Morocco beat Netherlands on penalties; Malen eliminated, El Aynaoui advances

Rodrigo Mora announced himself to AS Roma supporters with an influential display on his first outing in the giallorosso shirt, earning immediate praise from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The Portuguese talent, who arrived with the tag of a €52 million investment despite an initial outlay of €25 million, demonstrated rare maturity for his age. Operating on the left wing to exploit his pace and create numerical advantage, Mora showed glimpses of his quality throughout the contest, most notably executing a cutting switch to his right foot and curling a shot towards the top corner that required a fine save from the opposition goalkeeper. Gasperini was visibly enthused by what he saw. After the match, the Roma coach highlighted Mora's versatility, emphasizing that he is capable of playing as a playmaker or across the flanks. He noted that Mora creates something meaningful every time he touches the ball. The wide role allowed the Portuguese winger to exploit his dribbling ability—a quality that had already caught attention during his time in La Liga—while demonstrating his adaptability to Roma's demanding environment. Alongside strong contributions from Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala, the evening provided early evidence that Mora possesses the foundations needed to become a key player for the club.

Daniele Chiffi will referee Lecce versus Roma in Serie A's second matchday on Monday in Salento. Chiffi will be supported by assistants Imperiale and Cecconi, with Di Bello serving as fourth official. Chiffi has a history with Roma spanning 16 previous meetings. In those 15 prior encounters, Roma's record stands at 8 victories, 3 draws and 4 defeats.

Franco Peccenini, who played 152 matches for Roma in the mid-1970s, delivered a glowing assessment of the club's prospects after watching their opening fixture. Having harboured doubts during the summer friendlies about Roma's readiness, Peccenini said that within the first ten minutes against Fiorentina he was convinced the team would have a great season. "Viste tutte all'esordio, secondo me la Roma non ha niente da invidiare a Inter e Napoli," he told Retesport, arguing that if the club could provide Gasperini with another outside forward—something the coach has been actively seeking—no objective would be off limits for Roma. Peccenini reserved particular praise for left-back Lulli, who like him hails from Palestrina. He emphasised the teenager's composure on his debut at a packed Stadio Olimpico, contrasting it sharply with his own early career. "Il mio debutto non ha nulla a che vedere con il suo, perché Lulli ha avuto un esordio grandioso. Personalità, sicurezza, carattere in uno stadio pieno come l'Olimpico, mi ha lasciato esterrefatto," Peccenini said, adding that while Lulli still has refinements to make, "ha enormi potenzialità." He urged the club to let the player work with confidence without pressure. Peccenini reflected on Roma's centenary year and what the club means to him personally. He revealed that on Monday at the stadium, the club presented him with a personalised shirt and did the same for fellow former players including Nela, Scarnecchia and Candela. "Non ho bisogno del pezzo di stoffa per sentirmi romanista. Sono nato e morirò romanista," he said, noting he made 150 appearances in the first team after coming through the youth academy.

Roma's Champions League League Phase opponents were confirmed on 27 August, and the draw delivered a mouth-watering set of fixtures. The giallorossi will face Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester United, along with trips to Istanbul and Old Trafford among their eight opponents. The detailed fixture calendar with dates and kickoff times will be announced within a couple of days. The League Phase participation guarantees Roma almost €50 million—a minimum figure awarded even if the club loses all eight matches. New CEO John Galantic expressed enthusiasm about the draw and the transfer window's final days, saying: "Gasperini is demanding because he is a winner, which is better this way. He is happy with the players who have arrived, but the club will remain vigilant about possible opportunities." Belgian forward Malick Fofana remains Roma's priority transfer target. Fofana is keen to join Roma and is waiting for a signal from the giallorossi, though a club-to-club agreement has not yet been reached. Roma are pushing hard, with fresh contact between the clubs reported from France aimed at accelerating the deal. All parties are convinced an agreement can be reached. Gittens is Roma's alternative, with director D'Amico continuing efforts to bring him in on loan from Chelsea; contact with his agent is ongoing and talks took place on 27 August. The next step will determine whether Chelsea are willing to accept a loan formula. Chelsea rejected Roma's approach in recent days, but Roma intend to try again. Jayden Oosterwolde will not join Roma. The club conducted additional medical checks following an injury concern and consulted Professor Lempainen; the assessment revealed a lengthy recovery period potentially lasting until January. That evening, Roma withdrew and Oosterwolde will return to Fenerbahce instead. Franck Kessié has drawn closer to Juventus. The relationship between Gasperini and Neil El Aynaoui never developed, and Roma would allow him to leave if offers of €30 million materialise, though none appear imminent. Kessié has been proposed as El Aynaoui's replacement but is demanding €4.5 million per season in wages, which is too high. Defensive moves are expected soon. A deal to sign Morato from Nottingham Forest no longer looks certain after Nottingham rejected a loan; Thilo Kehrer of Monaco has emerged as an option. Jan Ziółkowski is close to leaving on loan to Monza, pending the arrival of his replacement. Robinio Vaz is near a move to Hull City; an agreement between the clubs is near completion on a loan deal valued at €2 million with a €30 million purchase option, with Vaz negotiating personal terms with the English club. Manu Koné remains a retention priority, though reports from Spain suggest José Mourinho's interest at Real Madrid—though Madrid must first create squad space.

