Gasperini returns to Lecce, a ground marked by silence, frustration and revival

Former Roma and Lecce player Gigi Garzya has warned that Roma must be ready for an opponent who gives nothing away when the sides meet on Monday. Speaking ahead of the match, Garzya praised Lecce's performance in their opening away win at Venezia, saying the team of Di Francesco "remained in the game with the right mentality and lucidity that weighed heavily in the final half-hour". He highlighted Olaf Gorter as a player who impressed with both quality and personality, and noted the arrival of Ilić as evidence of Lecce's focus on adding strength in the transfer market. On Roma's prospects under Gian Piero Gasperini in his second season, Garzya acknowledged the squad has been reinforced, though he described Zeki Çelik's departure as a "heavy" loss—while backing Nahuel Molina to compensate with his quality and competitive drive. He was effusive about midfielder Rodrigo Mora, saying: "Technically he has numbers that make him an important prospect; one characteristic struck me more than others: he is the type of player you do not see frequently in the various leagues, because his thinking arrives first, and consequently he then makes the ball travel in an unpredictable way for opponents. When people say he is a bit light physically, they forget that the most important characteristic is playing the ball always with some instant of anticipation for whoever controls it." On the defence, Garzya explained that Konstantinos Koulierakis represents a deliberate and necessary choice rather than mere cover: "This year, with the Champions League, you need at least six established defenders in the department, calculating also that the game starts from the back, there are so many matches and Gasperini's football is very demanding in every role. The choice was targeted; the Roma coach never approves a signing just to make up numbers." Regarding Roma's ambitions, Garzya urged caution: "It is too early to say and ultimately the transfer market may not be finished yet; let's also see what the others do by the close; certainly you must do everything to maintain Champions League qualification, because Roma must play this competition regularly. Then we'll see if appetite comes with eating."

Lecce trained at their Martignano facility on 28 August as they prepare for Monday's Serie A fixture against Roma. The match is scheduled for 31 August at 18:30 at the Via del Mare. In the session, the squad worked on activation drills and technical-tactical exercises under the watch of manager Di Francesco. Three players completed personalised work in isolation, their involvement in Monday's game uncertain: Berisha, Gallo and Gandelman. A morning training session was planned for 29 August at Martignano.

Bryan Cristante was the standout performer in midfield as Roma opened their season with a dominant 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday, playing a decisive role in stabilising the team's shape while an attacking force of Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Rodrigo Mora created havoc in the final third. Gasperini deployed a 3–4–1–2 formation, and Cristante's 90 minutes of tactical control were awarded an 8.4 rating by Sofascore. He attempted 83 passes with 88 per cent accuracy, including a 91 per cent success rate in the opposing half, while collecting 8 ball recoveries—more than any other player on the pitch. Defensively, he won 6 of 7 aerial duels and 5 of 7 ground duels, made 4 tackles (2 won), 2 interceptions and 4 defensive clearances. Cristante's ability to drop between the centre-backs, clean up loose balls and restart play with composure allows Roma to push their attacking players forward into dangerous areas. He has been a fixture under every head coach since arriving at the club—Di Francesco, Ranieri, José Mourinho, Paulo Fonseca, Daniele De Rossi and Júrić among them—proving his value transcends tactical philosophy or midfield partners. The 29-year-old has now made 365 official appearances for Roma, entering the club's top 10 all-time list and surpassing Masetti. After the victory, Cristante told Sky Sport: "I am honoured, and I hope to make as many appearances as possible and to continue like this." Roma's next fixture is a trip to Lecce.

