Rensch backs Gasperini's energy and tactics; eyes another Dutch arrival

Roma midfielder Muhammed Bah has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after being forced from the field on a stretcher in the 29th minute against Cardiff City. The club will proceed with surgery in the coming days, with recovery estimated at approximately nine months. The injury represents a significant blow to Roma's midfield depth as the 2026–27 season approaches. Bah will undergo the surgical procedure under the care of Dr Ahlbäumer, with the lengthy rehabilitation timeline ruling him out for the majority of the coming campaign.

Niccolò Pisilli spoke from the club's training camp in Wales about his recovery and prospects at Roma. The midfielder said he is working to return to full fitness and expects to be available within a week. Pisilli reflected on his time at the club since January, noting that tactical philosophy matters more than specific formation or role. "The important thing is ideas, not the system or specific role," he said. "What matters is that I play and do so in the best way possible. On the pitch there are concepts and ideas from the coaches that make the difference. You can play ten metres forward but be freer to push, or start a bit deeper and attack the goal often." Pisilli also spoke positively about his agent's handling of his career decisions. He joined Roma in January after a period in which he had played little and struggled to establish himself elsewhere. He praised his agent for giving him freedom on his choices without pressure. "My agent works for me and managed everything perfectly," he said. "He never put pressure on me or told me what to do; he always left me very free on decisions. Obviously we discussed the right moves, because I arrived in January having played quite little at a moment when it seemed I couldn't carve out my space." He added that the January move proved beneficial for both him and the club. Pisilli also expressed that competing in the Champions League with Roma remains a dream for him.

Roma's transfer focus has shifted to signing an offensive left-winger, a position head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has prioritised for the past year. With targets Greenwood and Summerville no longer viable, Roma's primary attention in recent weeks has centred on Antonio Nusa of Leipzig. However, the path to securing Nusa remains difficult, and Roma have alternative options including Malick Fofana of Lyon. The Belgian left-winger, born in 2005, has now attracted interest from Atalanta as well in recent days. According to transfer experts Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto, Atalanta intend to provide their manager Sarri with a winger suited to his style of play. Yeremay of Deportivo is also under consideration by the Bergamo club. Gasperini has consistently requested the club fill this gap in the squad, and the summer transfer window has become increasingly active in pursuit of a solution. The competition from Atalanta for Fofana illustrates the demand for quality left-sided talent in the current market, with multiple clubs targeting similar profiles to strengthen their attacking options.

Devyne Rensch has spoken positively about Roma's prospects ahead of the new season in an exclusive interview from the club's training camp in Cardiff. The right-back, who scored an equaliser against Parma that helped secure a Champions League place, confirmed he is fit and ready for action. "I feel good, no more pain in my foot which is the most important thing," he said. "There are still some friendlies to get back to full condition and then we start." Rensch has become Roma's primary choice on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus. He praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's impact on his development. "He's a coach who brings a lot of energy, mentality, a lot of tactical work for everyone and also for me. He's a coach who is helping me to become a better footballer but also a better person," Rensch said. "It's clear he's a very demanding coach who makes you work hard, but he's brilliant both on and off the pitch in looking after every aspect of the player and the person." When asked about fellow Dutch player Givairo Read, Rensch expressed enthusiasm about a potential arrival. "I've only seen him play. He would be the third Dutch footballer in the squad besides me and Malen, so it would be nice if his arrival happened and we could help him to settle in and integrate as well and as quickly as possible," he explained.

