Roma appoints Leonardo Carletti as new match analyst

Roma's Champions League League Phase fixture list is now set. The Giallorossi begin away to Fenerbahçe in Turkey before hosting Real Madrid in their second match. Matchday three brings a reunion with Slovan Bratislava, a throwback to their 2011 encounter. The schedule presents two testing away fixtures in succession: Roma travel to face Manchester, followed by a trip to Paris Saint-Germain. The full run of eight League Phase matches will determine Roma's path through the competition as they bid to progress from one of Europe's most demanding groups.

UEFA has confirmed the full league-phase schedule for Roma's 2026–27 Champions League campaign, with all eight opponents and fixture dates now set. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will begin their European return on Thursday 10 September in Turkey against Fenerbahçe, kicking off at 18:45. The first match at the Olimpico will be one of the season's headline fixtures: Roma against Real Madrid on 14 October at 21:00, marking José Mourinho's return to the stadium as an opponent. After the Real fixture, Roma will play at home against Slovan Bratislava on 20 October before travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on 3 November. The run continues with an away trip to Paris Saint-Germain, managed by Luis Enrique, on 25 November. Roma's final match of 2026 comes on 8 December, hosting Sporting CP at the Olimpico. The league phase resumes in January with AEK Athens away on 19 January, followed by the final group match hosting Lille on 27 January 2027.

Roma are closing in on the arrival of defender Leonardo Balerdi from Marseille, with the Argentine player expected to land in Italy today ahead of the summer transfer window's closure at 20:00 on 1 September. The deal is a loan with a conditional right of riscatto tied to appearances. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports the loan fee at approximately €2 million with a conditional riscatto around €15 million; Il Messaggero states the loan fee at €1 million with a conditional riscatto around €20 million. On riscatto, Balerdi would sign a contract through 2031. The transfer has been delayed by complex financial and administrative matters at Marseille, with former player Balzaretti, now the French club's vice-director of sport, among those handling negotiations. With Balerdi's arrival largely resolved, Roma's focus has shifted entirely to securing a left winger. Jarrett Gittens remains the preferred target, though Chelsea have not yet opened the door to a loan deal; Roma have reportedly proposed a riscatto tied to appearances. Yoane Webo of Lyon is also in contention, though his valuation remains high following Lyon's failure to qualify for the Champions League, and the French club is demanding a permanent sale rather than a loan. Mohamed Fofana has drifted further away, with Hull City and Sunderland now pursuing him; Zenit's Luiz Henrique has emerged as a new option. Roma's transfer activity extends across multiple areas. The club has received offers for Neil El Aynaoui, according to Alfredo Pedullà, though loan proposals from Crystal Palace and German clubs have dominated so far. Salary, signing bonuses and agent fees are making a permanent departure difficult. Roma have also made enquiries about Ecuadorian playmaker Arroyo, a left-footed class-of-2006 talent at Cruzeiro, though the Brazilian club have no intention of selling. Frank Kessié, the Ivorian midfielder now available on a free transfer after rejecting a move to Juventus, remains a possibility if Roma can first move Neil El Aynaoui on, though Il Messaggero reports that prospect as similarly complicated. Roma have denied interest in Kessié via an official statement from their training ground. Unless late opportunities emerge, Roma will not be adding to their full-back contingent following the collapse of negotiations for Oosterwolde, leaving Gasperini with Wesley, Molina, Rensch and Lulli. The left-winger search continues as the 1 September deadline approaches.