Roma prepares for derby with Malen and Dybala leading attack as Gasperini finalizes lineup

Ivan Juric has been confirmed as Monza's new head coach from 1 July 2026, following the club's promotion to Serie A via the play-offs. The Croatian tactician arrives after stints with Atalanta, Southampton, and Roma, where his tenures were described as disappointing. Monza will visit the Olimpico to face Roma on the weekend of 28–29 November in Serie A matchday 13, marking Juric's return to the stadium. Juric's appointment carries direct significance for Roma, as he previously managed the Giallorossi. His track record includes spells at Genoa, Hellas Verona, and Torino before joining Roma. At Atalanta, he made his Champions League debut with the club, appearing in four matches before his dismissal in November 2025. The timing of his move to Monza ensures an early encounter between his new side and his former employer in the league campaign. Born in Split on 25 August 1975, Juric began his managerial career in Serie C with Mantova in 2014–15, then achieved promotion to Serie A with Crotone in his first Serie B season. He is described as a coach of significant charisma and experience, capable of bringing intensity and an aggressive, enterprising style of play to his teams.

Serie A has announced the fixture list for the first five rounds of the 2026–27 season, with Roma set to begin their campaign on a Monday. The article reviews Roma's previous Monday season openers, examining a mix of victories, defeats, and notable incidents including a 3–0 walkover decision. Monday starts carry varied historical significance for the Giallorossi across their recent Serie A campaigns. The fixture scheduling marks the beginning of Roma's push under their new management structure heading into the new season.

Inter have been forced to reassess their transfer strategy after failing to land Marco Palestra, who was their sole focus as a replacement for Denzel Dumfries. The Nerazzurri are now revisiting previously considered options to address the position. Among their alternatives are Dan Ndoye, who impressed during his time at Bologna, and Andrea Cambiaso from Juventus, who could become available for €35–40 million. Dodo is also back on Inter's radar due to his expiring contract, though Roma and Napoli are monitoring the situation. Inter have expressed strong interest in Wesley, currently at Roma, though he is considered a core player for the Giallorossi and unlikely to depart. Brooke Norton-Cuffy was previously identified as a backup option when Dumfries appeared headed to Liverpool in January. The criticism centres on Inter's transfer strategy: concentrating entirely on one target has left them vulnerable. Among the available options, Ndoye is regarded as the most talented but also likely the most expensive. Cambiaso could offer a fresh start but has limited experience on the right flank. Dodo represents a safer, though lower-ceiling, alternative. The prevailing view suggests Inter should have acted more decisively earlier in the window.

French midfielder Adrien Rabiot has spoken positively about his Roma teammate Manu Koné during France's World Cup campaign. Rabiot highlighted the differences between Koné and fellow midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni, noting that while Tchouameni operates deeper to build play from defence, Koné excels in dribbling and creating passing opportunities to break defensive lines. Rabiot stated: "The difference between Tchouameni and Koné? They are rather different players. Aurélien drops back and builds play between the centre-backs. Manu, instead, perhaps has greater propensity for dribbling and searching for passes to unlock opposition lines. You have to adapt, but they are two excellent players with whom it is easy to play." Koné has emerged as one of Roma's key players competing at the tournament alongside Donyell Malen. The midfielder featured in matches against Iraq and Norway after missing the opening game, accumulating 180 minutes and establishing himself as a regular starter under France manager Deschamps. Rabiot confirmed that both players have developed good understanding in midfield, including when they played together during France's encounter with Norway. The positive assessment underscores Koné's importance to Roma's plans as the club looks forward to the coming season.

