Roma and Gasperini savour Dybala's finest pre-season form

Roma continue their recruitment efforts ahead of the Serie A season, which kicks off in less than a week. The club remains in the market for a left-sided winger and at least two strikers. Mora, the Porto target, remains under negotiation with no significant developments in recent hours, though the pursuit remains active. Luis Henrique has also attracted Roma's interest, with a valuation of €30 million, and seemed close to completion days ago—but that is no longer the case. Market expert Alfredo Pedullà clarified the situation on his YouTube channel, stating: "Luis Henrique is not a priority. D'Amico, at the moment, has other necessities. There have been evaluations, but the intention is to invest the money in other roles." The message is unambiguous: Roma intends to deploy resources elsewhere. For the left flank, Udogie—the Tottenham defender—is the profile most favoured by the club. While negotiations remain to be constructed, the direction appears set.

Emanuele Lulli, the 18-year-old right-back, delivered a positive display for Roma in their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Stadium yesterday, starting and playing 76 minutes. Gasperini has regularly deployed the class of 2007 prospect in recent weeks, with Lulli appearing in progressive minutes across warm-up fixtures: 18 minutes against Cardiff, 20 against Newport, 12 against Brighton, and the full 76-minute outing against Dortmund. The teenager, who turns 19 tomorrow, demonstrated both defensive cover and attacking thrust—precisely what Gasperini demands from his fullbacks. Roma's recruitment focus remains on the offensive flank, though director D'Amico continues work on the fullback contingent. With Tsimikas, Çelik and Angeliño departed, the squad has lacked reinforcement on the wings; only Wesley and Devyne Rensch remain from last season, with Molina arriving yesterday on his Roma debut. Lulli's composed display offers genuine hope of a permanent pathway into first-team contention under Gasperini. Lulli recorded three defensive contributions, two interceptions and three recoveries in addition to one clearance across his 76 minutes, also winning one ground duel and one aerial duel. He registered 88% pass accuracy in the opposition half (7/8) and 82% in his own half (9/11), with 2 of 3 long passes reaching their target. His ball-carrying statistics stand out: 54.9 metres gained (compared to 23.3 for Rensch), including 37.4 metres towards the opposition goal (21.3 for Rensch). Roma continue pressing on Udogie, while moves for Cacciamani and Luis Henrique face complications.

Roma are maintaining pressure to sign Rodrigo Mora from Porto, with general manager D'Amico also exploring alternative targets. The club is simultaneously pressing Tottenham for left-back Destiny Udogie, though a deal with the English club remains difficult. Matteo Moretto reported that Roma and Jorge Mendes are in continued contact over Mora; talks from yesterday will continue today as Roma awaits final approval from Porto president Villas-Boas. Mora, a 2007-born midfielder, remained on Porto's bench for the full 90 minutes in their win against Rio Ave. His agent had recently expressed frustration about the player's situation, prompting Porto manager Francesco Farioli to respond firmly: "Così non aiuta nessuno, la priorità è il Porto" (This helps no one; Porto is the priority). Alfredo Pedullà reported that Roma's interest in Udogie should be monitored closely as of today, with the operation from Tottenham assessed as difficult but possible. Barcelona may be stepping back from Christopher Nkunku, the Milan forward also linked with Roma, because the club considers his salary too high.

Paulo Dybala scored and assisted in Roma's 2–2 friendly draw at Borussia Dortmund, the club's final warm-up match before the Serie A season begins. The Argentine delivered another display of high quality, reinforcing encouraging signs about his physical condition heading into the new campaign. Dybala was full of praise for the performance on social media after the match. He posted: "Last match before the start of a new season in Serie A. Beautiful match against a great team in a difficult stadium. Well done everyone." The fixture served as final preparation for Gasperini's side as they prepare for the competitive campaign ahead.

Roma drew 2-2 away to Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly before the start of the new Serie A campaign. Paulo Dybala commented on the performance via social media, saying: "Last match before the start of a new season in Serie A. Beautiful match against a great team in a difficult ground. Everyone did well." The result marked Roma's closing preparation fixture ahead of the 2026-27 league season. Dybala's assessment highlighted the quality of opposition and the conditions at Dortmund's stadium, while acknowledging a collective effort from the squad in a competitive pre-season encounter.

Paulo Dybala delivered a dominant display with goals and assists as Roma won their final warm-up match before the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina, beating Borussia Dortmund in a challenging away fixture. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be pleased with the Argentine's performance, though the club continues to pursue a left-winger option in the transfer market. The match served as the dress rehearsal for Roma's top-flight campaign, with Dybala's two-goal advantage putting the Giallorossi in control. Gasperini has had the chance to assess his squad in competitive conditions before the immediate demands of domestic football resume. On social media, ahead of the Serie A opener against Fiorentina, Dybala commented on the team's showing: "Last match before the start of a new season in Serie A. Beautiful match against a great team in a difficult stadium. Everyone played well."

Roma drew 2–2 with Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, ahead of their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante gave Roma a two-goal lead early in the match, but Ryerson and Guirassy equalised for Dortmund to secure a draw. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will grant the squad three days' rest following their return to Rome. Training at Trigoria will resume on Wednesday morning. The result provided positive signs for Gasperini as Roma prepare for the new campaign.

Roma drew 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly, showing improvement after earlier matches against Cardiff and Brighton in the United Kingdom. The Giallorossi made a strong start, going 2-0 up within ten minutes through goals from Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante, with Dybala providing the assist for Cristante's opener. Dybala produced accomplished play throughout the match and nearly added a second late on. Borussia Dortmund responded in the first half, with Ryerson pulling one back before Guirassy levelled the score. The second half saw limited chances for both sides, with Mile Svilar making several saves. The friendly is Roma's final warm-up fixture before the league season begins. The team faces Fiorentina on Monday 24 August in their Serie A opener. Technical director D'Amico continues work on the transfer market, pursuing moves for Mora with Porto and holding ongoing talks, while Malick Fofana of Lyon remains an alternative target.

Roma's final pre-season friendly ended in a 2–2 draw against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, with Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante scoring for the Giallorossi. The Argentine's performance offered the most encouraging sign of the day as Roma prepared for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Debutants Nahuel Molina and Konstantinos Koulierakis featured in the closing stages, while the squad showed improvement compared to earlier summer matches, though Gasperini's side remain in preparation mode ahead of the campaign. Mile Svilar made several crucial saves to prevent a defeat, earning 6.5/10 for a demanding performance. Dybala orchestrated Roma's attacking play with precision, unlocking chances with a left-foot finish to open the scoring and crafting a poetic pass for Castro in the box. Cristante doubled the lead with a header just ten minutes after Dybala's opener. Defensively, Gianluca Mancini (6.0), Evan N'Dicka (6.0), and Mario Hermoso (5.5) had mixed afternoons against Dortmund's pressure; Hermoso in particular struggled against Karetsis. Elsewhere, Devyne Rensch squandered a clear opportunity, Matías Soulé showed flashes but lacked sharpness, and Donyell Malen provided service without imposing himself heavily on the match.