De Rossi senior departs Roma after 30 years; Ostiamare move mooted

Roma's Champions League League Phase fixture list is now set. The Giallorossi begin away to Fenerbahçe in Turkey before hosting Real Madrid in their second match. Matchday three brings a reunion with Slovan Bratislava, a throwback to their 2011 encounter. The schedule presents two testing away fixtures in succession: Roma travel to face Manchester, followed by a trip to Paris Saint-Germain. The full run of eight League Phase matches will determine Roma's path through the competition as they bid to progress from one of Europe's most demanding groups.

UEFA has confirmed the full league-phase schedule for Roma's 2026–27 Champions League campaign, with all eight opponents and fixture dates now set. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will begin their European return on Thursday 10 September in Turkey against Fenerbahçe, kicking off at 18:45. The first match at the Olimpico will be one of the season's headline fixtures: Roma against Real Madrid on 14 October at 21:00, marking José Mourinho's return to the stadium as an opponent. After the Real fixture, Roma will play at home against Slovan Bratislava on 20 October before travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on 3 November. The run continues with an away trip to Paris Saint-Germain, managed by Luis Enrique, on 25 November. Roma's final match of 2026 comes on 8 December, hosting Sporting CP at the Olimpico. The league phase resumes in January with AEK Athens away on 19 January, followed by the final group match hosting Lille on 27 January 2027.

Roma have completed negotiations with Marseille for defender Leonardo Balerdi and expect his arrival today, 29 August, ahead of the transfer window's closure on 1 September at 20:00. The Argentine with Italian citizenship will join on a paid loan of approximately €2 million with a conditional right of rescue set around €15 million, according to one source, or €1 million and €20 million respectively according to another. If triggered, Balerdi will sign a contract through 2031. The operation had been delayed by complex financial and corporate circumstances at Marseille, with club vice-director Balzaretti among the key figures in negotiations. Roma have confirmed they are not pursuing Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié, despite reports linking him to the club, though Kessié himself rejected a move to Juventus and remains available on a free transfer. With Balerdi's deal effectively done, Roma's focus has shifted entirely to recruiting a left-sided attacker before the window closes. Jeremie Boga Gittens and Romain Fofana remain the primary targets, with Gittens preferred. Chelsea have not yet opened to a loan for the English winger, while Lyon's Fofana is waiting for Roma's offer but the French club's asking price remains high following their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Roma have proposed a right of rescue linked to appearances for Gittens; Lyon want a permanent sale for Fofana. The club have also enquired about Ecuadorian playmaker Arroyo, class of 2006, currently at Cruzeiro in Brazil, but the Brazilian club have no intention of selling. Roma denied interest in midfielder Kessié, with the club stating the Ivorian is not on their list of potential signings. Regarding the left-back position, Roma do not plan to reinforce their 'quarter' midfielders after the collapse of the Oosterwolde operation, leaving Wesley, Molina, Rensch and Lulli as available options, though last-minute opportunities are not ruled out. Roma must also resolve the departure of Neil El Aynaoui before pursuing further midfield additions. Crystal Palace and German clubs have tabled loan offers for the winger, but the operation is complicated by his wages, signing bonus and agent fees. The transfer window shuts on 1 September at 20:00.

Roma will learn the full league-phase schedule for the UEFA Champions League on 29 August, with the phase running from 8–10 September through 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico, while Roma travel to face PSG, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. The club has already sold 40,000 cup subscriptions, with the Curva Sud and Distinti Sud sections sold out. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to keep the starting eleven largely intact following Roma's convincing opening display against Fiorentina, fielding it again away at Lecce on Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora is on course to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with a battle between Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to retain their places. Defence headaches persist: Devyne Rensch will miss the Lecce trip due to a left-flexor problem and continues treatment, while Lorenzo Pellegrini continues his recovery work on an individual programme.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.