Three Roma Players Named Among Serie A's Most Expensive Per Minute Played

Roma have regained momentum, positive results, and confidence under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club's pursuit of a Champions League place remains challenging, but the squad is moving in the right direction. Key factors in their push include the return of injured players to full fitness, defensive stability, and the contributions of Donyell Malen. While the path to qualification is complicated, Roma's recent form suggests the target is achievable if these elements remain consistent through the remainder of the season.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has emerged from an internal confrontation and now demands immediate answers from AS Roma's ownership. The coach is requesting clarity on several key matters, signaling unresolved tensions between the technical staff and the Friedkin Group's leadership. Gasperini's demands suggest friction over strategic direction, transfer planning, or squad composition. The coach's public call for transparency indicates frustration with the decision-making process at the club. Details regarding the specific issues Gasperini has raised remain unclear from the available information.

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.

Donyell Malen will spearhead Roma's attack in Sunday's match at Parma after completing full training with the squad, following a scheduled personal session the previous day. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Zaragoza have worked separately and are expected to miss the fixture. Roma's medical staff faces a busy week as the club pursues three crucial matches in hopes that rivals slip up. Off the pitch, Roma is actively pursuing a new sporting director to replace Massara. Giovanni Manna, currently at Napoli, is the frontrunner for the role, alongside targets Tony D'Amico and Daniele Pradè, who remains without a club following his departure from Fiorentina. Piero Ausilio of Inter rejected an approach. Manna's former president at Lugano, Renzetti, suggested the director is flattered by Roma's interest and receives regular contact from coach Gasperini, though he believes Manna will remain at Napoli if given a salary increase: "He is flattered and Gasp phones him every other day. But I don't think he wants to leave Napoli—with an increase he would stay there." In transfer activity, Roma has reopened interest in Gianluca Scamacca and is exploring a potential swap involving forward Dovbyk and Fiorentina's Piccoli. Wing targets include Bernabei and Culbreath.

Roma continue preparations at Trigoria ahead of their Serie A matchday 36 fixture against Parma. Donyell Malen has returned to group training after a recent absence. Updates on the availability of other squad members, including Lorenzo Pellegrini and details regarding Zaragoza, remain part of the team's assessment as they build toward the upcoming match.

Donyell Malen returned to full group training at Trigoria on Wednesday as Roma prepared for Sunday's match against Parma. The forward had completed personalized recovery work the previous day as part of his planned rehabilitation schedule and trained with the squad this morning. Malen is set to lead Roma's attack in the fixture, aiming for the breakthrough that eluded him twice against Fiorentina when the crossbar denied him. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Zaragoza remain unavailable, having undertaken separate work away from the main group. With three days remaining before Sunday's encounter, both players are unlikely to recover in time for the Parma fixture. Roma's priority is to have Pellegrini fit for the Derby della Capitale against Lazio the following week, followed by the final away match of the season at Verona. Details remain unclear regarding the specific nature of the injuries affecting Pellegrini and Zaragoza.

Gemitaiz, a rapper and AS Roma supporter, appeared on a Gazzetta dello Sport podcast where he expressed criticism of Paulo Dybala's performances, calling him "fracico" (worn out), and suggested the player should leave the club. Gemitaiz advocated for giving head coach Gian Piero Gasperini time to implement his vision at Roma. The comments reflect some fan frustration with the team's current situation as Gasperini begins his tenure at the Giallorossi.