Neil El Aynaoui is in concrete danger of leaving Roma, with Crystal Palace having made an official opening bid structured as a loan with a right of purchase that could become mandatory on certain conditions. The offer does not satisfy Roma's valuation of €30–35 million, which demands either an outright sale or a guaranteed obligation to buy. Bayer Leverkusen has also registered interest, while Saudi Arabian clubs approached the player in recent days. The significance of a potential departure extends far beyond a single transaction: it would mark the near-complete dismantling of the squad assembled by sporting director Frederic Massara just one year ago. El Aynaoui was signed from Lens for €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons in summer 2025, representing one of Massara's principal investments alongside a lengthy pursuit of midfielder Richard Rios, who had been identified by coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Within twelve months the landscape has shifted entirely. El Aynaoui has not become a central figure in Gasperini's Roma, and a sale in the €30–35 million range would recover the original investment and generate a profit useful for UEFA financial compliance. Yet the sale would crystallise a broader pattern: the systematic removal of Massara's summer 2025 recruits—Wesley, Daniele Ghilardi, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Jan Ziółkowski, and others—in favour of a squad more precisely aligned with Gasperini's demands. Of that original cohort, only Wesley and Donyell Malen (signed in January 2026) remain unchallenged, both having received Gasperini's direct endorsement. Bailey departed in January; Ferguson and Kostas Tsimikas returned to their parent clubs; Zaragoza, Venturino, and Zelezny have left; Ziółkowski is bound for Monza; Robinio Vaz has reached an agreement with Hull City on a paid loan with a right of purchase. The article frames the matter as a fundamental mismatch between Gasperini's precise tactical requirements—intensity, one-on-one strength, athleticism, aggression, defensive commitment in open play, and position-specific qualities—and Massara's recruitment trajectory. El Aynaoui, at 25 years old and in his prime with genuine international market interest from Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen, is scarcely a failed signing; a €35 million sale on a €25 million net spend is not a financial disaster. Yet the underlying tension is unavoidable: when a coach considers almost all his sporting director's signings from one year expendable within the next twelve months, something fundamental in the original construction has failed. A sale of El Aynaoui would convert a principal investment from the previous summer into capital to reinvest in a midfield and attacking flank now sought by Gasperini. The article poses a critical question as Roma seek to correct course: how much would it have cost to build a coherent squad aligned with Gasperini from the outset, rather than spending a year acquiring, waiting, selling, and repurchasing? Sporting director Tony D'Amico must construct a roster that is recognisable, coherent, and durable, because Roma has already consumed a year absorbing marketplace misalignment. Should El Aynaoui depart, Wesley and Malen will stand as the principal survivors—both chosen with Gasperini's strong approval.

Roma's final weeks of the summer transfer window will see not only the completion of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad but also a profound transformation of the group built in previous sessions—a wholesale dismantling of the roster assembled under former sporting director Florent Ghisolfi and Ricky Massara. Defender Jan Ziółkowski is poised to leave. The Polish centre-back has opened talks over a move to Monza, who are ready to pay approximately €1.2 million for a paid loan. Details of the buyout clause remain to be finalised, though one proposal links the cost of the loan to Ziółkowski's appearances—the more he plays, the lower the fee for Monza. Roma will not greenlight his departure until a replacement arrives. The primary target is Morato, a Brazilian centre-back at Nottingham Forest, with negotiations centred on a loan formula, though no agreement has yet been reached between the clubs. Thilo Kehrer of Monaco has also been evaluated as an alternative, as has Nayef Aguerd, the 1996-born Moroccan defender at Marseille, in a potential loan deal. More delicate is the situation of Neil El Aynaoui. The Moroccan midfielder has failed to build the tactical understanding with Gasperini required to become a cornerstone of the project, and Roma are ready to let him go after just one season if the right offer arrives. However, proposals from Germany so far have been structured only as loans with buyout clauses, while Trigoria prefers an outright sale. El Aynaoui's departure would force Roma to return to the market. Gasperini had identified Franck Kessié as his target, but the Ivorian is now close to joining Juventus, leaving Roma to find an alternative quickly. Ziółkowski and El Aynaoui could join a lengthy list of players who arrived under Ghisolfi and Massara but have since exited the project: Bailey, Ferguson, Tsimikas, Venturino and Zaragoza are cited, while Robinio Vaz is close to Hull City, with an agreement between the clubs pending the player's approval. The transformation reflects Gasperini's tactical preferences and the new sporting direction's priorities.