Four AS Roma players advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the conclusion of group play. The Roma contingent will all see action on Tuesday as the Round of 16 begins. Donyell Malen features for the Netherlands against Morocco in a direct matchup with Roma teammate El Aynaoui, who represents Morocco. Later that day, Evan Ndicka will make his tournament debut with Ivory Coast against Norway at 7 p.m., while Aurélien Koné plays for France against Sweden at 11 p.m. Koné has impressed during the group stage with two strong full-match performances and has drawn praise from football legend Patrick Vieira. These four players represent a significant Roma presence in the tournament's latter stages. The club also has Salah-Eddine, who recently completed loan spells at PSV and is expected to leave Roma soon. Meanwhile, Roma defender Zeki Çelik was eliminated when his Turkey side failed to advance from their group. The Round of 16 continues through the week, with Brazil and Germany competing on Monday before Roma's players take centre stage on Tuesday. The Round of 16 concludes ahead of the Round of 8, scheduled to begin on 4 July.

The Friedkin Group has signaled it will not rush into bargain sales of key Roma players before the June 30 deadline tied to the club's UEFA settlement agreement. The ownership is willing to risk potential sanctions to build a strong squad for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Matías Soulé, widely expected to depart, has shown little enthusiasm for Saudi Arabian offers and has received a surprise inquiry from Juventus. Midfielder Édouard Mendy's preference for the Premier League has cooled with Arsenal and Chelsea shifting focus elsewhere, leaving only Atlético Madrid's offer on the table—one Mendy is reluctant to accept. Defender Evan Ndicka remains a target for Inter but is considered untouchable by Gasperini, alongside Mile Svilar, Wesley, Niccolò Pisilli, and Donyell Malen. The Friedkin family has reaffirmed its resolve: no distressed sales. Roma believes it can address UEFA's requirements through other means, including recent player sales, wage restructuring from Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini renewals, foreign broadcast rights (€20 million), compensation from Nicolò Bove (€10 million), and ongoing disputes with Basel over the Riccardo Calafiori resale (€6 million). The club expects to face a financial penalty rather than more severe sanctions, given its track record of compliance over three years of UEFA monitoring. Roma's aim is to avoid becoming a feeder club and instead retain a competitive nucleus capable of competing across three fronts.

Roma news roundup covering multiple developments. Paulo Dybala is reportedly making a sacrifice for the club, though specific details remain unclear. In the transfer market, Roma has shown interest in a player named Puerta. Separately, Inter Milan has not submitted an offer for Niccolò Pisilli, suggesting the midfielder remains available for Roma's squad planning. These updates reflect ongoing activity in recruitment and squad management as the club navigates the current transfer window.

Matías Soulé appears set to reject an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, despite Roma's desire to sell him. Al Ahli attempted to persuade the 23-year-old Argentine without submitting an official bid to Roma. Soulé has expressed reluctance to move to a second-tier league at this stage of his career and would have preferred a move to Germany, but neither Borussia Dortmund nor Stuttgart have matched Roma's €40 million asking price. RB Leipzig also inquired without making a firm approach. With the June 30 transfer deadline approaching, Soulé is likely to remain at Roma beyond that date, though the club continues to seek his departure. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly informed Roma's management that Soulé is not among the untouchable players in the squad, particularly with incoming signing Greenwood occupying a similar role. Roma would accept €35 million plus add-ons to generate profit and reinvest funds elsewhere. Paulo Dybala is also close to leaving the club. Roma's management awaits offers that are expected to arrive after the June 30 deadline. Soulé's departure remains probable but is unlikely to be to Saudi Arabia, with German clubs potentially returning with serious proposals in the coming transfer window.

Zeki Celik is close to signing a new three-year contract with AS Roma following Turkey's elimination from the World Cup at the group stage. The club and player have reached an agreement in principle, with an announcement expected in the coming days. However, Celik will not be Gasperini's starting right-back. The head coach has requested reinforcement on the right flank and views Celik as a versatile option who can operate on either wing or as a right centre-back to rotate with Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini's primary target for the right-back position is a younger profile than Molina, who is considered a secondary option at 28 years old. Dodô is not being pursued, as Roma has not made any formal approach for the player. On the left side, Wesley remains a key part of the plans after rejecting Chelsea and is ready for the upcoming season. Ruggeri is not a target for Roma. The club will seek an alternative to Wesley on the left, with Angeliño expected to depart. Roma continues to work on contract extensions for key players, with Celik's renewal progressing alongside talks with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini regarding their own deals.