Roma are actively pursuing both Aurélien Fofana and Franck Kessié in the final days of the transfer window, according to multiple commentators on Roman radio on 27 August. Mario Corsi stated: "The situation is this: in these hours people are talking about Fofana and Kessié, Roma is absolutely trying to take them. I'm telling you that Roma is absolutely trying, and something will definitely come out. Then maybe it could be other names, but they'll do something good." Corsi added that if Roma sign both players, there is no reason not to discuss a title challenge, noting: "The only team that has four strong strikers is Inter. I have terrible tension in these last four days because it changes the thinking on the shield." The Fofana deal appears structured as a loan with an obligation to buy triggered by a set number of appearances, rather than an outright €35 million plus bonuses transfer from Lyon. Francesca Ferrazza explained: "Fofana has an important history of injuries, and for this reason they are working on the formula: a loan that then becomes an obligation to buy at a certain number of matches. With players who have this history of injuries you have to be cautious, and for this reason the operation is complicated." She urged swift decisions from the ownership: "Let's hope the Friedkins are quick to give answers to D'Amico and Gasperini to green-light the operations." On Jayden Oosterwolde, Checco Oddo Casano reported: "The situation has been clear since yesterday, but Roma still hasn't decided. The medical staff has expressed their doubts saying: 'Are you really sure you want to take this risk?' I honestly wouldn't take this risk, but then you have to see if you have an alternative ready, because today is 27 August and there is little time." Lorenzo Pes suggested negotiations with Fenerbahçe were ongoing to adjust terms: contacts have resumed "to change the cost of the loan, which will not be expensive but free, and on the number of appearances for the obligation to buy." Separately, speculation around Neil El Aynaoui's future prompted comment. Piero Torri stated: "I'm trying to understand something about El Aynaoui, because the story is building that he could leave Roma. The agent says quite decisively that he stays at Roma. There has been talk of Saudi Arabia and Crystal Palace, but I haven't found evidence." Ilario Di Giovambattista weighed in on Roma's overall strength: "Roma has shown they have a crazy defence—I don't see a better one in Italy. The attack is the best in Serie A along with Inter. Even like this Roma can fight for the title."

Roma are pursuing multiple defensive reinforcements as the transfer window enters its final days. The club is evaluating Thilo Kehrer, the 29-year-old German defender from Monaco, on loan as a priority target to strengthen the back line after negotiations for Morato stalled. A deal for Morato, the 25-year-old Brazilian centre-back at Nottingham Forest, has hit an impasse because the English club insists on an obligation to buy clause at conditions Roma finds unfavourable; the club currently refuses to accept this structure while dialogue remains frozen pending potential movement from Forest. Separately, Roma have frozen the departure of Jan Ziółkowski to Monza until a replacement arrives. The defensive activity has intensified following complications around other targets. Medical tests have revealed that Jayden Oosterwolde, the 25-year-old left-back loaned from Fenerbahçe, faces recovery times of approximately one to one-and-a-half months from his biceps femoris injury—longer than initially indicated. Roma have reopened negotiations on the loan formula, discussing the removal of the loan fee and raising the appearance threshold required to trigger his obligation to buy from the originally planned 15–20 matches of at least 45 minutes to around 25–30. A final decision was expected today. The club has also reopened the possibility of signing Morato, for whom a principle of agreement has been reached; the proposed structure is a loan with a right of riscatto around €15 million, convertible to an obligation under certain conditions. Ziółkowski's exit to Monza—being negotiated as a loan with economic conditions potentially tied to his appearance count—would free space for Morato. Midfield reinforcement remains active. Roma met the agent George Atangana on Tuesday in the capital to discuss Franck Kessié, the 29-year-old Ivorian midfielder currently unattached after his spell in Saudi Arabia. Roma's offer matches Juventus's proposal, with salary expectations of approximately €4.5 million per season, but Juventus maintain the advantage through a prior agreement with the player. To press the move, Roma would need to offload Neil El Aynaoui first. El Aynaoui, 25, has reportedly not fully clicked with Gasperini, and Roma could consider selling him for an offer in the region of €30 million, though no bids at that level have arrived. Malick Fofana, the 21-year-old Belgian winger from Lyon, has also resurfaced as an option after Lyon's Champions League elimination strengthened their need for income; Roma reached an understanding with his representatives previously and could accelerate contacts imminently. Lyon are asking around €35 million—a figure within Roma's annual parameters. For the attacking flank, Roma continue monitoring two profiles. Ibrahim Mbaye, the 18-year-old winger in his class of 2008 and departing Paris Saint-Germain, remains under watch as a possible alternative for the left wing if primary targets fail to materialise. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, the 22-year-old from Chelsea and a main alternative to Fofana for the attack, has seen Roma's proposal of a loan with a right of riscatto—valued at approximately €45 million overall—rejected; Chelsea demand stronger guarantees, pushing for either a permanent sale or an obligation clause. Roma have kept dialogue open with London despite the complications.

