Ratings: Baresi's legacy, Angeliño's dignity, and the Esposito case

Nemanja Matic, now at Sassuolo, has reflected on his time at Roma in an exclusive interview with La Repubblica, emphasising the quality of the club's supporters and the standard they deserve. Speaking about his spell in Rome, Matic said: "It was enough for me to understand that the Roma public would deserve a squad that fights for the title every year." Matic also shared a warm anecdote involving Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar, whom he hosted at his home in London when Svilar was ten years old. When asked if it was true that he did not feed Svilar during the visit, Matic laughed it off, saying: "He's a liar! He was ten, he stayed with me for a few days. He'd wake me up at seven because milk and cereal weren't enough for him. It's true I didn't have anything else in the fridge, but I certainly didn't let him starve." The story highlights the personal bonds Matic formed during his time at the Stadio Olimpico and underscores the human connections that define life at the club.

Nemanja Matic, midfielder at Sassuolo, has reflected on his time at Roma in an interview with La Repubblica, paying tribute to the club's supporters. "The Roma fans deserve a team that fights for the title every year," Matic said of his brief spell in the Giallorossi shirt. "That's what I understood in just one year there." Matic also addressed a long-standing anecdote involving Mile Svilar, Roma's goalkeeper, who reportedly stayed at his home in London as a child. Matic dismissed claims that he failed to feed his young guest, saying Svilar "was ten years old" at the time and "stayed with me for a few days." He added: "He would wake me up at seven o'clock because milk and cereal weren't enough for him. It's true I didn't have much else in the fridge, but I certainly didn't let him starve." The exchange revealed the affection between the two former Roma connections, with Matic joking that Svilar was "a liar" in good humour.

Rome's radio stations offered varied perspectives on Roma's transfer activity on 3 August. Francesco Balzani reported that Read's deal should be finalised today or tomorrow, describing it as a €30 million investment to fill the right-back void left by Çelik's departure, with negotiations ongoing over bonus payments. Ugo Trani confirmed Roma's latest offer stands at €25 million plus €2–3 million in bonuses—matching the structure of Wesley's deal last summer—and said the club will pursue Nusa next, though Leipzig has yet to engage seriously while completing Diomande's sale. Piero Torri highlighted that Nusa's negotiations remain open but suggested Lyon's Fofana as his preference, despite the cost and weight of that operation. Multiple commentators stressed Roma's urgent need for a left-sided winger to complement Read; Balzani noted the deadline has technically passed but Roma awaits Leipzig's opening move, though the club may not stretch to the Germans' asking price. Antonio Felici expressed caution about the market, saying he sensed resignation even from Gasperini. Roberto Pruzzo backed the Read investment, emphasising that with quality attackers in place, Roma needs wide players capable of driving forward—and if the club can spend €30 million on an external, it represents the right priority. Concerns persist over secondary departures, particularly Koné's lack of interest from potential buyers.

Roma are accelerating departures to Spanish football this summer. Marash Kumbulla is moving closer to Rayo Vallecano after earlier spells with Espanyol and Maiorca. The centre-back has approved the switch and further talks between Roma and the Madrid club are scheduled in the coming days to finalise a loan deal with a right of redemption. Angeliño is leaving after two and a half seasons in giallorosso. The Spanish left-back will rejoin La Liga with Deportivo La Coruña on loan with an obligation to buy set at €2.5 million. On 4 August he underwent medical checks after linking up with the newly promoted club in Florence, where they were preparing for a friendly against Fiorentina. Angeliño had become a cornerstone of Roma's resurgence under former manager Claudio Ranieri, delivering crucial performances and goals on the left flank following the difficulties of the previous tactical setup.

Angeliño is departing AS Roma after two and a half years. The Spanish left-back will undergo a medical with Deportivo La Coruña on 4 August, initially scheduled in La Coruña but now to take place in Florence where Roma are playing a friendly against Fiorentina. Angeliño will join the newly promoted Liga side this evening ahead of the Florence fixture. The transfer is structured as a loan with an obligation to buy set at €2.5 million. Gasperini has opted to move Angeliño on after the player failed to impress during the early stages of pre-season. Last season was hampered by injuries for the 1997-born defender, who began his professional career at Deportivo and will now return to the club where he first made his mark in the game. The operation concludes Roma's pursuit of alternatives in the left-back area as Gasperini shapes his squad for the 2026–27 campaign. Angeliño, who joined Roma in May 2024, departs as the club's number 3.

