Dybala orchestrates, Cristante and Mancini provide foundation: a winning core

Alayah Pilgrim spoke to the club after Roma's Serie A Women's Cup fixture against Ternana, reflecting on a hard-fought victory. "It wasn't an easy match, on this field and against this team," she said. "We encountered a lot of difficulties, physically and in the duels, but we won with courage and hunger. We're happy." Pilgrim called the result a strong foundation for the season ahead. "It's a good start for us, but we need to work even harder in view of the Women's Cup and the season," she said. Roma's next match comes at home at Tre Fontane against Sassuolo. Pilgrim added: "The next match will be at home: we'll return to Tre Fontane, where we'll face Sassuolo. I can't wait for next week to come. Against Sassuolo we need to do good work."

Roma director Tony D'Amico is methodically working through the final stretch of the transfer window, weighing opportunities in the coming days after completing the lengthy negotiation to bring Rodrigo Mora to Trigoria. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified two priority targets: a central midfielder and a winger, though the club will pursue deals within its financial parameters, potentially using loan arrangements to keep costs down. The squad is competitive but lacks the numerical and qualitative depth required for a genuine step forward. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, an English winger born in 2004, has emerged as the latest attacking target. The London-born player, currently limited in rotation at Chelsea and previously signed by Borussia Dortmund for £50 million, fits Gasperini's tactical principles and would arrive on a low-cost, salary-efficient deal. The midfielder pursuit has already hit obstacles: negotiations with Udogie broke down over misaligned financial conditions and mutual desire, while Cacciamani from Torino remains a live option only if the Serie A club drops its €20 million valuation. The player from Jesi made his mark with Juventus Stabia in last season's second division. If the Cacciamani approach falters, D'Amico is working on alternative profiles available via loan with purchase option arrangements. On potential outgoings, Jan Ziółkowski remains on the market—no formal offer has reached Trigoria despite Saudi League interest in the Polish defender. Similarly, rumours of Manchester City's interest in Manu Koné have produced no concrete approach or bid on D'Amico's desk. Should significant offers arrive and prove convincing, Roma stands ready to recruit top-tier replacements. Two new signings plus contingent replacements remain on the table. The window is far from closed, with ambition maintained but financial discipline intact.

Roma are closing on a deal to sign Alessio Cacciamani from Torino, with the gap between the two clubs narrowing to around €2 million. Director D'Amico is working multiple fronts to complete Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the season's official start in two weeks. Cacciamani, born in 2007, is one of Italy's most promising young talents and already capped at Under-21 level. He made his Serie A debut in Torino's colours and starred in Serie B for Juve Stabia during the 2025-26 season. Roma's latest offer stands at €12 million, with Torino's asking price just €2 million higher—a gap the Giallorossi believe is bridgeable for both sides. He would serve as a backup left winger to the ever-present Wesley, with Molina and Rensch occupying the other flank. Cacciamani and two attacking midfielders would give Gasperini's Roma the profile needed for a Champions League campaign. In parallel, D'Amico is working on an exit that would generate profit on the books. Jan Ziółkowski is expected to receive an official offer from Saudi Arabia totalling around €20 million—a significant margin on the €6 million paid to Legia Warsaw for the Polish defender last summer. Matías Soulé is also a possible departure and could facilitate a move for Endrick, though no formal bids have arrived for him yet, including from AC Milan, which had shown interest in recent days without making a concrete advance. The club faces a deadline of two weeks before the season officially begins, creating logical urgency to complete its business across the transfer market.

Roma will begin their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina within 24 hours, looking to build on last season's third-place finish. Nahuel Molina is ready for his debut on the right wing, with Devyne Rensch as backup, while Wesley has fully recovered from a ankle problem and will start on the left. The main tactical uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield slot alongside Paulo Dybala and behind striker Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé currently holds the advantage for that position after impressing the coaching staff during pre-season training, losing weight and setting aside transfer speculation. Rodrigo Mora poses a rival claim and is eager to make his debut. However, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini retains an alternative tactical option: deploying Bryan Cristante as a trequartista. The 1995-born midfielder has been used successfully in that role several times last season within the 3-4-1-2 formation, providing defensive stability and strong results. Should Gasperini opt for Cristante in advance, the midfield pivot would comprise Manu Koné alongside either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli. The final decision will come only after the training session on the eve of the match, pending assessments of Aynaoui's fitness following the World Cup and the condition of young Italian academy product Pisilli, who has only recently rejoined the group.

