Gasperini left without wingers as Roma pays price for ownership's hesitation and delays

Roma completed their summer transfer window on 1 September with six new signings but fell short of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's full requirements. The club added Leonardo Balerdi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro, while also securing permanent moves for Daniele Ghilardi and Donyell Malen and extending contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Despite these arrivals, Gasperini's requests for a left winger and left-back went unfulfilled. Last-minute attempts to bolster the squad fell through. A move for Juventus defender Juan Cabal collapsed when the Colombian declined to join, while forward targets Florian Leweling and Jeremy Gittens also failed to materialise. Singer Damiano David reportedly became unexpectedly involved in discussions over Leweling's potential arrival. On the outgoing side, Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz departed the club, while the future of Salah-Eddine remains to be decided. Manu Koné, whose status had been uncertain, stays at Roma.

Roma's transfer window closed on 1 September with Manu Koné remaining at the club after Chelsea made late contact. The midfielder, who had generated concern earlier in the day, will stay as one of the cornerstones of Gian Piero Gasperini's project. Chelsea's calls were rejected immediately, with no formal offer or advanced negotiations reaching Roma. Gasperini had made his position clear after the Lecce match, stating his determination to keep Koné at all costs, and that stance held firm through the closing hours. Two late departures were confirmed. Neil El Aynaoui joined RB Leipzig on a four-million-euro loan with a €25 million purchase option and a percentage on future resale. Mattia Mannini also left Trigoria, moving to Benevento on loan with a €1.5 million purchase option, with Roma retaining 30 per cent of any future sale. Robinio Vaz is heading to Hull City, though the move awaits official confirmation. Jamie Leweling and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens will not wear Roma colours; both pursuits in the final days proved impossible. Chelsea refused to negotiate a loan arrangement for Bynoe-Gittens, making a deal with Roma unfeasible, while the Leweling attempt failed to complete. Radio commentary offered scepticism about squad depth. Angelo Mangiante said of Fenerbahçe's stance on Oosterwolde: "Fenerbahçe was suggesting that Oosterwolde could play a match within two weeks. Roma wanted to get medical examinations done already." Alessandro Vocalelli added: "I don't trust Dybala's condition. I hope the Argentine holds up as long as possible."

Neil El Aynaoui has departed AS Roma and joined RB Leipzig on loan with a right of purchase, the club confirmed on 1 September 2026. The Moroccan midfielder leaves after a single season in the Giallorossi colours, during which he made 35 appearances across league and cup competition and scored 2 goals. El Aynaoui arrived at Roma last summer on a five-year deal from Lens but did not establish himself as a regular starter. His move to the German club ends his spell in the Italian capital, at least temporarily, and represents a fresh start in the Bundesliga.

Roma face Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 5 September at 20:45 in Serie A matchday 3, with both sides arriving unbeaten after two rounds of fixtures. Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma have won convincingly against Fiorentina and Lecce, while Atalanta, managed by Maurizio Sarri, beat Bologna 1–0 in their last match. The fixture marks Roma's first real test of the new season as they balance their Serie A campaign alongside renewed Champions League participation. Roma's primary concern centres on Evan N'Dicka, whose availability for the centre of defence remains in doubt. Should the Ivorian be unavailable, Gasperini is expected to field Daniele Ghilardi alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso in a three-man defence. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also being monitored, though no Roma players are currently suspended. Wesley will operate on the left flank, with Emanuele Lulli competing with Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné form the midfield base, with Niccolò Pisilli as backup. Mile Svilar continues in goal, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are expected to start in attack, with the contest between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for the remaining forward spot unresolved. Atalanta arrive with a more complex injury picture, absent Matteo Pessina and Sulemana, while Kristensen's participation is uncertain. Sarri will likely deploy a 4–3-3 formation with Marco Carnesecchi in goal. The back four comprises Davide Zappacosta, Kossounou, Scalvini and Bernasconi (or Zappacosta competing with Bellanova). Gaetano anchors midfield with Ederson and Samardzic—who was decisive against Bologna and slightly favoured to start—flanking him. Upfront, Atalanta field a trident of De Ketelaere, Scamacca and Raspadori, though Krstovic and new arrival Kessié remain alternatives to Scamacca. The two clubs have met 142 times across Serie A, with Roma holding a 61–37 advantage in wins, 44 draws, and a 214–166 goal advantage overall. Atalanta won their last meeting at the Olimpico 2–0 on 2 December 2024 when Gasperini was their manager; their most recent fixture on 18 April 2026 ended 1–1. The match will be broadcast live on Dazn via app, website and streaming platforms on smartphones, PCs and tablets. Official team sheets will be announced approximately one hour before kick-off.