Roma are intensifying negotiations with Feyenoord for left-back Givairo Read, with fresh contact expected in the coming hours. The Dutch club is asking €30 million, while Roma have offered €28 million; the gap has narrowed significantly and both sides are working to reach an agreement soon. Read has already agreed personal terms on a contract to 2031 with Roma and has spoken with head coach Gasperini. Roma remain ahead of Nottingham Forest and other suitors for the 25-year-old, with the transfer structure valued around €25 million plus €2–3 million in bonuses. Elsewhere, the left-back hunt reflects Gasperini's clear directive to complete the squad promptly. Matías Soulé alternative Alberto Cacciamani remains on Roma's radar as a possible option at alternative positions, but Torino are holding firm at around €15 million after rejecting Roma's opening bid of €7 million. Roma have no intention of surrendering the chase and are ready to return with a fresh offer through director D'Amico. Meanwhile, left-wing priority Antonio Nusa remains tied to Leipzig's €60 million valuation, leaving Roma to explore other targets including Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart and Malick Fofana of Lyon, though Fofana's recent ankle injury has given Roma pause. In departures, left-back Angeliño will leave Roma after two and a half years, joining Deportivo La Coruña on a loan with an obligation to buy for €2.5 million; he will undergo medical tests tomorrow.

Gianluca Mancini has declared his intention to spend his entire career at Roma following his contract renewal with the club. Speaking from the Welsh training camp, the defender said: "Roma for me is home. Then in football you never know, but I hope it can be like this: Roma for life." Mancini also discussed his recent performances in the Derby della Capitale, saying he did not anticipate scoring twice and only fully grasped the significance during a break: "Before it seemed to me that I had only done my duty, it was like scoring two goals against Milan, Juventus or Inter. Then I understood." Mancini underlined his emotional attachment to the club, referencing a tattoo he pledged to get in December if Roma qualified for the Champions League. "SPQR is a beautiful inscription and it sums up the bond I have with the city and with the club," he said. He also praised the role of those supporting him, noting: "I am not crazy, but you cannot command the heart. When I signed we hugged each other. And he was happy to see me happy." On the absence of Lorenzo Pellegrini from the squad, Mancini described the midfielder as a lifelong friend and an important figure in the dressing room: "But he is missed by everyone, we hope he can reach us soon. He is an important figure for the dressing room and as a player he can give us a great helping hand."

Gianluca Mancini has reaffirmed his long-term commitment to AS Roma, declaring his intention to spend his entire career at the club following the signing of a new contract through 2029. In an exclusive interview, the centre-back outlined his ambitions for the coming season, including a Champions League debut and a central role in what he described as a squad still in its construction phase. Mancini revealed he has had the SPQR inscription tattooed on his body as a permanent symbol of his bond with Rome and the club. "Roma me è entrata nel cuore e nel sangue" (Rome has entered my heart and blood), he said. "Sono felicissimo, il rinnovo l'ho voluto con tutto me stesso. Roma per me è casa" (I am very happy, I wanted the renewal with all my heart. Roma is home for me). When asked whether the contract to 2029 means Roma for life, Mancini responded: "Poi nel calcio non si sa mai, ma mi auguro che possa essere così: Roma a vita" (In football you never know, but I hope it can be that way: Roma for life). His agent Riso had reportedly suggested Mancini could have earned more elsewhere, but the defender brushed aside the criticism. "Ha detto ciò che pensava. Ma ha lavorato per i miei interessi. Io pazzo non lo sono, ma al cuor non si comanda. Quando ho firmato ci siamo abbracciati" (He said what he thought. But he worked for my interests. I am not crazy, but the heart commands. When I signed we embraced). On the absence of Lorenzo Pellegrini, Mancini said: "Tanto, è un amico di vita. Ma manca a tutti, speriamo che ci possa raggiungere presto. È una figura importante per lo spogliatoio e come calciatore ci può dare una grande mano" (A lot, he is a lifelong friend. But everyone misses him, we hope he can join us soon. He is an important figure for the dressing room and as a player he can give us a big hand).