The relationship between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and sporting director Ricky Massara deteriorated throughout the 2025–26 season, marked by clashing views on transfer strategy, public criticism and mounting friction that became irreparable. Massara, who felt treated as an amateur despite his substantial track record, endured difficult months in silence, though tension grew steadily. The conflict began last summer during negotiations for Sancho and Fabio Silva, then escalated in late August when Massara said "Sancho at the moment remains a suggestion because I don't think there are the conditions or the motivations," while Gasperini later replied: "Sancho never refused Roma." The situation exploded in early September during a heated discussion at Fulvio Bernardini, where Gasperini accused Massara of being too slow in negotiations, dismissing the restrictions imposed by Financial Fair Play and inherited difficulties. Disputes over specific targets fuelled the rift further: Gasperini's veto on Raspadori, his preference for Malen over Zirkzee, and disagreements over Robinio Vaz. The breakdown continued from a distance after Massara moved to Juventus, with the director's pursuit of Zeki Çelik irritating Roma while Gasperini attempted to insert himself into the Juventus deal for Kessié. The definitive rupture came in spring, when Gasperini rejected Kerim Alajbegovic and made his position clear: having secured the departure of Ranieri, he wanted Massara gone as well to remain at Roma.

Giancarlo Antognoni, Fiorentina legend, has praised Paulo Dybala as the best attacking midfielder in Serie A and the player capable of driving Roma towards the title under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Antognoni analysed Roma's recent victory and Dybala's role in it, singling out the Argentine's quality on the ball as decisive. "Dybala is one of the strongest in the league, the best in his position," Antognoni said. "If he continues like this, Gasperini will be able to fight for the Scudetto. With the ball he does what he wants: pure spectacle. Fiorentina gave him too much freedom, but if bad luck leaves him in peace, Gasperini has an ace in his hand." Antognoni also highlighted Dybala's impact on Roma's opening goal, noting how he "jumped past half the team before setting up Malen." Antognoni reflected on the rarity of the number 10 role in modern football, observing that Italy has few players of such quality. "Football has become too tactical and physical," he explained. "The number 10 still exists in youth academies, but at club level results come first and fear of losing stifles imagination. So the number 10s have to adapt: Calhanoglu became a regista, Dembélé is a ten disguised as a nine, Yildiz starts wide but moves inside the pitch." He detected signs of revival, citing Nico Paz at Como, Liberali, and Mastantuono as promising talents, and suggested that talented players in midfield positions—like Lautaro at Inter—can make their teams unpredictable. Antognoni also praised Rodrigo Mora, describing him as another talented signing Roma has brought in who "seems already almost ready."

Donyell Malen has been nothing short of extraordinary in Serie A since January, scoring 17 goals at an average of one every 91 minutes. According to Opta, among players with at least ten Serie A goals, only Malen holds a better conversion rate than Cristiano Ronaldo (one every 105 minutes) and Ronaldo (one every 117 minutes). The Dutch forward has bounced back from World Cup disappointment and returned to the form he showed before. Malen has now scored his second hat-trick in a Roma shirt, matching his achievement from last year against Pisa, when he was the only player in Serie A to achieve that feat throughout the entire season. The winger shows no sign of slowing down and is eyeing the Capocannoniere title.