Gallery: Dybala's goal and Roma's farewell—the best shots from Borussia Dortmund 2–2 Roma

Nahuel Molina made a strong impression in his first appearance for Roma, featuring for over half an hour in a 2–2 friendly against Borussia Dortmund. The Argentine full-back, who joined from Atlético Madrid for 13 million euros plus 4 million in add-ons, demonstrated his attacking thrust, intensity, ball control, and defensive aggression. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini identified him as the right player to elevate Roma's play on the flanks and bring additional international experience ahead of the club's return to the Champions League. Molina's solid performance at Dortmund surprised some Atlético supporters, many of whom had welcomed his departure after inconsistent form in recent seasons. The display prompted reactions on social media, with some observers drawing comparisons to legendary full-back Cafu and questioning why Molina had not performed at this level for Atlético. One fan wrote: "He left Atlético and became Cafu." Another asked: "Now he plays well?" A third joked: "It's clear that Madrid's water did him no good." The comments reflected a mix of irony and mild regret among the Spanish club's fanbase.

Nahuel Molina delivered a commanding performance in Roma's recent match against Dortmund, dispelling early doubts about his impact at the club. Playing thirty minutes, the fullback showcased the complete package — recovery runs, aggressive defending, physical presence, and composure on the ball — that Gasperini has been seeking. Molina provided width on the flank, defended solidly, pushed forward, and demonstrated the security required to function as a true two-phase external player within Roma's new tactical system. Molina's first weeks at Roma had been shadowed by scepticism. His displays in Argentina's World Cup campaign, marked by errors against England and Spain, had raised concerns. The Dortmund performance marked a turning point, reshaping perception of the 26-year-old's capabilities and integration into the squad. The strength of his showing was striking enough to catch the attention of Atlético Madrid supporters on social media, who expressed both surprise and regret at his new level of expression. Atlético fans reacted with incredulity, one noting: "With us he never played like this." The comparison was pointed: "Now he looks like Cafù, it's incredible." Molina is set for his first official test in Roma colours against Fiorentina, and Gasperini evidently backs him to deliver at that level.

Emanuele Lulli, the 18-year-old right-back, delivered a positive display for Roma in their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Stadium yesterday, starting and playing 76 minutes. Gasperini has regularly deployed the class of 2007 prospect in recent weeks, with Lulli appearing in progressive minutes across warm-up fixtures: 18 minutes against Cardiff, 20 against Newport, 12 against Brighton, and the full 76-minute outing against Dortmund. The teenager, who turns 19 tomorrow, demonstrated both defensive cover and attacking thrust—precisely what Gasperini demands from his fullbacks. Roma's recruitment focus remains on the offensive flank, though director D'Amico continues work on the fullback contingent. With Tsimikas, Çelik and Angeliño departed, the squad has lacked reinforcement on the wings; only Wesley and Devyne Rensch remain from last season, with Molina arriving yesterday on his Roma debut. Lulli's composed display offers genuine hope of a permanent pathway into first-team contention under Gasperini. Lulli recorded three defensive contributions, two interceptions and three recoveries in addition to one clearance across his 76 minutes, also winning one ground duel and one aerial duel. He registered 88% pass accuracy in the opposition half (7/8) and 82% in his own half (9/11), with 2 of 3 long passes reaching their target. His ball-carrying statistics stand out: 54.9 metres gained (compared to 23.3 for Rensch), including 37.4 metres towards the opposition goal (21.3 for Rensch). Roma continue pressing on Udogie, while moves for Cacciamani and Luis Henrique face complications.

Roma will host Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 for the opening day of the Serie A season. Gasperini's Roma will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso in defence; Molina, El Aynaoui, Cristante, and Wesley across midfield; Dybala and Soulé in attacking support; and Malen leading the line. Fiorentina will deploy a 4-3-3 system under Grosso, featuring De Gea in goal, with Joao Mario, Viery, Dragusin, and Valdepenas in defence, Ndour, Oulai, and Atta in midfield, and Mastantuono, Kean, and Gudmundsson in attack. Tickets for the match remain on sale through the Roma website. The fixture will be broadcast live on Dazn. Fans can also follow live text coverage on ilromanista.eu or listen to radio commentary on radioromanista.it.

Paulo Dybala produced a masterclass performance in Roma's latest summer friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Stadium, playing 86 minutes and delivering a complete attacking display. He opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a precise finish from a tight angle, then set up Bryan Cristante's header in the ninth. The display capped a remarkable pre-season for the Argentine, who has excelled throughout the summer schedule in ways he never has before at the club. Across Roma's full pre-season campaign, Dybala has accumulated three goals in matches against Primavera and Trastevere at Trigoria, a brace and an assist in the 3–3 friendly against Cannes, a goal and assist across fixtures in Wales (goals against Cardiff, assist against Newport), and a goal in Germany. He was goalless only at Brighton. Statistically and physically, Dybala appears to have arrived for the 2026–27 season in elite condition—a stark contrast to his previous summers in a Roma shirt. In 2022, after his initial arrival, he featured in only two pre-season matches (against Tottenham, with an assist, and Shakhtar Donetsk) owing to fitness concerns. In 2023 he played four of five friendlies, scoring three goals. The summer of 2024 saw him in four of five tests with one goal, while last summer he skipped all English fixtures due to post-surgical recovery and returned only in the final pre-season match against Neom.

