Marcacci and Pruzzo discuss Roma squad priorities and player interests

Paulo Roberto Falcao, a Roma legend from the 1980s, shared reflections on his career in an appearance on RAI's podcast Extratime. Falcao praised Roma's supporters, describing them as unique. He also addressed Roma's European Cup final against Liverpool, suggesting it is easy to discuss such moments in hindsight. Falcao's comments offer insight into his time with the club during a significant era in Roma's history and his perspective on one of the club's most notable European competitions.

Paulo Roberto Falcao, Roma's legendary midfielder known as 'Il Divino', reflected on his time at the club in an interview, opening up about the 1983 Scudetto victory and the 1984 European Cup final loss to Liverpool. Falcao described the emotional impact of Roma's first Serie A title in 40 years, remembering how fans flooded Ciampino airport and filled opposition stadiums with yellow and red. He highlighted the team's transformation under Liedholm, describing a squad of only 17–18 players unified by the desire to win and play with intensity. Falcao explained the physical toll of his role in that European campaign, revealing he played matches with painkilling injections due to a right knee injury sustained from a clash with an Inter player. He specifically addressed the penalty shootout against Liverpool, where he did not take the fifth spot, despite Liedholm believing he should have: "Liedholm, who was superstitious, told me that against Liverpool I would have taken the fifth, since I was also number 5. In that moment, we didn't take the fifth penalty, because they won first." Falcao emphasized that while the team produced outstanding performances, including extra time against Liverpool, the match ultimately ended in defeat. He credited the squad's mentality and the manager's leadership as key factors in their success during that era.

Mehdi Benatia has commented on El Aynaoui's time at Roma, noting that the midfielder played less than expected during his time with the Giallorossi. Benatia revealed he previously attempted to bring El Aynaoui to Marseille, suggesting the player was a target for the French club during his tenure there. The exact context of when these events occurred and Benatia's current role remain unclear from the available information.

The Friedkin Group has signaled it will not rush into bargain sales of key Roma players before the June 30 deadline tied to the club's UEFA settlement agreement. The ownership is willing to risk potential sanctions to build a strong squad for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Matías Soulé, widely expected to depart, has shown little enthusiasm for Saudi Arabian offers and has received a surprise inquiry from Juventus. Midfielder Édouard Mendy's preference for the Premier League has cooled with Arsenal and Chelsea shifting focus elsewhere, leaving only Atlético Madrid's offer on the table—one Mendy is reluctant to accept. Defender Evan Ndicka remains a target for Inter but is considered untouchable by Gasperini, alongside Mile Svilar, Wesley, Niccolò Pisilli, and Donyell Malen. The Friedkin family has reaffirmed its resolve: no distressed sales. Roma believes it can address UEFA's requirements through other means, including recent player sales, wage restructuring from Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini renewals, foreign broadcast rights (€20 million), compensation from Nicolò Bove (€10 million), and ongoing disputes with Basel over the Riccardo Calafiori resale (€6 million). The club expects to face a financial penalty rather than more severe sanctions, given its track record of compliance over three years of UEFA monitoring. Roma's aim is to avoid becoming a feeder club and instead retain a competitive nucleus capable of competing across three fronts.

Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo and commentator Marcacci have weighed in on two key squad matters. Pruzzo addressed Donyell Malen's performance with the Dutch national team, stating that what matters most is the winger's motivation upon returning to Trigoria. Marcacci expressed hope that speculation about Mile Svilar's departure does not gain traction. The comments reflect broader concerns about maintaining squad morale and stability as players balance international commitments with club duties.

Juventus has made enquiries about Mile Svilar, Roma's goalkeeper, but Roma has rejected any approach and established a asking price to retain the player. Despite financial pressures related to player sales, Gasperini and D'Amico have prioritized keeping Svilar as a cornerstone of the club's defence. The goalkeeper remains one of Roma's key assets under the new sporting structure, and the club appears determined to build their project around him rather than cash in on a summer departure.