El Aynaoui suspended at crucial moment as Roma face midfield crisis; Koné return urgently needed

Nahuel Molina has completed his transfer to AS Roma from Atlético Madrid, becoming the club's third signing of the summer. The full-back arrived in the capital on Monday evening and has signed a four-year contract, taking the number 20 shirt. Molina leaves La Liga to return to Serie A, where he previously played for Udinese. The 1998-born Argentine brings considerable European experience, having made 249 appearances and scored 19 goals across all competitions for Udinese and Atlético Madrid. A World Cup winner with Argentina in Qatar 2022, Molina has also claimed two Copa America titles (2021 and 2024) and earned 65 international caps. His arrival strengthens Roma's options on the flank as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares for the new season.

AS Roma have announced the signing of Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid on a permanent transfer. The Argentina international has signed a four-year contract with the Giallorossi after passing medical examination. Molina is Roma's third acquisition of the 2026–27 season, following Castro and Koulierakis. The 1998-born full-back brings extensive European pedigree, having made 249 appearances and scored 19 goals across all competitions for Udinese and Atlético Madrid combined. He was a cornerstone of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad in Qatar and won the Copa America twice (2021 and 2024), earning 65 senior caps overall. Molina departs Madrid after four years at the club. In a farewell message, Molina said: "Today, after 4 years, it is my turn to say goodbye to this great club. I am grateful to have been part of this beautiful family. I want to thank all my teammates and the coaching staff for helping me grow over these years and for all the people behind me day after day, accompanying me at every moment. Lastly, to all the athletes who are the heart of this club. THANK YOU."

Nahuel Molina has joined AS Roma from Atlético Madrid on a permanent transfer. The Argentine fullback signed a four-year contract and will wear number 20. Molina arrived at Ciampino two days before the announcement and bid farewell to Atlético Madrid on social media before Roma confirmed the deal. Molina, born in 1998, brings extensive European experience to the Giallorossi. In Europe with Udinese and Atlético Madrid, he has made 249 appearances and scored 19 goals across all competitions. The defender is a World Cup winner with Argentina, having claimed the trophy in Qatar in 2022, and has won the Copa America twice, in 2021 and 2024. He has earned 65 caps for the Argentine national team. The club announced: "AS Roma is pleased to announce the arrival of Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid. The operation is concluded with a permanent purchase. The player has signed a four-year contract with the Giallorossi club." Molina has chosen the number 20 shirt at Roma.

Roma have moved decisively in the transfer market, with nineteen-year-old Porto forward Rodrigo Mora close to joining the club and Argentine right-back Nahuel Molina officially arriving in the capital. Molina landed at Ciampino airport after Roma agreed a deal with Atlético Madrid worth 13 million euros plus 4 million in bonuses. He will replace Zeki Çelik on the right flank. The Mora deal is in its final stages, with Roma having worked extensively to fend off competition from Galatasaray. Porto president André Villas-Boas has agreed terms involving 25 million euros upfront—with 50 per cent of any future resale profit returning to Porto—plus a further 25 million euros in 2027. Mora will sign a five-year contract, a profile that immediately impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The move accelerates after the Endrick pursuit collapsed, with the Brazilian now bound for Real Madrid. With midfielder Manu Koné returning to full availability and expected returns of Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the horizon, Gasperini is building squad depth. Roma are also monitoring possible departures of Matías Soulé and Neil El Aynaoui to maintain financial balance, but the focus is on assembling a competitive, technically strong group ready for Serie A and European football.

Roma's defence, which finished as Serie A's second-best last season, has shown alarming fragility during their pre-season tour of Britain. The Giallorossi conceded eight goals across three friendlies—four against Cardiff, one against Newport, and three against Brighton—with the tally rising to 11 when including a 3–3 draw against Cannes. Against Brighton on 8 August, Gasperini made wholesale defensive changes after Roma had shipped three goals in 49 minutes, introducing Ghilardi and new arrival Koulierakis while withdrawing N'Dicka and Hermoso. The ivory-coast central defender had failed to close down Ayari's double, prompting Gasperini to turn to the bench and shout "Let's change." Hermoso, managing an ankle problem, allowed Rutter to nearly extend the lead moments after the 3–0. Earlier defensive lapses against Cardiff exposed deeper issues: Ahsford's opener came after N'Dicka slipped and a rebound off Rensch, while Salech's second followed a costly Svilar error on a dangerous Wesley backpass. El Aynaoui was substituted at half-time after a misplaced pass that set up Ayari's second goal, and Rensch drew criticism for poor decision-making. The unit that had anchored Roma's recent success now appears fragile heading into the season. Gasperini acknowledged the work ahead, saying "the team is struggling to switch back on," highlighting the scale of the challenge to restore defensive solidity before competitive fixtures begin.

Roma's pre-season tour of England ended in a heavy 3–0 defeat to Brighton. Goals from Georginio and a double from Ayari condemned the Giallorossi to a sluggish, listless performance that prompted immediate concern from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. "Terrible: a poor performance, lacking the right concentration. We're struggling to switch on, but we think we can fix it soon," Gasperini said after the match. The squad returns to Trigoria on Tuesday for group training, which will mark Nahuel Molina's first session with the team. Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury layoff extends beyond initial expectations, with Gasperini warning recovery will take at least a month and the matter will be reassessed in September. The coach also urged patience for players returning from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen among them—as Roma prepare for Serie A's start in a fortnight. On the transfer front, Gasperini confirmed changes to the squad. "We replaced Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro, then Koulierakis arrived. But numerically we still need something. D'Amico is negotiating very young but important players," he said, referencing director Tony D'Amico's ongoing dealings in the market.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is building a Roma side defined by youth, technical fluency, and aggressive attacking play, with quality and skill prioritized over physical presence. The structure centres on Rodrigo Mora, a slight-framed playmaker and dribbler who will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for a starting role, while Donyell Malen leads the forward line alongside technically gifted players including Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé. Offensive thrust will also flow from attacking full-backs such as Wesley, supported by various transfer targets including potential arrivals at centre-back and in midfield. With the team so heavily weighted towards attack, the stability of Roma's shape depends almost entirely on Manu Koné, who will screen the defence and reclaim possession alongside Bryan Cristante. The French midfielder's long-term future remains uncertain, however, and any departure would leave a void difficult to fill in the short term. Gasperini's vision prioritizes technical excellence across the attacking third, with contributions from wider areas through offensively minded defenders and young, technical players who can operate in varied roles across the pitch.

