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

A century after his birth, Franco Sensi remains a towering figure in Roma's collective memory—not as a mere executive, but as a symbol of unconditional love for the club. Sensi, who led Roma through its most transformative decades, embodied a philosophy that placed passion before profit and the heart before the balance sheet. He lived every match as a supporter, suffering and celebrating with the same intensity as the fans, and his presence in the stands spoke louder than any boardroom pronouncement. Sensi's greatest achievement was the 2001 Scudetto, won on 17 June—a triumph that represented the fulfilment of a personal promise as much as a sporting victory. Yet his true legacy transcends that trophy. He protected his managers, shielded his players, and stewarded Roma through difficult periods with a discretion and dignity that defined his presidency. In an era when football has become faster, wealthier, and more global, Sensi stands apart: not measured by trophies alone, but remembered as a man who understood that Roma was never an investment. It was an act of love. Today, that legacy persists in the hearts of Roma supporters. Sensi did not seek applause or dedications; he would have been content simply to hear the cry of "Roma!" echoing from some corner of the Olimpico. His bonds with the club did not end with his presidency or his life—they transcend both, living on as long as they remain in memory.

One hundred years after his birth, Franco Sensi remains a defining figure in AS Roma's history and the hearts of the Giallorossi faithful. The former president, who led the club through some of its most significant periods, embodied a philosophy that Roma was never merely an investment but an act of love. Sensi lived every match as a supporter would, suffering and celebrating without calculation, preferring action to spectacle yet visibly bearing the weight of the shirt in the stands. Sensi's presidency witnessed Roma's transformation from imperfect hope to triumph. He custodied the club through difficult years when supporters' frustration weighed heavily upon him, defended it when it seemed fragile, and guided it to its greatest moment: the Serie A title on 17 June 2001. That victory was not simply a sporting achievement but the fulfilment of a personal dream—a president who had chosen passion over convenience, the heart over the balance sheet. His legacy transcends trophies and dates; it lies in having demonstrated that Roma could be run as an expression of devotion rather than commerce. Sensi's approach extended to protecting his managers and players, treating criticism of them as personal affront. The Roma he built had the character of great love stories—imperfect yet profoundly genuine. Today, though football has evolved into something faster, richer, and more global, certain figures remain beyond classification. Sensi belonged to that rare category: men who mastered the art of being loved. In the collective memory of Roma supporters, he continues present.

Claudio Ranieri has accepted a role with the Italian Football Federation, joining the national team setup as president of club Italia and technical director alongside head coach Mancini. The move comes a year after Ranieri turned down the Italy job to remain at Roma, a decision he has since come to regret following his departure from the Giallorossi in 2025. Ranieri managed Roma across three separate spells, most recently in 2024–25, when he guided the club from relegation danger towards Champions League qualification before being dismissed. The Friedkin Group had blocked his appointment to the national team last year, refusing to allow him to work on a dual track. His choice to stay proved costly; relations between Ranieri and coach Gian Piero Gasperini deteriorated from the start, and the federation ultimately moved in another direction. In his new advisory capacity, Ranieri will work alongside Mancini and support Italy's path through the upcoming European Championship in two years and beyond towards the next World Cup. At 74, Ranieri brings 1,361 managerial appointments across his career, including his celebrated Leicester City title triumph. His sole previous experience with a national team came during a brief, unsuccessful spell with Greece from July to November 2014, comprising four matches. Ranieri's primary task will be to consult with domestic club coaches without overstepping, a balance he learned to strike during his Roma tenure.

Manu Koné's future at Roma remains uncertain as Manchester United intensifies contact with the midfielder's representatives, though no formal offer has arrived at the club yet. Chelsea and Arsenal are also keen on the 24-year-old, prompting Roma to begin scouting alternatives. Diarra of Sunderland has emerged as a potential successor should Koné depart. The departure of Koné would force Roma into the transfer market to bolster midfield depth. Without him, the squad would rely solely on Cristante, El Aynaoui, and Pisilli in that area. The club has set Koné's valuation at approximately 60 million euros and the Friedkin Group has no intention of accepting below their asking price. With Premier League interest intensifying, Roma's search for an alternative midfielder has begun in earnest. The club's recruitment strategy hinges on whether any interested club meets their valuation for the French midfielder.

Roma departed for Nice shortly before 10:00 and will reach Cannes by coach for their third pre-season fixture at 17:30 (live on Dazn) against the club owned by the Friedkin Group. Head coach Gasperini will deploy a front three of Dybala, Soulé, and Malen, with midfield reinforcements required due to absences. Pisilli and Vaz are unavailable through injury, while Cherubini misses out with fever. Central midfield will pair the young Bah with Cristante, flanked by Wesley and Rensch, while Svilar starts in goal behind a defensive line of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso. Notably absent is Koné, though Neil El Aynaoui—currently on holiday in Cannes—will attend the match as a spectator before officially rejoining the squad on 30 July to depart for Wales, where the second phase of pre-season training will take place. A second-string lineup and Primavera players will feature in the second half. Roma will return to the capital after the match. Gasperini has granted the squad two days of rest, with no training scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Roma travel to face Cannes at Stade Pierre de Coubertin today at 17:30 in their first competitive pre-season friendly of the summer. The match comes after a reduced-time test against Trastevere at Trigoria and precedes Roma's departure for a training camp in Wales on 1 August, where they will face Cardiff in another friendly. Gasperini's side will be without Pisilli and Vaz, who are sidelined by muscle injuries. The head coach will deploy Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, a partnership that impressed during the Trigoria friendly. Evan N'Dicka will feature in a three-man defence alongside Mario Hermoso and Gianluca Mancini. Bryan Cristante will anchor midfield alongside a young player filling in as El Aynaoui and Manu Koné remain on post-World Cup leave. The clash against Cannes, also owned by the Friedkin Group and recently promoted to France's third tier, offers a controlled environment for Roma to build match fitness. Ryan's availability remains uncertain following his return to the United States.