Gasperini has no room for error in Champions League pursuit: Pisilli and Pellegrini battle for midfield spot

Nahuel Molina has arrived in Rome. The Argentine winger touched down at Ciampino airport this morning to a warm reception from Roma supporters gathered to greet him. Molina, formerly of Atlético Madrid, will undergo medical examinations in the coming hours before signing his contract to become a Roma player. The transfer brings an experienced defender to the Giallorossi's ranks as the club continues to strengthen its squad ahead of the new season.

Nahuel Molina has arrived at Ciampino airport to begin his new chapter with Roma. The Argentine winger touched down ready to start his adventure with the Giallorossi as the club continues working on a separate deal with Porto for Rodrigo Mora.

Molina has arrived in Rome and received an immediate welcome from supporters at Ciampino airport, smiling and signing autographs as he began his time with the club. The Argentine's arrival marks a significant moment in Roma's transfer activity this summer. Molina's move is one of several areas Gian Piero Gasperini is addressing in the squad, with the club also working on reinforcements in wide positions across the pitch. Meanwhile, other targets remain in focus: Udogie, the Tottenham left-back, is reported to have agreed terms, and Roma continue to pursue additional options including Luis Henrique as alternatives in the wide areas.

Roma have tabled an offer for Rodrigo Mora, a winger at Porto, as they continue their search for wide attacking reinforcements, while remaining interested in Alessio Cacciamani of Torino. For Mora, Roma have proposed a loan with an option to buy, but Porto are holding out for a permanent sale. The Giallorossi have tendered €25M plus significant bonuses and a sell-on clause, though Porto's valuation stands at €45–50M. Galatasaray are also pursuing the player. Meanwhile, Roma are preparing a bumper offer for Cacciamani. Torino wish to retain him but may need to generate sales this summer. An earlier bid of €12M plus €3M in bonuses was lodged, and Roma are expected to increase their offer, though not substantially. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is known for developing young talent, though the club would prefer to land an established star who requires minimal adjustment. Separately, Lorenzo Pellegrini has agreed a one-year contract with an option after spending the summer as a free agent recovering from thigh surgery. Gasperini stated he would not be ready to play for at least a month. Like Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini reduced his wages to rejoin the club.

Wesley addressed the media during Roma's British pre-season tour following a heavy defeat to Brighton, offering a measured assessment of the club's preparations for the 2026-27 season. The Brazilian winger struck a pragmatic note about the loss, saying: "We come from a fantastic year, now we are working hard to face the new season and if there must be matches that go wrong or something happens that is wrong it is better that it happens in these pre-season friendlies. We must understand before the start of the championship what we are getting wrong and how to correct it. So there is nothing left but to improve and ensure that what we saw with Brighton does not happen when things become serious in a couple of weeks. I am sure that at the start we will be ready and stronger." When asked about a potential arrival of fellow Brazilian Endrick, Wesley acknowledged his interest while emphasising that recruitment decisions rest with the club hierarchy: "It is clear that I would like him to come, but these are decisions that do not belong to me. They belong to him, to the club. There are many Brazilian players who could come and help us, but these are decisions that belong to the sporting director." Wesley also praised the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini to the squad and expressed his anticipation ahead of Champions League football: "I am happy he has returned with us in the squad, he is a player who can give us a great hand. Champions? I do not know what it will be like to play it, for me it is the first time. The Libertadores is a very hard and difficult competition but I do not think it can come close to the Champions which for the players who participate in it is a sort of World Cup. I am very curious, I expect to play great matches and thus give so much happiness to all Roma fans."

Roma returned to Italy on the afternoon of 8 August following a 3–0 friendly defeat to Brighton during their ten-day training camp in Wales and England. The squad travelled by coach to London before boarding a direct flight to Fiumicino. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini granted his players two full days of rest before resuming work. Training resumes on Tuesday at the Fulvio Bernardini centre in Trigoria, where Lorenzo Pellegrini will rejoin the group. Gasperini also expects to have Nahuel Molina on the pitch the same day. The Argentine right-back is set to arrive in Rome in the coming days to undergo medical tests ahead of signing his contract with Roma.

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.

Roma lost 3–0 to Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium, their final test during their warm-weather camp in England. Goals from Rutter and Ayari in the first half, and a second from Ayari in the second, secured the home side's victory. Despite a decent opening 45 minutes, Roma's display deteriorated markedly after the interval. Gasperini fielded several academy players and made experimental changes, including replacing Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro. After the match, Gasperini addressed the media about the transfer market. He said: "If I do the count at the moment we are few. We have replaced Çelik with Molina. We have replaced Dovbyk with Castro, who I think will give us good satisfaction and for me it was a good operation. And then this boy (Koulierakis) arrived to complete the defence, and he seems interesting to me." The coach acknowledged further work remains: "If you count numerically it seems to me we still need something, but you know who to go for and how to close. There are good possibilities. D'Amico is searching and negotiating very young but also very important players. That is the indication." Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a contract extension keeping him at Roma until June 2027. Roma announced the deal, describing Pellegrini—developed through the academy—as embodying the club's sporting vision and values. The squad returns to Trigoria before Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Real Madrid's Endrick remains a target for the attacking midfield, with Gasperini viewing him as a priority to strengthen the forward line.

Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged Roma's transfer shortfall after a poor showing in a friendly against Brighton, conceding that the club lacks adequate depth. The head coach said: "If we do the count, numerically there is still a need for something, but you know how it is. D'Amico is negotiating very young and very important players. That is the indication." Gasperini stressed that squad decisions rest with the club's chief executive, saying: "We have a chief executive, you will have to ask him these questions and he will say what Roma can and cannot do. On numbers and market possibilities the ball passes to him." Gasperini cited returnees from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen—as still recovering their sharpness. He praised Paulo Dybala's fitness and noted that recent arrivals from the start of preseason had performed well. The manager confirmed that an injured player "will be out for at least a month," with discussion to resume from September onward. Gasperini also highlighted recent squad changes: "We replaced Çelik with Molina, whom we will see on Tuesday. We replaced Dovbyk with Castro, who I believe will give us great satisfaction. And then Koulierakis arrived, who seems interesting to complete the defence."

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.

Roma face Brighton on Saturday 8 August at 16:00 at the Amex Stadium in their sixth pre-season friendly. The match will be the third and final test of Roma's summer tour. Following victories over Primavera and Trastevere, a draw with Cannes, a defeat to Cardiff City, and a win against Newport County on Tuesday, Gian Piero Gasperini's side continue their build-up to the 2026–27 season. Roma will be without two players for the fixture. Niccolò Pisilli is sidelined by injury and expected to return the following week, while Bah faces a longer absence due to a cruciate ligament rupture. Brighton, managed by Hürzeler, will provide the final acid test before Roma's competitive campaign begins. Brighton vs Roma will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN with a 16:00 kickoff on Saturday 8 August. Viewers can access the stream via the DAZN app on smart TV, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, or TIM VISION Box. Live coverage and social media updates will also be available on Forzaroma.info, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Roma completed their final day of training in Wales on 6 August with a double session at Hensol, the first at 10.30 and the second at 16.00. Donyell Malen returned to group training after working separately the previous day, while Niccolò Pisilli remained unavailable and will rejoin the squad the following week. The club flies to London on 7 August before heading to Brighton for the final stage of their pre-season tour in the United Kingdom. Roma will face Brighton in a friendly on 8 August at 15.00 (16.00 Italian time), a rematch of their 2024 Europa League encounter. The squad will return to Rome immediately after the match. Two further pre-season fixtures follow: a test against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August.