Giuntoli on De Roon's departure: he asked to join Roma

Zeki Çelik's departure this summer has proven beneficial for Roma, with the Turkish defender struggling at his new club while the Giallorossi have found capable alternatives. Çelik, who had agreed a renewal with Roma before changing his mind to join another side, has posted uninspiring numbers in his opening matches. Against Milan yesterday he recorded zero successful crosses, matching the same figure across his previous two outings against Parma and Frosinone. Social media criticism has already mounted, with fans questioning the absence of a 'Çelik cam'—a reference to a video DAZN produced weeks earlier following his first friendly appearance. His exit has cleared the path for Emanuele Lulli, who has become integral to Gasperini's setup. Initially withdrawn from the transfer market, Lulli started in all three of Roma's opening matches and has impressed the coaching staff considerably. Equally significant is the emergence of Nahuel Molina, the Argentine fullback who is continuing to build his fitness following Argentina's run to the World Cup final. Against Atalanta, Molina made a decisive 36-minute appearance, creating multiple dangerous situations and setting up a header from Santiago Castro that struck the crossbar. He recorded 100 per cent of tackles won and 90 per cent pass accuracy. Roma's first Champions League fixture arrives Thursday against Feyenoord, with Molina and Lulli in direct competition for the fullback berth. Molina's experience in high-pressure stadiums should serve him well as Roma prepare for what the article describes as an extremely hostile environment.

Roma are prioritising the January transfer window over free-agent signings to strengthen their squad, with left-back Jayden Oosterwolde and forward Endrick among their targets. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma had agreed a €17 million deal with Oosterwolde but pulled out after medicals revealed his injury was more severe than initially expected. However, if he recovers in the coming months, both parties are expected to resume negotiations. Roma are also pursuing attacking reinforcements alongside Oosterwolde, with Endrick and Luiz Henrique identified as priorities. Per Corriere dello Sport, the Real Madrid forward has reportedly told Wesley and Brazilian teammates that a move to Rome could materialise in January. Roma and AC Milan both attempted to persuade Real Madrid to loan out Endrick, but José Mourinho refused to release him. The situation could change if Endrick fails to secure regular playing time or underperforms, potentially opening the door in coming months. Milan subsequently signed Omari Hutchison after missing out on their own targets. Roma's continued focus on Oosterwolde despite their withdrawal suggests eventual acquisition remains likely. The club has free-agent left-back options available but shows no interest in pursuing them, indicating they are not desperate for defensive reinforcements. With Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala performing well in attacking roles, Roma appear reluctant to add another left-footed forward at this stage.

Jadon Sancho has re-emerged as a transfer target for Roma more than a year after the club ended pursuit of him. Gasperini and Massara courted the winger throughout summer 2025, but the move came to nothing and Sancho joined Aston Villa. After a disastrous season, the English forward is now available without a club, and Roma are reportedly considering bringing him to the capital on a free transfer to strengthen their attacking options with the right-footed winger Gasperini has requested. Roma's approach is to offer Sancho a pay-per-play contract, with wages structured around the number of appearances. No formal negotiations are under way at present, but the idea could develop in the coming weeks as the club seeks to complete the offensive department.

A confrontation between Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi and Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico at the Olimpico on Saturday evening has escalated into a formal dispute. According to reports published today by Il Romanista, Corriere dello Sport and la Repubblica, Percassi followed D'Amico as both clubs were leaving the stadium, pursuing him towards the Monte Mario car park. The Atalanta executive directed heavy language at D'Amico, with Corriere dello Sport reporting insults that questioned both professional and personal qualities. D'Amico did not respond in kind and attempted to leave, but Percassi continued the verbal assault all the way to the car park, reportedly accompanied by his wife. The confrontation escalated to the point where stadium stewards and security had to intervene to prevent further escalation. The clash reflects deteriorated relations dating back months. D'Amico spent four seasons at Atalanta before joining Roma, but his departure was far less cordial than officially presented. He had pushed to move to Roma while Atalanta had already identified Cristiano Giuntoli for the sporting director role; D'Amico remained blocked for weeks before his release, hampering Roma's early transfer work. The tension has only deepened given overlapping personnel moves: head coach Gian Piero Gasperini departed Atalanta for Roma, followed by D'Amico, and now midfielder Marten de Roon has joined Roma. Corriere dello Sport reports a significant detail: Gasperini himself telephoned Percassi directly to facilitate de Roon's transfer to Roma—a notable contact given Gasperini had experienced disagreements with the Atalanta executive, though maintained a relationship with his father Antonio. Roma has called Percassi's conduct "unacceptable," while Atalanta has firmly rejected the Roma version of events. The matter now passes to the Federal Prosecutor's office. Prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné will evaluate available evidence and interview those directly involved and witnesses, including the intervening stewards. The case has moved beyond internal stadium corridors into formal sporting justice proceedings.

Roma have a numerically shorter squad than last season yet paradoxically possess far more possibilities, a pattern evident across the opening three matches and most starkly demonstrated by the victory against Atalanta. Ten players departed from the squad that closed last season while six arrived: Koulierakis, Balerdi, Mora, Castro, Molina and De Roon. The club has contracted in size but fundamentally shifted the quality of its alternatives. Against Atalanta, Castro struck twice against the woodwork, Soulé provided an assist and the decisive goal, Balerdi made an immediate impact on his debut, while Ghilardi and Molina helped reshape the team during its most difficult moments. This underlines a crucial difference from a year ago. Head coach Gasperini anticipated the pattern before the match, stating: "Starters and substitutes no longer matter; you play with 16 players." With the Champions League approaching, this depth becomes potentially decisive—rotations will be inevitable and Roma must sustain their level even with changed personnel. The squad remains tight and will probably require reinforcement in January, but one fact is already clear: Roma have narrowed numerically but expanded in quality.

Roma's fine start to the season and Gian Piero Gasperini's influence have reignited enthusiasm across the club. With a watertight defence, an established group, and the backing of the Olimpico, the Giallorossi are dreaming big again. The mood evokes a famous mural in the Garbatella depicting Gasperini as a magician—a fitting image given how he has built a compact, almost flawless team. In three matches, Roma have conceded only one goal, defying the notion that Gasperini's football is purely attacking. The foundation lies in a squad that now understands the coach's methods inside out. After a long adaptation period last season, the team enters this campaign with ten elevenths of the old starting core intact. Despite a smaller squad—the result of ten departures and six high-level signings in Koulierakis, Balerdi, Mora, Castro, Molina and de Roon—overall quality has improved. It is a particular combination: fewer players, but more reliable ones. This blend allows Gasperini solid rotation between Serie A and the Champions League. The Olimpico's return as an emotional powerhouse completes the picture. Fan energy, the connection with the team, and the crowd's ability to drive the side through the closing stages paint the image of a mentally resilient Roma. The energy of supporters has restored the stadium to a volcanic state. With these foundations, the ambition of winning the Scudetto is no longer merely a dream—it is becoming an objective the squad is beginning to legitimise on the pitch.