Roma face Verona without Pellegrini and Tsimikas; multiple absences pile up ahead of season finale

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is planning to strengthen Roma's attack by pursuing both Joshua Zirkzee and Donyell Malen as a combined package for the summer transfer window. Zirkzee, currently at Manchester United, has remained on Roma's radar despite a failed January move that collapsed following Erik ten Hag's departure and Michael Carrick's appointment. The club believes a fresh attempt is viable in the coming weeks, particularly if Roma secure Champions League qualification. Roma's hierarchy recognizes the need to provide Gasperini with a deeper, more complete squad featuring improved offensive quality. Zirkzee appeals for his versatility—he can operate alongside Malen or function as a creative center-forward, offering tactical flexibility similar to Gasperini's preferred formations at Bergamo, where he frequently deployed two attacking players with a supporting playmaker. The two Dutch players would form what the club describes as an 'Orange' partnership. Zirkzee's Manchester United move has proven underwhelming, with the forward managing only 629 minutes of action this season. Roma estimates a deal could be completed for €20–25 million, a fee United cannot demand given his limited playing time and overall disappointing campaign. Closing this transfer will depend on Roma's summer budget allocation and their ability to meet both players' availability.

Mile Svilar has been named the best goalkeeper in Serie A for the 2025-26 season, continuing his strong performances for AS Roma. The honour reflects Svilar's consistent excellence between the posts as Roma's first-choice keeper. The league has also announced its full set of individual awards for the season, recognising standout performers across various categories. Svilar's recognition underscores his importance to Roma's defensive setup under current head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Mile Svilar has been named the Serie A goalkeeper of the year for the 2025–26 season, according to an announcement by the Italian league. The award marks the second consecutive year Svilar has received the honour, following his standout performance last season. He finished ahead of fellow keepers Maignan and Carnesecchi to claim the accolade. The league also named three other seasonal MVPs across different positions: Palestra (defender), Nico Paz (midfielder), and Lautaro Martinez (forward), who is on course to finish as the league's top scorer. Svilar's recognition underscores his importance to Roma both in the present and future. The 26-year-old has maintained the elite standard he set in the previous campaign, establishing himself as one of Serie A's most reliable and influential goalkeepers. His consistent performances have been vital to Roma's defensive stability throughout the season. The awards represent formal acknowledgment of individual excellence across the 2025–26 Serie A season. Svilar's second consecutive goalkeeper honour reflects his sustained quality and positions him as a cornerstone of Roma's ambitions moving forward.

Roma face a crucial match in Verona with Champions League qualification on the line. Owner Ryan Friedkin is expected to travel with the squad, continuing his recent involvement in the club's sporting affairs. Gasperini has requested unity from the team and has been present at Trigoria training ground during this period. The Friedkin Group has promised the head coach their presence during the summer transfer window, underlining their commitment to squad planning alongside the new coach. On the transfer front, Gasperini stated: "Nessuno è incedibile" (No one is untouchable). Several contractual matters remain unresolved pending the Champions League qualification outcome. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal depends partly on European revenue, while the future status of Çelik and Pellegrini also awaits clarity. The club continues searching for a new sporting director to replace Frederic Massara, whose departure has been decided despite his continued presence at Trigoria. Gasperini has identified Tognozzi as his preferred candidate, though Juventus are reportedly also interested. Alternative candidates include D'Amico, who is favored by Milan, and Sogliano.

AS Roma are preparing for a decisive Serie A trip to Hellas Verona on Sunday evening, with the match at the Bentegodi essential for their Champions League qualification hopes. Head coach Gasperini has received mixed injury news: midfielders Koné and Venturino are expected to recover in time for the contest, but captain Lorenzo Pellegrini is set to miss the final match of the season. The club currently sit fourth in the league following a derby victory. Gasperini is understood to want attacking reinforcements in the transfer market as Roma aim to secure a top-four finish. The sporting director role continues to attract attention, with Matteo Tognozzi emerging as a leading candidate. Tognozzi is described as a young but experienced director with multilingual skills who previously identified Matías Soulé as a talent. In the squad, goalkeeper Mile Svilar and forward Donyell Malen have been vocal in motivating teammates for the crucial final stretch, with Svilar telling his teammates "One more is missing, let's go!" following the derby win. Meanwhile, reports indicate there have been offers for defenders Ndicka and Ziolkowski on the transfer market, as other squad members including defenders Saud and Kumbulla discuss their futures. The appointment of Margiotta from Verona is being considered for Roma's youth sector.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract situation at Roma continues to be a sensitive issue for the club. The midfielder's deal is set to expire, leaving his future uncertain. Al-Hilal, managed by Inzaghi, is reportedly considering a move for Pellegrini as a free agent, viewing the opportunity to acquire him without a transfer fee. Pellegrini remains a key figure in Roma's midfield plans, but the expiring contract creates a window for interested clubs. The potential interest from Saudi Arabia adds another dimension to contract negotiations at the Giallorossi, with the coming months likely to prove decisive in determining whether the Rome-born midfielder extends his stay or moves elsewhere.

