Pruzzo backs Roma's strength but flags Dybala's condition as key; Sabatini hits out at left-winger search as a 'joke'

Roman radio stations aired mixed reaction to Roma's performance against Fiorentina and the club's transfer strategy. Sandro Sabatini (Radio Radio Mattino) highlighted the ongoing struggle to secure a left-sided attacker, saying: "The Roma left winger has become a joke, it has been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't arrived." Sabatini praised Paulo Dybala's display, noting: "A Dybala like the one against Fiorentina we haven't seen in 10 years." He offered a measured assessment of Rodrigo Mora's debut, stating: "Mora's start pleased me, but if the shirt had said Baldanzi we would have spoken of a good Baldanzi performance. He certainly stood out in a scrupulous marking of Fagioli." Nando Orsi (Radio Radio Mattino) set higher expectations for Mora given his transfer fee, saying: "Mora was paid quite a bit and for that reason I expect him to be decisive from the start. We need continuity and for him to be decisive in the important phases of a match." Roberto Pruzzo (Radio Radio Mattino) assessed Roma as strong and noted that resolving the left-wing issue would make them stronger still. He highlighted Santiago Castro as one of the best available signings on the market, stating: "I am convinced he will have more playing time than we think." Pruzzo concluded: "I hope Mora gains confidence and personality." Pruzzo also suggested that Roma's overall strength this season may owe more to Paulo Dybala's form than to the summer's transfer activity, and expressed optimism about the squad's trajectory.

Gianluca Falsini, who coached Emanuele Lulli at Roma's Under-16 and Primavera levels, gave an exclusive interview to Retesport praising the young forward's character and potential. Falsini described Lulli as "incredible, a Roma fan with Giallorosso blood running through his veins. He is resilient, has the capacity to listen, everyone would want him as a son: he is extraordinary." The former academy coach noted that Lulli's greatest asset is his intensity, combined with a good first touch and ball control, though he still needs to improve his finishing, crossing, shooting and short passing. "He has 19 years, have patience and he applies himself to the work. Certainly he will improve, Gasperini's style of play suits him perfectly: he has to run a lot without the ball, I am happy for him and his family," Falsini said. Falsini emphasised that Lulli's path to the first team was unconventional. Unlike earlier academy products such as Coletta, Di Nunzio and Nardin, who had a certain technical baseline, Lulli lacked that foundation initially. "When I started, he had great physical capacity, strength and power and had problems to the point that he suffered rebalancing his body, but he did it working with dedication every day," Falsini explained. The coach was emotional watching Roma's 4–0 win over Fiorentina, in which Lulli played at the Stadio Olimpico under immense pressure. He remains confident in the player's trajectory: "In silence every year he has improved, so he is a boy who will make it." Falsini also touched on the broader Serie A landscape. He called Roma's result against Fiorentina frightening but cautioned that Inter are "clearly much stronger," while Napoli should fight for a top-three finish. He expressed hope that Como would replicate last season's campaign and predicted Juventus would perform better than they did in 2025–26. "It will be a gripping Serie A; the line will be drawn when the market closes, but the indications are these: it is normal that one match does not prove anything," he said.

