Greece vs Italy: Pio Esposito decisive again, Pisilli plays full 90 minutes

AS Roma have officially confirmed a pre-season friendly against Newport County on 4 August at Rodney Parade stadium in Wales, with kickoff at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italy time). The match is managed by former Leicester manager Fuchs and represents Roma's second test in the United Kingdom during their summer schedule. Information for visiting supporters' tickets will be communicated in the coming days. The Newport County fixture slots into Roma's busy pre-season calendar as they prepare for the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina. The friendly comes after an earlier match against Cardiff on 1 August, followed by another game at Brighton on 8 August. After these English fixtures, Roma will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August in their final warm-up before domestic competition resumes. These matches form part of the club's preparations under their summer training camp, with player fitness and tactical development a priority ahead of the new season.

Roma midfielder Manu Koné started for France in their Round of 16 World Cup match against Paraguay, replacing the injured Aurélien Tchouameni. Despite the absence of Real Madrid's midfielder, French media and supporters have praised Koné's solid display. France won 1–0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty, advancing to the quarter-finals while demonstrating resilience against a compact defensive opponent. Koné earned widespread acclaim for his performance across both defensive and attacking phases. Journalist Olivier Bossard of L'Équipe stated: "I am not concerned about Tchouameni's absence. I think Koné will be very good and hold firm. We are not losing quality—in fact, we may even improve with him, because we gain attacking options without losing anything in defence." The Roma midfielder recorded 88 touches, tied for the match high, and attempted three long-range shots while making continuous defensive interventions. RMC Sport named him man of the match, though some outlets such as Le Figaro highlighted technical errors in the first half. Deschamps' assistant Guy Stéphan described Koné as "a different type of player, one with quality and a different profile," emphasizing his ball recovery abilities and distribution. Koné was cautioned late in the match but demonstrated the work rate and versatility that satisfied French staff and supporters alike.

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay, secured by a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. The South American side proved a tough and physical opponent, but France maintained composure and achieved their objective. Midfielder Manu Koné was among those praised for his performance in a demanding match. Koné, who currently plays for AS Roma, delivered a composed display in midfield against Paraguay's aggressive approach. He spoke about the nature of the contest after the match, noting the physicality on display and the tactical awareness required to navigate it without being drawn into unnecessary confrontation. The midfielder highlighted France's preparation and intelligence in handling the situation. In his post-match comments to beIN Sports, Koné reflected: "It was a very hard match, but we are happy. Today we adapted. They were a rather... physical team! We choose our words carefully (smiles). We managed to stand up to our opponents in the challenges, we won 1–0, we were effective. There were some excessive interventions, but we didn't fall into their trap. The coach had warned us during the week. We were intelligent, we just wanted to win." France's disciplined approach proved decisive in securing progression to the next stage.

AS Roma has moved to protect midfielder Niccolò Pisilli by establishing a transfer valuation for the 2004-born player. Pisilli is regarded as one of the club's key pillars for the present and future. The specific price set by Roma reflects the club's determination to retain the young midfielder and resist any potential approaches from rival clubs. Details of the exact valuation remain unclear.

El Aynaoui has emerged as a standout performer at the World Cup, transforming his fortunes after a difficult first season at Roma. The Moroccan midfielder, who began the tournament viewed skeptically by Roma supporters following inconsistent form and limited playing time, has now become the focal point of his national team across four matches. His performances have attracted attention from major European clubs including Liverpool and Barcelona, yet Roma remains confident in retaining the player, who has reportedly expressed his desire to continue in the capital. Gasperini views El Aynaoui as a cornerstone of Roma's midfield project and plans to give him expanded responsibility in the coming season. Last year, the midfielder ranked below Pisilli in the hierarchy as he adjusted to Serie A after his move from Ligue 1. Gasperini recognized his potential but deemed him lacking the consistency needed during critical moments. The World Cup has demonstrated his readiness; El Aynaoui has developed the rhythm and confidence that eluded him in his debut campaign. The coach now sees concrete qualities upon which to build rather than mere promise. El Aynaoui will not necessarily be a guaranteed starter, particularly if Manu Koné remains at the club, but his increased opportunities will carry greater weight. Roma views the interest from Liverpool and Barcelona as validation of the talent already in their possession. The player's second season at the club is positioned as his moment of full consacration in giallorosso.

