Gasperini demands action from Roma board as summer standstill grows

Roma have completed the signing of defender Jaden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahce on loan with a right of purchase, an operation valued at a total of 18 million euros. The Dutch defender will arrive at Ciampino airport before undergoing medical examinations and signing his contract with Roma, following the club's 4–0 win over Fiorentina. Roma's upcoming away trip to Lecce will proceed without travelling supporters. The local prefect has banned ticket sales to residents of the Lazio region and closed the away section, citing long-standing tensions between the two sets of supporters dating back several years. Roma fans will therefore be unable to follow the squad to Salento. Transfer activity continues on other fronts. Roma remain pursuing Malick Fofana, but Lyon's valuation remains the stumbling block. At the eve of Lyon's Champions League play-off return, manager Paulo Fonseca restated the French club's position: "I feel him motivated. We do not want to sell him, we have already rejected offers." Lyon continue to demand 35 million euros. An agreement in principle between Roma and the player has already been reached; the decision now rests with the Friedkin Group on whether to meet Lyon's asking price and complete the deal. Radio pundit Mario Corsi told Tele Radio Stereo: "This Roma I see perhaps less strong than other teams that have won, but I see it much more attached to the public, to the people. Having the luck to speak with some players, they assure me of the squad's identity—if they tell each other that this year they can do it, they are overjoyed." Analyst Torri praised Rodrigo Mora's debut performance, noting the Portuguese forward played well and came close to scoring, and highlighted the form of Koné and the impressive showing of the 2007-born full-back. Club spokesperson D'Amico ruled out major departures before the transfer window closes.

Serie A's opening matchday of the 2026–27 season has delivered early evidence that new rule changes designed to limit time-wasting are working. According to data from Repubblica, effective playing time rose significantly from 54 minutes 20 seconds in the first matchday of last season to 59 minutes 14 seconds in the just-completed round—an increase of nearly five minutes per match. The shift has drawn approval from Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, though a more permissive interpretation of contact by referees has already sparked controversy. The new regulations include the five-second rule for throw-ins and goal kicks. When a referee judges a player is excessively delaying a throw-in, an official countdown begins; if the ball is not returned to play within five seconds, possession passes to opponents. The same principle applies to goal kicks, where further delay can result in a corner kick awarded to the opposing side. Gasperini, who criticised frequent stoppages and time-wasting tactics during last season, has welcomed the change. After Roma's 4–0 victory over Fiorentina, he said: "That's great, finally we're playing more. It's fantastic." The interpretation of contact has become a point of tension. In Roma's match against Fiorentina, the visitors protested over a challenge involving Mario Hermoso and Franco Mastantuono that preceded Roma's opening goal; the referee ruled it legal. The first matchday thus reveals two sides of the same shift: more ball in play and fewer interruptions, alongside a threshold for referee intervention that will need consistent application across the campaign. The nearly five-minute gain represents an initial signal; coming fixtures will test whether the new model can sustain a more fluid Serie A without multiplying controversy.

Donyell Malen met his spitting image today and shared photographs of the encounter on social media with the caption: "Twin brother". The post went viral instantly among Roma supporters and across the internet. One commenter joked: "I reckon Koeman put him in the World Cup team..." referencing the Dutch national team coach. Malen has made a striking impression at Roma in recent months. The Dutch forward scored a hat-trick on his debut, held a DJ session in the post-match celebrations, and continues to capture supporters' attention both on and off the pitch.

Donyell Malen scored a hat-trick on his first competitive outing of the season as Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in their Serie A opener today. Paulo Dybala provided three assists for the Dutch forward in the emphatic display. The feat marked the first hat-trick on Serie A's opening day in a decade. The previous player to achieve the same milestone was Carlos Bacca, who scored three goals for Milan in a 3–2 win over Torino on 21 August 2016.