Roma's week in football ratings begins with De Rossi at the top of the marks for his measured and uncompromising approach in the press conference. Described as intelligent and characterful, he argued without hypocrisy and avoided clichés—qualities the rater valued against journalists' provocations. Donyell Malen earned a 9 for dominating Roma's attacking phase so completely that his two goals, aided by Lecce's defensive lapses, almost seemed incidental. He hunts the goal with instinctive hunger, and the rater suggested Gasperini may field two of him. Daniele Ghilardi, drafted in for N'Dicka with little notice, rated an 8 for combining tackling toughness with elegant distribution on the break. Emanuele Lulli received a 7, confirming his promising debut against Fiorentina with a second outing that showed growing maturity and command. Matías Soulé began in a static mould, waiting for the ball at his feet, but improved once he began hunting space to connect with Malen and teammates, claiming a share of the action despite the heat of southern Italy. Santiago Castro rated a 5, needing to shed a couple of kilograms before the hesitation limiting his pace disappears. The rater also assessed other Serie A moments: Łukasz Skorupski's costly hesitation for Bologna against Sarrism; Napoli's passive display against Como, redeemed only by a late rally; and Fiorentina's uncoordinated collection of talented players failing to function as a team.

Roma hammered Lecce 4–0 to claim three points in a one-sided fixture, with Donyell Malen producing a standout performance. Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora also found the net. Emanuele Lulli delivered a strong display in defence, while Daniele Ghilardi emerged as an unexpected highlight after being drafted in at short notice due to Evan N'Dicka's absence. Gasperini deployed Roma in a 3–4–1–2 formation. Ghilardi's emergency shift proved effective, earning him marks of 7.5 from Corriere dello Sport, 6.5 from Gazzetta dello Sport, 7 from Messaggero, and 7 from Tempo. Mile Svilar received ratings ranging from 6.5 to 7 across the four newspapers. Gianluca Mancini was rated between 6 and 7, while Mario Hermoso earned 6 to 7.5 depending on the outlet. In midfield, Bryan Cristante was graded 6.5 to 8, with Corriere awarding him the highest mark. Manu Koné received 6.5 to 7.5 before being withdrawn at the 67th minute in favour of Niccolò Pisilli. Wesley was rated 6.5 to 7 and was replaced at the 60th minute by Nahuel Molina. Malen's performance drew praise with an 8 from Gazzetta, Messaggero and Tempo, and 8.5 from Corriere. Soulé was marked 6.5 to 7.5 and was substituted at the 60th minute for Mora, who received 6.5 to 7. Paulo Dybala earned 6.5 to 7.5 before departing at the 84th minute for Marten de Roon. Gasperini received ratings of 7.5 to 8 for his management.

Roma completed their summer transfer window on 1 September with six new signings but fell short of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's full requirements. The club added Leonardo Balerdi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro, while also securing permanent moves for Daniele Ghilardi and Donyell Malen and extending contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Despite these arrivals, Gasperini's requests for a left winger and left-back went unfulfilled. Last-minute attempts to bolster the squad fell through. A move for Juventus defender Juan Cabal collapsed when the Colombian declined to join, while forward targets Florian Leweling and Jeremy Gittens also failed to materialise. Singer Damiano David reportedly became unexpectedly involved in discussions over Leweling's potential arrival. On the outgoing side, Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz departed the club, while the future of Salah-Eddine remains to be decided. Manu Koné, whose status had been uncertain, stays at Roma.

