Roma built for Champions League, though Scudetto is the dream — two more signings needed, says Nela

Roma have assembled a rare setup in modern football by pairing two elite number 10s in Paulo Dybala and 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora, creating an atmosphere of creative abundance at Trigoria. The club has restored the tradition of playmakers in the mould of Giuseppe Giannini and Francesco Totti. Mora, a Portuguese talent, has been welcomed warmly by the squad and views Dybala as his boyhood idol, while both players share an understanding of their complementary roles on the pitch. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing to employ the pair as a tandem of technical excellence and movement, echoing the partnership Papu Gomez and Ilicic formed during his time at Atalanta. Mora's low centre of gravity gives him rapid acceleration over short distances and makes him difficult to contain in tight spaces—qualities he demonstrated at Porto, where he can shift play quickly and alter the tempo of an attack in an instant. The co-existence of two world-class number 10s operating within the 16-metre box represents a strategic luxury for Gasperini as Roma seek to blend technical mastery with attacking dynamism this season.

Roma's brand value has grown 4% to €215 million, according to the latest Brand Finance Football 50 study, placing the club 24th in global rankings and 5th in Serie A. The growth underscores Roma's expanding international appeal and economic strength as a football institution. In the Italian rankings, Inter leads with €585 million after overtaking Juventus, followed by Milan, Juventus (down 17%), Napoli, and Roma. The capital's derby rivals Lazio have seen their brand value fall 8% to €75 million, creating what the study describes as a vast gap between the two Rome clubs in terms of brand strength and market influence. The Brand Finance Football 50 measures brand value by assessing each club's ability to influence supporters' choices and generate economic impact. Roma's 4% year-on-year increase reflects the club's capacity to strengthen its commercial presence and global recognition despite competitive pressures in Serie A.

Gian Piero Gasperini is building tactical flexibility into Roma's attack by deploying multiple forward options this summer. The transfer window has brought in players who give the squad genuine alternatives in attacking positions, allowing the coach to rotate his approach and personnel depending on match circumstances and opposition. The expanded attacking depth represents a shift in Roma's squad construction under Gasperini's direction. Rather than relying on a single focal point in the forward line, the club now has the depth to vary its attacking shape and personnel, offering the coach more tactical control and reducing fatigue across a full campaign. This approach reflects Gasperini's preference for tactical adaptability and squad rotation, principles he has applied throughout his managerial career. Roma's transfer strategy this summer has been built around creating multiple paths to attack, giving the coach options to switch formations, playing styles, and personnel to suit different opponents and match situations.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma since arriving at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Wednesday, impressing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini enough to earn consideration for a starting place in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini is expected to deploy his customary 3-4-1-2 formation for the league debut, with three attacking midfielders operating behind the front pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé remains the favourite for the trequartista role, but Mora has risen sharply in the pecking order after impressing in initial training sessions. Bryan Cristante offers an alternative and defensive balance, though the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, combined with Niccolò Pisilli's gradual return, may push Cristante back into midfield proper. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with the visiting supporters' section now open to Fiorentina fans.

Gian Piero Gasperini begins his second season at Roma with renewed momentum after the club secured third place last season and a return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. The transfer window has reshaped the squad with reinforcements across multiple positions, though primary targets Mason Greenwood and Summerville eluded the club. Roma's summer business has produced a deeper, more complete squad better aligned with Gasperini's tactical vision. Molina arrived to offset the loss of Çelik and represents an upgrade; Castro will support Donyell Malen as an alternative; Koulierakis extends defensive rotation; and Rodrigo Mora has captured attention. No significant departures have materialised — unusual given financial fair play constraints — which Gasperini welcomes as Roma shapes up for the coming campaign. Paulo Dybala remains pivotal to the club's balance, though physical uncertainties surround his availability. The transfer market investment has been substantial across three figures, and the absence of standout exits leaves the side well-resourced heading into a season built on Champions League ambitions.

Roma begin the new season buoyed by their return to the Champions League after seven years and the consolidation of Gian Piero Gasperini's leadership. The mood at Trigoria is markedly calmer than twelve months ago, with a deeper and more complete squad aligned to Gasperini's tactical vision. Despite missing some primary attacking targets, sporting director Tony D'Amico has strengthened the team across all departments. Nahuel Molina represents a significant upgrade on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure, Santiago Castro arrives to complete the attack alongside Donyell Malen, Konstantinos Koulierakis extends central defensive rotation, and nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora raises the overall technical quality of the team's play. Paulo Dybala remains the decisive element. The Argentine, following a season finale that carried Roma to third place and earned him a contract renewal, continues to serve as the tactical and emotional focal point of the squad.

