Gasperini proves his worth as Roma chase Champions League

Leandro Paredes was shown a red card by referee Vincic after a heated altercation with Spain players at the final whistle of an Argentina–Spain match. According to Lisandro Martinez, Pedri approached Paredes and mocked him, suggesting that without Messi, Argentina's World Cup prospects were finished. Paredes then lost his composure and lunged at Eric Garcia, pushing him and throwing a punch that struck the Spaniard's face. Gavi intervened from behind but was overwhelmed by Paredes's fury and also caught up in the melee. Thiago Almada attempted to calm Paredes but was unable to prevent him from attacking the grounded Gavi. The pair were separated and removed from the field just metres from the referee, who immediately brandished the red card. The former Roma and Juventus midfielder's dismissal was swift, though the exact sequence of events remains contested. Footage shows Paredes engaging Eric Garcia directly before his assault, while the accounts from Argentine players suggest Pedri's provocation was the spark. Given the severity of his actions on camera, Paredes faces the prospect of a suspension longer than a single match.

Roma defeated the Primavera side 6–0 in an internal friendly at Trigoria under the watchful eye of director Tony D'Amico, with Paulo Dybala orchestrating the performance. The match was played in four slots under Gasperini's new-look system. Roma struggled initially in the opening 20 minutes, with Artem Dovbyk spurning a clear chance in front of goal. Once Gasperini reshuffled the lineup around the quarter-hour mark, Dybala took control. Matías Soulé opened the scoring by heading in a Dybala cross, before Soulé himself added a second from a Dybala assist at the 44-minute mark. In the second half, Dybala converted a penalty won by Cherubini and added a fifth with a left-footed half-volley from Soulé's assist, demonstrating the twin's telepathic understanding. Bryan Cristante also scored from a distance, with Dovbyk adding the sixth late on. Angeliño featured for just one half, while Wesley played on the right flank in place of the injured Çelik. Hermoso led the defensive line with authority and precision. Gasperini granted the squad a day's rest following the exercise, with training resuming tomorrow at 18:00.

Roma cruised to a 6-0 victory over their Primavera side in a pre-season friendly, with Paulo Dybala delivering an influential display that included two goals and two assists. Artem Dovbyk opened the scoring with a header from close range, before Matías Soulé doubled the lead from a Dybala assist. Dybala then converted a penalty he had won himself to extend Roma's advantage, with Bryan Cristante adding a fourth. Dybala completed the demolition with a technical finish, and Dovbyk sealed the result with his second goal. The friendly offered manager Gian Piero Gasperini useful observations ahead of the new season. Beyond Dybala's influential contribution following his contract renewal, Mario Hermoso and Wesley impressed with their physical condition. However, Angeliño emerged as a concern, appearing visibly short of match fitness and his place in the technical project increasingly uncertain.