Pisilli Back in Group Training Ahead of Fiorentina; Pellegrini Still Sidelined

Rodrigo Mora has become the first Roma player to wear shirt number 86, completing a unique statistical milestone in the club's history. The Portuguese arrival chose to retain the number he wore at Porto, filling the only gap in Roma's numerology from 1 to 99 that had never been assigned in the club's nearly hundred-year existence. Since the introduction of personalised squad numbers, no Roma player had previously selected the 86. With Mora's choice, the club has now filled the entire numbering sequence between 1 and 99. The coincidence marks an unusual beginning to his time at the Stadio Olimpico, closing what the club views as a statistical circle unique in football.

Rodrigo Mora has spoken for the first time as a Roma player following his official unveiling. The Portuguese forward expressed gratitude to the club and supporters after arriving at the airport, saying: "I am very happy to be here. I would like to thank Roma and the port. I am truly delighted and hope to have a great season here." Mora cited Paulo Dybala as a childhood inspiration and highlighted his eagerness to play alongside him. "During my childhood I grew up watching Dybala, and now being able to play next to him is something very rewarding for me," he said. He identified his ability to escape defenders in difficult situations as his main strength and expressed enthusiasm about working with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, noting that the manager favours number 10s—the position Mora prefers to play. Roma's passionate support also made a strong impression: "I remember the supporters who stayed with me. It is a very passionate fanbase and very loud. What struck me most about them was the 'noise' of the fans." Mora has worn the number 10 since age 15 at Porto's B team and intends to continue wearing it "for at least a few more years." He acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Porto, where he spent his entire life, but expressed confidence in the move: "When I found out I would transfer here, I was truly happy." He also highlighted the lengthy negotiations: "As everyone knows, it was a difficult negotiation that lasted quite a long time. Honestly, I could not wait to be here."

Mora has officially joined Roma after weeks of negotiations with Porto and completed his first training session on 19 August. The young forward will make his debut at the Olimpico on Monday and has been presented to supporters through an official interview with the club. Mora expressed his gratitude to Roma and Porto, and acknowledged the passionate welcome from fans at the airport. He highlighted his childhood connection to Paulo Dybala, saying: "I grew up with Dybala during my childhood. Now being able to play with him is very gratifying for me. I can't wait to meet him." The forward has already spoken with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and expressed enthusiasm about working with him, noting that Gasperini likes to use number 10s. Mora will wear number 86, which he has worn since Porto's Under-15 academy. When asked about his strengths, Mora said: "My ability to free myself from opponents in complicated situations." He acknowledged his first Champions League campaign and previous experience playing at the Olimpico, where he was impressed by the atmosphere. On the protracted transfer process, he stated: "It was a difficult negotiation that lasted quite a long time. I couldn't wait to get here and had faith, even though it seemed things weren't going well. I must be grateful for the support I received." Closing with a message to the fans, he said: "Thank you for the support. I will always give my best on the pitch. Always Forza Roma!"

Roma trained at Trigoria this morning following a three-day rest granted by Gasperini, with new signing Rodrigo Mora featuring in his first session after receiving official confirmation. The squad is preparing for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 at Stadio Olimpico. Niccolò Pisilli has recovered from injury and returned to full group training, a significant boost for Gasperini's midfield options. Lorenzo Pellegrini continues working separately, with his availability for the Fiorentina match to be assessed day by day. Wesley completed a partial session but is on track to start against Viola, with no fitness concerns reported.

Rodrigo Mora is set to become a Roma player, arriving in the capital at 16:30 to undergo medical examinations and sign his contract with the club. UEFA's Europa League account published a video of a 2025 Porto–Roma fixture to mark the signing, showing Mora evading the marking of Zeki Çelik and Tommaso Baldanzi, as well as Niccolò Pisilli, with Claudio Ranieri and Paulo Dybala watching from the bench. Mora entered the match in the 63rd minute of a Europa League play-off first leg that finished 1–1 at the Estádio do Dragão. Roma progressed to the last 16 with a 3–2 comeback victory in the return fixture. The timing of the video's release, coinciding with Mora's imminent arrival at the club, highlighted his previous performance against several current or former Roma players during that European tie.

