Radio Voices: Torri asserts Roma are not inferior to Juventus

Aurelio De Laurentiis, president of Napoli, made remarks about Giovanni Malagò's candidacy for the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) presidency ahead of elections scheduled for 22 June. Malagò, the former head of Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI), is a known AS Roma supporter and is considered the frontrunner for the role. De Laurentiis commented at an event at the Circo Massimo, suggesting that Roma's interests would be well served under Malagò's leadership. De Laurentiis stated: "But you know... Roma should feel reassured, because if Malagò were to become president of the Federation, he, as a Roma supporter, would certainly ensure that football brings something more to the centre and south." The remark appears to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek commentary on how Malagò's Roma allegiance might influence his priorities as federation president. De Laurentiis' comment touches on the broader regional dynamics within Italian football and resource allocation between different parts of the country. The FIGC presidency election takes place on 22 June, and Malagò remains the leading candidate for the position. Details remain unclear regarding other candidates or the broader campaign landscape at this stage.

Aldair, the legendary former Roma captain, has discussed the moment he passed the captain's armband to Francesco Totti and offered his perspective on the long-running debate over whether Totti or Roberto Baggio was the greatest Italian footballer. Speaking on DAZN, Aldair reflected on Totti's rise through the ranks and the decision to entrust him with the captaincy during his youth development. Aldair stated: "I saw Totti grow. We trained together in the Primavera, then he moved up, there was discussion about the armband and then it was decided, rightly so. He was developing and could do well at Roma, there was a strong dressing room, giving him the armband seemed interesting to me, he was Roman." The former captain acknowledged Totti's Roma roots as a key factor in the decision, noting that the young player's trajectory suggested he would benefit from the leadership role. On the broader comparison between the two Italian legends, Aldair expressed his view that Baggio was the strongest Italian player during his own era at Roma, though he maintained respect for both figures. The captaincy question has long been part of Roma's history, with Totti eventually becoming synonymous with the position and the club's identity for decades to come.

Rosella Sensi, former Roma president, has commented on the club's managerial situation and Champions League ambitions. She expressed confidence in Gian Piero Gasperini as a "great coach," and stated that as a supporter she feels reassured following Claudio Ranieri's departure. Sensi's backing comes as Roma reshapes its technical staff under new direction. The club continues to pursue Champions League qualification, with the former president's perspective offering insight into the confidence surrounding the current project despite recent transitions.

Several AS Roma players have endured inconsistent seasons and are awaiting clarity on their futures under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club remains without concrete plans for the coming transfer window, while Gasperini seeks to establish his technical direction with the ownership and is waiting for a new sporting director to replace Ricky Massara. The coach is reluctant to part with key squad members who have earned his trust but plans targeted additions—between two and four players, preferably three starters—of high quality only. Four players in particular occupy uncertain positions. Polish central defender Jan Ziolkowski showed promise early but has since disappeared from the pitch, leading Roma to consider a sale that could yield a €20 million profit, with interest reportedly coming from Germany and England. Spanish left-back Angelino had a physically troubled season and remains a candidate for departure. Midfielder Neil El Aynaoui performed well until the Africa Cup of Nations but has struggled since returning from Morocco, making his future unclear despite Roma's significant investment. Striker Artem Dovbyk endured a difficult campaign plagued by fitness issues and is expected to drop to reserve status following Donyell Malen's arrival, prompting another summer exit attempt. Meanwhile, Niccolò Pisilli has emerged as increasingly important and has seen his prospects transform accordingly. Gasperini's preference remains for low volume but high-calibre acquisitions, following frustrations with the previous recruitment strategy.

