Gasperini: “Alzare l’asticella? Non si fa parlando di scudetto”

Roma have opened contact with Matteo Darmian, the 1989-born defender who left Inter at the end of his contract on 30 June. According to Tuttomercatoweb.com, discussions between the club and the player have taken place in recent weeks, with Darmian receptive to a one-year deal on modest financial terms. For head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, the move would add experience and reliability to the squad during a season in which Roma compete on multiple fronts. Darmian's versatility across the defence and flanks would provide an additional alternative to the existing defensive options. A low-cost acquisition of this kind would allow Gasperini to strengthen his options without significant expenditure. No agreement has yet been finalised. The player is expected to make a decision on his future in the coming days, with proposals from Dubai also on the table. Roma are waiting to see which path Darmian chooses, but the free-agent option remains on the club's radar as a potential addition of proven quality to the defensive ranks.

Pierluigi Massa has been appointed to referee Roma's upcoming match against Inter, a decision that has drawn scrutiny from former referee Graziano Cesari. Roma have failed to win in ten matches in which Massa has officiated, a record that has fuelled concern among supporters. The frustration stems partly from the recent Como–Roma fixture, where Wesley was sent off in a controversial decision. Cesari, now a commentator, spoke to Sportmediaset about the appointment, calling it a "conservative" choice by Giancarlo Orsato, who made the designation. "I expected one of either Massa or Marco Guida," Cesari said. "He is an arbitrator of great experience, with excellent knowledge of the players and their characteristics. If the match becomes more intense at an agonistic level, he could face difficulty in managing it. Experience, character and clarity can certainly help him, but that too is an aspect to keep in mind."

Gianluca Mancini rejected Inter's advances this summer and signed a contract renewal with Roma despite being offered more lucrative terms elsewhere. The defender's agent Giuseppe Riso, as Corriere dello Sport reported, actively pushed for a move to Milan, where Chivu was prepared to welcome him, but Mancini showed no hesitation about remaining in the capital despite childhood admiration for Inter's side under Materazzi. Mancini chose to extend his deal on reduced financial terms. His fixed salary fell from €2.5 million in the previous season, and he accepted a structure built around performance bonuses and seasonal objectives shared with Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante. The decision reinforces Roma's commitment to players willing to align compensation with team success. The 1996-born defender now aims to increase his goal tally against Inter, where he has already scored four times. Three of those goals came in a Roma shirt, though only one has so far yielded points for his side.