Roma pursues contract renewals for Dybala and Pellegrini

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.

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.

AS Roma will begin pre-season training on 13 July at their Trigoria training ground following a long season that concluded with Champions League qualification. The club is planning a pre-season retreat in the Netherlands, Austria, or Germany, with squad members returning after summer breaks and international commitments. This marks the start of preparations under the new coaching structure ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.

Zibì Boniek has praised AS Roma's third-place finish in Serie A as a significant achievement under coach Gian Piero Gasperini, describing it as a well-deserved conclusion to a season that saw the team maintain consistency late in the campaign. Boniek highlighted that what surprised him most was Roma's ability to sustain form from March onwards, historically a problematic period for the club. He credited Gasperini's coaching and staff, noting that while the coach may have a complicated interpersonal style, "he knows what he wants to do. He has the courage to make choices for the good of the team." Looking ahead, Boniek stressed the need for immediate internal planning to implement a concrete reinforcement strategy. He suggested Roma requires three or four quality signings to build on their strong foundation, particularly if Champions League revenue becomes available. Regarding Paulo Dybala's contract renewal, Boniek acknowledged him as Roma's technically best player but warned he cannot play constantly and must be managed carefully. On the prospect of a sustained competitive cycle under Gasperini, Boniek expressed optimism: "Yes, absolutely. The hope is that the club can aim for multiple objectives, a wide-ranging season." He also called for a more stable and solid leadership structure, suggesting that the Friedkin Group's commitment extends beyond the pitch.

AS Roma has officially secured Champions League qualification for the first time in seven years following a victory at Verona. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is now preparing for a significant summer transfer window, with the Friedkin Group reportedly allocating over €100 million to strengthen the squad for European competition. The club's primary targets include attackers Greenwood and Nusa, while a deal for Brazilian right-back Dodò from Fiorentina is under negotiation, with a fee expected between €15 and €20 million. With Champions League football secured, Roma's ambitions have shifted toward building a squad capable of competing at Europe's elite level. Gasperini has made clear his expectations for recruitment across multiple positions, particularly in attack and defence. Negotiations with Fiorentina's Paratici are ongoing for Dodò, and speculation has circulated on social media after the defender engaged with Roma's social accounts. Meanwhile, contract discussions continue regarding Paulo Dybala's future. His agent Carlos Novel visited Trigoria to discuss a renewal, with the club expressing confidence in reaching an agreement. After a standout performance with two assists in the Verona match, Dybala posted on social media: "An intense season, full of emotions, difficult moments and great joys. Proud of the group, the work done together and of achieving an important objective like qualifying for the Champions League. As I said yesterday, Roma should never make news for being in the Champions League… but for now let's enjoy this moment, because we deserved it. Thank you to the fans for always being there. Your support really makes the difference. Forza Roma."

Roma are continuing their celebrations following a Champions League success. Midfielder Niccolò Pisilli described the occasion as a thrilling night. The club is also monitoring developments regarding Paulo Dybala's contract renewal. The exact details of the match and Dybala negotiations remain unclear from the available information.

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.

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.