IAFA President Bosco defends Scala over Report investigation into Wesley and Bailey transfers

Roma came close to signing Genoa defender Johan Vasquez over the summer but the transfer fell through after a change in the club's sporting director role. Ricky Massara, who was pushing the deal forward, left the club in June and was replaced by Tony D'Amico, who had worked extensively with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta. The shift in leadership altered Roma's transfer priorities entirely, with Massara's successor abandoning the pursuit of Vasquez and other targets the outgoing director had been tracking. Massara had been actively pursuing Vasquez, the Genoa captain and leader under former Roma manager Daniele De Rossi. Roma made concrete moves towards the Mexican defender and came closest to securing him among all interested clubs, despite competition from across Europe. However, Massara's exit and D'Amico's arrival ended all negotiations. The same sequence played out with other Massara targets: Kerim Alajbegovic, who subsequently joined him at Juventus, and Franck Kessie, whom Massara negotiated for on behalf of the Bianconeri. Vasquez ultimately remained at Genoa. Other clubs that had inquired about the defender included Eintracht Frankfurt, Besiktas, and Atlético Madrid, with interest also arriving from Germany, Turkey and Spain. The shift in Roma's hierarchy removed the club from consideration just as they had positioned themselves as the frontrunners for his signature.

Francesco Rocca, president of the Lazio region, said institutional support for AS Roma's new stadium project at Pietralata is solid ahead of the decisive Services Conference scheduled for Monday, 28 September. Speaking on Radio Romanista, Rocca indicated that the regulatory process is on track and that once the conference concludes, construction can begin. "Once the Services Conference is closed, we start," he said. Rocca had previously raised concerns about traffic flow around Ospedale Pertini, but stressed those concerns have been addressed. He acknowledged that initial criticism centred on road access—a critical issue in Rome—but confirmed Roma's management has been attentive to the matter throughout. He expressed regret that his earlier remarks had been misunderstood, and praised the club for treating the project with responsibility. "The will of all institutions is that the stadium gets built," he said. "The company has laid all the groundwork for it to be realised. It is good that a work is being carried out that, although being a private project, is in all respects public." On traffic concerns more broadly, Rocca said: "If all conditions are respected, yes: on paper it looks like it. Then obviously the implementation of the project will be monitored and, if necessary, there can be corrections in the next phases. I hope there is this sense of responsibility. We are also helping Rome Capital with the metro C, so we will support the project so that it is realised and brings benefits to citizens. The company has positioned itself in a very constructive manner; we have never perceived any extortionist attitudes. The times for these matters are always very long, but once the Services Conference is closed, we start." When asked about the prospect of Roma hosting Euro 2024, Rocca noted the timescales are tight and the decision rests with UEFA. He also remarked that Prefect Giannini is an enthusiastic Roma supporter who hosts match-watching gatherings, and issued a rebuke toward Lazio president Lotito: "I have no relations with him, but it doesn't work. I believe that, beyond football allegiance, a president's posture cannot be one of insult or putting himself on an equal footing with fans. A president must also be a father and must know how to intercept the concerns of fans."

Lorenzo Pellegrini has emerged as Roma's key figure during the international break, remaining the only outfield player yet to feature under Gian Piero Gasperini this season. Despite six matches played, the head coach has called upon 19 of his 20 available outfield players, leaving Pellegrini absent from action. Rather than a tactical decision, the situation reflects the need for one of the club's captains to regain full fitness. Pellegrini's last appearance came in Roma's match against Pisa on 10 April. The break in league action has provided an opportunity for him to undertake specific fitness work to restore his match rhythm ahead of the resumption. Gasperini has shown strong confidence in Pellegrini, having actively pushed for his contract renewal on a fresh one-year deal. The manager's backing carries weight as Pellegrini looks to prove the decision justified. Beyond Roma, Pellegrini has his sights set on returning to the Italy squad under head coach Roberto Mancini, having been absent for two years. The international dimension adds further motivation for the 1996-born midfielder. During these opening days of the break, Pellegrini has notably increased his workload, following a preparation schedule delivered by Gasperini's staff. According to reporting from Simone Valdarchi in the Corriere della Sera, the squad rotation and forthcoming fixtures will give Pellegrini the platform to demonstrate the faith placed in him.