Roma are preparing two formal departures—Robinio Vaz and Jan Ziółkowski—with Neil El Aynaoui a surprise third name potentially heading out if an offer meets the club's valuation. The Moroccan midfielder has fallen down Gasperini's midfield hierarchy and lacks rapport with the coach, making his exit increasingly likely. Vaz has attracted interest from Hull City on a loan deal worth 2 million euros with a 30 million euro purchase option; the next move rests with the player. Ziółkowski, the Polish academy graduate, has already signalled interest from Monza, who are prepared to pay 1.2 million euros for a loan. El Aynaoui has been placed on the market and Roma want a permanent exit. Should he depart, Gasperini had identified Frank Kessié as a replacement, though Kessié is increasingly close to joining Juventus. These departures follow the exits of Bailey (January 2025), Ferguson, Tsimikas, Venturino and Zaragoza from earlier recruitment. Among the signings of Massara's tenure, Ghilardi, Malen and Wesley are set to remain. The article notes that a number of players from recent market windows are being cleared out, with the club pursuing permanent deals where possible to address squad depth and create space for tactical adjustments.

The Champions League league-phase draw on 27 August paired Roma with eight opponents across the competition's opening phase, featuring two former Roma managers now in charge of Europe's elite: José Mourinho at Real Madrid and Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain. The draw shapes Roma's European path from 8 September to 27 January under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma's return to the Champions League comes after seven seasons away. Real Madrid and PSG, both seeded in the first pot, headline the fixture list. From the second pot, Roma drew Sporting Lisbon (home), Manchester United (away at Old Trafford), Fenerbahçe (away), and AEK Athens (away). Lille and Slovan Bratislava complete the eight, both at home. The tie against Lille offers a potential redemption: Roma missed three penalties in last season's Europa League fixture against the French club, including a double failure by Artem Dovbyk and another by Matías Soulé. Mourinho will return to the Stadio Olimpico with Real Madrid. The draw has constructed a fixture list combining Roma's ambitions in European football's premier competition with the nostalgic dimension of facing two managers who shaped the club's recent history—Mourinho's tenure yielding markedly different results from Luis Enrique's time in Rome.

Roma's return to the UEFA Champions League after seven seasons will be marked by two fixtures against former managers. The league-phase draw, made on 27 August 2026, paired Roma with José Mourinho's Real Madrid and Luis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain—both first-tier opponents. Real Madrid will visit the Olimpico, bringing Mourinho back before Roma's supporters for the first time since his departure. The fixture calendar and exact dates will be announced on 29 August. Gasperini's side qualified for the competition by finishing third in Serie A last season. The draw has given them eight opponents across the league phase, which runs from 8 September to 27 January. Beyond the two former managers, Roma face a testing itinerary: they will host Sporting Lisbon and Lille, travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, and also play away fixtures at Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. Slovan Bratislava completes the home fixtures. The clash against Lille offers Roma a chance for redemption after last season's Europa League campaign. They suffered three penalty misses in that competition against the French side: Artem Dovbyk failed twice, followed by an error from Matías Soulé. Roma's European journey will test whether Gasperini can navigate both the grandeur of the Champions League stage and the emotional weight of facing Mourinho and Luis Enrique.

Artem Dovbyk made an underwhelming start to his Bologna career, squandering a clear chance in 30 minutes off the bench during his side's loss to Roma. The Ukrainian had told Bologna before his arrival that he expected to show his best form after struggling under Gasperini at Roma, where he said he was not enjoying himself. His opportunity came in the second half when Bologna, trailing by a goal, sent him on to try to change the match — but he failed to make an impact, mirroring his difficulties in the previous season with Roma's coach. Dovbyk had an immediate chance to make an impression, receiving a ball that needed only to be pushed into the net, but he missed it badly. That miss cost Bologna dearly, as they might have found an equaliser from the situation. His debut was far from the statement he had hoped to make. Bologna's supporters will be expecting a very different performance going forward.

Roma travel to Lecce on 31 August with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini intent on maintaining tactical consistency after the Fiorentina match. The team will keep the same attacking structure, with Rodrigo Mora operating in the trequarti alongside the forward pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who are expected to develop their understanding further. Wesley is certain to start on the left flank. On the opposite wing, Nahuel Molina is set to make his first start, having fully recovered and winning the contest with young squad member Emanuele Lulli. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable due to a muscle complaint, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is not expected to return until September. The midfield will be marshalled by Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante. The defensive line will see Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso deployed in front of goal, with Konstantinos Koulierakis ready to come on during the match. The change from the previous fixture appears limited to Molina's elevation to the starting eleven, underlining Gasperini's confidence in the team's recent form and tactical setup.