Matías Soulé has reclaimed his place in Roma's starting XI for Sunday's match against Fiorentina after an impressive pre-season, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed. The Argentine winger had faced a difficult summer marked by transfer speculation and fitness concerns that drew criticism from Gasperini during the early days of training. Now in top form following an exceptional preparation, Soulé will partner Paulo Dybala in an all-Argentine attacking three, with Donyell Malen completing the trident on the right. Soulé has edged out Rodrigo Mora for the starting berth, the same trio that finished last season in Roma's Champions League match against Hellas Verona. Elsewhere, Gasperini has confirmed the debut of Molina on the right wing, with fellow Argentine Castro expected to come off the bench given that Malen has not yet reached full fitness. Wesley returns to full availability at left-back after recovery, while Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are set to start midfield duties together. In defence, Mario Hermoso is favoured over Koulierakis. Gasperini has also promoted academy player Emanuele Lulli to the first-team squad following an impressive showing during the summer retreat. The coach said of Lulli: "He has demonstrated that he possesses the right characteristics to be part of Roma's squad. He will follow his development path."

Roma prepare for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini running through final selection details. The squad is virtually at full strength, with Lorenzo Pellegrini the sole absentee as he continues his rehabilitation programme. Gasperini has been resolving key tactical questions in recent training sessions as Roma adopt their familiar 3-4-1-2 formation. The main selection uncertainty centres on midfield and the attacking three. In defence, the back three will comprise Gianluca Mancini on the centre-right, Evan N'Dicka in the middle, and Mario Hermoso on the left. Molina will operate on the right flank and Wesley on the left, both tasked with providing attacking thrust and quick defensive cover. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are locked in as the attacking partnership. Gasperini is considering fielding young Rodrigo Mora in the number 10 role from the start, a move that would sacrifice some defensive balance but offer greater attacking quality. In central midfield, Niccolò Pisilli holds a clear advantage over Neil El Aynaoui in the battle to partner Manu Koné and provide dynamism and forward runs. This positioning could see Bryan Cristante start on the bench despite featuring heavily in pre-season friendlies. Roma will hold a final training session this afternoon at Trigoria before the squad remains overnight at the Fulvio Bernardini sports centre ahead of Monday's debut against Fiorentina.

Roma will begin their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina within 24 hours, looking to build on last season's third-place finish. Nahuel Molina is ready for his debut on the right wing, with Devyne Rensch as backup, while Wesley has fully recovered from a ankle problem and will start on the left. The main tactical uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield slot alongside Paulo Dybala and behind striker Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé currently holds the advantage for that position after impressing the coaching staff during pre-season training, losing weight and setting aside transfer speculation. Rodrigo Mora poses a rival claim and is eager to make his debut. However, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini retains an alternative tactical option: deploying Bryan Cristante as a trequartista. The 1995-born midfielder has been used successfully in that role several times last season within the 3-4-1-2 formation, providing defensive stability and strong results. Should Gasperini opt for Cristante in advance, the midfield pivot would comprise Manu Koné alongside either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli. The final decision will come only after the training session on the eve of the match, pending assessments of Aynaoui's fitness following the World Cup and the condition of young Italian academy product Pisilli, who has only recently rejoined the group.

Roma are one day away from their opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina at the Olimpico. Alejandro Molina will make his debut on the right flank, with Devyne Rensch heading to the bench, while Wesley returns on the left after recovering from a minor right ankle sprain. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini faces a key decision in midfield and attack: the main uncertainty concerns the number 10 role in his 3-4-1-2 formation, where three players are competing for one starting place. Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora, and Bryan Cristante are all in contention. In recent weeks, Soulé has impressed in pre-season training. The Argentine arrived carrying some extra weight but has worked hard from day one despite transfer speculation. Gasperini praised his efforts: "During this preparation he has been very good, he has been exceptional. He has got himself back in shape and I must say that now he is in excellent condition." Mora also arrived recently on Monday evening with great enthusiasm. If Cristante operates deeper in midfield, the choice narrows to Soulé versus Mora. The midfielder's positioning would move Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli alongside Manu Koné in central midfield, depending on their fitness. El Aynaoui remains out of condition following the World Cup, while Pisilli has only recently returned to full group training. The final decision will be made at today's training session.