Gian Piero Gasperini deployed three different formations during Roma's match against Fiorentina, avoiding the 3-4-2-1 system that defined last season but never abandoning the aggressive one-on-one pressing and intensity that characterise his approach. The tactical adjustments were made to nullify Fiorentina's threats rather than to compensate for transfer market gaps or absences. Gasperini's willingness to shift shape underscores a deeper principle: Roma's behaviour remains unchanged regardless of formation. The side consistently attacks, with N'Dicka operating as a target on the attacking third and Mancini and Hermoso—later replaced by Koulierakis—covering the flanks. Fiorentina manager Grosso began in a 4-3-2-1 before moving to 4-2-4 when Roma went two goals clear. With Kean deployed alongside Pellegrino, Gasperini matched the adjustment with an identical system. The lineup featured Svilar in goal, Lulli, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso across the back, Cristante and Koné in midfield, and Soulé, Dybala, Malen and Wesley in attack. Soulé had replaced Mora at 2-0. When Grosso shifted to 4-3-3 late on, Gasperini responded by introducing El Aynaoui and Pisilli for Koné and Dybala, switching to a 3-5-1-1. This brought Mancini, N'Dicka and Koulierakis across the back, a five-man midfield of Lulli, Pisilli, Cristante, El Aynaoui and Wesley, with Soulé supporting Castro in attack. Roma scored a fourth goal. Gasperini's track record with such adjustments is long and proven, but the club now needs a right-footed winger capable of providing thrust on the break and winning one-on-one duels. The manager will learn soon whether Chelsea is willing to negotiate for Gittens, and after Lyon play Fenerbahce tomorrow evening, whether an agreement with Fofana can be finalised.

Roma began their season with a dominant 4–0 victory over Fiorentina, a performance that has caught the attention of betting markets. Donyell Malen scored a hat-trick assisted by Paulo Dybala in a display of high quality orchestrated by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The impressive start has elevated Roma's standing among bookmakers, who now rate them as Inter's primary challenger for the Scudetto. On Sisal, Roma's odds for the title have shortened to 6, while Inter remain heavy favourites at 1.64 on 888sport. Although the gap is substantial, it positions Gasperini's side as the most significant threat to Inter's ambitions this season.

Gian Piero Gasperini praised Roma's mentality and attacking prowess after a 4-0 victory over Fiorentina on 24 August, singling out Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as world-class talent and calling for further recruitment to strengthen the squad for a demanding fixture schedule. Speaking to DAZN, Gasperini said: "The mentality of this group. These boys have recommenced as it was last season. We carry more knowledge. Their attitude in the match and in training is extraordinary. There are players who have done everything to play at Roma or remain: Dybala, Pellegrini, also Mora with his agent. They feel the beauty of this environment." Gasperini highlighted Dybala's physical condition at 32 years old as crucial to the club's ambitions. "Absolutely yes. He is a boy who at 32 is in the fullness of maturity. He may have less speed, but not much, and less force in the shot. He is among the very first in our league, if not the first." He noted that Dybala suffered misfortune last season with injuries from a penalty kick and a free kick that cost him a meniscus, but has made an "absolute level" preparation and is now more resilient. Gasperini withdrew him during the match because other important players were available, "but he can play even extra time." On the Dybala-Malen partnership, Gasperini declared: "They are of European level, therefore World level. Dybala has always been so, he only had too many injuries. This one is a beast: anything but silk muscles as someone said. He can even play extra time. Malen is extraordinary, but it is not by chance: he feels appreciated and strong, he is a leader on the pitch and can grow further still." Gasperini stressed that Roma's recruitment remains incomplete despite the convincing display. "We are not done. If you look at the calendar after the international break there is something to shudder at. It is absolutely necessary to have some numbers more, not too many, to face the season with the league, Champions League and Coppa Italia. With this risk we know there is the risk of losing players in the same period." He praised recent arrivals Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Santiago Castro, and Rodrigo Mora for fitting into the team's structure, noting that the group has a foundation built over the past year and new arrivals are functional. He also commended the new Serie A rule extending effective playing time, saying: "Beautiful, fantastic. I like it very much. The public is advantaged this way: before it saw matches of deadly boredom, with the goalkeeper touching more balls than everyone else. These are excellent rules: no one now stays on the ground more. They were thought out very well, the public wants to see play and not waste time."

Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala spoke to DAZN after Roma's latest fixture, with the pair highlighting their early understanding on the pitch. In seven matches together, Malen has scored six goals and Dybala has provided six assists. When asked about reports that Gasperini said he returned sad from the World Cup, Malen responded: "I'm happy to be back, what's done is done. Now we've started again and I felt the energy of the stadium." Asked about matching his tally of 14 goals in half a season last year, Malen said: "I don't want to give numbers. I have to create goal-scoring chances, then we'll see." Dybala offered effusive praise for his young teammate. "We're facing an extraordinary talent," Dybala told DAZN. "At 19 he's already completed two campaigns, winning as well. Two years ago he scored 10 goals. He's a boy in evolution, also in the personality with which he played tonight. He's had a bit of physical decline too, which is normal. Every time he touches the ball something beautiful happens. He's resilient, he has elite athletic values. He can play on the right and left. He has football, real talent. There's work to do with him too, clearly—it's been a week he's been here. He'll give us great satisfaction." On the group's mentality, Dybala said: "The attitude of these boys is extraordinary. They've started again as they did last season. We carry more knowledge with us. Their attitude in matches and training is extraordinary. There are players who've done everything to play for Roma or stay: Dybala, Pellegrini, also Mora with his agent. They feel the beauty of this environment." Gasperini stressed Dybala's physical condition is key, noting: "At 32 he's in the fullness of maturity. He may have less speed, not much, and less shooting power. He's among the very first in our league, if not the first. Last year he was very unlucky. He had an injury kicking a penalty and one on a free kick. It cost him a meniscus, the penalty. But he's done absolute-level preparation. He's not made of silk, he's increasingly resilient. I took him off because we have other important players but he can play extra time too." Gasperini acknowledged Roma's squad remains incomplete despite the strong performance. "We've put the right players in the right places this year, like Koulierakis and Molina, who has an important past, Castro, Mora. But we haven't completed," he said. "If you look at the calendar after the international break there's reason to shiver. It's absolutely necessary to have some additional numbers, not too many, to face the season with the league, Champions and Coppa Italia. Knowing this risk, we know there's the risk of losing players in the same period."

Gian Piero Gasperini praised Rodrigo Mora as a rising talent and Paulo Dybala as the key to Roma's ambitions following the Giallorossi's first match of the Serie A season against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on 24 August. The coach told journalists after the game that Mora, 19, represents exceptional quality despite having arrived only a week earlier. "We are dealing with an extraordinary talent," Gasperini said. "At 19 he has already completed two seasons, and two years ago he scored ten goals. Every time he touches the ball something good happens. He is resilient, with athletic values at a high level. He can play on the right and left. There is work to do with him, naturally—he has been here a week—but he will give us great satisfaction." Gasperini placed Dybala, 32, at the centre of Roma's championship ambitions, emphasizing his condition and commitment. "Absolutely yes," the coach said when asked if Dybala is the key to aiming high. "He is a player at 32 in the fullness of his maturity. He may have less speed, not much, and less shooting power. He is among the very first in our league, if not the first. Last year he was very unlucky. He suffered an injury kicking a penalty and another on a free kick—the penalty cost him a meniscus. But he has done absolute top-level preparation. He does not have silk muscles; he is increasingly resilient. I took him off because we have other important players, but he could play extra time." On the squad's overall mentality, Gasperini highlighted the attitude displayed in training and on the pitch. "The mentality of this group," he said when asked what gave him most satisfaction. "These lads have restarted as they did last season. We carry forward more knowledge. Their attitude in matches and training is extraordinary. There are players who have done everything to play at Roma or to stay: Dybala, Pellegrini, also Mora with his agent. They feel the beauty of this environment." Gasperini confirmed that several new arrivals—Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Santiago Castro, and Mora—have been integrated functionally into the team. He added that Manu Koné, who featured in the match, arrived fatigued after playing in the World Cup and needs further training to regain full condition, as do El Aynaoui and Molina. Gasperini acknowledged that Roma's transfer business remains incomplete, with the fixture schedule presenting challenges ahead. "We are putting the right players in the right place, but we have not completed," he said. "If you look at the calendar after the international break, it is daunting. It is absolutely necessary to have some extra numbers, not too many, to face the season with the league, Champions League and the Coppa Italia. With that risk we know there is the risk of losing players in the same period." The coach expressed satisfaction with the squad's dimension and quality, noting that familiarity among returning players and the functional integration of newcomers had strengthened Roma's starting position.

