Gasperini outlines Roma's Champions League ambitions across three competitions

Roma is actively working to strengthen its defensive flanks ahead of the new season under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club has shown initial interest in Ruggeri, a left-back previously managed by Gasperini at Atalanta and now at Atletico Madrid. Roma is also pursuing Dodo from Fiorentina as a full-back option. Ruggeri was already monitored by Roma in January and could emerge as a priority target during the summer transfer window. Gasperini is seeking specific players who can integrate effectively into his tactical system, and recruiting former squad members he has already worked with is seen as an opportunity to accelerate integration. Wesley is described as the only full-back position certainty for the upcoming campaign. The futures of current defenders Çelik and Angelino remain unclear, creating additional vacancies that the club must address. Beyond the flanks, Roma faces broader squad development needs across multiple areas, including attacking roles, as Gasperini prepares for his first full season in charge. Ruggeri represents the type of profile Roma is targeting—an established defender with prior experience under the new coach. The summer window will likely see multiple signings as the club aims to provide Gasperini with a competitive squad capable of challenging across multiple competitions.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified Nikola Vlasic, Torino's Croatian midfielder, as a potential summer signing for AS Roma. Vlasic caught Gasperini's attention during Torino's Coppa Italia victory over Roma in the round of 16, where he provided two assists in a three-goal performance. The 27-year-old has established himself as Torino's technical leader this season, scoring eight Serie A goals and providing crucial assists throughout the campaign. A former West Ham and Everton player, Vlasic has proven experience in top-flight football and represents the calibre of player Gasperini seeks to elevate Roma's ambitions. Gasperini is building a squad capable of competing across three competitions, requiring a rotation of 15–16 players. Rather than arriving as a guaranteed starter, Vlasic would function as a versatile option for difficult matches where Roma need to unlock defences. His familiarity with Serie A and proven adaptability make him an appealing prospect. Torino values Vlasic highly and will not part with him easily—his contract runs until 2027, and the club aims to secure a renewal. However, the possibility of playing Champions League football could prove attractive to the player. Financially, the operation remains feasible. Vlasic could reportedly be acquired for €13–14 million, a relatively modest outlay for a player of his quality. Roma have not yet pushed decisively for his signature, but the club views him favourably and is likely to make an attempt to bring him to Rome in the coming weeks.

Niccolò Pisilli is set to captain Italy's youth side in their match against Greece, following an impressive performance in the victory over Luxembourg. The Roma centrocampist has been one of the standout players in this age-group campaign and is expected to deliver another strong showing. Head coach Gasperini's work has been instrumental in Pisilli's development, and Roma are monitoring his continued progress closely. Beyond Pisilli's individual performance, Roma have a secondary focus for the match: Tzolis, a winger currently at Brugge. The player has long been on Roma's radar and remains a target, though the club has not yet made a concrete move. Bringing Tzolis to Rome would require a fee exceeding €30 million, making it a significant investment. The Grecia–Italia fixture offers Roma staff an opportunity to assess Tzolis's quality in person and gather additional insights that may inform future recruitment decisions. The match thus presents a dual interest for the Giallorossi: celebrating Pisilli's development under Gasperini's guidance and evaluating a potential future teammate in Tzolis. While Roma remain patient in their pursuit of the Brugge player, tonight's game could provide valuable information to support any future transfer strategy.

Roma prepare to face rivals Lazio at Stadio Olimpico in the 164th top-flight edition of the Derby della Capitale on Sunday. The Giallorossi arrive in excellent form, having mounted a dramatic comeback against Parma last weekend with goals in the 96th and 101st minutes to secure a 3-2 victory. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have extended their unbeaten league run to five matches and sit level on points with fourth-placed Milan, with a top-four finish within reach for the first time since 2017/18. They are also chasing their first league double over Lazio since 2015/16 after winning the reverse fixture 1-0. Lazio, by contrast, arrive deflated following a 2-0 Coppa Italia final defeat to Inter on Wednesday and are facing relegation to ninth place or lower if results do not improve. They trail seventh-placed Atalanta by seven points and have won just one of their last five derbies at the Olimpico. Roma boast an 11-game unbeaten run at home in Serie A, including seven clean sheets, while their recent form shows six first-half goals across their last five home league matches. Roma have received positive team news, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk both returning to full training, though Evan Ferguson, Bryan Zaragoza, and Stephan El Shaarawy remain unavailable. Lazio will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ivan Provedel and must serve a suspension for center-back Alessio Romagnoli. Roma are favored to maintain their dominant recent derby record.