Matías Soulé has reclaimed his place in Roma's starting XI for Sunday's match against Fiorentina after an impressive pre-season, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed. The Argentine winger had faced a difficult summer marked by transfer speculation and fitness concerns that drew criticism from Gasperini during the early days of training. Now in top form following an exceptional preparation, Soulé will partner Paulo Dybala in an all-Argentine attacking three, with Donyell Malen completing the trident on the right. Soulé has edged out Rodrigo Mora for the starting berth, the same trio that finished last season in Roma's Champions League match against Hellas Verona. Elsewhere, Gasperini has confirmed the debut of Molina on the right wing, with fellow Argentine Castro expected to come off the bench given that Malen has not yet reached full fitness. Wesley returns to full availability at left-back after recovery, while Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are set to start midfield duties together. In defence, Mario Hermoso is favoured over Koulierakis. Gasperini has also promoted academy player Emanuele Lulli to the first-team squad following an impressive showing during the summer retreat. The coach said of Lulli: "He has demonstrated that he possesses the right characteristics to be part of Roma's squad. He will follow his development path."

Roma prepare for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini running through final selection details. The squad is virtually at full strength, with Lorenzo Pellegrini the sole absentee as he continues his rehabilitation programme. Gasperini has been resolving key tactical questions in recent training sessions as Roma adopt their familiar 3-4-1-2 formation. The main selection uncertainty centres on midfield and the attacking three. In defence, the back three will comprise Gianluca Mancini on the centre-right, Evan N'Dicka in the middle, and Mario Hermoso on the left. Molina will operate on the right flank and Wesley on the left, both tasked with providing attacking thrust and quick defensive cover. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are locked in as the attacking partnership. Gasperini is considering fielding young Rodrigo Mora in the number 10 role from the start, a move that would sacrifice some defensive balance but offer greater attacking quality. In central midfield, Niccolò Pisilli holds a clear advantage over Neil El Aynaoui in the battle to partner Manu Koné and provide dynamism and forward runs. This positioning could see Bryan Cristante start on the bench despite featuring heavily in pre-season friendlies. Roma will hold a final training session this afternoon at Trigoria before the squad remains overnight at the Fulvio Bernardini sports centre ahead of Monday's debut against Fiorentina.

Oosterwolde embodies the prototype of the modern full-back for Gasperini: pure centre-back physicality combined with high running volume and an appetite to influence the final third—a profile Arsenal has long deployed in players such as Hincapié and former Roma man Calafiori. The statistics from his last season at Fenerbahce tell the story. In both the Super Lig and Europa League, Oosterwolde ranked among the best for crosses and crossing success rate, averaging 0.21 crosses per match with a 43% success rate in the Super Lig, alongside a high volume of potential assists (0.07 per match, an exceptional figure for a centre-back) and ball recovery in the opponent's third. Roma require varied weapons to trouble opponents. Gasperini's plan is to deploy a left-sided defender who operates either as part of a three-man defence in the Mancini mould or on the left flank as a Wesley replacement with a profile closer to Molina's—combining defensive solidity with attacking threat.

Wesley has returned to full training and will start at left-back in Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico (20:45), after recovering from an ankle injury that disrupted his summer preparation. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley and Molina on the wings, and Dybala and Malen leading the attack. The main tactical question concerns the number 10 position: Gasperini is tempted to deploy Rodrigo Mora's pure talent from the start, but faces a dilemma. Launching Mora could risk losing defensive balance and midfield cover; instead, Gasperini appears inclined toward a more cautious approach, pairing either Pisilli or El Aynaoui alongside Koné in midfield, with Cristante advanced to the number 10 role to provide substance, runs, and physical presence. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation after knee surgery, while young Bah has successfully undergone right-knee surgery.