From June ambitions to Champions League: How Gasperini transformed Roma

Antonio Nusa could become only the fourth Norwegian player to wear Roma's yellow and red since the club's founding in 1927. The Scandinavian connection has produced three memorable figures across two decades. John Alieu Carew arrived in summer 2003 on loan with a purchase option from Valencia, almost 23 years ago when Nusa was not yet born. The imposing centre-forward scored on his Serie A debut against Brescia and in his UEFA Cup bow versus Vardar, finishing with 8 goals in 29 appearances before departing after a single season. His Roma stint became legendary for unforgettable celebrations—pouring a bucket of water under the Curva Sud after scoring against Reggina, and cradling a Roma ballboy following his Lecce goal. John Arne Riise, born in Ålesund some 533 kilometres from Carew's hometown of Lørenskog, proved far more enduring. The left-back, called "Roscio" by Roma supporters, left Liverpool after seven years to become the club's strongest Norwegian export and most beloved. Playing 131 times, Riise scored 11 goals with his powerful left foot and remains Norway's all-time caps leader. His header in January 2010 clinched a famous 3–1 victory at Juventus, ending a nine-year drought there, while a strike against Siena followed immediately after. Those goals fuelled Ranieri's dramatic title push toward Inter, though the Scudetto slipped away in the season's final matches. Riise departed in July 2011 but remains emotionally tied to the club. Ola Solbakken, signed in January 2023 at no fee after a hat-trick performance for Bodø, became the third Norwegian. He debuted against Fiorentina that month and scored his sole goal in February during a 3–2 win at Verona—his first game as a starter—before fading from the picture. Nusa now carries the mantle following spells in Belgium and Germany.

Thomas Tuchel faced a wave of criticism from English media and supporters after England's elimination from the World Cup semi-final to Argentina. Lionel Messi's side advanced to the final on the back of two assists from the Argentine forward, but focus in Britain quickly turned to Tuchel's tactical decisions. The German coach was accused of adopting an overly cautious approach after James Maddison's goal, prioritising defensive solidity over attacking ambition—a strategy that ultimately proved ineffective. Roma supporters and other Serie A fans seized on the moment to invoke memories of José Mourinho's masterclass in defensive pragmatism. Three years ago, Mourinho's Roma won 1–0 away at Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final first leg, a display widely praised for its discipline and organisation. One Roma fan commented: "Tell Tuchel he is not Mourinho. That night in Leverkusen will go down in history." Inter fans similarly referenced their own tactical triumph, with one supporter writing: "Nobody does it better than Mou. Tuchel was terrible." English fans vented their frustration across social media, with many calling for the manager's removal. The overwhelming sentiment suggested Tuchel's negative approach had not resonated with the fanbase at a crucial juncture in the tournament.

Ardon Jashari's first season at AC Milan proved disappointing after arriving from Club Brugge in summer 2025 following a competitive transfer battle with Borussia Dortmund. The Swiss midfielder suffered a fibula fracture immediately after Milan's opening-match home defeat against Cremonese, sidelining him for weeks. Even after recovery, he did not return to Serie A action until 28 December, by which time the midfield of Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci, Adrien Rabiot, and Luka Modric had gelled under Massimiliano Allegri, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek adding further competition. Jashari played the full 90 minutes in just two matches during his debut Serie A season. Despite limited match practice, Jashari earned a call-up to Switzerland's 2026 World Cup squad in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, though he could not displace Granit Xhaka as the team's midfield strategist. His prospects brighten under new Milan coach Rúben Amorim, who favours a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation requiring only two central midfielders. With Milan currently holding nine players in that position, Jashari will face tough competition during pre-season. Roma and Atalanta have reportedly already made inquiries about the 23-year-old, signalling alternative options should he struggle to impress at Milan.

Roma's 2026–27 season got underway at the Trigoria training ground as players arrived for pre-season, drawing around 100 supporters to Piazzale Dino Viola on a hot summer day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees in the afternoon. The first arrivals included Ghilardi, Angeliño, and Soulé, with supporters greeting the squad enthusiastically throughout the morning. Coach Gasperini arrived without signing autographs or posing for photos but opened his car window to acknowledge the fans. Pisilli drew particular acclaim from the gathering, while Wesley, described as one of the squad's brightest stars, spent time engaging with the crowd despite the heavy gathering around his vehicle. Other squad members including Gollini, Mancini, Dovbyk, Svilar, Hermoso, Vaz, Rensch, Ziółkowski, and Cristante all passed through during the session. Some players, including Dybala, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano, arrived discreetly. One supporter praised Dybala's commitment, saying: "He gave proof of a great gesture of love towards the city and fans, accepting the salary reduction." The atmosphere captured the renewed optimism surrounding the club as preparation for the new campaign began.

