Gasperini names squad for Borussia Dortmund friendly; Koné returns

Roma are monitoring Malick Fofana, the Lyon winger, with Galatasaray now showing interest and initial contact between clubs reported. The French club's asking price has fallen to potentially below €40 million in recent weeks, though Fofana's injury record last season remains a concern. Gasperini's side face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in their final pre-season friendly. Wesley has been ruled out after suffering a slight ankle sprain while on international duty in Wales, and will miss the match as a precaution. The squad list for the fixture includes defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, Ndicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The news comes after Roma's defeat to Brighton in the previous friendly.

Roma have turned their attention to Malick Fofana, a Lyon winger born in 2005, as a Plan B after negotiations over Rodrigo Mora stalled. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is convinced by the Belgian, who has long been on Roma's radar. However, Roma now face competition from Turkish side Galatasaray, who have entered the running after reportedly being rejected by Martinelli. Initial contact has begun with Fofana's representatives and Lyon, who are demanding at least €40 million to sanction his departure. Gasperini and Roma's sporting director D'Amico have identified the winger as a potential target, though the growing interest from other clubs could complicate negotiations. The arrival of Galatasaray in the hunt signals intensifying competition for Fofana's signature in what could develop into a multi-club transfer race.

Roma continue to await a response from Porto regarding Mora while scouting reinforcements for their attacking options. The club has Fofana of Lyon under observation and Nkunku on their shortlist. The French forward is outside Amorim's project at his current club, having left Milan for personal reasons, and is awaiting developments in the transfer market. Barcelona have initiated first contacts with his representatives, with Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund also interested. Nkunku's preference remains the Premier League, though no active negotiations are currently underway. Roma remain watching the situation closely as they weigh their options in the final weeks of the transfer window. The competition from Barcelona and other elite European clubs suggests any move for the attacker would face significant obstacles, particularly given his stated preference for English football.

Roma are monitoring Malick Fofana, the Lyon winger, with Galatasaray now showing interest and initial contact between clubs reported. The French club's asking price has fallen to potentially below €40 million in recent weeks, though Fofana's injury record last season remains a concern. Gasperini's side face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in their final pre-season friendly. Wesley has been ruled out after suffering a slight ankle sprain while on international duty in Wales, and will miss the match as a precaution. The squad list for the fixture includes defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, Ndicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The news comes after Roma's defeat to Brighton in the previous friendly.

Roma have named their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Borussia Dortmund at 17:30, the final pre-season match following warm-up games against Trastevere, Primavera, Cannes, Cardiff, Newport and Brighton. The Giallorossi will fly to Germany on 14 August, with the match taking place on Ferragosto (15 August). Molina earns his first call-up and is available to head coach Gasperini, while Koné returns to the squad. Absent through injury are Pisilli and Pellegrini; Wesley is also ruled out with a mild ankle sprain. Academy player Morucci has been included in the attacking contingent. The 24-man squad includes three goalkeepers—De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar—and a broad defensive line featuring Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziólkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi. Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné form the midfield core, while the attack comprises Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The squad depth reflects Roma's preparation for the new season amid the pre-campaign injury list.

Roma are closing in on Inter winger Luis Henrique as the club accelerates its summer recruitment drive. The Giallorossi have tabled an offer of €28 million plus bonuses, narrowing the gap with Inter's €30 million valuation of the Brazilian. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Henrique as the ideal profile to provide balance across Roma's flanks, given his ability to operate on either wing. The move is described as being on the verge of completion, pending only the player's final approval. The Henrique pursuit forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Roma's wide options. The club has already agreed a verbal deal with Porto for playmaker Rodrigo Mora on a loan arrangement worth €7 million with a fixed purchase option set at €43 million. Gasperini has identified both moves as priorities to build a squad combining creativity and solidity in the attacking lanes. The existing wide contingent includes Wesley, Nahuel Molina, and Devyne Rensch. With these final pieces in place and the gradual return of internationals such as Manu Koné, Gasperini's tactical blueprint is taking shape ahead of the season's opening fixture.

