El Shaarawy's partner speaks on his love for Roma

Roma forward Donyell Malen has been immortalized in a mural created by artist Drugi. The artwork is a tribute to the attacker, reflecting his growing prominence at the club. Malen joined Roma and has quickly made an impact on supporters, earning recognition through this artistic homage. The mural celebrates the forward's contribution to the team.

Roman street artist Drugi has created a new mural depicting Donyell Malen as a Super Saiyan, the iconic transformation from the Dragon Ball anime series. The artwork joins murals of Francesco Totti and Agostino Di Bartolomei in Drugi's collection celebrating Roma legends and key figures. The Malen mural arrived just hours before the Derby della Capitale against Lazio, marking the Dutch winger's elevation into Roma's cultural imagination alongside the club's greatest symbols. Malen has established himself as a central performer for Roma in recent months through goals, consistent displays, and decisive contributions that have made him one of the team's primary protagonists. His presence in Drugi's street art gallery reflects how quickly he has won over supporters and become integral to the squad's identity. The timing of the mural, released ahead of the derby, carries symbolic weight—Roma fans hope Malen's form will deliver in the high-stakes match. The Super Saiyan depiction represents a transformation narrative that resonates with Roma's fanbase. For many supporters, Malen has already undergone that transformation on the pitch; the hope now is that another transformation—one of tactical execution and winning mentality—will carry Roma to victory in the derby.

Andrea Abodi, Italy's Minister for Sport and Youth, commented on the recent scheduling crisis surrounding the Derby della Capitale and its overlap with the Rome Masters tennis final. While welcoming the resolution, Abodi stressed that the situation should never have arisen in the first place. He stated: "It is good that an agreement has been found, but to the extent that we should never have reached this point. These things are easily foreseeable. Once again, as in other circumstances, we hope that lessons have been learned from this page that was not particularly bright." The derby calendar conflict highlighted organizational shortcomings in Italian football administration. Abodi's remarks underscored frustration that such predictable conflicts require intervention rather than being prevented through proper planning. He expressed hope that stakeholders would reflect on the incident and improve future coordination. Abodi also addressed the upcoming Italian Football Federation (FIGC) presidential election, noting that Giovanni Malagò and Giancarlo Abete are the two candidates to replace current president Gravina. He questioned whether responsibility for past failures lay solely with the president or whether the federal council shared accountability. Abodi emphasized that new leadership alone cannot guarantee improvement without effective implementation of policy: "The programs are all good, the difference is made by their implementation. These programs have been circulating for almost 20 years, there is nothing new, the only thing is whether we can actually do things. And to do them, we need the will."

Stephan El Shaarawy's time at AS Roma has come to an end, with his contract expiring on June 30. The Egyptian winger announced his departure following the conclusion of the season. In response, his fiancée Ludovica Pagani shared an emotional tribute on social media, celebrating El Shaarawy's character and commitment to the club. El Shaarawy, born in 1992, has been a significant figure at Roma, and his exit marks the conclusion of a lengthy association with the Giallorossi. Pagani's message emphasized his professionalism and dedication both on and off the pitch, describing him as a rare and humble individual. She wrote: "You are one of those people who deserve so much. Perhaps even more than what you have received. Sometimes things don't go as expected, but I am sure that life will reserve wonderful new chapters for you, because you are a special being and you will have what you deserve... And everyone deserves to know the IMMENSE man you are and how much you have loved and honoured this shirt. Loving you is one of the most beautiful gifts life could give me, champion." Pageni also expressed gratitude to Roma, stating the club "will always be our home." El Shaarawy's departure represents a significant transition for the club as it moves forward into a new era.

Roma prepare to face rivals Lazio at Stadio Olimpico in the 164th top-flight edition of the Derby della Capitale on Sunday. The Giallorossi arrive in excellent form, having mounted a dramatic comeback against Parma last weekend with goals in the 96th and 101st minutes to secure a 3-2 victory. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have extended their unbeaten league run to five matches and sit level on points with fourth-placed Milan, with a top-four finish within reach for the first time since 2017/18. They are also chasing their first league double over Lazio since 2015/16 after winning the reverse fixture 1-0. Lazio, by contrast, arrive deflated following a 2-0 Coppa Italia final defeat to Inter on Wednesday and are facing relegation to ninth place or lower if results do not improve. They trail seventh-placed Atalanta by seven points and have won just one of their last five derbies at the Olimpico. Roma boast an 11-game unbeaten run at home in Serie A, including seven clean sheets, while their recent form shows six first-half goals across their last five home league matches. Roma have received positive team news, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk both returning to full training, though Evan Ferguson, Bryan Zaragoza, and Stephan El Shaarawy remain unavailable. Lazio will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ivan Provedel and must serve a suspension for center-back Alessio Romagnoli. Roma are favored to maintain their dominant recent derby record.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on the eve of the Derby della Capitale against SS Lazio. Roma sit in contention for Champions League qualification with two matches remaining and face a Lazio side that recently lost the Coppa Italia final to Inter. Gasperini emphasized the importance of owner Ryan Friedkin's active presence at the club, stating: "The presence of ownership is fundamental—when everything works better. There are fewer people reporting things; there is the possibility of having direct relationships without intermediaries who, voluntarily or involuntarily, change opinions somewhat. And with ownership especially, decisions are fast." Gasperini addressed several topics affecting the squad's push for the top four. On Paulo Dybala's contract renewal, he expressed optimism that both the club and player are aligned, saying "when there is willingness from both sides, a solution can be found." He highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's importance in derby matches, noting the midfielder has recovered from injury and will be assessed before the match. Gasperini also commented on Stephan El Shaarawy's recent departure, saying the player made his decision weeks ago and has Roma's remaining two matches to contribute. The coach reflected on Roma's competitive position, noting that reaching European qualification with numerous injuries represents a strong achievement. He criticized the fixture scheduling for the derby and emphasized the psychological value of a full stadium, stating: "Football is beautiful to play. Let's remove some negative pressure and try to enjoy it a bit."