Roma Players Celebrate Champions League Qualification at Trigoria

AS Roma is targeting English forward Mason Greenwood as a priority signing and plans to open formal negotiations from June onwards. Greenwood, who currently plays for Olympique Marseille, is expected to leave the French club due to their difficult financial situation requiring significant player sales by 30 June. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified Greenwood as a key target to strengthen Roma's attacking options. Greenwood's father has already signalled openness to a move to Roma following discussions with intermediaries. Roma's recent qualification for the Champions League enhances their appeal as a destination. Despite interest from other top European clubs—including Borussia Dortmund and Atlético Madrid—Roma appears the most likely destination for the 2001-born forward. Marseille's precarious finances may also work in Roma's favour during negotiations, as the club urgently needs to offload players before the end of June.

Donyell Malen and Gianluca Mancini have been included in Opta's statistical Team of the Year for Serie A 2025–26, recognised for their standout performances throughout the season. The Dutch forward finished with 14 goals in 18 appearances since joining Roma and proved decisive from his arrival at the club. Mancini was integral to Roma's defensive effort, helping the team secure the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding fewer goals than any side except Como. Roma completed the 2025–26 season in third place, behind Inter and Napoli, representing a significant turnaround after what had seemed like an impossible target weeks earlier. Alongside Malen and Mancini, goalkeeper Mile Svilar was honoured as Serie A's best goalkeeper by the league. The three selections underline Roma's competitive strength in their campaign and their climb towards the top of the table. Mancini's defensive prowess and Malen's attacking output have been statistically validated through Opta's advanced metrics, cementing their central roles in Roma's improved fortunes this season.

Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli has been selected for Italy's upcoming friendly matches in June. The call-up comes as Roma celebrates its recent qualification for the Champions League. Pisilli joins fellow player Venturino in the Italy squad for the international fixtures. The selection represents recognition of Pisilli's performances and continues a positive period for Roma, with the club now preparing for European football's top competition alongside managing international commitments for its players.

Gianluca Mancini spoke to media after Roma secured Champions League qualification following their victory against Verona. The defender expressed overwhelming emotion at the achievement, saying: "There is huge euphoria, it is a group victory. We said it to ourselves inside, even when people wrote us off." Mancini highlighted the turnaround in Roma's final five matches, which proved decisive in finishing third with 73 points and earning a place in Europe's elite competition. Roma endured a difficult spell earlier in the season but recovered strongly under their manager's direction. Mancini emphasized the collective effort and the unity within the squad, noting that senior players including Pellegrini, Cristante, Dybala, El Shaarawy, and Celik had remained committed despite previous disappointments. He reflected on past European campaigns—Europa League semifinals and finals—that had fallen short, making this Champions League qualification particularly significant. The club's label as a mid-table team has now been shed following consistent performances and a strong finish to the season. Mancini described his emotional state: "My heart is racing. It would make me cry, but I won't. I played 11 matches under suspension but every match was important and I had to be careful. When the tempo rises and the level increases, I couldn't and didn't want to miss." He credited the manager's tactical approach and the group's reaction to setbacks as key factors in their success, particularly highlighting Roma's dramatic 2-goal comeback against Parma as a turning point that signaled the season's direction.

Roma face Hellas Verona in a make-or-break match for Champions League qualification, with head coach Gasperini fielding a squad affected by several absences. Wesley is suspended, Ndicka is injured, and Koné—though fit—will start on the bench, with El Aynaoui taking his place in midfield. Rensch will replace the unavailable right-back, and Ghilardi features in defence. Up front, the Argentine pairing of Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé will operate behind Donyell Malen. Three points at Verona would secure fourth place and Champions League football for Roma, an achievement the club has not reached in seven years. The fixture represents a pivotal moment for the team's immediate future. Multiple Italian newspapers—Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Corriere dello Sport, Corriere della Sera, and Il Tempo—have outlined near-identical expected lineups, with Mile Svilar in goal, a defensive line of Ghilardi, Gianluca Mancini, and Hermoso, and a midfield anchored by Bryan Cristante and El Aynaoui alongside full-backs Celik and Rensch. The consensus across Italian media reflects widespread agreement on Gasperini's tactical approach for this decisive encounter.

AS Roma face mounting injury and suspension concerns ahead of their match at Verona. Ndicka has suffered a second-degree right hamstring injury with a recovery timeline of approximately one month, ruling him out of the Verona fixture and raising doubts about his participation in the World Cup. Wesley is suspended and risks a two-match ban following the derby, forcing head coach Gasperini to restructure the defence. Celik will cover the right flank while Rensch operates on the opposite side, with Ghilardi—recently returned from a season at Hellas Verona—competing to replace Ndicka alongside Mancini and Hermoso. The injury toll extends further into Roma's midfield. Koné missed the derby due to a muscular problem and trained separately as the squad resumed work, with low odds of starting at Bentegodi. Pellegrini remained sidelined from the derby because of inflammation around his biceps scar and is listed as doubtful, though he is determined to feature given World Cup considerations. Venturino also carries injury risk with knee inflammation. Paulo Dybala is confirmed to lead the attack alongside Malen, with Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli providing midfield stability. If Koné cannot feature, either El Aynaoui or Matías Soulé will step into the lineup.