Roma face SS Lazio in the Derby della Capitale on Sunday 17 May at Stadio Olimpico (kickoff 12:00), with referee Maresca in charge. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has his full squad available for the first time this season, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dovbyk recovered from injury; only Ferguson remains sidelined. Gasperini is expected to field the same eleven that started against Parma, with a potential choice between Pisilli and Soulé. The coach will address the media in a press conference on the eve of the match to clarify his final tactical decisions. In a significant development, El Shaarawy's departure from Roma was officially confirmed. The winger, who joined the club in January 2016 and spent the majority of the past decade in a giallorossi shirt—apart from a spell in China—announced his farewell through an emotional video and message to the club and supporters. The derby and an away trip to Verona will be his final two matches for Roma. The confirmation of his exit follows recent speculation about his future. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal remains an ongoing priority for the club, with general manager Sogliano handling negotiations. Former Roma midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo has also discussed his own departure from the club in recent comments.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference at 13:30 tomorrow ahead of the Derby della Capitale against SS Lazio. The match kicks off on Sunday at 12:00 in what is the penultimate round of Serie A. Roma cannot afford to drop points if they hope to maintain their Champions League aspirations. Gasperini has almost his entire squad available for selection, with Ferguson the only confirmed absentee. A question mark remains over the attacking midfield position, with competition between Soulé and Pisilli, while Malen and Dybala are expected to lead the attack. Approximately 50,000 spectators are anticipated at the Olimpico, the vast majority supporting Roma; Lazio fans are expected to boycott the match in protest against their club's management. When asked about his own future at the club, Gasperini stated: "I here on 1 July? I hope so, everyone must be satisfied."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed his squad list for Roma's final Serie A match against Verona at the Bentegodi, a fixture critical to the club's bid for Champions League qualification. Midfielder Manu Koné returns after missing the recent derby, though he is expected to start on the bench. Absent from the selection are Lorenzo Pellegrini, sidelined by a muscular problem, and Tsimikas, who is recovering from influenza. Both players will travel with the squad despite not being available for selection. Wesley remains unavailable due to suspension, while defender Ndicka is out with a muscular injury. The match represents Roma's final opportunity to secure European football next season. Gasperini's squad combines established players with squad depth, with forwards Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé expected to form the attacking pair. The full list of 26 players includes goalkeeper Mile Svilar and a mix of defensive, midfield, and attacking options to navigate what is anticipated to be a competitive encounter. The squad announcement followed Gasperini's afternoon press conference, with the coach having just days to prepare his team for the decisive fixture.

AS Roma face their final Serie A match of the season against Hellas Verona with several key players unavailable. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the trip to the Bentegodi stadium due to a flexor muscle injury still being managed, while Tsimikas is sidelined by flu. Gianluca Mancini is carrying an ankle problem but is expected to feature. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini may consider tactical changes following Roma's improved performance in the recent derby, potentially preferring El Aynaoui over Koné in midfield. Meanwhile, the club continues to explore attacking reinforcements, with interest reportedly extending beyond primary targets to include alternative options. The midfield situation has also drawn attention, with discussions ongoing regarding potential personnel shifts. Mancini addressed the importance of European competition, stating: "I know that it is important for the squad and for Roma to qualify for and play in the Champions League. And I think that when I do or if we do, or if we have the opportunity to do so, I know that people will remember me because I can enter into history. I know that a lot of time has passed since the last time." The final match carries significance in Roma's push for continental football next season.

Roma will be without several key players for their final Serie A match of the season against Verona at the Bentegodi, two days away. Lorenzo Pellegrini continues to manage a flexor muscle injury and trained separately again, while Tsimikas has been ruled out due to influenza symptoms. These absences join existing gaps caused by Wesley's suspension and Ndicka's muscle injury, leaving head coach Gasperini with a depleted squad for what the club views as a crucial match. The fixture holds significant importance in Roma's season, though the exact context of its importance remains unclear. Gasperini is expected to announce his final squad list on the day before the match. In attack, the trio of Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Donyell Malen is almost certain to feature, forming the offensive core Roma will deploy despite the defensive and midfield constraints. The accumulation of injuries and unavailability creates a challenging situation for Roma's closing fixture, with Pellegrini's ongoing flexor issue the most persistent concern among the outfield players sidelined.

Flavio Cobolli, a former AS Roma youth player turned professional tennis player, is competing in his first Grand Slam final at the French Open on June 7, facing Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros. Several Roma players and personalities have sent video messages of encouragement ahead of the match. El Shaarawy, currently on his honeymoon, told Cobolli: "Hi Flavio, I wanted to greet you and congratulate you for everything you're doing and where you've reached. I'm wishing you the very best for the final, I promise: we're all rooting for you, you're our pride." Radja Nainggolan added: "Flavietto, I'm wishing you the very best. You deserve it because you've played incredibly. I'm rooting for you: first because you're Roma, second because you're from Rome, third because we know each other personally and you're someone who works hard. I know you'll make it, big hug." Niccolò Pisilli, currently with the Italian national team, also sent his wishes: "Hi Fla', I wanted to wish you the very best for the final. We're all very proud of your journey. All the best." Other notable figures including actors, musicians, and athletes including Danilo Gallinari sent video messages of support for Cobolli's historic moment.

Roma announced Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach on 6 June 2025, marking the start of his first season in charge. The club achieved Champions League qualification, with El Shaarawy among the goal scorers during the campaign. Gasperini's appointment came following the departure of Claudio Ranieri, who had managed the club in the 2024–25 season. The 'condottiero' (commander) has guided Roma towards European football's elite competition in his inaugural year, fulfilling a key objective for the Friedkin Group ownership.

Stephan El Shaarawy's future remains uncertain after the Roma forward became a free agent on 1 July following his contract expiration. El Shaarawy, who scored the decisive 2–0 goal against Hellas Verona that confirmed Roma's return to the Champions League, has attracted interest from newly promoted Venezia. However, a move to the Venetian club appears difficult to complete at present. El Shaarawy's departure marks the end of his time wearing Roma's number 92 shirt. Several clubs have expressed interest in signing him during the transfer window. Venezia have made him a priority target, but significant obstacles remain in negotiations. Meanwhile, Roma's connection to the transfer market extends to Tommaso Baldanzi, the former Empoli player who joined Genoa in January. Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, is working to retain Baldanzi but seeks a price reduction from the 10 million euros initially agreed with Roma at the time of the original deal. The two clubs are in active discussions to reach a final agreement on Baldanzi's status. Details remain unclear on the timeline for either transaction.