Pellegrini contract talks show progress as Juventus interest dismissed

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to the media on 30 August ahead of tomorrow's Serie A match at Lecce (18:30 kickoff, matchday 2). Roma are chasing back-to-back wins after a 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Olimpico. Gasperini confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined, though he expects both to return to the squad by Tuesday—Pellegrini's return on the day the summer transfer window closes. The coach explained the recent signings of Marten de Roon and Nicolás Balerdi as moves designed to add depth and stability. De Roon's arrival came "within 24–48 hours" after the player asked to leave Atalanta and Gasperini made contact with the club's management. "De Roon is physically intact despite his age; he will enter a strong group that wants to be protagonists," Gasperini said. "Two captains have arrived and I believe that in this respect we give the squad a strong physical shift." On Balerdi, he noted: "He is young and in the best of his career. An opportunity that gives substance to the defence, which is very strong. We have a difficult fixture list and want to complete the squad more than the starting eleven to be more competitive and cope with many matches and possible injuries." Gasperini acknowledged that Roma need further additions. He stated: "To complete we need at least one piece that closes the left side. Lulli is giving important responses but cannot be loaded with responsibility." On the possibility of signing a second forward, he said: "For the complete picture we could think of doing one in attack." The coach defended recent acquisitions from criticism, saying: "When you get to know him you will understand that he is a solid person," referring to De Roon. He also addressed links away for Matías Soulé, stating: "I have never heard of a proposal for Soulé, so there has never been one as with other chatted-about players. Tomorrow he will probably play." Gasperini criticised the fixture calendar, saying: "Finalmente Tuesday the market closes and I continue to say that the market dates are wrong. I do not know why we continue with the championship already started." On Roma's Champions League draw—which includes Manchester, Paris, and Athens—Gasperini said: "This is the Champions League, it is a nice group. The first eight are very difficult but the objective is to stay in the play-offs among the 24. Beyond the sporting result we want to breathe the air of the Champions League." He expects the Lecce match to be difficult: "The danger is the full stadium with enthusiasm. They have high morale for the start of the season and Serie A is difficult. The condition will count a lot."

Marten de Roon landed at Fiumicino airport on 30 August after Roma agreed a transfer from Atalanta. The Dutch midfielder was greeted by a handful of Roma fans upon arrival and will now complete medical examinations before signing his contract with the club. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pushed strongly to bring de Roon to Roma, reuniting him with the coach who worked with the midfielder at Atalanta, where de Roon spent many years. The player accepted the opportunity to leave Bergamo and begin a new chapter of his career in the capital. The transfer represents a low-cost operation for Roma, who will pay Atalanta just under one million euros in the form of bonuses. Gasperini prioritised bringing in an experienced midfielder already accustomed to his tactical principles and demands. The deal was closed rapidly, with the formal announcement still pending following the completion of medicals and the signing ceremony.