Roma ended their pre-season training camp in Wales with a 3–0 defeat to Brighton. Rutter and Ayari, who scored twice, were decisive for the home side. The loss concluded what proved a disappointing retreat before the Giallorossi return to Rome and prepare for their final warm-up fixture against Borussia Dortmund ahead of the 2026–27 season launch. In the second half against Brighton, Castro and Koulierakis were brought on to gain match time. Back at Trigoria, Roma await the return of Pellegrini and Koné, the latter having rejoined the squad after his summer break. Individual performances saw Bryan Cristante earn a rating of 6 for his display, while Mario Hermoso (4) and Wesley (4.5) both endured difficult afternoons in defence.

Roma suffered a second defeat in three pre-season outings, losing 3–0 to Brighton in what Gasperini described as a concerning display two weeks before the season begins. Wesley emerged as the standout performer, while Neil El Aynaoui stepped back from his midweek form, and the defence was repeatedly breached. Gianluca Mancini (5) lost his man on Brighton's third goal and appeared less commanding than usual, while Mario Hermoso (5) was partly culpable for the opening goal and departed with a foot problem. Evan N'Dicka (5.5) offered insufficient security at the back, and Devyne Rensch (4.5) endured a forgettable afternoon at right-back following several indecisions; Koulierakis (6) and Daniele Ghilardi (6) came on at half-time and improved the display, though the match was already decided. Wesley (6) impressed with his physicality and athleticism, particularly a close effort at the 28-minute mark, while Paulo Dybala (5.5) created Roma's most dangerous opportunity despite a subdued showing. Neil El Aynaoui (4.5) was erratic in midfield, losing the ball in an exchange with Rensch that led to Brighton's second goal. Bryan Cristante (5.5), the captain, struggled to control the midfield as his experience might demand. Matías Soulé (5.5) lacked incisiveness despite constant movement. Donyell Malen (5) remained short of match fitness and rarely troubled the goalkeeper. Gasperini rated the performance 5, noting that Roma has conceded eleven goals across the last 360 minutes of pre-season play. Though he acknowledged no points are at stake in August, he expressed disappointment for the 750 Roma supporters in attendance. The transfer market remains underdeveloped, he added, but the squad must perform better ahead of competitive fixtures.

Roma are pushing hard in the market ahead of their Serie A debut in under two weeks, with director D'Amico working on multiple targets across attack and the flanks. The club has reached a five-year agreement with Rodrigo Mora, a talented Porto prospect born in 2007, and is negotiating with Jorge Mendes on a deal worth €25 million plus 50 per cent of future resale proceeds. The Endrick option has collapsed after Real Madrid secured him; Roma remain active on alternative tracks including Cacciamani from Torino and Luis Henrique from Inter, while Destiny Udogie of Tottenham has emerged as a new option, though Spurs have not yet opened the door to a loan with a purchase option. Training resumed at Trigoria with Nahuel Molina arriving from Atlético Madrid integrated into the squad, and Manu Koné returning after his post-World Cup break. Niccolò Pisilli has rejoined group training. In departures, Angeliño moved to Deportivo La Coruña on a loan deal with a right to buy, vacating the number 3 shirt, which Koulierakis has now claimed. In youth development, Francesco Ballarin, a midfielder born in 2009, has been signed from Venezia to join Roma's youth sector.

Roma have moved decisively in the transfer market, with nineteen-year-old Porto forward Rodrigo Mora close to joining the club and Argentine right-back Nahuel Molina officially arriving in the capital. Molina landed at Ciampino airport after Roma agreed a deal with Atlético Madrid worth 13 million euros plus 4 million in bonuses. He will replace Zeki Çelik on the right flank. The Mora deal is in its final stages, with Roma having worked extensively to fend off competition from Galatasaray. Porto president André Villas-Boas has agreed terms involving 25 million euros upfront—with 50 per cent of any future resale profit returning to Porto—plus a further 25 million euros in 2027. Mora will sign a five-year contract, a profile that immediately impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The move accelerates after the Endrick pursuit collapsed, with the Brazilian now bound for Real Madrid. With midfielder Manu Koné returning to full availability and expected returns of Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the horizon, Gasperini is building squad depth. Roma are also monitoring possible departures of Matías Soulé and Neil El Aynaoui to maintain financial balance, but the focus is on assembling a competitive, technically strong group ready for Serie A and European football.

Roma continue their pre-season preparation in England on Saturday 8 August, facing Brighton at the American Express Stadium with kickoff at 16:00. Head coach Gasperini will be without Molina, who will join the squad directly at Trigoria, though Malen is available. Pisilli and Bah remain sidelined through injury. The friendly forms part of Roma's summer training schedule following their time in Wales. Gasperini has confirmed his squad composition for the match, with the unavailability of two key players due to injury requiring tactical adjustments. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, accessible via the app or official website through smartphone, PC, or tablet.