Sean Sogliano emerges as candidate to replace Massara at Roma

AS Roma is preparing to end its relationship with medical director Petrucci, who was brought to the club a year ago by former manager Claudio Ranieri. The overhaul of the medical department will see Riccardo Del Vescovo take over the role. Del Vescovo previously worked with current Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta and served as Roma's medical director for several seasons in the past. The appointment marks a significant restructuring of the club's medical structure under the current leadership. Del Vescovo's familiarity with both Gasperini and the organization is expected to provide continuity and strengthen the medical department's effectiveness. His prior experience at Roma gives him insight into the club's operations and culture. According to sources, the transfer is imminent, with formal agreements expected soon. The move reflects the club's broader strategic direction following changes in the coaching staff and ongoing adjustments to optimize the team's infrastructure.

A comprehensive security operation is being prepared for Sunday's Derby della Capitale, with more than 1,000 police officers deployed across Rome's northern districts. The match coincides with Lazio supporters planning a protest at Ponte Milvio against club owner Lotito and the ATP tennis finals at the Foro Italico, creating a complex public order challenge. Key areas including Ponte Milvio, Piazza Mancini, and the riverbank will be sealed off to prevent contact between the two sets of supporters. The security plan includes mounted police patrols at the Foro Italico, water cannons, drones, and a helicopter overhead. Local police will oversee traffic management across the northern sector throughout the day. Serie A has presented its own safety protocol, appointing a security coordinator for the Foro Italico area to liaise with law enforcement. The league has prepared an integrated plan to manage spectator flows during entry and exit using a large contingent of stewards. A public awareness campaign has been developed to encourage supporter responsibility. The coordination between police and league authorities reflects the sensitivity of managing multiple major events simultaneously in the same city area.

Roma has been authorized by authorities to sell tickets in the Tevere Nord sectors — normally a buffer zone — for the upcoming Derby della Capitale against Lazio. This decision comes after Lazio announced they will bring approximately 800 supporters to the Stadio Olimpico. The move will allow Roma to sell around 1,500 additional tickets in the north stand, providing a more balanced distribution of home support across the Tribuna Tevere. The authorization follows a significant drop in ticket availability for this derby. Roma's Curva Nord ultras announced a boycott several days earlier as part of an ongoing protest against Lazio president Lotito. This meant over 10,000 tickets in the north curve would remain unsold, representing a considerable financial loss for Roma's matchday revenue. By opening the normally restricted northern sectors to regular home supporters, the club aims to mitigate that economic impact while maintaining adequate crowd control given the reduced visiting support.