Paulo Dybala scored and assisted in Roma's 2–2 friendly draw at Borussia Dortmund, the club's final warm-up match before the Serie A season begins. The Argentine delivered another display of high quality, reinforcing encouraging signs about his physical condition heading into the new campaign. Dybala was full of praise for the performance on social media after the match. He posted: "Last match before the start of a new season in Serie A. Beautiful match against a great team in a difficult stadium. Well done everyone." The fixture served as final preparation for Gasperini's side as they prepare for the competitive campaign ahead.

Roma will host Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 for the opening day of the Serie A season. Gasperini's Roma will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso in defence; Molina, El Aynaoui, Cristante, and Wesley across midfield; Dybala and Soulé in attacking support; and Malen leading the line. Fiorentina will deploy a 4-3-3 system under Grosso, featuring De Gea in goal, with Joao Mario, Viery, Dragusin, and Valdepenas in defence, Ndour, Oulai, and Atta in midfield, and Mastantuono, Kean, and Gudmundsson in attack. Tickets for the match remain on sale through the Roma website. The fixture will be broadcast live on Dazn. Fans can also follow live text coverage on ilromanista.eu or listen to radio commentary on radioromanista.it.

Paulo Dybala produced a masterclass performance in Roma's latest summer friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Stadium, playing 86 minutes and delivering a complete attacking display. He opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a precise finish from a tight angle, then set up Bryan Cristante's header in the ninth. The display capped a remarkable pre-season for the Argentine, who has excelled throughout the summer schedule in ways he never has before at the club. Across Roma's full pre-season campaign, Dybala has accumulated three goals in matches against Primavera and Trastevere at Trigoria, a brace and an assist in the 3–3 friendly against Cannes, a goal and assist across fixtures in Wales (goals against Cardiff, assist against Newport), and a goal in Germany. He was goalless only at Brighton. Statistically and physically, Dybala appears to have arrived for the 2026–27 season in elite condition—a stark contrast to his previous summers in a Roma shirt. In 2022, after his initial arrival, he featured in only two pre-season matches (against Tottenham, with an assist, and Shakhtar Donetsk) owing to fitness concerns. In 2023 he played four of five friendlies, scoring three goals. The summer of 2024 saw him in four of five tests with one goal, while last summer he skipped all English fixtures due to post-surgical recovery and returned only in the final pre-season match against Neom.

Roma drew 2–2 with Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, ahead of their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante gave Roma a two-goal lead early in the match, but Ryerson and Guirassy equalised for Dortmund to secure a draw. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will grant the squad three days' rest following their return to Rome. Training at Trigoria will resume on Wednesday morning. The result provided positive signs for Gasperini as Roma prepare for the new campaign.

Roma will host Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 for the opening day of the Serie A season. Gasperini's Roma will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso in defence; Molina, El Aynaoui, Cristante, and Wesley across midfield; Dybala and Soulé in attacking support; and Malen leading the line. Fiorentina will deploy a 4-3-3 system under Grosso, featuring De Gea in goal, with Joao Mario, Viery, Dragusin, and Valdepenas in defence, Ndour, Oulai, and Atta in midfield, and Mastantuono, Kean, and Gudmundsson in attack. Tickets for the match remain on sale through the Roma website. The fixture will be broadcast live on Dazn. Fans can also follow live text coverage on ilromanista.eu or listen to radio commentary on radioromanista.it.

Roma completed their preseason with a 2–2 draw at Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, a result that offered modest relief but failed to silence concerns about the squad's readiness. Gasperini's side appeared disjointed and defensive lapses were evident, with Mile Svilar's saves in the second half preventing a heavier defeat. The summer preparation has been fragmented, beginning at Trigoria with friendlies against Primavera and Trastevere (both 6–0), a 3–3 with Cannes, then a trip to Wales where Roma beat Newport County 4–1 but lost to Cardiff City 4–1. A 3–0 defeat to Brighton added to unease. However, the article draws a historical parallel to the summer of 2000, when Fabio Capello's Roma side endured a far more turbulent preseason—6 wins, 2 draws, and 4 defeats against sides including Real Oviedo, Celta Vigo, and Racing Santander—yet went on to win the Scudetto. That preseason ran until 10 September because Serie A did not begin until 1 October 2000 due to the Sydney Olympics. The article highlights a striking coincidence in transfer strategy. Gabriel Batistuta was signed by Roma in May 2000 for 70 billion lire (equivalent to €36.15 million in 2002 currency conversion), becoming the cornerstone of that title-winning season. This summer, Santiago Castro arrived as Gasperini's primary centre-forward addition, signed for the same amount in fixed fee and bonus. Both are Argentine strikers secured at identical valuations, offering Roma supporters historical grounds for optimism.

Roma drew 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly, showing improvement after earlier matches against Cardiff and Brighton in the United Kingdom. The Giallorossi made a strong start, going 2-0 up within ten minutes through goals from Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante, with Dybala providing the assist for Cristante's opener. Dybala produced accomplished play throughout the match and nearly added a second late on. Borussia Dortmund responded in the first half, with Ryerson pulling one back before Guirassy levelled the score. The second half saw limited chances for both sides, with Mile Svilar making several saves. The friendly is Roma's final warm-up fixture before the league season begins. The team faces Fiorentina on Monday 24 August in their Serie A opener. Technical director D'Amico continues work on the transfer market, pursuing moves for Mora with Porto and holding ongoing talks, while Malick Fofana of Lyon remains an alternative target.