Roma have named their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Borussia Dortmund at 17:30, the final pre-season match following warm-up games against Trastevere, Primavera, Cannes, Cardiff, Newport and Brighton. The Giallorossi will fly to Germany on 14 August, with the match taking place on Ferragosto (15 August). Molina earns his first call-up and is available to head coach Gasperini, while Koné returns to the squad. Absent through injury are Pisilli and Pellegrini; Wesley is also ruled out with a mild ankle sprain. Academy player Morucci has been included in the attacking contingent. The 24-man squad includes three goalkeepers—De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar—and a broad defensive line featuring Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziólkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi. Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné form the midfield core, while the attack comprises Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The squad depth reflects Roma's preparation for the new season amid the pre-campaign injury list.

Roma will face Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park. Gian Piero Gasperini's side complete their build-up after a British tour with this test match in Germany. Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Neil El Aynaoui and Bryan Cristante anchor the midfield, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen in attack. Borussia Dortmund will deploy an identical shape, managed by Kovac. Tickets are available through the Borussia Dortmund club website. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text updates available on ilromanista.eu.

Roma's defence, which finished as Serie A's second-best last season, has shown alarming fragility during their pre-season tour of Britain. The Giallorossi conceded eight goals across three friendlies—four against Cardiff, one against Newport, and three against Brighton—with the tally rising to 11 when including a 3–3 draw against Cannes. Against Brighton on 8 August, Gasperini made wholesale defensive changes after Roma had shipped three goals in 49 minutes, introducing Ghilardi and new arrival Koulierakis while withdrawing N'Dicka and Hermoso. The ivory-coast central defender had failed to close down Ayari's double, prompting Gasperini to turn to the bench and shout "Let's change." Hermoso, managing an ankle problem, allowed Rutter to nearly extend the lead moments after the 3–0. Earlier defensive lapses against Cardiff exposed deeper issues: Ahsford's opener came after N'Dicka slipped and a rebound off Rensch, while Salech's second followed a costly Svilar error on a dangerous Wesley backpass. El Aynaoui was substituted at half-time after a misplaced pass that set up Ayari's second goal, and Rensch drew criticism for poor decision-making. The unit that had anchored Roma's recent success now appears fragile heading into the season. Gasperini acknowledged the work ahead, saying "the team is struggling to switch back on," highlighting the scale of the challenge to restore defensive solidity before competitive fixtures begin.

Roma are monitoring Malick Fofana, the Lyon winger, with Galatasaray now showing interest and initial contact between clubs reported. The French club's asking price has fallen to potentially below €40 million in recent weeks, though Fofana's injury record last season remains a concern. Gasperini's side face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in their final pre-season friendly. Wesley has been ruled out after suffering a slight ankle sprain while on international duty in Wales, and will miss the match as a precaution. The squad list for the fixture includes defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, Ndicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The news comes after Roma's defeat to Brighton in the previous friendly.

Roma have named their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Borussia Dortmund at 17:30, the final pre-season match following warm-up games against Trastevere, Primavera, Cannes, Cardiff, Newport and Brighton. The Giallorossi will fly to Germany on 14 August, with the match taking place on Ferragosto (15 August). Molina earns his first call-up and is available to head coach Gasperini, while Koné returns to the squad. Absent through injury are Pisilli and Pellegrini; Wesley is also ruled out with a mild ankle sprain. Academy player Morucci has been included in the attacking contingent. The 24-man squad includes three goalkeepers—De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar—and a broad defensive line featuring Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziólkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi. Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné form the midfield core, while the attack comprises Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The squad depth reflects Roma's preparation for the new season amid the pre-campaign injury list.

Roma's editorial team has compiled an ideal eleven of players who have shone in the Derby della Capitale, honouring the club's 99-year history and the unique intensity of matches against Lazio. The selection spans from the earliest encounters to the modern era, recognising that some figures merit inclusion across multiple categories. The article traces derby excellence from the club's founding. Volk scored in the first match on 8 December 1929 and went on to net seven consecutive derby goals—a record unmatched to this day. Bernardini delivered a 5–0 victory at Campo Testaccio in 1933 with Fulvio adding a brace and Ernesto Tomasi scoring three. The narrative progresses through Amadei's eight goals against Lazio during Roma's first Serie A title, Faotto's own goal that contributed to victory, and defenders like Cafu, who famously nutmegged Nedved three times in succession. More recent heroes include Da Costa with eleven derby goals, Totti matching that tally, and Delvecchio, whose nine goals epitomise Lazio's nightmare. Pellegrini has scored four derby masterpieces, all beneath the Curva Nord and each coinciding with Roma victory; Mancini added three goals and one celebrated flag-waving moment.