Messi announces Argentina retirement; Dybala pays tribute

Roma have failed to complete a move for Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling after running out of time to finalise the deal. The Giallorossi had made a fresh push for the German winger in recent days and had reached an agreement with Stuttgart, but the player's reluctance to join held up progress. Alfredo Pedulla reported earlier today that Leweling had not initially given approval to the transfer, and Gianluca Di Marzio has since confirmed there is insufficient time to seal the move before the window closes. The versatile winger will remain at the German club. The failure to land Leweling represents a disappointment for Roma, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had been keen to secure an additional attacking signing. The club had explored other options in attack, including moves for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Malick Fofana, though Fofana is nearing a switch to the Premier League. Leweling would have fitted Roma's requirements well, as he was not expected to be a regular starter but would have accepted a squad role. Roma were facing a race against time to complete the transfer, and the latest developments have ended any prospect of the deal going through before the summer window shuts.

Roma avoided losing Manu Kone to Chelsea on 1 September after head coach Gian Piero Gasperini intervened to stop the deal. Chelsea had approached the Friedkins directly with an offer worth €60 million plus a loan with an option to buy for winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, a player Gasperini had strongly sought. A meeting to finalise the transfer was scheduled for 12pm Italian time before Gasperini learned of the negotiations and moved to block it. Gasperini had expressed his determination to keep Kone only the previous evening, viewing the midfielder as essential to his plans. Kone impressed in Roma's recent match against Lecce on Monday. When the coach discovered the Chelsea talks, he contacted sporting director Tony D'Amico and together they escalated the issue to the Friedkins, causing the deal to stall and ultimately collapse. Roma had already begun exploring alternatives, with AC Milan's Youssouf Fofana identified as a potential replacement. Retaining Kone strengthens Roma's position as they aim to mount a title charge. Losing the France international at such a critical moment in the season would have damaged momentum—a particularly serious concern given Gasperini's reputation for strong reactions when matters do not develop to his satisfaction.

Juventus have decided to retain Juan Cabal after failing to close the transfer of Nicolás Tagliafico, leaving Roma unable to complete their pursuit of the Colombian left-back in the final hours of the transfer window. Roma had identified Cabal as a left-footed wide option for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the player showed interest in the move, but the deal could not be finalised. Atalanta, who had tracked Cabal for some time, have also been forced to abandon their interest. Gasperini had flagged the arrival of a natural left-footer as a priority for Roma's squad, with the club holding several external players adaptable to the left flank but predominantly right-footed. The addition of Cabal would have provided a different profile for the position. Roma had also received calls from Bologna and Atalanta in recent hours, but according to Matteo Moretto he was particularly attracted to the possibility of joining Roma in giallorosso. The obstacle lay with Juventus's own recruitment needs. The club refused to green-light Cabal's departure without first identifying a replacement, and the Tagliafico path became complicated by Atlético Madrid's involvement in the equation. Roma remained watchful, continuing to monitor the situation: Cabal was willing to join the club, but Juventus needed to unlock their own incoming market activity first. The Italian transfer window closed on 1 September 2026.

Roma radio commentators have aired concerns over the club's transfer strategy and player welfare in early September. Enrico Camelio suggested that had Roma sold Manu Koné, they could have signed both Rios and Gittens, but stated that Gasperini wants an attacking winger and is "quite angry" about the situation. Ilario di Giovambattista warned that Roma risks missing out on an attacking winger entirely. Meanwhile, Alessandro Vocalelli expressed worry about Paulo Dybala's physical condition, saying: "I don't trust Dybala's fitness. I hope the Argentine can hold up as long as possible." Angelo Mangiante highlighted a contrast in medical procedures, noting that Fenerbahce claimed Oosterwolde could play a match within two weeks, while Roma wanted to conduct medical examinations immediately.

Roma demolished Lecce 4–0 at the Via del Mare, delivering a display of tactical and physical dominance that underlined Gian Piero Gasperini's team's excellent current form. The national press unanimously celebrated the performance, with particular praise for Donyell Malen's increasingly devastating form and for squad players who seized their starting opportunities with compelling showings. Malen earned the highest individual rating across the papers surveyed, with marks of 8 to 8.5, while Daniele Ghilardi emerged as a surprise standout, consistently rated between 6.5 and 7.5 in a defensive line that held firm. Bryan Cristante impressed in midfield with ratings of 6.5 to 8, and Paulo Dybala registered 6.5 to 7 before being replaced late in the match. Gasperini himself received widespread commendation, rated between 7.5 and 8 by the publications. The team lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar was steady in goal, Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso anchored the defence alongside Ghilardi, and Manu Koné controlled the midfield before his substitution on 67 minutes. Matías Soulé appeared in an attacking role and was replaced on 60 minutes, as was Wesley. Santiago Castro and Niccolò Pisilli entered from the bench, while Marten de Roon came on in the closing stages.

Roma delivered a four-goal performance at Lecce in a tactical display that showcased Gasperini's developing system. The Giallorossi dominated from the opening whistle, pressing high across the pitch and recovering possession aggressively through Koné, who repeatedly forced turnovers. Gasperini deployed his customary 3-4-2-1 with Soulé on the left and Dybala flanking Malen, while Lecce set up in a 3-5-1-1 with Pierotti supporting Geubbels. Roma mounted sustained pressure from the start, moving the ball with speed and disrupting Lecce's central defensive line through coordinated forward pressing that stole time and space from the opening moment of possession. The right-flank rotations proved particularly effective, with Ghilardi consistently pushing forward to generate width while Roma systematically penetrated down the baseline; on the left, Wesley initially faced heavier pressure from Veiga, with Soulé struggling to gain ground and Hermoso operating primarily in a covering role to shield Mancini from Geubbels' pace—a crucial mismatch the article identified as dangerous for their system. A single vulnerability emerged in Roma's defensive setup: when Mancini operated as a central defender rather than as a full-back alongside the faster N'Dicka, his reliance on aggression and anticipation left him vulnerable to opponents who could draw him forward and then attack the space laterally. Geubbels exploited this channel after 37 minutes, forcing a save from Svilar. The defensive fragility proved temporary. Malen created further chaos by moving between Lecce's three central defenders, causing confusion over coverage and drifting into offside positions repeatedly; Lecce's high defensive line compounded the problem, leading to a devastating 24-minute spell where Roma took command. The second half brought tactical adjustments from both sides: Di Francesco switched to a four-defender formation with three midfielders and three attacking players, while Gasperini repositioned Soulé behind Dybala and Malen in pursuit of Ngom. Stulic replaced the injured Geubbels, removing a significant threat to Mancini's positioning. Mora and Molina entered for Wesley and Soulé, maintaining Roma's 3-4-1-2 structure; Mora scored his first goal in Italy after Mancini supplied an assist from an uncluttered defensive position. Castro and Pisilli replaced Malen and Koné later in the match, continuing the established rotation pattern from the opening league fixture, before De Roon's introduction sealed the victory with Cristante moving into the number-ten role. The performance underlined how Gasperini's squad depth and tactical flexibility allow him broad scope to manage matches creatively and adapt his approach across the 90 minutes.