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Dario Bonetti, a former Roma defender, has given a detailed interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport reflecting on his time with the club in the early 1980s. Bonetti made his Serie A debut in the 1980–81 season under Dino Viola, arriving after military service and settling at Trigoria alongside Carlo Ancelotti. He came to the club alongside Falcao and developed a deep admiration for teammates including Bruno Conti and, particularly, Agostino Di Bartolomei. Bonetti spoke reverently of Di Bartolomei's influence on the squad. "He was a master and a second father," Bonetti recalled. "He barely spoke in public, but in private he knew how to make himself heard. And he was an encyclopedia. I remember great conversations about art—it was a pleasure to listen to him. He also had a great way of managing the dressing room: he simplified things, especially with the champions. I think Carlo took a lot from him." Bonetti expressed sadness over Di Bartolomei's death, describing it as a tragedy he still struggles to understand, and noting that Di Bartolomei had been abandoned by the football world. Despite fielding a strong squad, Roma repeatedly fell short of major honours during Bonetti's tenure. He cited a disallowed goal to Turone as a crucial moment that cost the club a scudetto. He also highlighted the infamous Roma–Lecce match, which he describes as "inexplicable, cursed"—he was watching from the stands, suspended, and recalls it "like a nightmare." Bonetti expressed regret at not winning the league title in 1983, which would have been his first. Roma also lost the European Cup at home, a defeat Bonetti attributes in part to poor refereeing: "Their goal came from an obvious foul on me," he said of the Liverpool match.

Roma's summer transfer strategy underwent a dramatic reversal during the window, moving away from established stars towards younger, more financially sustainable targets. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had begun the window pursuing elite profiles including Mason Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville and Antonio Nusa, but as weeks passed the club progressively shifted direction. The turning point came when Roma abandoned a planned deal for Summerville and instead invested rapidly: 36 million plus 3 million in bonuses for Castro, 16.5 million plus 1.5 million for Koulierakis, and 13 million plus 4 million for Molina. These signings consumed the available budget and forced a complete change in approach. The root cause lies in Roma's Settlement Agreement with UEFA. Gasperini believed Champions League qualification would ease financial constraints, but the club's wage cap restrictions proved immovable. A decisive meeting during the club's Wales retreat saw CEO John Galantic communicate the ownership's new direction to the coaching staff: away from expensive, established players and towards young prospects capable of appreciating in value. Gasperini acknowledged the shift: "We started looking for very high-profile players but had to contend with the need to keep the wage bill under certain ceilings. Communications changed." He added: "I thought that once we reached the Champions League, financial fair play problems were solved and maybe the club thought so too. We had a different vision that we had to change over the weeks, including as strategies." Gasperini explained the domino effect of the decisions: "Maybe if we had done Summerville we couldn't have done anything else. Or perhaps his contract was sustainable at that moment." On UEFA's constraints, he stated: "There are situations that UEFA imposes from which the ownership cannot escape. All this forces us into a creative market, a necessity that also comes from what was done in previous years. In perspective Roma will certainly have value, but now the reckoning has arrived." The final phase of the window sees the club still seeking two players—a central midfielder (with Oosterwolde arriving for that role) and an attacking winger—but any additions must maintain financial balance. Gasperini confirmed: "Yes, two players. The left winger? We'll take it only if it brings added value."

Dario Bonetti, a former Roma defender, has reflected on his time at the club and his Serie A career in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Bonetti made his Serie A debut in the 1980–81 season under Dino Viola, arriving at Roma after military service. He recalled sharing accommodation at Trigoria with Carlo Ancelotti and arriving alongside Falcao, though he named Bruno Conti as his favourite teammate: "a Brazilian born by mistake in Nettuno." Bonetti also spoke movingly about Agostino Di Bartolomei, one of Roma's most revered figures. "He was a gentleman unlike few others," Bonetti said of the legend. "His death was a tragedy I still cannot explain to myself. He was a man of great culture, somewhat introverted, and he was abandoned by the football world. I believe that was one of the reasons for his gesture." Bonetti's recollection underscores the deep impact Di Bartolomei had on those who played alongside him during Roma's golden era.

