Aldair on Roma's Verona clash and Totti's return prospects

Former Roma manager Fabio Capello has assessed Roma's position in the race for the top four, with the club facing Verona in a decisive fixture. Roma and Milan enter the evening with their Champions League destiny in their own hands, and Capello believes Roma holds the advantage. He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Roma is in very good form, has done important things recently, has shown consistency in play and team performance. They've also recovered all their players, for example Dybala: this means that Gasperini only has to get his choices right." Capello acknowledged the threat posed by Verona, a recently relegated side that has troubled top teams this season. "It's not straightforward to face a relegated team that will have ease of play and a feeling of revenge towards the championship. However, Roma on paper seems like the favourite to me," he explained. The former coach noted that Verona has proven problematic for Juventus, Como, and Inter, but maintains Roma's current form and full squad availability puts them in the strongest position heading into tonight's match.

Mohamed Salah has parted ways with Liverpool after years together, with his final appearance at Anfield coming against Brentford. Liverpool released an emotional tribute video showing Salah greeted on the pitch by his daughters, accompanied by the song 'Hoppípolla' by Sigur Ros, followed by highlights of his key moments and goals in a red shirt. The tribute drew widespread affection from Egyptian, Italian, and English fans. With Salah's future now open, several paths lie ahead. The MLS and Saudi Arabia remain concrete options, following the template of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's late-career moves. However, a more romantic prospect has emerged: a return to Serie A. According to Football Insider, Roma and AC Milan have reportedly made initial moves. The idea had circulated months earlier when Salah's Liverpool departure was announced but had remained dormant, largely due to wage demands believed to be around €12 million annually and age considerations. A Champions League place would be necessary to make such a move viable. Salah's focus now turns to the World Cup with Egypt before determining his next chapter. The notion of him returning to where his career became truly great carries particular resonance given that he never won the Champions League during his time in Rome—a prize he might still pursue as a giallorossi player.

Salvatore Foti, former assistant to José Mourinho during his time at Roma, reflected on his experiences with the club in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. Foti, now a free agent after his spell at Sampdoria, expressed deep affection for his years at Roma, describing his appointment as Mourinho's vice as a moment when he felt "happy as a child on Christmas morning." He recalled the 2022 Europa Conference League final in Tirana with vivid detail, revealing that Mourinho's pre-match team talk lasted only thirty to forty seconds, with the manager simply stating: "I don't need to tell you anything, we just have to take the cup and bring it to Rome. There was something magical created." Foti acknowledged that the subsequent elimination from the Europa League in Budapest the following year still pains him, saying he couldn't watch Europa League matches with peace of mind and experienced nightmares for weeks afterward. Regarding Gian Piero Gasperini's appointment as current head coach, Foti endorsed the choice, saying "Of course he is. The facts prove it. He is one of the best in Italy and I am happy for many of our boys." He mentioned maintaining contact with current Roma players Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gianluca Mancini, describing Pellegrini as a special person. Foti also addressed Mourinho's dismissal in January 2024, noting that the sacking of the manager and his entire staff was difficult for everyone involved.