Matic on Roma: the fans deserve a title-contending squad every year

Francesco Totti has shared photographs on social media of himself relaxing during the early August heat, including one that has captured widespread attention among Roma supporters: a picture with Pep Guardiola. Totti posted the image with the caption "What encounters!" The former Roma captain and Guardiola were teammates at the club during the 2002–03 season, when Guardiola was there before his move to Manchester City. The photograph has sparked enthusiasm among Roma's fanbase and beyond, as the pair's shared history at the Giallorossi brings together two figures significant in the club's story. Totti's social media presence has continued to engage Roma supporters throughout his retirement, and moments such as this connection with former teammates remain popular among the club's community.

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings column examines the week in football, with several entries touching on Roma's early summer activity. Angeliño earns praise for his dignified handling of adversity both on and off the pitch, while his standing with Roma supporters remains firm regardless of what lies ahead. Gasperini's words have sealed the club's confidence in the Castro purchase, a signing valued favourably against recent acquisitions, and the coach's comments at Cardiff reflect a measured impatience: with twenty days until the season opener, more players are still needed despite the calibre of those already recruited. Pellegrini's contract situation continues toward resolution, though lingering hesitation leaves an air of awkwardness surrounding the matter. The column also revisits Franco Baresi's legacy as one of football's rarest defenders—a player who would have been exceptional in any era. His influence on Milan's honours, including their first Scudetto with Rivera and Capello, transcended the ceremonial role of captain. Meanwhile, Dybala's preseason has impressed, with a clean knee and renewed stability allowing his creativity and hunger for consistency to flourish. The broader narrative captures Roma's transfer strategy and the coach's patient but increasingly urgent call for more depth before the campaign begins.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has joined Roma and reached the squad in Wales, allowing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to complete his central defence options with six defenders available for three positions. The arrival marks a significant milestone in Roma's history: Koulierakis becomes the tenth Greek player to wear the giallorossi shirt since 1995. The first Greek to play for Roma was Lambros Choutos, who served from 1995 to 2000 without leaving a lasting impression. Traianos Dellas followed from 2002 to 2005, also a centre-back. In the 2005–06 season, goalkeeper Dimitros Eleftheropoulos arrived but never appeared in a match. The 2012–13 campaign saw Panagiotis Tachtsidis and Vasilis Torosidis both arrive; Tachtsidis, under Zeman, notably displaced Daniele De Rossi but lasted only one season amid controversy, while Torosidis, a reliable right-back, is remembered for a fine goal at San Siro against Inter in the Coppa Italia. Holebas, a left-back, also features in Roma's Greek heritage after scoring a notable goal at the Olimpico against Inter in front of the Curva Sud. Keramitsis made his debut in 2022 under Mou. The two most recent arrivals are Manolas and Kostas Tsimikas—one remembered eternally, the other already forgotten.

Nemanja Matic, midfielder at Sassuolo, has reflected on his time at Roma in an interview with La Repubblica, paying tribute to the club's supporters. "The Roma fans deserve a team that fights for the title every year," Matic said of his brief spell in the Giallorossi shirt. "That's what I understood in just one year there." Matic also addressed a long-standing anecdote involving Mile Svilar, Roma's goalkeeper, who reportedly stayed at his home in London as a child. Matic dismissed claims that he failed to feed his young guest, saying Svilar "was ten years old" at the time and "stayed with me for a few days." He added: "He would wake me up at seven o'clock because milk and cereal weren't enough for him. It's true I didn't have much else in the fridge, but I certainly didn't let him starve." The exchange revealed the affection between the two former Roma connections, with Matic joking that Svilar was "a liar" in good humour.

Roma face Newport County in their second pre-season friendly in Wales on 4 August at 20:00 at the Rodney Parade. The match follows an earlier fixture against Cardiff City during the summer preparation period under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Koulierakis across the back; Devyne Rensch and Wesley as wing-backs; Neil El Aynaoui and Bryan Cristante in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield line; and Donyell Malen leading the attack. Tickets are available through Newport County's official website. The friendly will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text coverage available on ilromanista.eu.

Roma players Mile Svilar, Gianluca Mancini, Devyne Rensch and new signing Koulierakis spent time with supporters in Wales following the squad's first training session of the day on 3 August. The interaction with fans came during Roma's pre-season preparations, with the group engaging in the customary meet-and-greet activities that characterise the build-up to a new campaign. The presence of Koulierakis, who joined as a new acquisition ahead of the 2026–27 season, marked another step in Roma's summer transfer activity as the squad continues its conditioning work away from the Stadio Olimpico.