Antonio Carlos Zago, a member of Roma's 2001 Serie A title-winning squad, believes the current team can compete for the championship this season. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Zago reflected on Roma's recent performance against Inter, saying: 'I watched the match on Saturday, Roma had a good first half but when you lose concentration against a side like Inter you pay the price at the end.' He acknowledged the gap between that legendary squad and the present group but remains optimistic about their prospects. 'The Scudetto dream is possible,' Zago said. 'Inter is the only rival. Roma have a great defensive unit. The attack is strong too, they can compete until the final day.' Zago praised Wesley, Roma's Brazilian defender, as one of the world's best full-backs, noting that Real Madrid and Manchester City had also pursued him. 'There is little to say—for me he is one of the strongest full-backs in the world,' Zago remarked, adding that despite scoring less frequently, Wesley's overall performances remain excellent. On head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Zago was emphatic: 'If he is not the strongest of the last ten years, he is certainly in the top three. In Serie A he is the best. The team must follow him and can aim for great results.'

Antonio Carlos Zago, who won the Scudetto with Roma in 2001, believes the current side can mount a title challenge against Inter. Speaking after watching Roma's match on Saturday, Zago told Daniele Aloisi at Il Messaggero: "I saw the match on Saturday, Roma played well in the first half but when you lose concentration against a team like Inter you end up paying for it." Zago acknowledged the gap between his 2001 squad and the current team but remains optimistic about their prospects. "That Roma was a very strong team — the 11 starters and the bench were all internationals. It's difficult to compare this squad with that one, Serie A was Europe's best league then. But the Giallorossi can dream of the Scudetto. Inter is the only rival. Roma has a great defensive unit. The attack is strong too — they can compete until the end," he said. The former player, now managing The Strongest in Bolivia, praised Wesley, Roma's defender, calling him one of the strongest full-backs in the world and noting that Real Madrid and Manchester City had wanted him. "There's little to say about him," Zago added. "He may be scoring less but that doesn't mean he's struggling." On Gasperini's appointment as head coach, Zago offered strong backing: "If he's not the best of the last ten years he's certainly in the top three. In Serie A he's the best. The team must follow him and can aim for great results."

Gian Piero Gasperini is refusing to ease off during the international break, instead using the coming weeks to prepare Roma for a late-autumn peak when his teams have historically shown their strongest form. While Inter gave their squad six days of complete rest, Gasperini has maintained high-intensity training at Trigoria, though the programme is inevitably shaped by the departure of twelve international players. The squad remaining in Rome includes Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina and Marten de Roon, alongside players requiring specific work—notably Wesley, who must build his athletic base, and Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is returning from a lengthy absence and has already begun an intensive programme to rejoin regular rotation. Gasperini is also considering organizing a friendly match that could involve some youth-team players. Gasperini's approach reflects a precise logic. His teams have consistently shown their best athletic performance between late autumn and early winter, when the benefits of summer preparation become fully absorbed. His most famous precedent came in his first Atalanta season, when six consecutive league wins in November 2016 transformed a team with survival as its target into a Europa League contender. Similar runs followed in 2021 and 2024. Roma have already started well despite not yet operating at full capacity—some new players are still integrating, others building fitness, and Pellegrini has barely begun his season. The stretch ahead will demand depth: the combination of league and Champions League fixtures will produce a sequence of closely spaced matches making it impossible to rely on the same eleven throughout. For this reason Gasperini does not want a pause. He wants a launchpad. The logic is that Roma have already built their league position during the summer; now the coach wants to prepare their bodies for autumn. If the pattern his squads have followed repeats itself, the strongest part of the season may still be to come.