Roma's summer transfer window has shut with a sense of missed opportunity, despite significant investment and a refusal by ownership to sell any key players. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has gone without the attacking winger he identified as his primary objective from the moment of his arrival—a player capable of operating from the left, beating opponents one-on-one, attacking space and destabilising defences. That position remains vacant after two transfer windows and an entire summer of pursuit, leaving the club's offensive department with an evident structural limitation. Despite clear improvement across the squad, the absence feels particularly acute because it was never a last-minute target or a late opportunity. Gasperini made the request for a left-sided winger his top technical priority. Financial constraints imposed by UEFA's settlement agreement complicated the sporting director Tony D'Amico's work, often forcing Roma to pursue unconventional formulas and abandon deals when demands proved unsustainable. Ownership did maintain the core: Mile Svilar, Evan N'Dicka, Wesley, Donyell Malen and other central project players remained. The squad's overall quality has grown—new players arrived, alternatives were added, and experience, physicality and talent were introduced. Rodrigo Mora, in particular, appears to be a shrewd acquisition: he possesses technique, imagination and the capacity to ignite a match with invention. Yet Mora is a trequartista, a creative force, not the external winger profile Gasperini sought. A true winger was needed—a player of pace and power, quick and capable of dribbling and attacking depth; someone to alternate with Mora rather than perform the same functions as the Portuguese midfielder. Roma faces a long season across the league, Champions League and Coppa Italia. Proceeding without that solution leaves Gasperini with a clear constraint in building the attacking unit. Uncertainty remains elsewhere too: Paulo Dybala transforms the team's level when fit, yet expecting him to complete an entire season without physical problems would be unrealistic. Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned as a first alternative in the left attack zone but is not a pure attacking winger and has endured complicated months from a physical standpoint. A player with completely different characteristics would have been not merely useful but necessary. The position of vice-Wesley—a left-back offering an alternative solution on that flank—also went unfilled. Roma gives the sensation of being very close to achieving a genuine quality leap. Early season displays have already hinted at this: the squad is stronger, more solid, more physical and possesses greater quality than before. The Friedkins invested, D'Amico changed much and Gasperini has a squad capable of competing at a high level. But when only the final puzzle piece seemed to be missing, that piece never arrived. The overall quality of the squad has grown and the market cannot be dismissed as negative; yet the most obvious shortfall cannot be hidden. The winger Gasperini awaited has not arrived. After an entire summer pursuing him, Roma closes the market with the unavoidable sense that this team could be even better.

Roma's summer transfer window has closed with six new arrivals for Gian Piero Gasperini: Balerdi, Koulierakis, Molina, de Roon, Rodrigo Mora and Castro. The club also secured permanent deals for Ghilardi and Malen, and renewed contracts for Pellegrini and Dybala. However, Gasperini was unable to add a left-back or left winger, with moves for Cabal, Leweling and Gittens falling through on the final day of the market. Between 1 July and 1 September, Roma allowed 14 players to depart: Zelezny, Kumbulla, Ziolkowski, Angelino, Mannini, Reale, Sangare, Saud, El Aynaoui, Pagano, Romano, Cherubini, Dovbyk and Vaz. Celik and El Shaarawy departed at the end of their contracts, while Tsimikas and Ferguson's loans from last season concluded. The club retained key assets Soulé and Koné, avoiding any major sales.