Marten de Roon has arrived in Rome to complete his transfer from Atalanta on 30 August 2026. The 1991-born Dutch midfielder communicated his wish to join Roma to Atalanta late on 29 August, and the two clubs agreed a deal worth 1 million euros. De Roon will reunite with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and join fellow Dutch players Devyne Rensch and Donyell Malen in the squad, as well as gain access to Champions League football. De Roon considered his time at Atalanta finished and had been in talks with Bologna before Gasperini moved decisively for him. The move became possible after Roma secured the departure of Neil El Aynaoui to RB Leipzig. Speaking at Atalanta's training ground that morning, de Roon said: "For me it is a sad and difficult day, even though I should be happy. I spoke to Gasperini, it was all a bit of a lightning bolt. He wanted me strongly at Roma, and given how things were here it was the right solution." Medical examinations and contract signing were scheduled to follow his midday arrival at Fiumicino airport.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to the media on 30 August ahead of tomorrow's Serie A match at Lecce (18:30 kickoff, matchday 2). Roma are chasing back-to-back wins after a 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Olimpico. Gasperini confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined, though he expects both to return to the squad by Tuesday—Pellegrini's return on the day the summer transfer window closes. The coach explained the recent signings of Marten de Roon and Nicolás Balerdi as moves designed to add depth and stability. De Roon's arrival came "within 24–48 hours" after the player asked to leave Atalanta and Gasperini made contact with the club's management. "De Roon is physically intact despite his age; he will enter a strong group that wants to be protagonists," Gasperini said. "Two captains have arrived and I believe that in this respect we give the squad a strong physical shift." On Balerdi, he noted: "He is young and in the best of his career. An opportunity that gives substance to the defence, which is very strong. We have a difficult fixture list and want to complete the squad more than the starting eleven to be more competitive and cope with many matches and possible injuries." Gasperini acknowledged that Roma need further additions. He stated: "To complete we need at least one piece that closes the left side. Lulli is giving important responses but cannot be loaded with responsibility." On the possibility of signing a second forward, he said: "For the complete picture we could think of doing one in attack." The coach defended recent acquisitions from criticism, saying: "When you get to know him you will understand that he is a solid person," referring to De Roon. He also addressed links away for Matías Soulé, stating: "I have never heard of a proposal for Soulé, so there has never been one as with other chatted-about players. Tomorrow he will probably play." Gasperini criticised the fixture calendar, saying: "Finalmente Tuesday the market closes and I continue to say that the market dates are wrong. I do not know why we continue with the championship already started." On Roma's Champions League draw—which includes Manchester, Paris, and Athens—Gasperini said: "This is the Champions League, it is a nice group. The first eight are very difficult but the objective is to stay in the play-offs among the 24. Beyond the sporting result we want to breathe the air of the Champions League." He expects the Lecce match to be difficult: "The danger is the full stadium with enthusiasm. They have high morale for the start of the season and Serie A is difficult. The condition will count a lot."

Roma travel to Lecce on 31 August with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini intent on maintaining tactical consistency after the Fiorentina match. The team will keep the same attacking structure, with Rodrigo Mora operating in the trequarti alongside the forward pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who are expected to develop their understanding further. Wesley is certain to start on the left flank. On the opposite wing, Nahuel Molina is set to make his first start, having fully recovered and winning the contest with young squad member Emanuele Lulli. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable due to a muscle complaint, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is not expected to return until September. The midfield will be marshalled by Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante. The defensive line will see Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso deployed in front of goal, with Konstantinos Koulierakis ready to come on during the match. The change from the previous fixture appears limited to Molina's elevation to the starting eleven, underlining Gasperini's confidence in the team's recent form and tactical setup.

Roma will learn the full league-phase schedule for the UEFA Champions League on 29 August, with the phase running from 8–10 September through 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico, while Roma travel to face PSG, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. The club has already sold 40,000 cup subscriptions, with the Curva Sud and Distinti Sud sections sold out. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to keep the starting eleven largely intact following Roma's convincing opening display against Fiorentina, fielding it again away at Lecce on Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora is on course to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with a battle between Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to retain their places. Defence headaches persist: Devyne Rensch will miss the Lecce trip due to a left-flexor problem and continues treatment, while Lorenzo Pellegrini continues his recovery work on an individual programme.

Lecce and Roma both won their opening Serie A matches on matchday one. Lecce claimed victory against Venezia, while Roma produced a dominant display against Fiorentina. Both teams aim to repeat that success in matchday two. Gasperini plans to field the Dybala–Malen pairing again after their impressive performance against Fiorentina. Lecce manager Di Francesco is considering Geubbels for his first start despite a subdued debut, while Rodrigo Mora is set to feature in Roma's line-up once more.