Roma started serious preparation for the 2026–27 season on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming a 17-man squad for initial training at Trigoria. Paulo Dybala featured in the group and marked his contract renewal with a short interview on Roma's official channels. Wesley returned to training immediately following the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup, training alongside teammates in the new kit that showcases the restored classic crest. Gasperini was accompanied by sporting director Tony D'Amico. The initial squad includes four goalkeepers—Svilar, Gollini, De Marzi, and Vasquez—and seven defenders: Angeliño, Ghilardi, Hermoso, Mancini, Rensch, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Çelik will join on 18 August after completing his holiday following his contract renewal, while N'Dicka is due to arrive on 22 August. Only Pisilli and Cristante are currently available in midfield, with El Aynaoui expected on 30 August and Koné's arrival date to be confirmed pending the end of the World Cup. The attacking line features Dybala, Dovbyk, Soulé, and Vaz, with Dybala the only forward certain to remain at the club long-term. The squad is staying overnight at Fulvio Bernardini training centre and will undergo a double session today—training at 08:00 and 18:00. Roma have also opened ticket sales for their first official pre-season match at Cannes on 26 July at Pierre de Coubertin stadium, with visiting supporters' tickets priced at €15 each through AS Cannes' official website.

Roma's 2026–27 season began this morning at Trigoria with players returning to the training ground. Paulo Dybala has been included in head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad for the pre-season gathering, following the announcement of his contract renewal. Gasperini, now in his second year as Roma coach, named 18 players in his initial squad list: Angeliño, Cristante, De Marzi, Dovbyk, Dybala, Ghilardi, Gollini, Hermoso, Mancini, Pisilli, Rensch, Soulé, Svilar, Vasquez, Vaz, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Additional players awaiting moves—Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano—will join the group, with returning World Cup participants to follow. The first training session took place today at 18:00, with a double session scheduled for tomorrow comprising sessions at 08:00 and 18:00. The squad will remain at Trigoria for accommodation over both days.

Roma's 2026–27 season got underway at the Trigoria training ground as players arrived for pre-season, drawing around 100 supporters to Piazzale Dino Viola on a hot summer day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees in the afternoon. The first arrivals included Ghilardi, Angeliño, and Soulé, with supporters greeting the squad enthusiastically throughout the morning. Coach Gasperini arrived without signing autographs or posing for photos but opened his car window to acknowledge the fans. Pisilli drew particular acclaim from the gathering, while Wesley, described as one of the squad's brightest stars, spent time engaging with the crowd despite the heavy gathering around his vehicle. Other squad members including Gollini, Mancini, Dovbyk, Svilar, Hermoso, Vaz, Rensch, Ziółkowski, and Cristante all passed through during the session. Some players, including Dybala, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano, arrived discreetly. One supporter praised Dybala's commitment, saying: "He gave proof of a great gesture of love towards the city and fans, accepting the salary reduction." The atmosphere captured the renewed optimism surrounding the club as preparation for the new campaign began.

Roma started serious preparation for the 2026–27 season on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming a 17-man squad for initial training at Trigoria. Paulo Dybala featured in the group and marked his contract renewal with a short interview on Roma's official channels. Wesley returned to training immediately following the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup, training alongside teammates in the new kit that showcases the restored classic crest. Gasperini was accompanied by sporting director Tony D'Amico. The initial squad includes four goalkeepers—Svilar, Gollini, De Marzi, and Vasquez—and seven defenders: Angeliño, Ghilardi, Hermoso, Mancini, Rensch, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Çelik will join on 18 August after completing his holiday following his contract renewal, while N'Dicka is due to arrive on 22 August. Only Pisilli and Cristante are currently available in midfield, with El Aynaoui expected on 30 August and Koné's arrival date to be confirmed pending the end of the World Cup. The attacking line features Dybala, Dovbyk, Soulé, and Vaz, with Dybala the only forward certain to remain at the club long-term. The squad is staying overnight at Fulvio Bernardini training centre and will undergo a double session today—training at 08:00 and 18:00. Roma have also opened ticket sales for their first official pre-season match at Cannes on 26 July at Pierre de Coubertin stadium, with visiting supporters' tickets priced at €15 each through AS Cannes' official website.

