Cristante: Roma await Pellegrini's return with open arms

Alberto Aquilani will take charge of Sassuolo for his first Serie A managerial job after a successful spell with Catanzaro. The former Roma midfielder expressed his excitement at the appointment, telling Sky Sport: "A nice emotion to begin this journey in Serie A, it stimulates me greatly. We are working well, and when the start of the season approaches the emotions will grow even more." Aquilani will face his former club Roma when the sides meet, adding extra significance to the fixture. He and Daniele De Rossi came through the Roma ranks together, and the prospect of squaring off as opposing managers carries special weight. Aquilani said: "Serie A is full of encounters for me. I have been around and met many coaches. With Daniele we grew up together, it will be strange to face each other from the touchline. And Roma will obviously be another special day."

Bryan Cristante spoke after Roma's 6–0 victory over Trastevere in a pre-season test under Gasperini's watch. The midfielder confirmed he has been in contact with Lorenzo Pellegrini, saying: "I've heard from him, we await him with open arms and hope he returns to the group as soon as possible." Cristante outlined Roma's ambitions for the coming season. "We expect to show continuity," he said. "We want to grow and have another great season. The Champions League makes everything harder—the initial phase will be tougher. But we want to run a strong campaign." He stressed that the squad is already familiar with Gasperini's concepts and is building steadily, with the club handling transfer business separately. On European competition, Cristante acknowledged the step up: "In the Champions League you face the best teams. Even in the first phase there are important sides. We need to be prepared and ready." The midfielder stopped short of setting specific targets for now, citing the difficulty of doing so at this early stage.

Paolo Marcacci has delivered his weekly ratings across the World Cup Final and recent football events. Spain's collective display earned a 9 out of 10 for its mesmerising, invisible-cage football—with Dani Olmo singled out for his 360-degree awareness and ability to orchestrate the team's attacking movements. Leo Messi received a 10 for his career legacy despite a quiet final shaped by Spain's dominance and Lionel Scaloni's tactical choices, which Marcacci rated 5, criticising the Argentina manager for assembling a formation that appeared designed to starve Messi of possession and changing too much in the decisive match. Leo Paredes, brought in to stabilise Argentina's midfield, instead lost discipline individually and earned a 4. Gianluca Mancini's contract renewal with Roma received a 7, described as reinforced concrete strengthening the club's defensive walls. Gasperini's press conference earned a 6 for its directness delivered through a calm, apparently reconciliatory tone—rejecting claims of passivity simply because he lacked visible agitation. Robbie Williams' halftime performance and the broader entertainment spectacle drew lower marks, with Infantino's excessively white shoes rated 3 and the Madonna–Ronaldo–Ronaldinho segment rated 0. Trump's photo-bombing with the trophy received a 1, with Marcacci quipping that Rodri reportedly ejected him with the line: "I'm not Melania."

A meeting is scheduled for Monday regarding Roma's new stadium project. In the transfer market, Roma have made contact with RB Leipzig over winger Nusa, but Leipzig value the player highly and there remains a significant gap between the clubs' valuations. Nusa has not yet opened the door to a Roma move. Roma have also been proposed numerous other wide players, including Luiz Henrique of Zenit, though he was not pursued. Meanwhile, Gian Piero Gasperini and the Roma squad await the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini following injury. The midfielder wants to secure a contract renewal and has accepted reducing his salary, but a key sticking point remains: Pellegrini is pushing for a three-year deal while the club currently offers only two years. Nevertheless, both the player and the club show clear willingness to stay together. After Roma's friendly against Trastevere, Bryan Cristante spoke openly about his teammate, emphasising the squad is waiting for Pellegrini with open arms. Pellegrini was also spotted dining with Gianluca Mancini at a Roman trattoria, a signal of his continued bond with the group. Elsewhere, Roma are tracking Franck Kessié as Juventus pursue the midfielder. Juventus have been in contact for several weeks but no agreement has been reached, with salary and squad integration among points still to be finalised. Roma are prepared to move decisively should Manu Koné depart.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is still waiting for his contract extension to be finalised. The Roma captain dined at the Roman trattoria I Ciarli with teammate Gianluca Mancini on Monday evening, while continuing to train with a personal fitness coach in the capital. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to secure the renewal, as is Bryan Cristante, who remarked: "We can't wait to see him back with us in the group." The final sign-off from the Friedkin Group remains outstanding. Pellegrini has already agreed to a salary reduction, but disagreement persists over the contract length. The player favours a three-year deal, while the club is pushing for a two-year agreement. Both sides are expected to continue negotiations over the coming days.

Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gianluca Mancini were spotted having dinner together at Trattoria Romana I Ciarli in Rome, a gesture underlining the midfielder's strong bond with the club as negotiations over his new contract proceed. Pellegrini, currently without a club, remains a priority target for Roma, with both parties signalling their commitment to reaching an agreement. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has publicly backed the move, a fan banner was displayed outside Trigoria, Pellegrini sent birthday wishes on the club's 99th anniversary, and Bryan Cristante declared after a friendly with Trastevere: "We are waiting for him with open arms." The sequence of gestures reflects the depth of Pellegrini's relationship with Roma despite his current uncontracted status. The dinner meeting with Mancini, a key defender in the squad, suggests the midfielder is maintaining close ties with teammates ahead of a formal return to training. These coordinated signals from the coaching staff, supporters' groups, and playing squad all point towards an imminent renewal of contract terms, with the expectation that Pellegrini will rejoin the training ground in due course.

Andrea Pirlo is set to become Italy's new head coach after Pep Guardiola rejected the national team role. The appointment, barring unforeseen circumstances, marks a significant moment in Italian football as the federation moves forward with its managerial search. At AS Roma, Lorenzo Pellegrini continues to await contract renewal discussions while dining with Gianluca Mancini. The club has paid tribute to Daniele De Rossi, the former manager and Roma legend, in the wake of his recent departure. Roma also mourned the death of Antonio Trebiciani, who passed away at 88 years old.

A meeting is scheduled for Monday regarding Roma's new stadium project. In the transfer market, Roma have made contact with RB Leipzig over winger Nusa, but Leipzig value the player highly and there remains a significant gap between the clubs' valuations. Nusa has not yet opened the door to a Roma move. Roma have also been proposed numerous other wide players, including Luiz Henrique of Zenit, though he was not pursued. Meanwhile, Gian Piero Gasperini and the Roma squad await the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini following injury. The midfielder wants to secure a contract renewal and has accepted reducing his salary, but a key sticking point remains: Pellegrini is pushing for a three-year deal while the club currently offers only two years. Nevertheless, both the player and the club show clear willingness to stay together. After Roma's friendly against Trastevere, Bryan Cristante spoke openly about his teammate, emphasising the squad is waiting for Pellegrini with open arms. Pellegrini was also spotted dining with Gianluca Mancini at a Roman trattoria, a signal of his continued bond with the group. Elsewhere, Roma are tracking Franck Kessié as Juventus pursue the midfielder. Juventus have been in contact for several weeks but no agreement has been reached, with salary and squad integration among points still to be finalised. Roma are prepared to move decisively should Manu Koné depart.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is still waiting for his contract extension to be finalised. The Roma captain dined at the Roman trattoria I Ciarli with teammate Gianluca Mancini on Monday evening, while continuing to train with a personal fitness coach in the capital. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to secure the renewal, as is Bryan Cristante, who remarked: "We can't wait to see him back with us in the group." The final sign-off from the Friedkin Group remains outstanding. Pellegrini has already agreed to a salary reduction, but disagreement persists over the contract length. The player favours a three-year deal, while the club is pushing for a two-year agreement. Both sides are expected to continue negotiations over the coming days.