Roma players Mile Svilar, Gianluca Mancini, Devyne Rensch and new signing Koulierakis spent time with supporters in Wales following the squad's first training session of the day on 3 August. The interaction with fans came during Roma's pre-season preparations, with the group engaging in the customary meet-and-greet activities that characterise the build-up to a new campaign. The presence of Koulierakis, who joined as a new acquisition ahead of the 2026–27 season, marked another step in Roma's summer transfer activity as the squad continues its conditioning work away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed sporting director Tony D'Amico to secure immediate signings in attack and on the flanks following Roma's defeat to Cardiff, though financial constraints threaten to complicate a broad overhaul. The telephone conversation between Gasperini and D'Amico underscored the need to complete the squad rapidly, with targets identified including Endrick, Read, and Antonio Nusa. However, the cost of these profiles conflicts with the club's financial reality, making large-scale investment difficult without significant sales such as Matías Soulé. Roma's wing options have deteriorated after Wesley suffered an ankle injury and Zeki Çelik departed unexpectedly, leaving the right flank to Devyne Rensch alone. D'Amico is accelerating contact for Givairo Read of Feyenoord to fill the gap and meet Gasperini's demands. An agreement with the player has already been reached, and Roma is prepared to offer up to 30 million euros to overcome the Dutch club's resistance.

Devyne Rensch has spoken positively about Roma's prospects ahead of the new season in an exclusive interview from the club's training camp in Cardiff. The right-back, who scored an equaliser against Parma that helped secure a Champions League place, confirmed he is fit and ready for action. "I feel good, no more pain in my foot which is the most important thing," he said. "There are still some friendlies to get back to full condition and then we start." Rensch has become Roma's primary choice on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus. He praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's impact on his development. "He's a coach who brings a lot of energy, mentality, a lot of tactical work for everyone and also for me. He's a coach who is helping me to become a better footballer but also a better person," Rensch said. "It's clear he's a very demanding coach who makes you work hard, but he's brilliant both on and off the pitch in looking after every aspect of the player and the person." When asked about fellow Dutch player Givairo Read, Rensch expressed enthusiasm about a potential arrival. "I've only seen him play. He would be the third Dutch footballer in the squad besides me and Malen, so it would be nice if his arrival happened and we could help him to settle in and integrate as well and as quickly as possible," he explained.

Roma have identified Real Madrid forwards Endrick and Franco Mastantuono as targets to bolster their frontline, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requesting two additional forwards despite the recent arrival of Santiago Castro. According to Alfredo Pedullà, the Giallorossi have been monitoring the Brazilian Endrick for a month but are unlikely to move quickly, preferring first to address the left wing with Antonio Nusa or alternatives before pursuing the other option. The ongoing situation with Matías Soulé, who has been available for sale throughout the summer but remains with the club, also influences the club's timing. Roma are competing with Fiorentina for Mastantuono, while Endrick has interest from overseas suitors. Both players could arrive on loan or via a similar arrangement to Nico Paz's deal. Mastantuono carries a €45–50M price tag. Roma harbour tactical reservations about Endrick, the 20-year-old, who is neither a pure winger nor number 10 and performs best as a false nine—characteristics broadly comparable to Donyell Malen and Castro, though he could be further developed. Last season at Olympique Lyonnais, he recorded 8 goals and 8 assists across 21 fixtures. The club recognises that a loan formula could provide an opening for a permanent deal later, though such arrangements risk developing talent that benefits another club.

Roma radio pundits debated the club's transfer priorities and recent training-ground incidents after an unconvincing pre-season display. Wesley did not train today after suffering an ankle sprain in a challenge with Cardiff; he left the field as a precaution. During the session, Dybala, Castro, Soulé and Wesley trained together before Cristante and Mancini arrived and resolved a disagreement between them. Gasperini has made clear he expects further reinforcements beyond the squad's current strength. While Read's arrival is imminent, the head coach has flagged the left-back position as a priority and wants four additional players in total. Pundits downplayed the on-field tensions as routine rather than symptomatic of deeper discord. Roberto Pruzzo noted that if Soulé raises his level, "it's easier for the others," and highlighted the need for attacking full-backs to support the forward options. He suggested Castro and Malen could complement each other. Torri criticised Roma's commercial execution, questioning why Koné—despite his quality—has attracted no concrete offers while other clubs command higher valuations. "The problem of player sales is there," he said. He also expressed scepticism about Read's rumoured €30 million cost and continued to track Lyon's Fofana as an alternative target, though the Nusa negotiation remains open. Torri added: "I find it incomprehensible that there are no offers for Koné."