Dybala remains Roma's guiding star under Gasperini

Paulo Dybala has become Roma's entire foundation rather than merely the final flourish of an ambitious squad, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's decisive intervention this summer kept the Argentine at the club despite transfer interest from MLS and Boca Juniors. At 32, approaching 33 in November, Dybala will again be the focal point when Roma debut against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico in front of 67,000 supporters. The concentration of attacking responsibility on Dybala presents both an asset and a vulnerability. Having a player of his calibre is undoubtedly an extraordinary resource, but the squad risks becoming entirely dependent on his performances—raising the fundamental question of what happens when the Argentine needs rest or must manage the usual physical complaints. Finding a reliable alternative to lead the attack during his absences remains an open issue for Roma's technical project. Matías Soulé attempted to provide that depth last season before pubalgia problems halted his progression. This season, attention has turned to Rodrigo Mora, a Portuguese talent with crystalline ability, but expecting a recently arrived player to immediately shoulder the responsibility of driving the team represents excessive optimism at present.

Fabio Capello has assessed Roma's prospects ahead of their Serie A return against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini tasked with delivering an immediate response after a mixed pre-season. Inter, the defending champions, opened the new season on Saturday, while Roma must wait two more days for their own campaign debut. Capello warned that Gasperini faces an urgent challenge in fine-tuning his squad before facing a Fiorentina side that has undergone significant changes this summer, including a managerial switch, and will be keen to avoid another difficult campaign. Roma's return to the Champions League after seven years comes on the back of friendly matches that have not gone smoothly, though Capello acknowledged that pre-season tests help identify where tactical adjustments are needed. In his assessment, Capello said: "Gasperini has done a fine job and I think he will continue to do so, but if he finished third he must thank Malen. Very valid and dangerous. It's no accident that he's the one Roma's market activity has been built around." The former manager emphasised the midfielder's importance both in achieving last season's third-place finish and in anchoring the club's transfer strategy heading into the new campaign.

Fabio Capello has identified Donyell Malen as the driving force behind Roma's third-place finish last season, saying Gasperini will need to work quickly to prepare the squad for their Serie A restart. Roma host Fiorentina at the Olimpico in two days, while Inter begin the campaign today against Monza. Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport that Roma's pre-season friendlies have not gone smoothly, but the test matches show where improvements are needed. Fiorentina, who have invested heavily in the transfer market this summer and changed their manager, will arrive in strong form after a difficult previous season and will want to avoid another year of struggle. Roma are back in the Champions League for the first time in seven years. Capello acknowledged Gasperini's work but stressed the importance of Malen, saying: "Gasperini communique has done, and I think will continue to do, a fine job but if he arrived third he must thank Malen. Very valid and dangerous. It is no accident that it was from him that Roma's market activity restarted." The winger's performances appear to have reset expectations for the club's summer recruitment.

Matías Soulé is fighting for a starting place in Roma's opening Serie A match against Fiorentina on 24 August, with competition from Rodrigo Mora for the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Mora has impressed the coaching staff in early training and is challenging Soulé for the position, which does not perfectly suit the Argentine's playing style but which he must learn to interpret effectively. Soulé has regained fitness during pre-season after arriving at Trigoria carrying extra weight in mid-July, and his enthusiasm has been boosted by the arrival of two other Argentine players. However, transfer speculation has continued to shadow the final weeks of the summer window. Milan have been linked with a move, though no concrete offers have materialised and a departure appears unlikely at this stage. Soulé does not wish to leave the club and remains motivated to carve out his role in Gasperini's squad.

Roma's recruitment drive continues with three months to go before the start of the new campaign, as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad still requires reinforcement despite the imminent league opener against Fiorentina. The club's hierarchy is working to deliver two additional arrivals before the close of the transfer window: a midfielder and a winger. The arrival of Rodrigo Mora — deployed as a backup to Paulo Dybala on the left — falls short of addressing Gasperini's need for a dynamic wide player capable of breaking matches open with pace and technical ability. These acquisitions are contingent on outgoings; should players like Matías Soulé or Jan Ziółkowski depart, the number of incoming deals could rise to three. Among the targets on sporting director D'Amico's radar is Chelsea's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, an Elite Project client who has dropped out of the Blues' plans. If Chelsea confirm their willingness to negotiate a loan deal, the operation could accelerate significantly. Roma are also evaluating at least three attacking options while maintaining interest in Youssouf Fofana as a midfield candidate.

Paulo Dybala has become Roma's entire foundation rather than merely the final flourish of an ambitious squad, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's decisive intervention this summer kept the Argentine at the club despite transfer interest from MLS and Boca Juniors. At 32, approaching 33 in November, Dybala will again be the focal point when Roma debut against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico in front of 67,000 supporters. The concentration of attacking responsibility on Dybala presents both an asset and a vulnerability. Having a player of his calibre is undoubtedly an extraordinary resource, but the squad risks becoming entirely dependent on his performances—raising the fundamental question of what happens when the Argentine needs rest or must manage the usual physical complaints. Finding a reliable alternative to lead the attack during his absences remains an open issue for Roma's technical project. Matías Soulé attempted to provide that depth last season before pubalgia problems halted his progression. This season, attention has turned to Rodrigo Mora, a Portuguese talent with crystalline ability, but expecting a recently arrived player to immediately shoulder the responsibility of driving the team represents excessive optimism at present.

Rodrigo Mora's arrival at Roma is a calculated strategic addition that aligns with Gasperini's established attacking philosophy rather than a departure from it, according to tactical analysis. The Portuguese playmaker, who has generated discussion outside the club's training ground since June, complements rather than overturns the head coach's original plan. Gasperini has consistently sought two different profiles on the left wing in a 3-4-2-1 formation: a more technical player like Mora, and a dynamic runner such as Fofana, who remains a candidate to complete the attack overhaul. Gasperini deployed the 3-4-2-1 throughout the 2025–26 season, using Lorenzo Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder and playmaker rather than a winger. When he needed different characteristics, he rotated players including Venturino, Zaragoza, Baldanzi, Pisilli and El Shaarawy. The trequartista role is integral to his system regardless of Mora's signing, confirming that Roma's attacking architecture has not shifted. Roma's first three league fixtures—against Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta—all deploy a back four, matches in which Mora's profile will prove immediately useful behind the striker pairing. Gasperini used the 3-4-1-2 formation in four of five recent pre-season friendlies, fielding Soulé as trequartista three times and Cristante once. Roma's opening match comes Monday evening against Fiorentina at the Olimpico.

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.