Gasperini is preparing Roma's opening lineup for Monday's visit of Fiorentina, with the shape of his team already taking clearer form in the final days of the transfer window. The Stadio Olimpico will host Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, who despite their youth and last season's league position will present a stern test. Gasperini has identified Fiorentina's preference for a 4-3-3 setup during summer friendlies and is likely to counter with a 3-4-1-2 formation against their four-man defence, adapting his usual structure. That system would see Rodrigo Mora operating as the trequartista behind the Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen partnership, a position where the Argentine could make an immediate impact and deliver more options than Matías Soulé offers from the left flank. The formation can shift to a 3-4-2-1 during play when Malen presses higher up the pitch. Gasperini will keep some selection decisions until the final stages of Monday's match. Wesley and Molina appear set for the right flank, while Kostas Tsimikas contests the left-back role against Mario Hermoso for a starting place. The central defensive duel between Evan N'Dicka and Fiorentina's Kean will be a critical battleground — N'Dicka has struggled more than usual against Kean's pace and explosive moments from his time at Juventus. Fiorentina's Arthur Atta will be their wildcard variable, looking to disrupt Roma's defensive shape by dropping deep and unsettling the back line. Molina will have dual duties: creating danger down the flank through his runs while containing the constant forward drives of Valdepeñas. The final training session takes place this afternoon at Trigoria, where remaining selection dilemmas—including the Mora-Soulé contest and the Cristante-Neil El Aynaoui decision—will be resolved. Gasperini continues to wait for one more attacking wide player with different characteristics from Mora during the summer window. Monday brings the first competitive test of the season, a tactical chess match between two managers with distinct philosophies and clear identities. Roma will need a strong start in a title race that this year features more Champions League contenders than ever before.

Roma are close to signing Jayden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahce on a loan deal worth approximately €3 million, with a right of purchase that can become an obligation under certain conditions, for a total package around €17–18 million. The Dutch left-back's agreement with the player is already finalised. Head coach Gasperini views him as Wesley's backup but notes he can also play centrally. Oosterwolde is currently sidelined by a muscle problem and is expected to be available around mid-September. With the transfer window entering its final days, Roma continue to scout attacking reinforcements despite the ownership's decision to scale back investment. The club has stepped up pursuit of several wing options while managing departures that could fund these acquisitions. Defence remains an area under review, with potential outgoings creating space for new additions. Among the targets on Roma's radar is Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, the 22-year-old Chelsea winger. The club has proposed roughly €3 million for a temporary transfer plus a purchase option worth around €40 million, but Chelsea have so far resisted a loan move and favour a permanent sale instead. Roma are expected to continue pushing for this deal in the final days of the window. Malick Fofana, the 21-year-old Lyon winger, remains a possibility but the operation is currently blocked. Lyon must first play their Champions League playoff return against Fenerbahce, and Roma have reduced their investment targets following ownership guidance. Should another winger not arrive and Lyon accept more sustainable economic terms in the coming days, the club could attempt to reopen negotiations. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, a 21-year-old winger at Eintracht Frankfurt, is also among alternatives considered by sporting director D'Amico should primary targets fail to materialise. Pedro Henrique, a 20-year-old Brazilian winger at Zenit, has also been proposed to Roma in recent hours, though no concrete move has been signalled from the club. Yasin Ayari, a 22-year-old Swedish midfielder from Brighton, has attracted contact from Roma, but Borussia Dortmund's serious interest and Brighton's high valuation of approximately €45 million have complicated progress; Roma are considering a loan with a purchase option, a formula that currently conflicts with the asking price. On departures, Jan Ziółkowski could leave Rome. The 21-year-old Polish defender has attracted attention from several Saudi clubs, particularly Neom, from whom Roma await a concrete offer. Roma's valuation stands between €16 and €20 million, with 10 per cent of future resale revenue going to Legia Warsaw. A sale could fund the final investment in an attacking player. Daniele Ghilardi, aged 23, is also being monitored, with Bologna showing interest. Should either defender depart, Roma would return to the market for a replacement, preferably on loan.

Roma continue to pursue Malick Fofana as their preferred left-sided attacking option following the confirmation of Rodrigo Mora's arrival from Porto, but are proceeding without artificial time pressure. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has requested another attacking midfielder-cum-winger, with Mora expected to operate as a pure number ten behind the strikers rather than the wide role Gasperini envisions. Contact with Fofana and his club remains constant and both player and side have shown openness, though Lyon's involvement in a Champions League preliminary fixture is constraining negotiation timing. The French club faced Fenerbahce yesterday, with Fofana playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw in Turkey, and do not wish to discuss transfers before their return leg on Wednesday. Alternatives under consideration include Endrick of Real Madrid, though José Mourinho is reluctant to release him and Real Madrid's attacking depth has not yet prompted a sale. Endrick remains attracted to Roma as a destination and could become viable late in the window if he lacks early-season playing time—provided Matías Soulé departs Trigoria. Roma are also addressing their left-back depth chart, seeking a backup to Wesley. Alessio Cacciamani of Torino remains an option, but Torino's executives continue to demand more than Roma's valuation allows. Destiny Udogie of Tottenham has desirable attributes but his asking price is high enough that Roma may abandon that pursuit and seek a more defensively oriented left-back of similar profile to strengthen that flank. The club is not pursuing Luis Henrique, despite multiple sponsors suggesting him, as he does not command enthusiasm at Trigoria. Additionally, Roma announced yesterday the departure of Luigi Cherubini on loan, with the winger joining Benevento on a temporary deal.