Roma's pursuit of a left-sided attacking midfielder dominates transfer discussion across Rome radio as the summer window approaches its final days. Commentators on Tele Radio Stereo, Rete Sport and Radio Radio debate whether Gasperini will land his primary target—a wide forward he has been seeking for 15 months—or be forced into a late compromise. Lorenzo Pes stated: "Between Gittens and Fofana, the first is preferred especially by the coach. As long as there is time to do it, Roma will try to construct the operation with Chelsea. The English club has not yet given openings, but Roma will continue to push. If it becomes clear there will be no margin, then we will go to Fofana. The agreement there you had already found. But Gittens has the financial and technical favour, and for this remains the favourite. The two clubs have good relations." Pes added that Gittens would arrive on loan if a deal is struck in the final hours of the market. Alessio Nardo expressed frustration at the extended delay. "Surreal this situation. Gasperini has been asking for this attacking winger profile for 15 months. The important thing is not to find ourselves taking the Zaragoza of the moment on the last day of the market. You must take someone strong, an added starter and not the last leftover that happens to you. You are still in serious delay—we are at the end of a very long transfer campaign and you are still missing that player there. It has become a novel. It would be grotesque to end up with the short end of the stick, and even more demoralizing to take the Zaragoza of the moment at the last." Gianluca Piacentini noted that Roma correctly declined to sign Oosterwolde and that Gasperini likely prefers a player with different physical characteristics than Mora, making Fofana an option—though Gittens's loan structure makes him likely to arrive only in the final window hours if at all. Francesca Ferrazza reported that Roma has neither confirmed nor denied interest in Kessié or Fofana, describing the situation as "very very complicated" and dependent on other pieces falling into place. She also noted that Gasperini's reaction to El Aynaoui's approach in training "does not drive him crazy," raising questions about the winger's future. Piero Torri suggested Kessié's agent approached Roma as leverage to accelerate Juventus's interest, implying Roma is being used in a negotiating game. Roberto Pruzzo expressed scepticism about Kessié's fit for Serie A and backed the idea of selling El Aynaoui if Roma can bring in a player with different strengths. He predicted a 2–0 Lecce result, while Nando Orsi suggested De Roon as an unconventional alternative despite his 35 years and predicted a draw. Checco Oddo Casano warned Roma could be left empty-handed if decisions do not come before Friday and the weekend fixture congestion dilutes focus. The club remains without a fifth defender and a left-sided midfielder as the window enters its final stretch.

Roma's Serie A trip to Torino has been moved to accommodate the club's Champions League campaign. The match, originally scheduled for Sunday 13 September at 12.30, will now take place on Monday 14 September at 18.30. The change follows Roma's Champions League fixture on Thursday 10 September, when they travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce at 18.45. The rescheduling gives Dybala and his teammates an extra day of rest after their return from Turkey on Friday before facing Torino. The fixture against Atalanta at the Olimpico remains unchanged, scheduled for Saturday 5 September at 20.45.

Bryan Cristante was the standout performer in midfield as Roma opened their season with a dominant 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday, playing a decisive role in stabilising the team's shape while an attacking force of Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Rodrigo Mora created havoc in the final third. Gasperini deployed a 3–4–1–2 formation, and Cristante's 90 minutes of tactical control were awarded an 8.4 rating by Sofascore. He attempted 83 passes with 88 per cent accuracy, including a 91 per cent success rate in the opposing half, while collecting 8 ball recoveries—more than any other player on the pitch. Defensively, he won 6 of 7 aerial duels and 5 of 7 ground duels, made 4 tackles (2 won), 2 interceptions and 4 defensive clearances. Cristante's ability to drop between the centre-backs, clean up loose balls and restart play with composure allows Roma to push their attacking players forward into dangerous areas. He has been a fixture under every head coach since arriving at the club—Di Francesco, Ranieri, José Mourinho, Paulo Fonseca, Daniele De Rossi and Júrić among them—proving his value transcends tactical philosophy or midfield partners. The 29-year-old has now made 365 official appearances for Roma, entering the club's top 10 all-time list and surpassing Masetti. After the victory, Cristante told Sky Sport: "I am honoured, and I hope to make as many appearances as possible and to continue like this." Roma's next fixture is a trip to Lecce.

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.

Leonardo Balerdi has arrived at Rome's Ciampino Airport to complete his transfer to AS Roma. The Argentine defender is joining on a paid loan of €1 million, with a right of redemption that can become an obligation depending on specific conditions. The redemption fee is variable between €12 million and €15 million. Balerdi is Roma's fifth summer signing this season, following Santiago Castro, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, and Rodrigo Mora. He will undergo the standard medical examination at Ciampino before signing his contract with the club.

