Molina fit for Lecce trip; Rensch doubtful

Roma have ended talks with Jayden Oosterwolde and will not sign the defender after medical consultations revealed the extent of a muscular injury he sustained roughly three weeks ago. The club made the decision on the evening of 27 August following three days of evaluation, determining that the injury will require at least two months of recovery time. Oosterwolde was on Roma's radar as a potential left-back option, likely on a loan arrangement. His withdrawal from consideration leaves the club to resume their search for a left-sided full-back to bolster the squad.

Roma have abandoned their pursuit of Jayden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahce after medical examinations revealed the left-back's recovery time from injury would be longer than initially expected. The club had attempted to renegotiate the terms of an agreement struck the previous week, but Fenerbahce rejected Roma's revised proposal and the deal has collapsed. Oosterwolde will return to Turkey. The situation shifted dramatically on the morning of 27 August when Roma's medical team flagged the severity of the player's physical problems. The club contacted Fenerbahce seeking to fundamentally alter the structure of the transfer, but the Turkish club's response was a refusal. With the deal now dead, Roma must identify a replacement defender capable of playing across the back line. Thilo Kehrer of Monaco has surfaced as an option; the German defender can operate at full-back on either flank. Should Roma pursue Kehrer, Devyne Rensch would partner Wesley on the opposite side of the defence. Roma's defensive depth remains relatively stable despite the Oosterwolde setback. The performances of Lulli provide additional reassurance at centre-back.

Roma have abandoned their move for Jayden Oosterwolde after conducting additional medical tests that altered their assessment of the defender's injury status. Oosterwolde had already arrived in the capital in recent days and passed initial medical examinations, but further investigation into a biceps injury he was carrying prompted Roma to reopen talks with Fenerbahce about modifying the deal's terms. When no new agreement could be reached, the club decided not to proceed with the signing. The transfer had been structured as a loan with an obligation to buy, with a combined value under €20 million. Roma's medical team established that the defender would require three to four weeks to return to group training and a minimum of six to eight weeks before he could play, timescales the club deemed unacceptable. Having reassessed the situation with the Fenerbahce hierarchy, Roma chose to withdraw rather than risk the investment given the extended recovery period. Oosterwolde will now return to Turkey. The move had been expected to be wrapped up swiftly after the midfielder arrived at Ciampino airport two days ago, with only medical clearance standing between the player and his registration.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference on Sunday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's second Serie A fixture of the season at Lecce on Monday at 20.45. The appointment comes after Roma's convincing opening victory against Fiorentina. Gasperini faces few selection dilemmas for the trip to Puglia. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable, though Nahuel Molina is set to return and will compete with Lulli for a place in the side. In midfield, Rodrigo Mora holds the advantage over Matías Soulé to play in the trequarti role behind Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala.

Roma return to the Champions League after eight years with a curious contradiction: a squad seasoned in European competition but largely inexperienced in the continent's top tier. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the giallorossi have navigated knockout stages, difficult away trips and high-pressure evenings in recent seasons, yet a significant portion of the squad presents as Champions League debutants when their record in the competition itself is examined. The drawn opponents—Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Sporting, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Atene—underscore the magnitude of the step up. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen stand as the principal points of reference, each with around 50 Champions League appearances. Behind them Nahuel Molina brings roughly 40 such matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, followed by Mario Hermoso, equally accustomed to the highest level of European football. The picture shifts sharply thereafter. Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played in the Champions League, though Roma's last participation dates back to the 2018–19 season. Other squad members have sampled the competition only briefly, while a substantial portion will encounter it for the first time. Key players such as Manu Koné, Wesley, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro have either never played it or collected minimal appearances. Yet Roma should not be labelled a European-inexperienced side. The club built a genuine identity in the cups: Cristante, Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and the core nucleus lived through the Conference League triumph in 2022, the Europa League final of 2023 and numerous knockout campaigns. Dybala, Evan N'Dicka, Koné, Pisilli and Matías Soulé have progressively accumulated international experience outside the Champions League but in matches where pressure, emotional control and reading momentum matter most. Here lies the true uncertainty: Roma possesses European aptitude but lacks a true Champions League identity. Errors recoverable in Europa League risk becoming instant goals against Real Madrid and PSG. The new League Phase format demands Gasperini navigate eight different fixtures without building a classic group-stage rhythm. The task ahead is not to teach Roma what a European night means, but to elevate what they have learned over five years.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference on Sunday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's second Serie A fixture of the season at Lecce on Monday at 20.45. The appointment comes after Roma's convincing opening victory against Fiorentina. Gasperini faces few selection dilemmas for the trip to Puglia. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable, though Nahuel Molina is set to return and will compete with Lulli for a place in the side. In midfield, Rodrigo Mora holds the advantage over Matías Soulé to play in the trequarti role behind Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala.