Gian Piero Gasperini deployed three different formations during Roma's match against Fiorentina, avoiding the 3-4-2-1 system that defined last season but never abandoning the aggressive one-on-one pressing and intensity that characterise his approach. The tactical adjustments were made to nullify Fiorentina's threats rather than to compensate for transfer market gaps or absences. Gasperini's willingness to shift shape underscores a deeper principle: Roma's behaviour remains unchanged regardless of formation. The side consistently attacks, with N'Dicka operating as a target on the attacking third and Mancini and Hermoso—later replaced by Koulierakis—covering the flanks. Fiorentina manager Grosso began in a 4-3-2-1 before moving to 4-2-4 when Roma went two goals clear. With Kean deployed alongside Pellegrino, Gasperini matched the adjustment with an identical system. The lineup featured Svilar in goal, Lulli, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso across the back, Cristante and Koné in midfield, and Soulé, Dybala, Malen and Wesley in attack. Soulé had replaced Mora at 2-0. When Grosso shifted to 4-3-3 late on, Gasperini responded by introducing El Aynaoui and Pisilli for Koné and Dybala, switching to a 3-5-1-1. This brought Mancini, N'Dicka and Koulierakis across the back, a five-man midfield of Lulli, Pisilli, Cristante, El Aynaoui and Wesley, with Soulé supporting Castro in attack. Roma scored a fourth goal. Gasperini's track record with such adjustments is long and proven, but the club now needs a right-footed winger capable of providing thrust on the break and winning one-on-one duels. The manager will learn soon whether Chelsea is willing to negotiate for Gittens, and after Lyon play Fenerbahce tomorrow evening, whether an agreement with Fofana can be finalised.

Emanuele Lulli made an impressive Serie A debut on 24 August 2026, earning praise from teammates and club legend Bruno Conti after a standout display in his first start. The young full-back was among Roma's best performers and celebrated the milestone on social media: "Difficult to find the words to describe a moment like this, I've chased this dream my whole life and yesterday after so many sacrifices it came true, let this be just the beginning. I thank everyone who has always supported me, first and foremost my family. 24/08/2026 Serie A debut. Thank God." Lulli's breakthrough sparked warm responses across the squad. Niccolò Pisilli wrote "You're strong," while Gianluca Mancini nicknamed him "Crazy Horse." Bruno Conti, a Roma legend, offered the most heartfelt message: "Congratulations Emanuele, you deserve it all for the sacrifices made by your family and by you. Let this be the first of a long series, I love you."

Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in a commanding display, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick to lead the charge. Paulo Dybala contributed three assists and Manu Koné was withdrawn only through fatigue, underlining Roma's control. Debutant Daniele Ghilardi impressed in an early appearance, while Evan N'Dicka stood firm at the back as the team moved to 3–4–1–2 formation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. All five major Italian newspapers awarded Roma positive marks across the board. Svilar received ratings between 6 and 6.5 in goal. The defence was solid, with N'Dicka rated 7 to 7.5 by all outlets and Mancini and Hermoso both praised. In midfield, Cristante earned 6.5 to 7, while Wesley was rated 6 to 7 on the flank. Koné's 6.5 to 7.5 reflected his strong showing before substitution. Malen's 8.5 to 9 and Dybala's 8 to 9 dominated the attacking ratings. Corrections made 68 minutes in saw Koulierakis introduced for Hermoso, while Pisilli replaced Koné at 79 minutes. Rodrigo Mora (6.5) and later Matías Soulé (6) featured in attack; Santiago Castro entered for Malen at 68 minutes. Gasperini earned 7.5 to 8 from the press corps. N'Dicka's display of 7 to 7.5, Koné's energy and Ghilardi's first appearance highlighted a Roma side functioning with precision and depth throughout.