Gian Piero Gasperini is poised to field a side almost identical to Roma's opening match against Fiorentina when the club travels to Lecce, with Rodrigo Mora expected to retain his place in an attacking role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Two positions remain competitive: on the right flank, Emanuele Lulli, who impressed on his debut, has been tried again in the starting eleven and could earn another chance from the kick-off, though Nahuel Molina remains in genuine contention despite Lulli gaining ground in the pecking order thanks to his showing against Fiorentina. Gasperini's reluctance to rotate comes as he seeks to reward the performances that stood out in that opening fixture. The bench has shifted Devyne Rensch out of contention as he continues to manage a muscle problem. The rest of the eleven appears settled: Wesley on the left, Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante in midfield, and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The manager is expected to discuss team selection and the transfer window's closing hours in a press conference scheduled for today. Mora has continued to convince Gasperini through his quality, personality and ability to move between the lines, while Lulli's full recovery from his debut and Molina's international match fitness both position them as realistic contenders. The sense is that Gasperini intends minimal change to the opening side, reserving deeper rotation for later in the season.

Roma travel to Lecce on 31 August with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini intent on maintaining tactical consistency after the Fiorentina match. The team will keep the same attacking structure, with Rodrigo Mora operating in the trequarti alongside the forward pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who are expected to develop their understanding further. Wesley is certain to start on the left flank. On the opposite wing, Nahuel Molina is set to make his first start, having fully recovered and winning the contest with young squad member Emanuele Lulli. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable due to a muscle complaint, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is not expected to return until September. The midfield will be marshalled by Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante. The defensive line will see Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso deployed in front of goal, with Konstantinos Koulierakis ready to come on during the match. The change from the previous fixture appears limited to Molina's elevation to the starting eleven, underlining Gasperini's confidence in the team's recent form and tactical setup.

Former Roma and Lecce player Gigi Garzya has warned that Roma must be ready for an opponent who gives nothing away when the sides meet on Monday. Speaking ahead of the match, Garzya praised Lecce's performance in their opening away win at Venezia, saying the team of Di Francesco "remained in the game with the right mentality and lucidity that weighed heavily in the final half-hour". He highlighted Olaf Gorter as a player who impressed with both quality and personality, and noted the arrival of Ilić as evidence of Lecce's focus on adding strength in the transfer market. On Roma's prospects under Gian Piero Gasperini in his second season, Garzya acknowledged the squad has been reinforced, though he described Zeki Çelik's departure as a "heavy" loss—while backing Nahuel Molina to compensate with his quality and competitive drive. He was effusive about midfielder Rodrigo Mora, saying: "Technically he has numbers that make him an important prospect; one characteristic struck me more than others: he is the type of player you do not see frequently in the various leagues, because his thinking arrives first, and consequently he then makes the ball travel in an unpredictable way for opponents. When people say he is a bit light physically, they forget that the most important characteristic is playing the ball always with some instant of anticipation for whoever controls it." On the defence, Garzya explained that Konstantinos Koulierakis represents a deliberate and necessary choice rather than mere cover: "This year, with the Champions League, you need at least six established defenders in the department, calculating also that the game starts from the back, there are so many matches and Gasperini's football is very demanding in every role. The choice was targeted; the Roma coach never approves a signing just to make up numbers." Regarding Roma's ambitions, Garzya urged caution: "It is too early to say and ultimately the transfer market may not be finished yet; let's also see what the others do by the close; certainly you must do everything to maintain Champions League qualification, because Roma must play this competition regularly. Then we'll see if appetite comes with eating."

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.

Kostas Tsimikas could be offered a fresh chance in Serie A after his difficult spell at Roma. The left-back has returned to Liverpool but has caught the attention of Juventus, who are searching for a deputy to Cambiaso. Massara, who brought Tsimikas to Roma last summer, could reunite with the defender at Turin. According to Corriere dello Sport, Juventus view Tsimikas as a low-cost option to strengthen their defence. The move would also reunite him with Zeki Çelik, who transferred to Juventus in early July. Tsimikas arrived at Roma on loan from Liverpool ahead of the 2025–26 season but struggled during his time in the capital.