Gasperini takes Roma to Parma in Champions League push; Malen fit, Dybala seeks starting role

Paulo Dybala has shared photographs from Roma's final home match of last season on social media as the club prepares for the opening fixture against Fiorentina. The Argentine forward posted images from a May encounter and wrote: "The last match at home, with great desire to start the same way." Roma won that fixture 2–0, and Dybala's post reflects the squad's anticipation ahead of their return to the Olimpico for the new campaign. With the 2025–26 season now closed, Roma are looking to build momentum under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The opening match against Fiorentina marks the beginning of the 2026–27 season, and the players have been expressing their excitement through social media as they prepare for competitive action. Dybala's message underlines the squad's determination to replicate the strong finish of the previous campaign and carry that confidence into the new term.

Roma are tracking Barcelona right-back Hector Fort as director D'Amico expands the club's search for defensive reinforcements following the Rodrigo Mora operation. The 20-year-old Spanish defender, born in 2006, has received proposals from both Roma and Real Sociedad but is prioritising a move to Borussia Dortmund. Fort is willing to wait until the final day of the transfer window to complete a transfer to Germany, where Dortmund and Barcelona are in direct contact to find a solution. The hunt for a full-back comes as Roma continue their summer recruitment drive. Luis Henrique is among other targets being monitored by the club's recruitment department as Gasperini's side prepares for the 2026-27 season. Fort is capable of playing on both flanks, adding versatility to any potential move.

Paulo Dybala has stoked Roma's anticipation for the 2026–27 season with a message on Instagram ahead of the home fixture against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45. The Argentine forward posted images from the 2–0 derby win on 17 May, writing: "The last home match, with desire to begin the same way." That victory saw Dybala play a starring role before Roma sealed Champions League qualification days later at Verona. The Olimpico is expected to be at full capacity as the giallorossi prepare for their season opener. Dybala enters his fifth season at the club in sharp condition following a high-level pre-season. Wearing number 21, he will be central to Roma's ambitions under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the campaign begins. The forward's public enthusiasm reflects the mood in the dressing room, where desire to replicate last season's closing surge is running high.

Radio pundits debated Roma's transfer strategy on 20 August, with analyst Sabatini arguing the season depends on how many goals Malen scores and how many matches Dybala can play. "It is difficult to think that they can play more than 20 matches as regular starters," Sabatini said on Radio Radio. Commentator Carina added that Roma has spent heavily but must make outgoings to balance the books, noting that Soulé's agent has guaranteed offers will arrive at Trigoria in the coming days. Carina also highlighted Roma's failure to sign a left-footed right winger despite it being a stated priority: "We are on 20 August and Roma has bought everything except that player." Marcacci suggested Fofana would have been a more useful acquisition than Mora for Roma's midfield needs, while Pes called for Roma to strengthen the attack with additional physicality and athleticism. Torri reported that an agreement exists between Lyon and Fofana, with conditions in place to close the deal. He also underlined Roma's two-year absence of a right-footed left winger despite spending over 10 million euros in that market. Speculation mounted around Koné's future, with Pes noting Manchester City interest but estimating Roma would demand 60 million euros for the midfielder.

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.

Roma will begin their 2026-27 season on Monday evening at the Olimpico against Fiorentina. In Friday's training session at Trigoria, centre-back Niccolò Pisilli and forward Wesley both returned to full availability. Pisilli trained regularly with the squad after a recent knock, while Wesley, who had been working partially with the group, is targeting full fitness to start against Fiorentina. The club continues preparations as it pursues final transfer targets to complete the roster. Gasperini will hold his first pre-match press conference of the new season on Saturday at 13:30, where he is expected to discuss team selection and tactical plans ahead of the Fiorentina fixture.

Roma continued preparations at Trigoria on 20 August ahead of their Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday 24 August at 20:45. Niccolò Pisilli trained fully with the squad after overcoming a calf injury suffered in late July. Wesley worked partially with the group but is targeting a starting role on Monday evening. Rodrigo Mora, in his second training session since joining, also aims to convince head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to deploy him immediately in the new 2026-27 season. Gasperini will provide a full update on squad availability at a press conference on Saturday at 13:30, where the extent of preparations for Roma's opening fixture will become clearer.

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.

Paulo Dybala has shared photographs from Roma's final home match of last season on social media as the club prepares for the opening fixture against Fiorentina. The Argentine forward posted images from a May encounter and wrote: "The last match at home, with great desire to start the same way." Roma won that fixture 2–0, and Dybala's post reflects the squad's anticipation ahead of their return to the Olimpico for the new campaign. With the 2025–26 season now closed, Roma are looking to build momentum under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The opening match against Fiorentina marks the beginning of the 2026–27 season, and the players have been expressing their excitement through social media as they prepare for competitive action. Dybala's message underlines the squad's determination to replicate the strong finish of the previous campaign and carry that confidence into the new term.

Paulo Dybala has stoked Roma's anticipation for the 2026–27 season with a message on Instagram ahead of the home fixture against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45. The Argentine forward posted images from the 2–0 derby win on 17 May, writing: "The last home match, with desire to begin the same way." That victory saw Dybala play a starring role before Roma sealed Champions League qualification days later at Verona. The Olimpico is expected to be at full capacity as the giallorossi prepare for their season opener. Dybala enters his fifth season at the club in sharp condition following a high-level pre-season. Wearing number 21, he will be central to Roma's ambitions under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the campaign begins. The forward's public enthusiasm reflects the mood in the dressing room, where desire to replicate last season's closing surge is running high.

Paulo Dybala has posted on Instagram expressing his eagerness to return to the Olimpico as Roma prepare for their opening fixture of the 2026-27 season. Roma face Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45 in Serie A's first round. Dybala shared photos from the derby against Lazio on 17 May, which Roma won 2-0, writing: "The last home match, with great desire to start the same way." He played a decisive role in that victory and subsequently contributed to Roma's return to the Champions League with a match-winning display in the away fixture at Verona days later. The number 21 has completed an intense pre-season and is now entering his fifth season at the club, determined to make a strong start to the campaign.