Roma successfully resisted attempts by rival clubs to acquire key players on June 30th. Juventus approached the club for Mile Svilar, while Inter and Porto both made offers for Niccolò Pisilli. Additionally, Matías Soulé rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the negotiations were handled. Despite pressure from multiple directions, Roma declined all approaches and maintained their squad. UEFA has granted Roma a one-month extension on the deadline for including player sales in their financial records due to World Cup scheduling, though this grace period does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his desire to retain Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné as cornerstones of his squad, and the club hierarchy has prioritized keeping the manager satisfied. Roma intends to argue to UEFA that they can manage financial losses through peripheral transactions if necessary. Failure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements could expose Roma to fines exceeding €10 million and squad restrictions in 2027–28, though harsher penalties are considered unlikely. The club's strategy appears focused on retaining its top-tier players while strengthening the squad around the margins in the coming weeks.

Roma is reshaping its fullback options this summer. Angeliño, a 1997-born left-back, is reportedly a target for Deportivo La Coruña, the Spanish club where he developed and recently returned to Liga. However, Angeliño's priority is to prove his value to Gasperini at Roma after missing most of last season through a serious, prolonged injury that affected his fitness and availability. With Wesley established on the left and Tsimikas returning to Liverpool, Angeliño's future remains uncertain as he seeks to regain his place in the squad. On the right flank, Roma's interest in Dodò has reportedly strengthened. The Brazilian fullback, 27, plays for Fiorentina under a contract running until 2027 but desires Champions League football. Napoli has also pursued him, though the club may step back from the competition soon. Rensch's status at Roma is described as uncertain, while Celik moves closer to a contract extension. Roma's fullback reshuffling reflects the need for greater depth and injury resilience across both flanks after a disrupted campaign.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his expectations for Roma's upcoming season following the club's return to European football. Gasperini wants to avoid repeating previous mistakes in the transfer market by bringing in players suited to his tactical system. The coach is demanding at least 16 fit outfield players to compete across Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, recognising that European football demands significant physical and mental resources. Several players have already departed or are expected to leave during the transfer window, including Ferguson, Tsimikas, El Shaarawy, Venturino, and Zaragoza, with Baldanzi and Ziolkowski also on their way out. To maintain squad depth and protect key performers from injury during a gruelling season, Gasperini has identified specific targets: a number 10 or attacking midfielder, a deputy to Gianluca Mancini, a striker, and both right and left-sided defenders. Names under consideration include Vlasic and Greenwood, though negotiations remain in early stages. The arrival of D'Amico as sporting director is pending official confirmation, after which the club is expected to accelerate its recruitment strategy. Gasperini's priority is ensuring the squad composition aligns with his playing philosophy, having identified this as the key lesson from the previous season's recruitment process.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed his squad list for Roma's final Serie A match against Verona at the Bentegodi, a fixture critical to the club's bid for Champions League qualification. Midfielder Manu Koné returns after missing the recent derby, though he is expected to start on the bench. Absent from the selection are Lorenzo Pellegrini, sidelined by a muscular problem, and Tsimikas, who is recovering from influenza. Both players will travel with the squad despite not being available for selection. Wesley remains unavailable due to suspension, while defender Ndicka is out with a muscular injury. The match represents Roma's final opportunity to secure European football next season. Gasperini's squad combines established players with squad depth, with forwards Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé expected to form the attacking pair. The full list of 26 players includes goalkeeper Mile Svilar and a mix of defensive, midfield, and attacking options to navigate what is anticipated to be a competitive encounter. The squad announcement followed Gasperini's afternoon press conference, with the coach having just days to prepare his team for the decisive fixture.