Neil El Aynaoui is in concrete danger of leaving Roma, with Crystal Palace having made an official opening bid structured as a loan with a right of purchase that could become mandatory on certain conditions. The offer does not satisfy Roma's valuation of €30–35 million, which demands either an outright sale or a guaranteed obligation to buy. Bayer Leverkusen has also registered interest, while Saudi Arabian clubs approached the player in recent days. The significance of a potential departure extends far beyond a single transaction: it would mark the near-complete dismantling of the squad assembled by sporting director Frederic Massara just one year ago. El Aynaoui was signed from Lens for €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons in summer 2025, representing one of Massara's principal investments alongside a lengthy pursuit of midfielder Richard Rios, who had been identified by coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Within twelve months the landscape has shifted entirely. El Aynaoui has not become a central figure in Gasperini's Roma, and a sale in the €30–35 million range would recover the original investment and generate a profit useful for UEFA financial compliance. Yet the sale would crystallise a broader pattern: the systematic removal of Massara's summer 2025 recruits—Wesley, Daniele Ghilardi, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Jan Ziółkowski, and others—in favour of a squad more precisely aligned with Gasperini's demands. Of that original cohort, only Wesley and Donyell Malen (signed in January 2026) remain unchallenged, both having received Gasperini's direct endorsement. Bailey departed in January; Ferguson and Kostas Tsimikas returned to their parent clubs; Zaragoza, Venturino, and Zelezny have left; Ziółkowski is bound for Monza; Robinio Vaz has reached an agreement with Hull City on a paid loan with a right of purchase. The article frames the matter as a fundamental mismatch between Gasperini's precise tactical requirements—intensity, one-on-one strength, athleticism, aggression, defensive commitment in open play, and position-specific qualities—and Massara's recruitment trajectory. El Aynaoui, at 25 years old and in his prime with genuine international market interest from Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen, is scarcely a failed signing; a €35 million sale on a €25 million net spend is not a financial disaster. Yet the underlying tension is unavoidable: when a coach considers almost all his sporting director's signings from one year expendable within the next twelve months, something fundamental in the original construction has failed. A sale of El Aynaoui would convert a principal investment from the previous summer into capital to reinvest in a midfield and attacking flank now sought by Gasperini. The article poses a critical question as Roma seek to correct course: how much would it have cost to build a coherent squad aligned with Gasperini from the outset, rather than spending a year acquiring, waiting, selling, and repurchasing? Sporting director Tony D'Amico must construct a roster that is recognisable, coherent, and durable, because Roma has already consumed a year absorbing marketplace misalignment. Should El Aynaoui depart, Wesley and Malen will stand as the principal survivors—both chosen with Gasperini's strong approval.

Bryan Cristante was the standout performer in midfield as Roma opened their season with a dominant 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday, playing a decisive role in stabilising the team's shape while an attacking force of Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Rodrigo Mora created havoc in the final third. Gasperini deployed a 3–4–1–2 formation, and Cristante's 90 minutes of tactical control were awarded an 8.4 rating by Sofascore. He attempted 83 passes with 88 per cent accuracy, including a 91 per cent success rate in the opposing half, while collecting 8 ball recoveries—more than any other player on the pitch. Defensively, he won 6 of 7 aerial duels and 5 of 7 ground duels, made 4 tackles (2 won), 2 interceptions and 4 defensive clearances. Cristante's ability to drop between the centre-backs, clean up loose balls and restart play with composure allows Roma to push their attacking players forward into dangerous areas. He has been a fixture under every head coach since arriving at the club—Di Francesco, Ranieri, José Mourinho, Paulo Fonseca, Daniele De Rossi and Júrić among them—proving his value transcends tactical philosophy or midfield partners. The 29-year-old has now made 365 official appearances for Roma, entering the club's top 10 all-time list and surpassing Masetti. After the victory, Cristante told Sky Sport: "I am honoured, and I hope to make as many appearances as possible and to continue like this." Roma's next fixture is a trip to Lecce.