De Rossi reflects on Roma exit: 'My history at the club did not deserve such an ending'

Bobo Vieri has declared Roma capable of challenging for the Serie A title, singling out Gian Piero Gasperini as the decisive factor in the club's ambitions. Speaking at the EA7 World Legends Padel Tour event, the former Inter and Italy striker told Il Messaggero that while Roma will not necessarily win the Scudetto, their participation in the title race is guaranteed by Gasperini's arrival. "Assolutamente sì, a livello di tutti i big mondiali, da Mourinho a Luis Enrique, da Guardiola a De La Fuente. Dove arriva Gasp, le squadre cambiano e aumentano il loro livello," Vieri said, placing the coach among world-class managers including José Mourinho, Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola, and Luis de la Fuente. Vieri emphasized that Gasperini's presence alone does not account for Roma's potential. "Ora poi non c'è solo lui ma anche un grande centravanti," he noted, highlighting the addition of a top striker to bolster the squad. Beyond tactical improvement, Vieri stressed the importance of individual quality and finishing in determining success. Vieri singled out Donyell Malen for particular praise, citing his 19 goals since arriving in January as evidence of genuine quality. "I gol sono gol e lui ne fa tanti, contano i numeri. Può vincere il titolo dei cannonieri," Vieri stated, dismissing suggestions that Malen's goals come primarily against weaker sides. He also highlighted Paulo Dybala as crucial to Roma's creative play: "Incide sulle partite come nessun altro in Italia e forse in Europa. Magari segna meno, ma lui inventa calcio e i gol li fa fare agli altri."

Radio pundits dissected Roma's recent performances in commentary collected by Romanews.eu, with particular focus on individual players and the squad's depth in key areas. Carina highlighted criticism of Roma as excessive, noting that in 30 years of broadcasting he had rarely been unable to speak with colleagues—disrupted by an unusually long pre-match show of an hour and a half before kickoff and 30 minutes after. He praised Roma's first-half display as dominant, saying from the stadium he had the sense Roma would not lose and could even win. However, he identified a pattern of defensive lapses: "Mancini has made errors in three matches: Lecce, Atalanta and Fenerbahce. There are some interpreters who at the moment are not doing well—for example, Mancini and Wesley." He noted Atalanta and Fenerbahce have both played with tight lines to double-mark Malen, a problem requiring tactical adjustment. Carina expected three changes for Monday's fixture, anticipating Balerdi might play and raising doubt about whether Koné would be risked after requesting a change mid-match. He observed Roma is short in midfield: "Koné came out and Pisilli came in, but he is a midfielder. De Roon is the substitute for Cristante. To me something is missing there." Pruzzo took a more critical view of squad quality, stating: "I have many doubts about the fact that the squad is qualitatively strong as one hears said—I don't have this perception." He praised Roma's first-half football but saw a dip in the second half when tactical changes were required. Pruzzo identified Castro as Roma's best option from the bench and believed the forward needed to unlock his potential. "The next one could be the right occasion," Pruzzo said. "It is inevitable that Castro has the need to score." He questioned other signings, noting Molina replicates Rensch's role and Mora contributed little in the most recent match.

Roma radio stations aired differing assessments of the club's draw away to Fenerbahçe and the squad assembled for the 2026–27 season. Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio mattina, praised Roma's display as good but not spectacular, and expressed lingering doubts about the expanded squad's overall quality. He acknowledged that Castro is the best option among the substitutes, but highlighted concerns about the club's recruitment strategy. "I had many doubts about this enlarged squad, perhaps it is not qualitatively as good as people say," Pruzzo said. "When you need to change in the second half, a good player comes on but with different characteristics." On the forward Mason Greenwood, he added: "For Greenwood an extra effort should have been made—he is someone who changes the balance of matches. The problem was the wages, but in a season like this you needed certainties like him who in matches like these shakes everything up. I would not have spent money on Koulierakis, a profile Roma already has in the squad. I would have signed a midfielder instead." Pruzzo also offered qualified praise for Leonardo Balerdi, the summer arrival on defence, and said he expects Matías Mastantuono to prove decisive. He stressed that Roma must be competitive across every component of the squad. Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio mattina, countered that the expanded roster was necessary for rotation across three competitions, and that Roma's single point from Istanbul was a valuable one. Filippo Biafora (Radio Manà Manà – 90.9) was less critical of the draw, calling it unexpectedly tough, and suggested that Manu Koné will be preserved for the match against Torino after a minor complaint, with Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli expected to form the midfield pairing.

Roma are preparing for their trip to Turin with manager Gian Piero Gasperini planning several changes to manage the squad across a long season. Leonardo Balerdi is set to start in place of Gianluca Mancini, who will rest. The Argentine defender has been a standout performer in Roma's recent matches and has impressed every time Gasperini has called upon him, including a moment that went viral after contact with Lukaku. In attack, Rodrigo Mora is in line to start ahead of Paulo Dybala, with Mora among the Golden Boy candidates and keen to prove himself. Niccolò Pisilli is positioned to replace Manu Koné in midfield, as the French midfielder continues to train separately and is heading towards missing the match. Gasperini is taking no risks with Koné's fitness. The strategy reflects Gasperini's intention to rotate his squad without compromising quality, with the season stretching ahead and every player needed. Mora, alongside Emanuele Lulli, is among those in contention for the Golden Boy award and will see the Turin fixture as an opportunity to demonstrate his value. Koné's absence is being managed carefully, with the manager preferring not to force the situation. Separately, Salah Eddine has found a new club. The Moroccan player will join Greek side Panathinaikos.

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing to rotate his squad heavily ahead of matches against Torino and Inter, with Koné, Dybala, Malen and Mancini among those likely to be rested. Castro, Mora, Soulé, Pisilli and De Roon are expected to see more action as Roma look to preserve their key players and test the depth of the squad while addressing defensive issues that have emerged in recent fixtures. Salah-Eddine's departure to Panathinaikos is confirmed. The left-back moves on a loan deal with a right of redemption and underwent medical tests in Athens today to complete the transfer. Separately, defender Oosterwolde has reopened the possibility of joining Roma. An achilles tendon operation had scuppered a move earlier this summer, but Oosterwolde met with Roma officials in Istanbul and signalled his willingness to return. "I hope to come back to Roma in the coming months," he said. The club remains interested with D'Amico continuing to monitor developments. Gasperini values Oosterwolde's versatility, and his recovery from surgery will be key to determining whether Roma can revive the deal as early as January. Carina told Radio Radio: "I've read plenty of criticism of Roma. In 30 years doing this job I'd never known a situation where I couldn't speak to my colleague—there was an absurd broadcast an hour and a half before the match and 30 minutes after. Given where it was played, Roma put in a more than decent performance: they dominated the first half. From the stadium, I had the sense that Roma wouldn't lose it, and could even have won it." Pruzzo added: "I saw a good Roma. What I keep thinking is that I have many doubts about whether the squad is qualitatively as strong as people say: I don't have that perception. In the first half they played like last season, but in the second, when you need to change, there isn't the same level. I think Castro is Roma's best option off the bench. Then Molina comes on and does the same thing as Rensch, and Mora yesterday did nothing."

Roma continue preparations for their away fixture against Turin. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini remains focused on extending the run from the first three matches and securing victory on the road. The squad may see tactical adjustments, with reasoned rotation planned. Niccolò Pisilli is positioned to take the place of Manu Koné in midfield. The French midfielder trained separately on 12 September and could be given a rest day. There is no cause for alarm at present. Gasperini intends to wait and assess Koné's condition more fully before making a final decision, which will be clarified in his press conference on 13 September. The rest of the group trained as normal.