Leonardo Balerdi is set to become Roma's fifth summer signing, joining from Olympique Marseille on loan with a right of purchase that can become an obligation based on certain appearance thresholds. The Argentine defender, who holds Italian citizenship and was born in 1999, is expected to arrive imminently and will sign a contract through 2031. The deal is valued between €15 and €20 million in total and was completed in just over 48 hours through quiet negotiations by the Roma hierarchy. Bareldi's path to Roma stretches back years. In 2025, then-sporting director Ghisolfi pursued him, while last summer Gasperini specifically requested the signing. However, Marseille's valuation proved prohibitively high at that time; only now, with the French club needing to offload players, has the operation become feasible. Sporting director D'Amico had identified Balerdi while working with Gasperini at Atalanta in summer 2024, following a Europa League semi-final meeting between the clubs. That interest stalled over valuation concerns. D'Amico had also negotiated with Marseille over defender Aguerd in recent days, but the Moroccan declined a loan move, bringing Balerdi back into focus. At 27, Balerdi will join Roma's growing contingent of Argentine players at Trigoria: Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina.

Roman radio stations aired mixed reaction to Roma's performance against Fiorentina and the club's transfer strategy. Sandro Sabatini (Radio Radio Mattino) highlighted the ongoing struggle to secure a left-sided attacker, saying: "The Roma left winger has become a joke, it has been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't arrived." Sabatini praised Paulo Dybala's display, noting: "A Dybala like the one against Fiorentina we haven't seen in 10 years." He offered a measured assessment of Rodrigo Mora's debut, stating: "Mora's start pleased me, but if the shirt had said Baldanzi we would have spoken of a good Baldanzi performance. He certainly stood out in a scrupulous marking of Fagioli." Nando Orsi (Radio Radio Mattino) set higher expectations for Mora given his transfer fee, saying: "Mora was paid quite a bit and for that reason I expect him to be decisive from the start. We need continuity and for him to be decisive in the important phases of a match." Roberto Pruzzo (Radio Radio Mattino) assessed Roma as strong and noted that resolving the left-wing issue would make them stronger still. He highlighted Santiago Castro as one of the best available signings on the market, stating: "I am convinced he will have more playing time than we think." Pruzzo concluded: "I hope Mora gains confidence and personality." Pruzzo also suggested that Roma's overall strength this season may owe more to Paulo Dybala's form than to the summer's transfer activity, and expressed optimism about the squad's trajectory.

Leonardo Balerdi has arrived at Rome's Ciampino Airport to complete his transfer to AS Roma. The Argentine defender is joining on a paid loan of €1 million, with a right of redemption that can become an obligation depending on specific conditions. The redemption fee is variable between €12 million and €15 million. Balerdi is Roma's fifth summer signing this season, following Santiago Castro, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, and Rodrigo Mora. He will undergo the standard medical examination at Ciampino before signing his contract with the club.

Bryan Cristante was the standout performer in midfield as Roma opened their season with a dominant 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday, playing a decisive role in stabilising the team's shape while an attacking force of Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Rodrigo Mora created havoc in the final third. Gasperini deployed a 3–4–1–2 formation, and Cristante's 90 minutes of tactical control were awarded an 8.4 rating by Sofascore. He attempted 83 passes with 88 per cent accuracy, including a 91 per cent success rate in the opposing half, while collecting 8 ball recoveries—more than any other player on the pitch. Defensively, he won 6 of 7 aerial duels and 5 of 7 ground duels, made 4 tackles (2 won), 2 interceptions and 4 defensive clearances. Cristante's ability to drop between the centre-backs, clean up loose balls and restart play with composure allows Roma to push their attacking players forward into dangerous areas. He has been a fixture under every head coach since arriving at the club—Di Francesco, Ranieri, José Mourinho, Paulo Fonseca, Daniele De Rossi and Júrić among them—proving his value transcends tactical philosophy or midfield partners. The 29-year-old has now made 365 official appearances for Roma, entering the club's top 10 all-time list and surpassing Masetti. After the victory, Cristante told Sky Sport: "I am honoured, and I hope to make as many appearances as possible and to continue like this." Roma's next fixture is a trip to Lecce.

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.