AS Roma secured Champions League qualification for the first time in seven years under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, triggering widespread celebrations among players and staff. The squad marked the achievement across social media, with Paulo Dybala posting the Champions League logo and Matías Soulé sharing a photo alongside Paulo and Gollini highlighting the competition Roma will enter next season. Other players including Celik, El Aynaoui, Wesley, and Calafiori also posted celebratory messages on Instagram. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who attended the match despite an injury, offered a pointed message on social media. His post read: "Banda 3° posto" (Gang third place), a barbed reference to Roma's final league position. Wesley captioned his post "Objective completed successfully," while Calafiori republished the result with an emphatic "DAJEEEEE." The Champions League return represents a significant milestone for Roma after a seven-year absence from Europe's elite club competition, marking a major step forward for Gasperini's squad.

Gianluca Mancini spoke to media after Roma secured Champions League qualification following their victory against Verona. The defender expressed overwhelming emotion at the achievement, saying: "There is huge euphoria, it is a group victory. We said it to ourselves inside, even when people wrote us off." Mancini highlighted the turnaround in Roma's final five matches, which proved decisive in finishing third with 73 points and earning a place in Europe's elite competition. Roma endured a difficult spell earlier in the season but recovered strongly under their manager's direction. Mancini emphasized the collective effort and the unity within the squad, noting that senior players including Pellegrini, Cristante, Dybala, El Shaarawy, and Celik had remained committed despite previous disappointments. He reflected on past European campaigns—Europa League semifinals and finals—that had fallen short, making this Champions League qualification particularly significant. The club's label as a mid-table team has now been shed following consistent performances and a strong finish to the season. Mancini described his emotional state: "My heart is racing. It would make me cry, but I won't. I played 11 matches under suspension but every match was important and I had to be careful. When the tempo rises and the level increases, I couldn't and didn't want to miss." He credited the manager's tactical approach and the group's reaction to setbacks as key factors in their success, particularly highlighting Roma's dramatic 2-goal comeback against Parma as a turning point that signaled the season's direction.

Roma travel to Verona on Sunday with their Champions League qualification hopes on the line. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is sidelined for the match at the Bentegodi, though the captain will travel with the squad alongside Ndicka. French midfielder Koné has recovered fully and will be available for selection. This final fixture determines whether Roma secures European football for next season. Gasperini addressed the magnitude of the occasion in his pre-match press conference, emphasizing that qualification depends solely on Roma's performance. "The Champions depends on us," the coach stated, signaling that there are no excuses ahead of the decisive encounter. The manager also referenced the club's ownership, though specifics remain unclear. On the transfer front, Roma are tracking several targets: attacker Summerville's stock is rising, while Greenwood remains the primary ambition. Additional squad-building activity may involve Salah, though details remain unclear. Separately, the municipal council has approved an agreement with a special commissioner regarding stadium matters, with further developments expected soon.

Donyell Malen and Gianluca Mancini have been included in Opta's statistical Team of the Year for Serie A 2025–26, recognised for their standout performances throughout the season. The Dutch forward finished with 14 goals in 18 appearances since joining Roma and proved decisive from his arrival at the club. Mancini was integral to Roma's defensive effort, helping the team secure the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding fewer goals than any side except Como. Roma completed the 2025–26 season in third place, behind Inter and Napoli, representing a significant turnaround after what had seemed like an impossible target weeks earlier. Alongside Malen and Mancini, goalkeeper Mile Svilar was honoured as Serie A's best goalkeeper by the league. The three selections underline Roma's competitive strength in their campaign and their climb towards the top of the table. Mancini's defensive prowess and Malen's attacking output have been statistically validated through Opta's advanced metrics, cementing their central roles in Roma's improved fortunes this season.

Gianluca Mancini spoke to media after Roma secured Champions League qualification following their victory against Verona. The defender expressed overwhelming emotion at the achievement, saying: "There is huge euphoria, it is a group victory. We said it to ourselves inside, even when people wrote us off." Mancini highlighted the turnaround in Roma's final five matches, which proved decisive in finishing third with 73 points and earning a place in Europe's elite competition. Roma endured a difficult spell earlier in the season but recovered strongly under their manager's direction. Mancini emphasized the collective effort and the unity within the squad, noting that senior players including Pellegrini, Cristante, Dybala, El Shaarawy, and Celik had remained committed despite previous disappointments. He reflected on past European campaigns—Europa League semifinals and finals—that had fallen short, making this Champions League qualification particularly significant. The club's label as a mid-table team has now been shed following consistent performances and a strong finish to the season. Mancini described his emotional state: "My heart is racing. It would make me cry, but I won't. I played 11 matches under suspension but every match was important and I had to be careful. When the tempo rises and the level increases, I couldn't and didn't want to miss." He credited the manager's tactical approach and the group's reaction to setbacks as key factors in their success, particularly highlighting Roma's dramatic 2-goal comeback against Parma as a turning point that signaled the season's direction.

Gianluca Mancini spoke emotionally after Roma's final Serie A fixture of the season against Verona on matchday 38. The defender expressed pride in the team's collective performance, stating that the victory belonged to the entire group. Mancini's emotional response highlighted the significance of the result and his personal investment in Roma's campaign. The match represented the concluding round of the Serie A season, with details of the specific outcome remaining unclear from the available information.