Cristante: Roma deserve Champions League and must win derby against Lazio

Bryan Cristante, Roma midfielder, spoke to official Serie A channels ahead of an upcoming match, discussing the significance of the derby and the club's European aspirations. Cristante emphasized that the Derby della Capitale is a special fixture unlike any other, and expressed confidence that Roma deserves a place in the Champions League. The midfielder's comments reflect the squad's determination to compete at the highest level domestically and in Europe.

Daniele De Rossi, now managing Genoa, held a press conference two days before his side's home match against AC Milan. When asked about potential favours toward Roma, De Rossi clarified his professional focus: "I work for Genoa. If I were to play against Roma, it would be the same." De Rossi managed Roma during the 2024–25 season before being dismissed after four matches. His current role with Genoa means any fixture involving Roma is treated with the same competitive approach as any other opponent, emphasizing his commitment to his present club.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference at 13:30 tomorrow ahead of the Derby della Capitale against SS Lazio. The match kicks off on Sunday at 12:00 in what is the penultimate round of Serie A. Roma cannot afford to drop points if they hope to maintain their Champions League aspirations. Gasperini has almost his entire squad available for selection, with Ferguson the only confirmed absentee. A question mark remains over the attacking midfield position, with competition between Soulé and Pisilli, while Malen and Dybala are expected to lead the attack. Approximately 50,000 spectators are anticipated at the Olimpico, the vast majority supporting Roma; Lazio fans are expected to boycott the match in protest against their club's management. When asked about his own future at the club, Gasperini stated: "I here on 1 July? I hope so, everyone must be satisfied."

Bryan Cristante, Roma midfielder, spoke to official Serie A channels ahead of an upcoming match, discussing the significance of the derby and the club's European aspirations. Cristante emphasized that the Derby della Capitale is a special fixture unlike any other, and expressed confidence that Roma deserves a place in the Champions League. The midfielder's comments reflect the squad's determination to compete at the highest level domestically and in Europe.

Roma returned to training on Friday morning to prepare for Sunday's Derby della Capitale against Lazio, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having his full squad available for the first time this season. Key players Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dovbyk have recovered from injury, with only Ferguson remaining sidelined since January. Gasperini plans to field almost the same lineup that defeated Parma, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen guaranteed starting positions. The main selection decision centers on the attacking midfield role, where Niccolò Pisilli holds a slight edge over Matías Soulé. The defensive line is expected to consist of Gianluca Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermeso in front of goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Celik and Wesley will operate on the flanks, with Bryan Cristante and Koné forming the midfield partnership. This represents a significant shift in Gasperini's options, as squad depth and injury recovery have previously limited his tactical flexibility throughout the campaign.

Italian radio commentators discussed Roma's approaching Derby della Capitale fixture, focusing on the midday kick-off time and likely team lineup. Roberto Pruzzo remarked on the advantages of an early start, saying: "Playing earlier is better: time flies, and at a dietary level it's simpler, especially because there are no dead time. In terms of logistics, for a footballer it's the best solution." Piero Torri suggested Lorenzo Pellegrini is unlikely to start, with the choice between Matías Soulé and Bryan Cristante to replace him. He noted that Niccolò Pisilli is performing well and would likely be retained, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen expected to lead the attack. Stefano Agresti defended Roma's organizational capacity and questioned the debate over the noon fixture in May, stating the climate should not pose a problem. Lorenzo Pes highlighted Lazio's difficult situation following their Coppa Italia defeat, noting the absence of key defenders and suggesting their main attacking threat lies with their wide players on the counterattack. Alessandro Fusco criticized the scheduling decision as problematic from a public order perspective, claiming the fixture should not have been scheduled on the same day as another major final.

Donyell Malen has been nominated for Serie A's EA SPORTS FC Player of the Month award for May following an outstanding run of form. The Dutch forward scored 2 goals in Roma's two matches during the month, including a brace against Parma, and provided an assist against Fiorentina. Since his arrival in mid-January, Malen has netted 13 goals, making him the best January signing by goals scored in Serie A history. Under head coach Gasperini, Malen has become a driving force in Roma's push for Champions League qualification. His impact in Serie A has been described as significant, and his nomination reflects his consistent contributions on both goal-scoring and playmaking fronts. The forward's number 14 shirt has become central to Roma's attacking approach this season. Malen faces competition from five other nominees: Laurientè (Sassuolo), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Noslin (Lazio), Okoye (Udinese), and Vlahovic (Juventus). The Serie A selection process used advanced analytics from Kama Sport, incorporating Hawk-Eye tracking data alongside traditional statistics to evaluate player performance across positioning, movement off the ball, decision-making, and overall team contribution across matches 35–36 of the 2025–26 season.

Mason Greenwood, currently at Marseille, is reportedly Roma's primary attacking target under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club believes that securing Malen alone will not be sufficient to close the technical gap between Roma and competing Serie A sides. Greenwood tops Gasperini's wishlist as Roma look to strengthen their forward options in the transfer market. The move would represent a significant investment in attacking reinforcement as the club aims to bridge the quality divide with rival teams this season.

Ivory Coast has named Ndicka in its squad for the upcoming World Cup. The African nation will compete in Group E alongside Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao. Ivory Coast's tournament begins on 15 June against Ecuador, followed by a match against Germany on 20 June and a group-stage finale against Curaçao on 25 June. Ndicka's selection comes as several AS Roma players have received international call-ups ahead of the tournament. Alongside Ndicka, Roma players Celik, Wesley, El Aynaoui, and Malen are expected to participate in the World Cup. Matías Soulé has been included in Argentina's preliminary squad list. The Roma contingent continues to feature prominently in international football, with multiple squad members earning spots in their respective national teams for the global competition.