Italian rapper and Roma fan Gemitaiz discussed the club's recent developments in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport podcast, touching on the departures of Ranieri and Gasperini, as well as the future of Paulo Dybala. Gemitaiz, who attended Roma's match against Fiorentina, expressed his frustration with Dybala's situation at the club. Speaking about the Argentine forward, he said: "Dybala is fracico [a Roman dialect term for unreliable/injury-prone], as we say in Rome, but it is a pleasure to see him play. I hope he leaves; he takes too much money and never plays." On Ranieri's recent exit from the club, Gemitaiz expressed sympathy for the former manager while backing the decision to move forward with Gasperini. He stated: "I'm sorry, he's a symbol of Roma. He wanted to retire for years; I don't think sacking Gasperini was the solution. No Roma fan isn't on Ranieri's side; I'm grateful to him, but if things aren't working... He's said many times he wanted to stop; it's more natural and spontaneous for him to leave. Gasperini is a great coach; we've been making the same points for a long time, let's give him a chance to start the project." Gemitaiz also spoke fondly of Francesco Totti, expressing his childhood admiration for the club's legendary number 10 and his desire to thank him if they met.

Manuela Giugliano, Roma's number 10 and star of the women's team, has spoken about her commitment to the club following the Giallorosse's third Serie A title. The midfielder, who recently won the Scudetto, confirmed she is committed to Roma long-term, saying: "There are many aspects to consider, but personally I say yes" to remaining at the club for life. Giugliano revealed that Paulo Dybala sent her a message before the title-deciding match, writing: "Enjoy this moment." Giugliano is the first player to wear Roma's number 10 since Francesco Totti. She scored on the day the Scudetto was won, matching a milestone from the club legend, and celebrates in his signature style—the Dybala mask—with permission from Dybala himself. Beyond domestic success, Giugliano has set her sights on winning the Coppa Italia and seeking revenge against Juventus. She is also engaged to her partner Veronica and plans to marry soon. On broader Italian football matters, Giugliano welcomed the potential appointment of Sara Gama to a vice-presidency role at the Italian Football Federation, describing her as "the top of the top." Giugliano's personal ambitions include winning the Champions League with Roma and a trophy with the Italian national team.

Roma are actively targeting forwards Scamacca and Piccoli in the transfer market, with a possible swap deal involving Dovbyk reportedly under consideration. The club is also hunting for a new sporting director, with Ausilio among those scouted for the position. Details of specific negotiations remain unclear, but the moves suggest Roma's intent to reshape their attacking options and management structure in the coming transfer window.

Donyell Malen will spearhead Roma's attack in Sunday's match at Parma after completing full training with the squad, following a scheduled personal session the previous day. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Zaragoza have worked separately and are expected to miss the fixture. Roma's medical staff faces a busy week as the club pursues three crucial matches in hopes that rivals slip up. Off the pitch, Roma is actively pursuing a new sporting director to replace Massara. Giovanni Manna, currently at Napoli, is the frontrunner for the role, alongside targets Tony D'Amico and Daniele Pradè, who remains without a club following his departure from Fiorentina. Piero Ausilio of Inter rejected an approach. Manna's former president at Lugano, Renzetti, suggested the director is flattered by Roma's interest and receives regular contact from coach Gasperini, though he believes Manna will remain at Napoli if given a salary increase: "He is flattered and Gasp phones him every other day. But I don't think he wants to leave Napoli—with an increase he would stay there." In transfer activity, Roma has reopened interest in Gianluca Scamacca and is exploring a potential swap involving forward Dovbyk and Fiorentina's Piccoli. Wing targets include Bernabei and Culbreath.

Roma are reportedly reviving their interest in Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca as the club looks to strengthen its attack ahead of the summer transfer window. The 1999-born forward, who has a contract with Atalanta until June 2027, remains on the Giallorossi's radar and could reunite with manager Gasperini in his native Rome. Scamacca may be available to leave the Bergamo club, though Atalanta are unlikely to negotiate below €30 million. The potential signing hinges on several factors. Should current striker Dovbyk depart, Roma would intensify their push for Scamacca, who could serve as Donyell Malen's backup in the forward line. However, Scamacca's wage demands present an obstacle—he currently earns €3.2 million net per season, a significant commitment for the club's budget. The willingness of both Atalanta's management and sporting director Palladino to sanction a sale will also prove decisive in any potential transfer. With the summer window approaching, Roma face important decisions across their attacking department. Scamacca has been a long-standing target and continues to feature prominently among the club's transfer priorities.