Gasperini's final test: Roma still short of full strength

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma continue to work on bringing Rodrigo Mora to the club but are preparing contingency options as negotiations progress. Fofana has emerged as an alternative target, with Roma planning to propose a loan with an obligation to buy under certain conditions, similar to their Mora offer. Head coach Gasperini continues to push for Mora's arrival and the player's family support a move to Roma, viewing the club as ideal for his development. Contacts have continued in recent days, though formulas, clauses and details still need to be finalised to determine if the deal is genuinely feasible. Progress on Luis Henrique has stalled. While Roma and Inter maintain good relations and a broad understanding, there is no economic agreement in place and the operation is not close to completion. Henrique's camp appreciates Roma's technical project but contractual terms remain a stumbling block, and Roma currently have other market priorities elsewhere. Gabriel Martinelli's wages make a Roma move impossible at present. Antonio Nusa, targeted by Roma, faces no pressure to leave Leipzig following Diomandé's departure, leaving the Norwegian forward's path to Roma frozen for now.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund today at 17:30 in their final pre-season fixture with a squad stretched by injuries and departures. Wesley suffered a right ankle distortion yesterday, the same injury that troubled him during the Wales retreat, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus muscle strain) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (expected back only by mid-September) on the absentee list. Gasperini has just 23 players available, including only 3 goalkeepers and 16 outfield players — 8 of them defenders. Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina, who only joined the group on Tuesday, are still building fitness. With 15 days until the summer window closes, Roma's squad position has become critical. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. When asked about his team's competitive strength compared to last season, Gasperini responded pointedly: "According to you?", highlighting shortages on the wings, in attack and in midfield, where just three players are fit today. The defence has conceded 11 goals across pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet, making today's encounter a crucial test before the Serie A campaign begins against Fiorentina.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund today at 17:30 in their final pre-season fixture with a squad stretched by injuries and departures. Wesley suffered a right ankle distortion yesterday, the same injury that troubled him during the Wales retreat, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus muscle strain) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (expected back only by mid-September) on the absentee list. Gasperini has just 23 players available, including only 3 goalkeepers and 16 outfield players — 8 of them defenders. Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina, who only joined the group on Tuesday, are still building fitness. With 15 days until the summer window closes, Roma's squad position has become critical. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. When asked about his team's competitive strength compared to last season, Gasperini responded pointedly: "According to you?", highlighting shortages on the wings, in attack and in midfield, where just three players are fit today. The defence has conceded 11 goals across pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet, making today's encounter a crucial test before the Serie A campaign begins against Fiorentina.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund in a prestige friendly at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, kick-off 17:30, in what Gasperini has confirmed will be the club's final warm-up before the Serie A campaign begins. Wesley, the Brazilian full-back, will not travel after sustaining a light ankle sprain on 14 August; he will remain in Rome for treatment with the intention of being available for the Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from a contract renewal, continues his pre-season conditioning programme and is absent from the squad, as is Niccolò Pisilli, who has not yet recovered from injury and is working individually. Nahuel Molina, who has been training at Trigoria for several days, is among the 23 players named by Gasperini and could make his Roma debut from the first minute, particularly given Wesley's absence. Manu Koné, the midfielder, has also been included after mixing individual and group work. Gasperini is expected to field a familiar XI in defence—Svilar in goal behind Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso—with Molina and Rensch on the flanks, Cristante and either El Aynaoui or Koné in midfield, and Dybala and Soulé supporting Malen up front. The Signal Iduna Park is sold out. The women's teams will also play beforehand at Stadio Rote Erde at 13:00. The men's match will be broadcast on DAZN.

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.

