Pre-season Schedule Confirmed: Roma to Face Borussia Dortmund and Build Up from July 13

Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed he feels consistent backing from the Friedkin Group but wants to see them more engaged with Roma. In an interview with Sky Sport, the coach said: "I always feel their trust and support even though they come to Rome very little. Now they have put in Galantic who certainly makes a tighter connection between Roma and them. My objective remains clear: to get them more involved, not for me but for them and for the fans." Gasperini was discussing his experience at the club while unveiling a new wine label called "3-4-3" produced in Piedmont at Cascina Gilli in Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Asti). Roma continue to pursue Endrick as an attacking reinforcement. Director Tony D'Amico has reopened decisive contact with the entourage of the Brazilian Real Madrid forward during the international break, testing the 2006-born talent's willingness to move to the capital. Endrick has signalled openness to a Roma transfer, though Milan remain strong competitors. His season at Madrid under Mourinho has been complicated, featuring limited appearances and an injury that has hampered his output—a situation pushing him to explore new opportunities for regular playing time. Midfielder Rodrigo Mora has been included in the final 25-man shortlist for the Golden Boy 2026 award, football's annual prize for the best European player under 21. Mora received his place via a wild card alongside Mastantuono, Gadou, Kostoulas and Espart. The honour, created in 2003 by Tuttosport, recognises emerging talent from across Europe's top divisions. Meanwhile, Bryan Cristante's recovery timeline has extended. According to radio commentary, the midfielder sustained a collateral ligament injury, with rehabilitation expected to take approximately one month—longer than initially anticipated. Roma's defence has been singled out as one of Serie A's strongest this season.

Rodrigo Mora has been included in the 25-finalist shortlist for the 2026 Golden Boy award, the prize created in 2003 by TuttoSport. The Portugal midfielder, who arrived at Roma this summer from Porto, earned his place in the final selection phase through a wild-card allocation. The 25 finalists were announced on 5 October at Villa Fürstenberg in Mestre. Mora's inclusion marks another milestone for the 2007-born talent, who is among the most promising young footballers in European football. The wild-card was also granted to Mastantuono of Fiorentina, Gadou of Borussia Dortmund, Kostoulas of Brighton and Espart of Barcelona.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Sky Sport from a vineyard in Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Asti, during the launch of his wine project "3-4-3"—named after the formation that has defined his career—and addressed multiple Roma themes including Bryan Cristante's recovery, the Friedkin family's engagement, and the summer transfer window. Gasperini expressed his desire to involve the Friedkin family more closely with the squad and supporters ahead of Roma's centenary. He acknowledged that the Percassi family, from his previous club, had maintained daily contact and a relationship extending beyond work, but with the Friedkins the dynamic differs. "I feel their trust and support even though they come to Rome very little," he said. "Now they have appointed Galantic, who certainly creates a tighter connection between Roma and them. My objective remains to involve them more—not for me, but for them and for the fans. To bring a closer relationship into the centenary is an objective." He praised the appointment of Galantic as a link between the club and ownership. On Cristante's fitness, Gasperini said: "He is recovering, it takes time. We will not be willing to risk anything. The objective is to recover him properly even if he were to miss one or two more matches." Regarding Koné and summer market rumours of a late departure, Gasperini explained: "We could not replace him in such a short time. It was not feasible. The market was long, arriving at very few hours before closure there were no timescales. These transfers bring the involvement of many people; I do not see how an operation like that could have been done. Personally I am happy. He will have the opportunity, and is already doing so, to increase his value." On the tight fixture list, Gasperini noted that five substitutions help manage the energy expenditure, and that injuries remain a constant risk in football. He praised Soulé's early-season form, noting he had recovered from pubalgia over the summer, and expressed happiness with Dybala's recent output: "He is a boy who when he takes the field does well. He was born with the ball at his feet. The fact of having to miss many matches made him sad. Now he is happy, he has enthusiasm, these are good milestones." Gasperini also reflected on his first season at Roma, calling it a major success to win the appreciation of supporters who initially viewed him as an opponent.