Roma trained at Trigoria on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Sunday's Serie A match against Parma at the Tardini. Donyell Malen was given personalized training as a planned precaution with no injury concerns, while Lorenzo Pellegrini, Artem Dovbyk, and Zaragoza remained unavailable. Pellegrini hopes to return for selection by Sunday but recovery is progressing slowly, with the derby against Lazio on May 17–18 now a realistic target for his comeback. The main focus remains the search for a new sporting director. With Massara distanced from the role, alternatives including Giuntoli and Paratici appear less likely, while Manna—favored by ownership—remains contracted to Napoli until 2029. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has backed D'Amico, who previously worked at Verona and is currently at Atalanta, where he has earned recognition as an expert in player sales and helped win the Europa League alongside Gasperini. In the transfer market, Juventus is reported to be targeting Niccolò Pisilli and is evaluating a potential swap deal involving Roma defender Evan Ndicka and Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners. The match at Parma will be officiated by Chiffi, the referee Mourinho once criticized. Former player Antonio Cassano has suggested Gasperini should leave Roma, while Cristiano Sensi expressed optimism about the club's Champions League prospects.

AS Roma held an afternoon training session at Trigoria, continuing the pattern from the previous day. Donyell Malen worked on a personalised fitness programme separate from the main group, while Artem Dovbyk and Lorenzo Pellegrini were unavailable for the session. The nature and duration of their absences remain unclear. Regular training activity continues ahead of Roma's upcoming fixtures.

Roma winger Wesley has taken to the kitchen, preparing a traditional Roman carbonara dish that has gained viral attention on social media. The Brazilian player filmed himself cooking spaghetti with parmesan cheese, adding a Brazilian musical backdrop to the lighthearted video. The clip showcases Wesley's personality off the pitch, with some minor culinary mishaps along the way that are forgivable given his primary role as one of Gasperini's most important attacking players this season. Wesley has established himself as a key figure in Roma's attacking setup under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The winger's involvement in both on-field and off-field content reflects his growing prominence within the squad and among the club's fanbase. His willingness to engage in entertaining content has resonated with supporters. The carbonara video represents a moment of levity for the squad, with the dish holding cultural significance as a symbol of Roman culinary tradition. Details remain unclear regarding when the video was recorded or its exact reach across platforms.

AS Roma is in advanced talks to appoint Tony D'Amico as its new sporting director. D'Amico, currently at Atalanta, worked closely with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini from 2022 to 2025, overseeing the club's rise to win the Europa League and reach a Coppa Italia final. Gasperini is reportedly keen to reunite with D'Amico, who has earned a reputation as an expert in maximizing player sales—most notably buying Rasmus Hojlund for €20 million and reselling him for €74 million. D'Amico has also successfully signed players including Mateo Retegui, Ederson, Yoane Wissa, and Adenuga Lookman during his time at Bergamo. D'Amico previously worked at Verona, where he identified talents such as Kumbulla, Rrahmani, Matteo Zaccagni, and Mohamed Amrabat. Though his relationship with Gasperini has occasionally been tense—including a disagreement over the 2024 summer transfer window regarding Wesley, who ultimately joined Roma—the pair are viewed as a winning combination that could stabilize the Giallorossi after recent managerial upheaval. D'Amico remains under contract with Atalanta until 2027, meaning the Friedkin Group will need to negotiate his release with the Bergamo club or consider alternative candidates including Sartori. The appointment would signal Roma's intent to strengthen its transfer strategy and align recruitment with Gasperini's tactical vision.

Roma's defensive solidity has returned as a key strength in their push toward fourth place and Champions League qualification. Following a 5-goal defeat to Inter on Easter Sunday at San Siro, Roma conceded only one goal across four subsequent Serie A matches, winning 3–0 against Pisa, drawing 1–1 with Atalanta, and earning victories of 2–0 at Bologna and 4–0 at home to Fiorentina. The defensive unit has also become a significant attacking threat: in the Roma–Fiorentina match, three of four goals came from defenders—Mancini, Wesley, and Hermoso, with Hermoso also providing an assist for Wesley's goal. Pisilli completed the scoring. Roma's home record is particularly impressive, conceding just ten goals in eighteen matches at Stadio Olimpico, averaging 0.55 per game—the lowest in Serie A. This defensive resilience is crucial as Roma chase Juventus, though they face an unfavourable head-to-head record against the Bianconeri. The upcoming Derby della Capitale against Lazio presents another test, though such matches often produce unpredictable outcomes. The team's recent compactness represents a dramatic turnaround from earlier struggles and mirrors the defensive stability Roma displayed at the start of the season.