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund today at 17:30 in their final pre-season fixture with a squad stretched by injuries and departures. Wesley suffered a right ankle distortion yesterday, the same injury that troubled him during the Wales retreat, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus muscle strain) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (expected back only by mid-September) on the absentee list. Gasperini has just 23 players available, including only 3 goalkeepers and 16 outfield players — 8 of them defenders. Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina, who only joined the group on Tuesday, are still building fitness. With 15 days until the summer window closes, Roma's squad position has become critical. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. When asked about his team's competitive strength compared to last season, Gasperini responded pointedly: "According to you?", highlighting shortages on the wings, in attack and in midfield, where just three players are fit today. The defence has conceded 11 goals across pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet, making today's encounter a crucial test before the Serie A campaign begins against Fiorentina.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund in a prestige friendly at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, kick-off 17:30, in what Gasperini has confirmed will be the club's final warm-up before the Serie A campaign begins. Wesley, the Brazilian full-back, will not travel after sustaining a light ankle sprain on 14 August; he will remain in Rome for treatment with the intention of being available for the Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from a contract renewal, continues his pre-season conditioning programme and is absent from the squad, as is Niccolò Pisilli, who has not yet recovered from injury and is working individually. Nahuel Molina, who has been training at Trigoria for several days, is among the 23 players named by Gasperini and could make his Roma debut from the first minute, particularly given Wesley's absence. Manu Koné, the midfielder, has also been included after mixing individual and group work. Gasperini is expected to field a familiar XI in defence—Svilar in goal behind Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso—with Molina and Rensch on the flanks, Cristante and either El Aynaoui or Koné in midfield, and Dybala and Soulé supporting Malen up front. The Signal Iduna Park is sold out. The women's teams will also play beforehand at Stadio Rote Erde at 13:00. The men's match will be broadcast on DAZN.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund today at 17:30 in their final pre-season fixture with a squad stretched by injuries and departures. Wesley suffered a right ankle distortion yesterday, the same injury that troubled him during the Wales retreat, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus muscle strain) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (expected back only by mid-September) on the absentee list. Gasperini has just 23 players available, including only 3 goalkeepers and 16 outfield players — 8 of them defenders. Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina, who only joined the group on Tuesday, are still building fitness. With 15 days until the summer window closes, Roma's squad position has become critical. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. When asked about his team's competitive strength compared to last season, Gasperini responded pointedly: "According to you?", highlighting shortages on the wings, in attack and in midfield, where just three players are fit today. The defence has conceded 11 goals across pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet, making today's encounter a crucial test before the Serie A campaign begins against Fiorentina.

Roma remain without a left-back as negotiations with Porto over Rodrigo Mora have reached an impasse. The stalemate has persisted for 48 hours, with Roma unwilling to improve its offer or adjust the conditions for a compulsory purchase clause—set at 60 per cent appearances and Champions League qualification—while Porto refuses to budge. To break the deadlock, director D'Amico has reopened contact with Lyon over Malick Fofana. The initial €40 million valuation may be reduced, and Roma intends to propose a loan with an obligation to buy contingent on specific conditions, the same structure being pursued for Mora. The club has received assurances regarding Fofana's physical condition after a serious ankle injury sustained last year. While the left-back search dominates the agenda, Roma are also pursuing a backup option to Wesley at right-back. Torino continues to block a move for Cacciamani, prompting Roma to shift focus to Kostas Tsimikas. The former Udinese player is keen to return to Serie A, though Tottenham have not yet granted permission for a loan. Fresh talks with Spurs are expected in the coming days.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund in a prestige friendly at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, kick-off 17:30, in what Gasperini has confirmed will be the club's final warm-up before the Serie A campaign begins. Wesley, the Brazilian full-back, will not travel after sustaining a light ankle sprain on 14 August; he will remain in Rome for treatment with the intention of being available for the Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from a contract renewal, continues his pre-season conditioning programme and is absent from the squad, as is Niccolò Pisilli, who has not yet recovered from injury and is working individually. Nahuel Molina, who has been training at Trigoria for several days, is among the 23 players named by Gasperini and could make his Roma debut from the first minute, particularly given Wesley's absence. Manu Koné, the midfielder, has also been included after mixing individual and group work. Gasperini is expected to field a familiar XI in defence—Svilar in goal behind Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso—with Molina and Rensch on the flanks, Cristante and either El Aynaoui or Koné in midfield, and Dybala and Soulé supporting Malen up front. The Signal Iduna Park is sold out. The women's teams will also play beforehand at Stadio Rote Erde at 13:00. The men's match will be broadcast on DAZN.