Roma vs Fiorentina: Koné returns, Dybala set for bench role

Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, has marked the 25th anniversary of AS Roma's third Serie A title, won on 17 June 2001. Speaking to AdnKronos, Conte expressed optimism about Roma's prospects under current management, saying: "Today we celebrate 25 years from that wonderful date. An explosion of joy, a great party that lasted so long. I urge us not to wait another 25 years but we are on the right path, I have great confidence in Gasperini and in the current ownership." Roma's 2001 championship remains their most recent Scudetto. The title was secured with a 3–1 victory against Parma at the Olimpico, with goals from Totti, Batistuta, and Montella. The club has endured a quarter-century without a league title since then, a period that has tested the patience of supporters across Rome. Head coach Gasperini has made qualification for the Champions League a priority this season—a target already achieved—with the ultimate ambition of returning Roma to the summit of Italian football. Conte's remarks underscore the weight of expectation surrounding the current project, as fans and club figures alike hope the combination of Gasperini's management and the Friedkin Group's ownership can finally end the extended championship drought.

A retrospective piece examines AS Roma's 2000–01 campaign, highlighting the club's strong statistical output that season. Roma accumulated 75 points from 22 victories, 9 draws, and 3 defeats, scoring 68 goals while conceding 33. This was the season Roma claimed their third Serie A title in 1942, 1983, and 2001.

Roma's 2026–27 Serie A calendar has been released, featuring major fixtures including derbies against Lazio, Champions League clashes, and confrontations with the league's top sides. The club will face a demanding schedule as it pursues consistency across the season. Details of specific match dates and opponents remain unclear from the available information.

Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are set to sign contract renewals extending through 2030, cementing their status as long-term cornerstones of AS Roma under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Both players were instrumental in Roma's UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in 2022 and have contributed to the club's recent return to Champions League qualification after a seven-year absence. The renewals formalize what had been under negotiation since earlier in the year and represent a significant commitment from the Friedkin Group ownership. The deals come after Tony D'Amico, Roma's sporting director, resumed negotiations that had stalled under the previous sports management structure. Mancini's improved offer reflects his strong end-of-season performance and interest from Inter, with his salary set at approximately 3.5 million euros plus performance bonuses that could reach 4 million euros. Cristante's agreement follows a similar structure, with a slightly lower base salary but also including bonus clauses. Gasperini reportedly pressed the Friedkin Group to prioritize retaining both players, underscoring their importance to his tactical plans. Both Mancini and Cristante joined Roma in 2019 and have become key figures in the squad alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini, forming part of the group that helped restore the club to European prominence after years of inconsistency.

AS Roma is preparing lifetime contract extensions for defenders Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante as the club looks to build stability around its core players. The renewals signal the club's intent to retain two key squad members as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini begins his tenure and waits for reinforcements in the January transfer window. Roma is anchoring its project on established performers while the market activity intensifies.

Tony D'Amico has been officially confirmed as AS Roma's new sporting director from the 2026–27 season. The Abruzzo-born executive previously worked with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta. D'Amico will assume full powers on 1 July 2026, though he can work behind the scenes before that date. Until then, interim sporting director Maurizio Lombardo will hold signing authority, as Roma was unable to request a special dispensation from the Italian league due to the timing of D'Amico's arrival from Atalanta. D'Amico inherits a substantial workload. Priority contract renewals include Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Celik, with extensions for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante also on the agenda. Roma must also meet commitments under its UEFA Settlement Agreement and resolve financial fair play requirements around gains on player sales by 30 June. The transfer market remains active, with names including Greenwood, Summerville, and Pulisic linked as possible signings. The club is also addressing its full-back options. Until 1 July, D'Amico cannot formally sign documents or submit written offers for either renewals or new signings—authority falls to chief financial officer Morrow. This represents only a minor delay despite an already crowded agenda ahead of the new season.

