Roma voices debate player departures and transfer strategy under Gasperini

Eusebio Di Francesco, who managed Roma for nearly two years before departing in 2019, has spoken about his time at the Giallorossi in an interview on the podcast "Doppio Passo". The former coach acknowledged that while managing Roma had always been an ambition, his performance deteriorated during the second season. Di Francesco stated: "My dream was always Roma, to coach there. It's a shame that in the end during the second year I had kind of let go a bit, I had the pressures, there are moments when you make choices or conduct yourself in the wrong way but you understand it after you've done it." Di Francesco's Roma spell ended in 2019 after internal struggles compounded by mounting pressure at the club. Since leaving the capital, his managerial career has included two consecutive relegations while managing Frosinone and Venezia. Most recently, he guided Lecce to safety in Serie A and will remain as their manager for at least another season. Roma will face Lecce in Serie A action on Monday, 31 July, away at the Via del Mare stadium in the league's second round of fixtures.

Italian radio commentators have weighed in on Roma's summer transfer strategy following reports of Juventus interest in goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Francesco Balzani reported that contact between the clubs has occurred, with concrete developments overnight, but stressed that Svilar is not for sale and Roma has not set a price. Balzani stated: "The club has not decided not to sell him, but not to undersell him." He added that head coach Gasperini wishes to retain Svilar, and noted that the Friedkin Group does not want to sell either Svilar or Koné. Balzani also expressed expectations that Roma would present an offer for Greenwood on 1 July. The commentary reflects broader concerns about Roma's financial compliance. Piero Torri raised questions about whether Roma respected settlement agreement obligations, though he suggested the ownership may have secured protections in discussions with UEFA leadership. Roberto Pruzzo cautioned against overspending on Greenwood at 55 million euros, advocating instead for multiple backup options. Nando Orsi suggested Roma should prefer paying fines rather than selling key players, and argued that young forward Matías Soulé should remain at the club to develop under Gasperini, proposing instead that a defender might be sacrificed.

Paolo Marcacci has published his weekly ratings (Pagellone) covering recent Serie A action. The column assesses performances from several players, including Donyell Malen of Roma, and reviews notable moments from the weekend's fixtures. Malen features among the players graded, alongside commentary on managerial decisions and individual errors from goalkeepers and outfield players across multiple matches.