequent contact resulted from the goalkeeper's reaction to being unbalanced.