Roma travel to Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi to face a already-relegated Hellas Verona in a Serie A fixture with significant Champions League qualification implications. Roma sit second in the four-way race for the final two Champions League spots, two points clear of Como and Juventus, and need victory to secure their first top-four finish since 2017–18. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive in high spirits after a 2-0 Derby della Capitale win over Lazio, having also strung together four consecutive league victories with three coming by multiple goals. Verona's season has been disastrous, with just 21 points accumulated and relegation confirmed. The home side have endured a nine-game winless streak, including a five-match scoreless run at the Bentegodi where they have failed to score since early March. However, they showed some resilience with a 1-1 draw at newly crowned champions Inter and draws against Juventus recently. Roma must avoid complacency despite their recent form; they have won only one of their last five visits to Verona and suffered a seven-game winless away run before recent victories at Bologna and Parma. Roma will be without starting center-back Evan Ndicka and wingback Wesley Franca, who received a red card in the derby. Kostas Tsimikas is expected to deputise on the left flank. Verona will miss midfielder Roberto Gagliardini due to suspension.

Tension boiled over at the final whistle of Parma's match against Roma after the visitors secured a comeback 2–1 victory. Evan Ndicka was visibly angry on the pitch and had to be held back and escorted away by four teammates—Gollini, Tsimikas, Malen, and Cristante—while Mario Hermoso and Gianluca Mancini were also among the most heated Roma players involved in the post-match melee. The confrontation intensified between the benches and drew intervention from Gasperini and his assistant Gritti, who quickly pulled Mancini away from the conflict to prevent disciplinary action. Mancini's removal was particularly critical because he was the only Roma player carrying a yellow-card caution ahead of the upcoming derby against Lazio. The tension appears to have been fueled by aggressive play from Parma's players throughout the match, with notably tough and sometimes excessive challenges. Details remain unclear about the specific grievances between individual players, though conflict emerged between Mancini and Parma's right-back Valeri, described as a Lazio supporter. Roma had initially gone ahead through Donyell Malen but surrendered the lead before fighting back to secure the points in added time.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has indicated that Kostas Tsimikas will return from his loan spell at Roma and take on a more prominent role at Anfield. Slot stated the left-back will replace Robertson, suggesting the Greek defender has no long-term future in Rome. Tsimikas joined Roma on loan but has found himself in an uncertain position at the club. His departure would mark another loan move ending prematurely, leaving Roma to reassess their left-back options for the remainder of the season.

Roma travel to Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi to face a already-relegated Hellas Verona in a Serie A fixture with significant Champions League qualification implications. Roma sit second in the four-way race for the final two Champions League spots, two points clear of Como and Juventus, and need victory to secure their first top-four finish since 2017–18. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive in high spirits after a 2-0 Derby della Capitale win over Lazio, having also strung together four consecutive league victories with three coming by multiple goals. Verona's season has been disastrous, with just 21 points accumulated and relegation confirmed. The home side have endured a nine-game winless streak, including a five-match scoreless run at the Bentegodi where they have failed to score since early March. However, they showed some resilience with a 1-1 draw at newly crowned champions Inter and draws against Juventus recently. Roma must avoid complacency despite their recent form; they have won only one of their last five visits to Verona and suffered a seven-game winless away run before recent victories at Bologna and Parma. Roma will be without starting center-back Evan Ndicka and wingback Wesley Franca, who received a red card in the derby. Kostas Tsimikas is expected to deputise on the left flank. Verona will miss midfielder Roberto Gagliardini due to suspension.

Devyne Rensch is poised to play a prominent role in Roma's upcoming match at Verona's Bentegodi stadium. The Dutch fullback will step into the side with Wesley unavailable due to suspension, giving Rensch an opportunity to make a decisive impact as Roma pursue Champions League qualification. The match represents an important fixture in the club's push for European football, with Rensch's performance potentially proving crucial to the outcome.

Rensch has emerged as a crucial player for Roma's push toward Champions League qualification, particularly with Wesley sidelined through suspension. The right-back arrived at Roma in January 2025 from Ajax for reportedly 6 million euros but initially struggled to establish himself under former manager Claudio Ranieri and later Gian Piero Gasperini. His form has improved significantly over the past month and a half, a turning point marked by Roma's trip to Parma. In that match, Rensch scored and won a penalty that was converted by Donyell Malen, helping keep Roma's European dreams alive. Since then, he has provided three consecutive assists against Inter, Pisa, and Atalanta, and has proven reliable when called upon in important fixtures, including the Derby della Capitale. With Wesley unavailable, Rensch will carry the responsibility of maintaining Roma's defensive stability during the final stretch of the season. His inconsistent early-season performances have given way to a more positive trajectory that could prove decisive for Roma's Champions League aspirations in the coming matches.