Niccolò Pisilli has firmly rejected the possibility of leaving AS Roma, despite ongoing transfer speculation. The 61-shirted midfielder formalized a contract renewal in February 2025 and has no intention of departing the capital. Though his academy pedigree makes him an attractive financial asset in light of UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations, Pisilli has made a deliberate choice to remain at the club after receiving regular playing time under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in the second half of last season. The coming season, which begins with pre-season training at Trigoria on 13 July, represents a critical moment for Pisilli's development at Roma. The midfielder aims to achieve definitive breakthrough status while continuing his progression in the giallorossi shirt. His commitment reflects broader Roma strategy, as the club balances commercial opportunities from youth-developed talent with retention of promising homegrown players. Pisilli is currently on holiday in the United States following matches for Italy against Luxembourg and Greece.

Niccolò Pisilli remains at the centre of Roma's midfield plans despite growing transfer interest from Serie A side Como and English club Nottingham Forest. The 20-year-old midfielder has earned Gian Piero Gasperini's trust after a slow start to the season, eventually becoming a regular fixture in midfield and playing in multiple roles. Both Como and Nottingham Forest have made enquiries about his availability, with Como reportedly needing Italian players for their UEFA squad list. However, Roma have no intention of selling, viewing Pisilli as a cornerstone of the team for the coming season. Pisilli's status contrasts sharply with Matías Soulé, who could depart to preserve Roma's ability to retain other targets. The midfielder has expressed enthusiasm for competing in the Champions League under Gasperini, stating: "A great emotion to go to the Champions League. I have always followed Gasperini." After narrowly avoiding a departure last January, Pisilli has now firmly established himself as one of the club's most important young talents, with the coach confident in his role within Roma's future plans.

Niccolò Pisilli was among the standout performers as Italy defeated Greece in a friendly match under coach Baldini. The AS Roma midfielder featured prominently across two recent friendlies for the Azzurri, following an assist he provided in a previous match against Luxembourg. Pisilli completed 90 minutes in the Greece fixture, earning praise for his display. Pisilli's performances have highlighted his growing importance to the Italian national team setup. His contributions across the two friendlies—including the creative assist in Luxembourg—suggest he is becoming a key option in midfield for the Azzurri. The Roma youngster's ability to perform at international level adds to the squad depth available to Baldini as Italy prepares for upcoming commitments. Pisilli described his approach with the words "heart and pride," reflecting his mentality during the matches. His extended involvement in consecutive friendlies indicates he has secured a prominent role in Baldini's plans moving forward.

Roma's sporting director D'Amico is pushing to complete several outgoings as the club reshapes its squad. A well-advanced negotiation is underway between left-back Angeliño and Spanish club Real Betis. Betis has also made enquiries about striker Artem Dovbyk, though that deal faces obstacles due to Roma's high asking price for the Ukrainian forward. Beyond Angeliño, Roma is exploring the departure of midfielder Matías Soulé, who has attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund, and several fringe players. Dovbyk remains a priority for exit, and D'Amico aims to use funds from these sales to bring in a new back-up forward to support Donyell Malen under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club is also considering loan moves for other squad members within Serie A. According to journalist Gianluigi Longari of SportItalia, there has been recent and substantive contact with Betis over Angeliño, signalling the talks have progressed well. However, the structure of future business depends on clearing the existing squad first.

Donyell Malen has opened up about his life away from football, revealing a passion for luxury automobiles. The AS Roma attacker appeared on DAY1, a Dutch YouTube channel focused on motors and lifestyle, where he showcased his collection of vehicles including Porsches and Ferraris. He also discussed an old BMW he has owned for four or five years but driven only once. During the episode, Malen touched on his musical preferences, explaining that he refrains from adding songs to the national team's dressing-room playlist. He cited his taste for romantic music, specifically "Never nooit meer" by Gordon, which he acknowledged would be out of place before a World Cup match. The attacker also revealed he recently experienced a car accident, admitting when pressed: "Well, it's partly my fault." Malen was candid about losing one vehicle within three weeks of acquiring it due to the incident. The conversation highlighted Malen's personality beyond his role as a Roma forward, offering fans insight into how the player balances his professional commitments with personal interests during international duty.

Paolo Marcacci has issued his weekly ratings for notable performers across Italian football, highlighting an emerging talent in Bouaddi and praising the performance of Donyell Malen. The ratings cover a range of players and matches from the week's action. Malen, AS Roma's Dutch winger, featured prominently in the assessment following a positive showing. The piece provides critical evaluation of form and contribution across the broader Italian football landscape during the period.