Roma completed their summer transfer window on 1 September with six new signings but fell short of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's full requirements. The club added Leonardo Balerdi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro, while also securing permanent moves for Daniele Ghilardi and Donyell Malen and extending contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Despite these arrivals, Gasperini's requests for a left winger and left-back went unfulfilled. Last-minute attempts to bolster the squad fell through. A move for Juventus defender Juan Cabal collapsed when the Colombian declined to join, while forward targets Florian Leweling and Jeremy Gittens also failed to materialise. Singer Damiano David reportedly became unexpectedly involved in discussions over Leweling's potential arrival. On the outgoing side, Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz departed the club, while the future of Salah-Eddine remains to be decided. Manu Koné, whose status had been uncertain, stays at Roma.

Roma's summer transfer window closed at 20:00 on 1 September after one of the longest and most active market periods in recent years. Sporting director Tony D'Amico oversaw a substantial squad rebuild across every department to meet the demands of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club secured permanent deals for Donyell Malen and Daniele Ghilardi, and brought in Santiago Castro, Nahuel Molina, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon. The signings added experience, physicality and talent to the squad, though the hunt for an attacking winger remained unresolved until the final hours. Roma's overhaul was equally significant in departures. Artem Dovbyk, Zeki Çelik, Angeliño, Neil El Aynaoui, Robinio Vaz, Matteo Baldanzi and Jan Ziółkowski left the club, alongside several young players and others outside Gasperini's plans. D'Amico remained active on business until the closing deadline, orchestrating a comprehensive transformation of the playing squad. The question now centres on whether Roma emerged strengthened from the window and whether Gasperini received a group capable of meeting his tactical requirements. The club invited supporters to vote in a survey assessing their satisfaction with the summer's work across incomings and outgoings combined.

Roma's summer transfer window has shut with a sense of missed opportunity, despite significant investment and a refusal by ownership to sell any key players. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has gone without the attacking winger he identified as his primary objective from the moment of his arrival—a player capable of operating from the left, beating opponents one-on-one, attacking space and destabilising defences. That position remains vacant after two transfer windows and an entire summer of pursuit, leaving the club's offensive department with an evident structural limitation. Despite clear improvement across the squad, the absence feels particularly acute because it was never a last-minute target or a late opportunity. Gasperini made the request for a left-sided winger his top technical priority. Financial constraints imposed by UEFA's settlement agreement complicated the sporting director Tony D'Amico's work, often forcing Roma to pursue unconventional formulas and abandon deals when demands proved unsustainable. Ownership did maintain the core: Mile Svilar, Evan N'Dicka, Wesley, Donyell Malen and other central project players remained. The squad's overall quality has grown—new players arrived, alternatives were added, and experience, physicality and talent were introduced. Rodrigo Mora, in particular, appears to be a shrewd acquisition: he possesses technique, imagination and the capacity to ignite a match with invention. Yet Mora is a trequartista, a creative force, not the external winger profile Gasperini sought. A true winger was needed—a player of pace and power, quick and capable of dribbling and attacking depth; someone to alternate with Mora rather than perform the same functions as the Portuguese midfielder. Roma faces a long season across the league, Champions League and Coppa Italia. Proceeding without that solution leaves Gasperini with a clear constraint in building the attacking unit. Uncertainty remains elsewhere too: Paulo Dybala transforms the team's level when fit, yet expecting him to complete an entire season without physical problems would be unrealistic. Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned as a first alternative in the left attack zone but is not a pure attacking winger and has endured complicated months from a physical standpoint. A player with completely different characteristics would have been not merely useful but necessary. The position of vice-Wesley—a left-back offering an alternative solution on that flank—also went unfilled. Roma gives the sensation of being very close to achieving a genuine quality leap. Early season displays have already hinted at this: the squad is stronger, more solid, more physical and possesses greater quality than before. The Friedkins invested, D'Amico changed much and Gasperini has a squad capable of competing at a high level. But when only the final puzzle piece seemed to be missing, that piece never arrived. The overall quality of the squad has grown and the market cannot be dismissed as negative; yet the most obvious shortfall cannot be hidden. The winger Gasperini awaited has not arrived. After an entire summer pursuing him, Roma closes the market with the unavoidable sense that this team could be even better.