Pisilli on Growth Under Gasperini: 'I Want to Become the Player He Wants'

Younés El Aynaoui, a former Moroccan tennis player and father of Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, has given an interview to FIFA's official channels discussing his son's football career and mentality. Younés revealed that Neil initially showed more interest in tennis while the family lived in Barcelona, but discovered his true passion for football between ages 10 and 11, inspired by Barcelona's culture. His mother, who has close ties to AS Nancy, encouraged the switch. Younés noticed his son's potential when he began training at CREPS Nancy, displaying superior physical abilities and unwavering commitment. Younés described his contribution to Neil's development as an athlete, emphasizing discipline in diet, sleep, and injury prevention—habits learned from his own tennis background. He stressed that the family ensured football remained Neil's personal project rather than a parental dream. Walid Regragui, Morocco's coach, reportedly praised Neil's professionalism and work ethic, drawing a comparison between father and son. Younés said: "Logically, one should not change anything about one's daily routine. You shouldn't delude yourself into thinking you can do something sensational, because trying to do everything perfectly can generate tension. For Neil, the World Cup is there every day, every time he trains." Younés highlighted that Neil, though appearing shy and gentle, possesses a strong character and extraordinary football knowledge. He trains at the highest level regardless of tournament context, maintaining focus and avoiding overwork in the lead-up to major competitions.

Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui featured in Morocco's 1-1 draw against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium in the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first Roma player to debut in the tournament. He was satisfied with his team's performance despite the challenging match. "For the content of the game, I think we played the match we wanted to play. We are satisfied with the performance and now we are focused on Scotland," he said in the post-match zone. El Aynaoui spoke positively about his midfield partnership with Ayoub El Kaabi, noting their understanding both on and off the pitch. The midfielder addressed his future at Roma directly, confirming his commitment to the club ahead of the new season. "I am doing well at Roma, very well. Will I stay? Yes, of course," he stated. Looking ahead, El Aynaoui and Morocco are now preparing for their next World Cup fixture against Scotland, shifting focus from their opening match against Brazil. He expressed confidence in the squad's ability to compete at the highest level: "We know we can play matches of this level. We are convinced that this squad has the qualities to do great things in the tournament."

Manu Koné, Roma's midfielder, addressed his immediate future while on France national team duty ahead of the nation's World Cup 2026 opener against Senegal on Tuesday. When asked about reported interest from Inter, Koné stated: "Sincerely at this moment I think only about the World Cup. It's my first big international competition, a tournament I've always dreamed of playing in. I want to stay focused exclusively on this. We'll talk about the future after the World Cup and we'll see what happens." Koné's final months at Roma were disrupted by two hamstring injuries that affected his season. Despite these setbacks, he expressed confidence in his recovery and his ability to contribute for France. He emphasized his readiness to serve the team when called upon, noting that he featured regularly during qualifying. The midfielder reflected on his journey with pride, recalling watching France's 2022 final campaign from Germany while playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach at that time. Regarding the Senegal match, Koné stressed France's preparation and intentions: "We've prepared well. We've played two friendlies that will be useful to us in the future. We're adapting to the heat and I hope we'll be ready against Senegal to start well in the competition. It's the first match and we must win it to get off on the right foot."

Niccolò Pisilli, a midfielder currently at AS Roma, has emerged as a transfer target for Inter. The Roma academy graduate has attracted attention from the Serie A champions as they look to strengthen their midfield options. Pisilli remains a key part of Roma's squad and any move would depend on the club's willingness to sell. The 22-year-old has developed through Roma's youth system and represents one of the Giallorossi's homegrown talents. Inter's interest underscores the midfielder's growing reputation in Italian football.

Niccolò Pisilli has become the latest AS Roma player to attract interest from Inter Milan during the current transfer window. The 20-year-old midfielder is reportedly being considered by the Nerazzurri as a potential alternative should their pursuit of Liverpool's Jones falter. According to reports, Pisilli would serve as a backup option to fill the midfield void left by Frattesi's expected departure from Inter. Pisilli represents the fifth Roma player linked with Inter in recent weeks, following Svilar, Mancini, Ndicka, and Koné. The academy product enjoyed a strong second half of the 2024–25 season and has repeatedly expressed his commitment to Roma. Despite Inter's apparent interest, a transfer appears unlikely given his recent performances and consistent declarations of affection for the club. Roma would face significant reluctance in parting with a young prospect who has developed into a key squad member. Details remain unclear regarding the concrete nature of Inter's approach or any formal bid. Gasperini's arrival as Roma's new head coach may also influence the midfielder's future at the club.

Niccolò Pisilli has given an interview to Idealista in collaboration with AS Roma, discussing his ambitions with the club. The midfielder expressed his desire to achieve increasingly ambitious objectives while wearing the Giallorossi shirt. Pisilli remains a key part of Roma's midfield plans under the club's current sporting structure. His commitment to the project reflects the squad's forward-looking mentality as the club continues building for sustained success in Serie A and European competitions.