Gian Piero Gasperini's second summer as Roma head coach began in earnest on Monday with the squad's return to Trigoria for their first training session. Wesley completed his rehabilitation from a muscle injury sustained before the World Cup and trained with the full group, while Paulo Dybala arrived shortly before noon to sign a contract renewal. Nearly one hundred supporters welcomed the players as they arrived for medical checks at Campus Bio Medico before heading to the training ground, with Daniele Ghilardi the first through the gates. Gianluca Mancini and Wesley were among the most warmly received by fans. Gasperini delivered an address to the squad ahead of the opening session in the late afternoon, which featured high intensity work that quickly dispelled any notion of a gentle introduction. The session took place under the watch of sporting director D'Amico. Seventeen players were included in the initial squad list—four of them goalkeepers—with additional names including Pagano, Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini and Reale awaiting transfer moves. No new signings have yet arrived at the club; the only fresh faces are at administrative level. From Tuesday, Roma will begin double training sessions, with the first starting at 8 a.m. and gym work scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

Rome's radio stations have analysed Roma's transfer window, with particular focus on midfielder Manu Koné's potential departure. A €53 million fee for Koné was discussed across multiple programmes, with opinions divided on whether the club should sell. Nando Orsi stated: "For 53 million, Koné lo porto a cavacecio: it's a good price", while Alessandro Vocalelli called Koné "the most irreplaceable player at Roma" and said he would not let him leave if possible. Luigi Ferrajolo deemed the €53 million figure "roughly in line with his value" but questioned whether Roma should lose Koné, Svilar, or Wesley instead. Transfer activity elsewhere dominated discussion. Francesco Balzani predicted Moreira would be Roma's first completed signing, with the club having "given the player the right value" and planning a future resale. Summerville remains a target but negotiations have stalled—the player continues to demand over €5 million per season in wages. Piero Torri suggested Moreira and Summerville are not alternatives but complementary signings, with Moreira capable of playing multiple positions. Lorenzo Pes noted that Gasperini wants two attacking wingers and that Moreira's modest wage demand aids negotiations, though Summerville's situation requires further work. Contract extensions were also covered: Bryan Cristante extended his deal by one year, while Gianluca Mancini added two years, though Mancini received a minor salary increase. Pes suggested Gasperini may be avoiding overly long contracts to maintain tactical flexibility.

Roma radio pundits debated the club's managerial direction and Manu Koné's market value in a daily commentary roundup. Carina on Radio Radio said Ferdinand, described as a serious figure with Manchester contacts, did not invent claims about a managerial agreement: "I don't think he made anything up." Carina suggested Roma may already have an agreement with Koné and are now negotiating with his current club, noting that Koné's departure is highly probable. He deemed the €59 million valuation appropriate but suggested it could rise further by comparison to similar deals. Orsi on Radio Radio countered that €53 million represents fair value for Koné: "For 53 million, I'd sell Koné—that's a good price." Pruzzo on Radio Radio stressed that Roma's technical direction matters less than the quality of incoming additions, predicting Manchester will pay whatever necessary and arguing the midfield needs rebuilding regardless of Koné's future. Ciotti and Fidanza on Radio Romanista praised midfielder Paredes' leadership and composure under Gasperini, comparing his personality to Svilar and Mancini. Fidanza highlighted Paredes' composure in the recent derby and noted his ability to operate at the tactical limit without accumulating yellow cards, contrasting him with players such as Hermoso who lose focus more readily.

Roma are pursuing a contract extension for goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini as part of a broader squad retention effort following the recent renewal of Paulo Dybala and ongoing negotiations with Zeki Çelik and Lorenzo Pellegrini. The club intends to prolong Gollini's deal by a further year, extending it from its current expiry date of June 2027 to June 2028, according to Il Tempo. Gollini, who responded to Gasperini's call-up for the national team gathering, is set to continue as backup to Mile Svilar for the next two seasons. Despite limited playing time last season, appearing only in Roma's Europa League group-stage match against Panathinaikos, Gollini remains valued as a reliable and important resource for the squad. The goalkeeper's retention forms part of Roma's preparations for a demanding campaign ahead, with the club committed to competing in both Serie A and the Champions League. The consolidation of Gollini's status reflects Roma's strategy to maintain squad depth and experience in a season expected to be lengthy and challenging.