AS Roma has built a squad of striking youth following years of investing heavily in players under 25, creating a roster balanced between promising talent and senior experience. Paulo Dybala, who will turn 33 next November, is the oldest player on the books, followed by Bryan Cristante, Mario Hermoso and Pierluigi Gollini all aged 31, and Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini both 30. The remainder of the squad skews considerably younger, with 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora emerging as the club's most junior player, matched in age by Robinio Vaz though slightly older by a few months. Jan Ziółkowski is 21, while Castro and Niccolò Pisilli will turn 22 this year. The youth project, initiated under Daniele De Rossi, has been maintained throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure across two transfer windows. Players born in 2003—Daniele Ghilardi, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Wesley and Koulierakis—form a strong cohort, with Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui the only two 25-year-olds in the squad. The young foundation is complemented by experienced operators: Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka are 27, while Molina is 28. This structure combines future potential with a stable base of proven professionalism.

Roma prepare for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Stadio Olimpico with Paulo Dybala leading the charge. The Argentine forward posted images of last season's final home fixture—the derby, where Gianluca Mancini scored twice—as motivation for the new campaign. Rodrigo Mora, the Portuguese attacking midfielder, completed his second training session at Trigoria on 20 August under Gasperini's watch, adding renewed creativity and unpredictability to the attacking unit. Niccolò Pisilli returned to full training after a calf injury sustained in late July, while Wesley managed only a partial session following a slight ankle sprain suffered ahead of the Borussia Dortmund friendly. Mora's arrival bolsters an attacking setup that Gasperini had sought to strengthen last season before Donyell Malen's arrival reshaped the forward line. The Portuguese midfielder described his key strength: "I believe my main point of strength is the ability to free myself from opponents in complicated situations." Squad availability shapes team selection for the Fiorentina match, with Mora potentially deployed as a pure attacking midfielder alongside Dybala and Malen against Grosso's side or introduced during the match. Lorenzo Pellegrini requires more time to return to availability. Gasperini will hold his first press conference of the 2026–27 season on 22 August at 13:30. Roma's initial fixtures include Lecce, Atalanta, Torino and Inter before the September break. The UEFA Champions League league-phase draw will be revealed on 27 August at 18:00.

Roma have paused negotiations with Lyon over midfielder Fofana following the arrival of Rodrigo Mora, according to Fabrizio Romano. The gap between the clubs remains small, but Roma are prioritizing the signing of a left winger before reviving that deal. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico. The number 7 is recovering from a right rectus femoris injury and requires further time before returning to Gasperini's squad. He will also sit out the subsequent match at Lecce on Monday 31 August, with a return to group training planned for early September. Pellegrini is targeting involvement in the match against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September at the Olimpico. Positive news emerged from training today as Niccolò Pisilli worked fully with the squad following a minor issue. Wesley trained partially with the group and is targeting full fitness to start against Fiorentina. Head coach Gasperini will hold his first pre-match press conference of the season on Saturday at 13:30.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma since arriving at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Wednesday, impressing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini enough to earn consideration for a starting place in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini is expected to deploy his customary 3-4-1-2 formation for the league debut, with three attacking midfielders operating behind the front pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé remains the favourite for the trequartista role, but Mora has risen sharply in the pecking order after impressing in initial training sessions. Bryan Cristante offers an alternative and defensive balance, though the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, combined with Niccolò Pisilli's gradual return, may push Cristante back into midfield proper. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with the visiting supporters' section now open to Fiorentina fans.

AS Roma has built a squad of striking youth following years of investing heavily in players under 25, creating a roster balanced between promising talent and senior experience. Paulo Dybala, who will turn 33 next November, is the oldest player on the books, followed by Bryan Cristante, Mario Hermoso and Pierluigi Gollini all aged 31, and Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini both 30. The remainder of the squad skews considerably younger, with 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora emerging as the club's most junior player, matched in age by Robinio Vaz though slightly older by a few months. Jan Ziółkowski is 21, while Castro and Niccolò Pisilli will turn 22 this year. The youth project, initiated under Daniele De Rossi, has been maintained throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure across two transfer windows. Players born in 2003—Daniele Ghilardi, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Wesley and Koulierakis—form a strong cohort, with Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui the only two 25-year-olds in the squad. The young foundation is complemented by experienced operators: Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka are 27, while Molina is 28. This structure combines future potential with a stable base of proven professionalism.

Manu Koné will remain at Roma and start Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, despite sustained transfer interest from Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United this summer. The midfielder rejected a €43 million offer from Atlético Madrid earlier in the window and has now emerged as a target for City, but Gasperini has made clear he is not for sale. Last season's statistics underpin the coach's stance. In the 11 matches Roma played without Koné, the team failed to win on six occasions, cementing his status as the midfield's cornerstone. Gasperini has built the current campaign around him, bolstered by praise from Patrick Vieira during the World Cup, who called him "a complete midfielder with still ample room for improvement". Koné has returned to training at Trigoria over the past ten days following international duty with France and is following a personalised programme to build his fitness ahead of the new season. Roma's midfield remains unchanged around him, completed by Bryan Cristante, Niccolò Pisilli, and Neil El Aynaoui as the club prepares to contest both Serie A and Champions League competition.