Pellegrini breaks silence on Roma return to Champions League and media criticism

Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media on Thursday at 14:00 at Roma's Fulvio Bernardini training ground, marking his first public comments since the club entered its second week of 2026–27 preparation. The press conference comes as Roma finalises several squad matters. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal has been officially confirmed, while Zeki Çelik departed to join Juventus. The announcement of Gasperini's media engagement provides clarity for supporters amid the ongoing transfer activity and squad reshaping under the new head coach. Gasperini, who took charge in 2025, has been overseeing Roma's opening training sessions at the club's training facility. The Thursday conference will be held in the centre's press room.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his first press conference as Roma head coach on Saturday 18 July at 14:00 at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground. The briefing comes at the start of the club's pre-season, ahead of a friendly against the Primavera squad on Sunday afternoon, and will offer Gasperini the chance to outline his early impressions from the training camp and the club's ambitions for the new season. Roma qualified for the Champions League at the end of the 2025–26 campaign and have entrusted a fresh technical cycle to Gasperini. The press conference will be streamed live across Roma's official social media channels and via live text coverage on Romanews.eu.

Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media in a press conference at 14:00 tomorrow ahead of Roma's first friendly match against the Primavera squad on Sunday afternoon. The head coach's appearance will mark his second public speaking engagement since the start of the training camp, following an interview with Rai Radio Uno on Monday, his first day in charge. Roma's summer transfer activity has yet to gain momentum, and Gasperini has expressed hope of welcoming at least one new signing in the coming days. The pre-match media engagement offers the coach an opportunity to discuss his plans for the squad and outline expectations as the club prepares for the new season.

Gianluca Mancini has signalled his total commitment to Roma by announcing an imminent contract renewal extending his deal until June 2029. The vice-captain's statement came via Instagram in the aftermath of Zeki Çelik's shock departure to Juventus, aimed at reassuring the club and supporters during a turbulent period in the transfer market. Mancini's decision to publicly reaffirm his loyalty carries particular weight as a show of leadership from within the dressing room. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had been pushing for the extension since the end of last season. The move shuts down weeks of speculation from Inter, who had made multiple enquiries about a potential transfer to Milan. Both Mancini and Roma's hierarchy resisted those overtures, choosing instead to build continuity around the defender. The renewal also arrives amid wider market concerns at the club, including reports linking Lorenzo Pellegrini with interest from other quarters. By securing Mancini for another three years on a consolidated contract, Roma has anchored one of its senior defensive pillars and sought to project stability to supporters rattled by Çelik's departure. The timing of Mancini's public commitment underscores his role as a senior figure willing to stake his future on the project.

Roma radio analysts have weighed in on Zeki Çelik's unexpected move to Juventus, with several pointing to the club's slow handling of contract negotiations as the root cause. Çelik, who had promised to stay under Gasperini, departed after Roma failed to secure his renewal in time, allowing Juventus to sign him on an undisclosed agreement. The transfer has created friction between the coach and the front office; Gasperini reportedly told his staff: "I asked for three renewals, including Celik's" and expressed dismay at the unexpected loss. Analysts criticised the club's operational delays. One commentator noted that "the Roma had a slow and incapable sporting director, and instead the player was stolen from under their nose." The delay in finalizing negotiations left Çelik exposed to outside interest, despite his progress as a starter. Gasperini wanted the renewal secured and views the situation as a significant setback. However, some observers acknowledged that verbal agreements hold no weight once another club enters the picture, and that Juventus's interest had been known for weeks. The wage package Çelik will earn at Juventus reportedly would have caused financial strain at Roma. Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo reflected on the shift in modern football: "There's no longer that attachment to the shirt there used to be. He's always been a professional." Analyst Orsi characterised the loss as "a defeat for Gasperini," noting concerns that Lorenzo Pellegrini could follow Çelik to Juventus.

Juventus has made an official contract offer to Lorenzo Pellegrini as the Roma midfielder weighs his future, with the Turin club demanding a response by evening. The approach comes days after Juventus completed a transfer for Zeki Çelik, a move that has infuriated coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who had personally worked to convince the Turkish defender to renew his Roma contract. Çelik was expected in Rome for medical checks before the unexpected transfer to Juventus. The situation has created fresh anxiety at Trigoria. Juventus director Ricky Massara has leveraged his personal relationship with Pellegrini from their time together at Roma to push the midfielder towards a switch. Pellegrini is understood to be examining the proposal with serious consideration, though he continues to give preference to remaining at Roma under Gasperini, pending the club's willingness to close the financial gap and retain him. The midfielder now faces a critical decision between the competing offers on the table.