Gasperini tells Roma squad the future will be magnificent after securing Champions League qualification

AS Roma held a team breakfast at their Trigoria training ground on the final day before the squad dispersed for the summer break. Head coach Gasperini addressed the group, delivering a speech of thanks to the players and staff for their achievements. The gathering took place in the restaurant at the Fulvio Bernardini facility and was marked by laughter, mutual compliments, and applause from the squad. The breakfast marked the conclusion of a season in which Roma secured a return to the Champions League after seven years away from European football's premier competition. Gasperini used the occasion to set expectations for the coming months, confirming that pre-season training is scheduled to begin in mid-July. The coach's remarks emphasized unity within the group following their successful campaign. Players and staff exchanged warm embraces during the gathering, reflecting a positive atmosphere within the club following their Champions League qualification. The breakfast represented a formal conclusion to the 2024–25 season before summer holidays and the transition into preparation for the new campaign.

AS Roma is moving forward with contract renewal negotiations for Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. The club must resolve these extensions as a priority alongside appointing a new sporting director. Both players are key figures in Roma's squad, and securing their long-term futures is central to the club's planning. The renewals represent an important step in building stability at the club following recent managerial changes.

Roma enjoy a significant competitive edge heading into the new season with Gian Piero Gasperini's position secured as head coach. The Friedkin Group confirmed their backing of Gasperini two months ago when they parted ways with former manager Claudio Ranieri, providing the club with rare stability in an Italian football landscape marked by widespread managerial upheaval. Among Serie A's major clubs, only Inter and Como can claim similar certainty in their coaching arrangements. The article highlights Roma's advantages over rivals facing transitions or uncertainty. AC Milan is engulfed in internal turmoil, Juventus remains unsure about their direction despite Spalletti, Napoli lost Antonio Conte and must choose between reduced options, Atalanta is preparing for a fresh start with Sarri, and Bologna faces total confusion. Lazio's situation is mentioned only dismissively. In contrast, Roma's early appointment of Gasperini allows the club to plan strategically well in advance rather than scramble for solutions mid-season. This planning window represents a crucial operational benefit, enabling the construction of a coherent project from the outset. Gasperini's immediate impact has already yielded results, with Roma securing third place in the previous campaign. The combination of long-term coaching stability, early strategic planning, and demonstrated on-pitch success positions Roma favorably compared to competitors still navigating leadership changes and tactical uncertainty.

Roma held a final squad meeting at their Trigoria training ground, where head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and three senior players addressed the staff after securing Champions League qualification. Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Gianluca Mancini spoke to celebrate the achievement and reflect on the season. Cristante emphasized the team's unity: "We came together when we needed to, we brought home a major objective and we must continue on this path to make it our standard." Pellegrini praised the collective effort: "This year has been really beautiful, we've been chasing this qualification for a while and yesterday we did it, even though it seemed difficult along the way but we always believed in it and it seems you did too, if we're here today to celebrate and congratulate each other all together. So thank you very much to you." Mancini reflected on the significance of the achievement, stating: "Celebrating, rejoicing, bringing Roma to the Champions League after many years is a source of pride because we all know this shirt has important value. Seeing you here happy, you too, for this achievement makes it even more important. And nothing, next year we play Champions League, now we rest and forza Roma." Roma has returned to Europe's elite club competition after a lengthy absence, marking a notable shift in the club's fortunes under current leadership.

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 is moving forward with contract renewal negotiations for Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. The club must resolve these extensions as a priority alongside appointing a new sporting director. Both players are key figures in Roma's squad, and securing their long-term futures is central to the club's planning. The renewals represent an important step in building stability at the club following recent managerial changes.

Roma held a final squad meeting at their Trigoria training ground, where head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and three senior players addressed the staff after securing Champions League qualification. Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Gianluca Mancini spoke to celebrate the achievement and reflect on the season. Cristante emphasized the team's unity: "We came together when we needed to, we brought home a major objective and we must continue on this path to make it our standard." Pellegrini praised the collective effort: "This year has been really beautiful, we've been chasing this qualification for a while and yesterday we did it, even though it seemed difficult along the way but we always believed in it and it seems you did too, if we're here today to celebrate and congratulate each other all together. So thank you very much to you." Mancini reflected on the significance of the achievement, stating: "Celebrating, rejoicing, bringing Roma to the Champions League after many years is a source of pride because we all know this shirt has important value. Seeing you here happy, you too, for this achievement makes it even more important. And nothing, next year we play Champions League, now we rest and forza Roma." Roma has returned to Europe's elite club competition after a lengthy absence, marking a notable shift in the club's fortunes under current leadership.

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.

Roma held a final squad meeting at their Trigoria training ground, where head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and three senior players addressed the staff after securing Champions League qualification. Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Gianluca Mancini spoke to celebrate the achievement and reflect on the season. Cristante emphasized the team's unity: "We came together when we needed to, we brought home a major objective and we must continue on this path to make it our standard." Pellegrini praised the collective effort: "This year has been really beautiful, we've been chasing this qualification for a while and yesterday we did it, even though it seemed difficult along the way but we always believed in it and it seems you did too, if we're here today to celebrate and congratulate each other all together. So thank you very much to you." Mancini reflected on the significance of the achievement, stating: "Celebrating, rejoicing, bringing Roma to the Champions League after many years is a source of pride because we all know this shirt has important value. Seeing you here happy, you too, for this achievement makes it even more important. And nothing, next year we play Champions League, now we rest and forza Roma." Roma has returned to Europe's elite club competition after a lengthy absence, marking a notable shift in the club's fortunes under current leadership.

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.