Roma defeats Lazio 2–0 in derby; Dybala substituted to applause, Dovbyk returns

AS Roma have officially confirmed a pre-season friendly against Newport County on 4 August at Rodney Parade stadium in Wales, with kickoff at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italy time). The match is managed by former Leicester manager Fuchs and represents Roma's second test in the United Kingdom during their summer schedule. Information for visiting supporters' tickets will be communicated in the coming days. The Newport County fixture slots into Roma's busy pre-season calendar as they prepare for the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina. The friendly comes after an earlier match against Cardiff on 1 August, followed by another game at Brighton on 8 August. After these English fixtures, Roma will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August in their final warm-up before domestic competition resumes. These matches form part of the club's preparations under their summer training camp, with player fitness and tactical development a priority ahead of the new season.

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay, secured by a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. The South American side proved a tough and physical opponent, but France maintained composure and achieved their objective. Midfielder Manu Koné was among those praised for his performance in a demanding match. Koné, who currently plays for AS Roma, delivered a composed display in midfield against Paraguay's aggressive approach. He spoke about the nature of the contest after the match, noting the physicality on display and the tactical awareness required to navigate it without being drawn into unnecessary confrontation. The midfielder highlighted France's preparation and intelligence in handling the situation. In his post-match comments to beIN Sports, Koné reflected: "It was a very hard match, but we are happy. Today we adapted. They were a rather... physical team! We choose our words carefully (smiles). We managed to stand up to our opponents in the challenges, we won 1–0, we were effective. There were some excessive interventions, but we didn't fall into their trap. The coach had warned us during the week. We were intelligent, we just wanted to win." France's disciplined approach proved decisive in securing progression to the next stage.

Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui spoke after Morocco's World Cup victory over Canada, which secured passage to the quarter-finals. He acknowledged that Canada started strongly and caught his team off guard in the first half, but Morocco adjusted in the second period to create more dangerous opportunities. El Aynaoui reflected on the tournament's difficulty, noting that all matches present challenges regardless of opponent. El Aynaoui confirmed ongoing contact with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his coaching staff during the international break. When asked about communication, he stated: "Yes. I am in contact with the staff, we speak by message." The midfielder remains a key player for Morocco despite an underwhelming individual performance in the Canada match. He dismissed any notion of seeking revenge against France, whom Morocco lost to in the previous World Cup, emphasizing that each remaining fixture demands full preparation. Should France progress and Morocco advance, a quarter-final meeting could see fellow Roma player Koné face El Aynaoui on the pitch, adding a giallorossi dimension to potential later-stage matchups.

Leandro Paredes, the former Roma midfielder, was interviewed by DAZN while competing for Argentina in a World Cup campaign. The interview touched on Paulo Dybala and speculation surrounding a possible move to Boca Juniors. Paredes expressed goodwill toward his former Roma teammate, indicating that regardless of whether Dybala joins Boca, he wishes him the best. Dybala remains a key figure in Roma's current squad. The comments reflect the broader context of player movements during international breaks, though specifics of any transfer discussion remain unclear.

Roma is preparing to submit an official offer for Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood in the coming days, reportedly worth around €45 million including bonuses. The bid is expected by Tuesday at the latest, with the club aiming to move ahead of competition from Atlético Madrid. Greenwood has emerged as a key transfer target as Roma reshapes its attacking options under new leadership. Artem Dovbyk's potential departure to Genoa is also warming up, with De Rossi's side exploring a loan move. However, the player's salary remains a significant obstacle to any deal, and Roma has shown some willingness to negotiate terms—though the financial viability still needs confirmation. Meanwhile, Roma is also considering alternatives for a deputy to Donyell Malen, with Club Bruges' Nicolò Tresoldi and Sassuolo's Andrea Pinamonti both on the radar; Lazio has also shown interest in Pinamonti. In separate news, Leandro Paredes commented on Paulo Dybala's future, saying: "For me it would be a pleasure to have him with me at Boca, then he will make his own decisions and surely will have many things on his mind." The transfer window continues to present multiple possibilities as Roma actively restructures its squad.

Leandro Paredes, midfielder for Boca Juniors, has spoken about Paulo Dybala's future in an interview with DAZN. Paredes stated: "For me it would be a pleasure to have him with me at Boca, then he will make his own decisions and surely he will have many things on his mind. For me it will be a pleasure if he comes with me, otherwise I always wish him the best because he is a great person." The tone of Paredes' comments represents a shift from his previous public pressure regarding Dybala, which was more intense when a move to Argentina seemed more concrete. Dybala is on the verge of signing a contract renewal with AS Roma, marking a significant development in the forward's career. The renewal is reportedly close to completion, and Dybala has essentially already decided to remain at the Giallorossi rather than return to South America. Sources indicate the renewal also involves a new role for the player at the club, positioning him as a key figure in Roma's future plans. While Paredes left the door open for a potential reunion at Boca Juniors, he acknowledged that Dybala will make the decision that suits him best. The Argentine playmaker's commitment to Roma appears firm, with a return to Argentina remaining a possibility only in the more distant future.

Roma is preparing to submit an official offer for Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood in the coming days, reportedly worth around €45 million including bonuses. The bid is expected by Tuesday at the latest, with the club aiming to move ahead of competition from Atlético Madrid. Greenwood has emerged as a key transfer target as Roma reshapes its attacking options under new leadership. Artem Dovbyk's potential departure to Genoa is also warming up, with De Rossi's side exploring a loan move. However, the player's salary remains a significant obstacle to any deal, and Roma has shown some willingness to negotiate terms—though the financial viability still needs confirmation. Meanwhile, Roma is also considering alternatives for a deputy to Donyell Malen, with Club Bruges' Nicolò Tresoldi and Sassuolo's Andrea Pinamonti both on the radar; Lazio has also shown interest in Pinamonti. In separate news, Leandro Paredes commented on Paulo Dybala's future, saying: "For me it would be a pleasure to have him with me at Boca, then he will make his own decisions and surely will have many things on his mind." The transfer window continues to present multiple possibilities as Roma actively restructures its squad.

Paulo Dybala is on the verge of signing a contract extension with AS Roma. The Argentine forward is expected to arrive in the capital on Friday, with the announcement of his new deal anticipated for the following week. The negotiations have been lengthy but are now in their final stages, with only minor details regarding bonuses still to be resolved. The proposed contract runs until 2027 with an optional additional year that Roma can exercise based on the player's performance. Separately, Roma continues to pursue English forward Greenwood, though the deal remains contingent on approval from the Friedkin Group ownership. Turkish club Fenerbahce is also reportedly interested in Greenwood, but the player is understood to prefer a club competing in the Champions League. Additionally, striker Dovbyk is expected to leave the club, with various replacement options under consideration, though some targets are proving complicated to pursue. Dybala underwent surgery in March under professor Pier Paolo Mariani, who expressed confidence in his long-term prospects. Mariani stated: "According to me there are some prejudices linked to his ability to be competitive throughout the entire season. For him a program should be evaluated in a differentiated way that prevents these problems, so he is definitely not a mid-season player as he has been described in recent years. With these attentions he can have total durability and can play at high levels until age 40."

Roma faces potential departures and acquisitions in the transfer window. Genoa has advanced in pursuit of Dovbyk, while Greenwood remains a target for Roma, though Atlético Madrid is also competing for the winger. The Friedkin Group's approval is awaited for the Greenwood deal. On the positive front, Paulo Dybala is set to extend his contract with Roma through 2027, reinforcing his commitment to the club amid ongoing negotiations.