Roma's Argentine contingent of Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro were spotted together during the club's training camp in Wales, continuing a tradition established two years earlier when Leandro Paredes formed part of the group at Burton. The three players share close ties—Soulé and Castro work with the same fitness coach, Guido Viggiano, and spent part of their summer break together in Argentina. Their bond was evident during a friendly against Cardiff, when both Soulé and Castro protested to the referee over a challenge on Castro, with Lorenzo Pellegrini stepping in as captain to mediate. The incident had blown over by the following day, with the pair joking together while watching training from the gym. Soulé's position within that circle faces jeopardy, however. The winger has been available for transfer since early June, with Roma seeking a buyer despite rejections from interested Saudi Arabian clubs and only tentative approaches from German and English sides. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical deployment in the Cardiff match offered a telling sign: Soulé was stationed on the left wing rather than his previous season's right-wing role, with Dybala occupying the primary position on that flank. Should Soulé depart, it could unlock the path to signing Endrick, though academy prospect Mastantuono has failed to convince. Elsewhere, young defender Bah suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and faces approximately nine months on the sidelines. Wesley remains unavailable and will miss tomorrow's fixture against Newport. Niccolò Pisilli is sidelined pending another scan next week, with hopes of rejoining group training the following week. In mercato news, Roma awaits a response regarding Read, with an agreement with Feyenoord edging close—approximately 2 million euros remain under negotiation.

Donyell Malen has expressed his commitment to Roma and his ambition to win Serie A with the club, comparing it to their 2001 scudetto celebrations at Rome's Circo Massimo. Speaking to Il Messaggero during Roma's preseason training camp in Wales, the forward said: "With my family we're doing well, I'm scoring, my relationship with the squad is excellent, the fans are splendid. Right now there would be no reason to think about changing air. A few weeks ago I was watching footage of the 2001 title celebrations at Circo Massimo. Repeating an experience like that would be wonderful, a dream." Malen praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's clarity and tactical direction, noting his ability to put players in position to finish. He expressed openness to whatever partnership Gasperini decides, whether alongside Paulo Dybala or any other forward. "Dybala? A magician," he said of his teammate. On the reported departure of Cristante, Malen declined to elaborate: "I had spoken with Crys too. Unfortunately it went badly but I don't want to comment on my friend's choices. I only wish him the best." Malen also commented on potential squad additions, highlighting young Feyenoord talent as a player who "could be useful to us" and reiterating that Roma need quality forwards to compete at the highest level.

Donyell Malen has expressed his ambition to win the Serie A scoring title in an exclusive interview, declaring his satisfaction at Roma and ruling out any thoughts of leaving the club. The Dutch forward reflected on the 2001 Scudetto celebrations at Circo Massimo and said repeating that experience would be "a wonderful dream". He backed the potential arrival of fellow countryman Givairo Read to strengthen the squad, describing the proposed move enthusiastically. On tactics, Malen acknowledged that coach Gasperini prefers not to deploy him and Santiago Castro together from the start, but stressed he is comfortable with multiple strike partners. "The important thing is that if you want to compete at the highest level you need strong players, and Santiago is one," he said, adding that Paulo Dybala is "a magician". Regarding the unsuccessful pursuit of Summerville, Malen revealed he had spoken to the player directly. "Yes, I had contacted Crys. Unfortunately it went badly but I don't want to comment on a friend's choices. I only wish him the best," he said. Malen expressed hope of matching Edin Dzeko's achievement from 10 years ago as Roma's last top scorer with 29 goals, though he emphasised taking things week by week. He highlighted that last season's primary success was securing Champions League qualification after seven years, rather than personal goal tallies, and expressed a desire to repeat that achievement.

Donyell Malen has settled quickly at Roma and dreams of celebrating a Serie A title at the Circo Massimo, recalling footage of the club's 2001 Scudetto celebrations there. The Dutch forward credits head coach Gasperini with giving him clear direction and confidence. "The trust he has placed in me, the clarity with which he expresses himself," Malen said. "It's hard not to understand what he asks. He knows my qualities and puts me in the best conditions to finish the team's work." Malen reflected on his journey through the Netherlands, Germany, England, and now Italy, noting that Roma's path to Champions League qualification after seven years was more significant than individual goal tallies. He acknowledged Gasperini's recent suggestion that he and Santiago Castro may rarely start together, accepting the coach's tactical decisions. On Paulo Dybala, he said simply: "A magician." Malen spoke warmly of his wife Delisha, whom he has known since adolescence, and their recent addition—daughter Shiloh, now six months old, joining three older sons. His mother, who worked night shifts as a taxi driver to support the family during the day, earned particular gratitude. Growing up in a rural area with farms and animals, Malen earned the childhood nickname "the farmer with clogs" after copying his grandfather's footwear.