Roma are pursuing three high-profile signings to complete Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, with Rodrigo Mora's arrival imminent. The Portuguese attacking midfielder's transfer from his current club is set at €25 million on a permanent basis, with Roma retaining a 50% sell-on clause that can be cancelled for an additional €25 million within a year. Mora, a 2007-born talent, is expected to arrive in Italy between 18 and 20 August and will earn a rising salary reaching approximately €2.2 million per year. Mendes's agency orchestrated the deal and recently also offered Rafael Leão to Roma, a proposal rejected as outside the club's financial parameters. With Mora secured, Roma have virtually closed negotiations for Malick Fofana on terms of €35 million plus bonuses from Olympique Lyonnais. Initial concerns over Fofana's fitness have been cleared, and Roma are pressing to complete the deal this week despite Lyon's wish to keep him until 26 August for a Champions League playoff return leg against Fenerbahçe. The final piece of Gasperini's rebuilding puzzle is a left-sided full-back to rotate with Wesley, Molina, Rensch and young prospect Lulli. Roma are tracking Cacciamani and Udogie, though Tottenham are unwilling to loan Udogie, while Torino are blocking a sale of their young talent. Roma resume training at Trigoria ahead of Monday's Serie A opener at home against Fiorentina, when Niccolò Pisilli will rejoin the group.

Roma trained at Trigoria this morning following a three-day rest granted by Gasperini, with new signing Rodrigo Mora featuring in his first session after receiving official confirmation. The squad is preparing for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 at Stadio Olimpico. Niccolò Pisilli has recovered from injury and returned to full group training, a significant boost for Gasperini's midfield options. Lorenzo Pellegrini continues working separately, with his availability for the Fiorentina match to be assessed day by day. Wesley completed a partial session but is on track to start against Viola, with no fitness concerns reported.

Robinio Vaz will remain at Roma through the closing of the transfer window, with the club rejecting any sale of the French striker acquired eight months ago from Olympique Marseille for €25 million. A proposed move to Bologna fell through during negotiations involving Castro and Dovbyk. Vaz has used recent friendlies to impress new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and demonstrate his value to the squad. With the centre-forward role occupied by Malen and Castro, Vaz is being positioned as a creative attacking midfielder, a role that could leverage his distinctive qualities. Gasperini's tactical system offers intriguing prospects for the French talent, who possesses pace and physical strength unmatched by other options in that position—Dybala, Pellegrini, Mora and Soulé. Last season, his intervention proved decisive in a closely fought match against Lecce after an initial adaptation period in Italian football. Vaz suffered a first-degree medial collateral ligament injury to his right knee while training, an injury sustained in unusual circumstances: he explained to the club he was injured while skiing in summer. After overcoming the setback within just over a week, he has recovered fully and is ready to compete for Gasperini's confidence.

Roma will open their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina in exactly one week's time, but face an injury concern over two key players. Wesley and Pisilli were both absent from a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their availability for the first league match remains uncertain. Wesley has an ongoing ankle problem that will be reassessed when training resumes at Trigoria in two days' time; Pisilli will undergo a similar evaluation on the same day. There is optimism both players will be fit for the clash with Fiorentina. Molina is expected to be the only recent recruit to start from the beginning against the Viola. Manu Koné requires further assessment before selection. Matías Soulé will operate on the left wing, with Paulo Dybala positioned on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini, meanwhile, needs more time to recover from injury and will not be included in the squad for the match.

Rodrigo Mora began his AS Roma adventure on Tuesday morning at the Centro Sportivo Fulvio Bernardini, joining the squad for his first training session under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Portuguese talent took the field alongside Wesley and met his new Giallorossi teammates, greeting the club's social media followers with a simple message: "Buongiorno!". Mora's arrival adds depth to Roma's attacking options as the squad prepares for the 2026-27 campaign. He integrated immediately into Gasperini's squad at the training ground, suggesting a swift induction into the coach's tactical setup and daily routines.

Rodrigo Mora reported for his first day at Roma on 19 August, hours after the club confirmed his arrival. The Portuguese midfielder born in 2007 went straight to Trigoria and joined the squad for training under Gian Piero Gasperini. He quickly settled into his new surroundings, visibly smiling in footage released by Roma as he spoke and joked with fellow player Wesley—the shared Portuguese language helping them connect naturally. A standout moment came when Mora greeted staff with a perfect "Buongiorno" in Italian, signalling his eagerness to integrate immediately into his new environment. Mora is unlikely to feature from the start in Roma's next fixture against Fiorentina on Monday, but Gasperini is expected to give him minutes off the bench to build his familiarity with the Stadio Olimpico and demonstrate his abilities. The club and supporters are anticipating what the new arrival will bring to the squad.

Roma trained at Trigoria this morning following a three-day rest granted by Gasperini, with new signing Rodrigo Mora featuring in his first session after receiving official confirmation. The squad is preparing for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 at Stadio Olimpico. Niccolò Pisilli has recovered from injury and returned to full group training, a significant boost for Gasperini's midfield options. Lorenzo Pellegrini continues working separately, with his availability for the Fiorentina match to be assessed day by day. Wesley completed a partial session but is on track to start against Viola, with no fitness concerns reported.