Fresh details have emerged on the failed transfer of Jayden Oosterwolde to Fenerbahçe. According to journalist Piero Torri, the player and his representatives were even prepared to freeze his salary during his recovery from injury, saying "As long as the player hasn't returned from injury, don't pay us". The deal collapsed over a disagreement on his expected return date: Fenerbahçe projected October, while Roma's medical assessments placed recovery no earlier than January 2027. Meanwhile, Martina Piemonte has spoken about her return to Roma colours after an eight-year absence. She said: "Roma is something unique. I had offers abroad, but in Italy I wanted only and solely Roma." She credited the bond with her teammates Pilgrim, Corelli, Oliviero, Bergamaschi, Giugliano and Greggi, and added: "We are a very great team, the objectives are high." On Roma's Champions League campaign this season, she stated: "Playing it in the Roma shirt gives me enormous drive." Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field the same squad that defeated Fiorentina, with the likely only change being Nahuel Molina on the right, now fit and in line for his first league start. A contest remains open on the attacking midfield between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Devyne Rensch continues to be doubtful. Gasperini can also count on Lulli, promoted after an excellent display at the Olimpico. The Champions League draw delivered two emotionally charged fixtures: Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho—the last coach to win a trophy with Roma—will visit the Olimpico, while Paris Saint-Germain, where Luis Enrique managed Roma in the 2011-12 season, will be faced away. Among the most challenging away trips will be Manchester United at Old Trafford, inevitably recalling Roma's historic 7-1 defeat in 2007.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma return to the Champions League after eight years with a curious contradiction: a squad seasoned in European competition but largely inexperienced in the continent's top tier. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the giallorossi have navigated knockout stages, difficult away trips and high-pressure evenings in recent seasons, yet a significant portion of the squad presents as Champions League debutants when their record in the competition itself is examined. The drawn opponents—Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Sporting, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Atene—underscore the magnitude of the step up. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen stand as the principal points of reference, each with around 50 Champions League appearances. Behind them Nahuel Molina brings roughly 40 such matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, followed by Mario Hermoso, equally accustomed to the highest level of European football. The picture shifts sharply thereafter. Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played in the Champions League, though Roma's last participation dates back to the 2018–19 season. Other squad members have sampled the competition only briefly, while a substantial portion will encounter it for the first time. Key players such as Manu Koné, Wesley, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro have either never played it or collected minimal appearances. Yet Roma should not be labelled a European-inexperienced side. The club built a genuine identity in the cups: Cristante, Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and the core nucleus lived through the Conference League triumph in 2022, the Europa League final of 2023 and numerous knockout campaigns. Dybala, Evan N'Dicka, Koné, Pisilli and Matías Soulé have progressively accumulated international experience outside the Champions League but in matches where pressure, emotional control and reading momentum matter most. Here lies the true uncertainty: Roma possesses European aptitude but lacks a true Champions League identity. Errors recoverable in Europa League risk becoming instant goals against Real Madrid and PSG. The new League Phase format demands Gasperini navigate eight different fixtures without building a classic group-stage rhythm. The task ahead is not to teach Roma what a European night means, but to elevate what they have learned over five years.

Roma are attempting to rework their agreement with Fenerbahçe over Jayden Oosterwolde after medical checks revealed a far longer recovery timeline than initially disclosed. The Dutch left-back arrived with a biceps femoris injury assessed as a brief layoff, but Roma's own examination and consultation with Finnish specialist professor Lasse Lempainen—who operated on Lorenzo Pellegrini last season—indicated a recovery window of at least one month to six weeks. The club needed to rule out the necessity for surgery; while recent tests provided reassuring news on that front, the prospect of unavailability stretching into October forced Roma to revisit the transfer structure. Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico initially attempted to convert the deal into a straight loan but Fenerbahçe refused. Negotiations are now focused on making the permanent obligation more difficult to trigger. Under the original terms reported by *Gazzetta dello Sport*, the obligation to buy would activate after 20 appearances of at least 45 minutes each; the new talks aim to raise that threshold to between 25 and 30 appearances. Additionally, *Messaggero* reports Roma are working to eliminate any loan fee component. Roma remain cautious at their training ground; if Oosterwolde is genuinely sidelined until October, the club wants to avoid being automatically committed to a permanent purchase without sufficient guarantees on his actual playing time. Optimism continues to filter from the player's camp and both parties have shown willingness to reach a solution, but significant details remain under discussion and subject to Fenerbahçe's approval. A decision was expected on 27 August—either a renegotiated agreement or a definitive end to the operation.