Roma–Fiorentina: Ticket sales open for Olimpico debut

Antonio Rudiger, who played for Roma between 2015 and 2017, has highlighted Francesco Totti as one of the three most important players he has shared a dressing room with during his career. The Real Madrid defender, now under José Mourinho, posted a video on TikTok featuring the shirts of three influential teammates, opening with Kai Havertz, his companion at both Chelsea and international level, and Mesut Özil, a fellow Germany squad member who supported him when he was young. Totti topped the list as the final and most significant figure. Rudiger said of the Roma legend: "The great Francesco Totti, he is an iconic person and footballer. I would never have thought I'd have the chance to play or share a dressing room with him. For that reason this shirt means so much to me." The video underscores the esteem in which the former Roma captain is held, even by defenders from different eras who briefly crossed paths with him during his 25-year career at the club.

Mile Svilar has opened up about his early training under his father Ratko, who worked with him on distribution and dealing with one-on-one situations from a young age. Speaking to Radio Romanista, the Roma goalkeeper explained how he developed his characteristic style of rushing out to close space, a trait instilled during childhood coaching sessions. Svilar credited his father's demanding approach for shaping his mentality. "When I took a ball in the face and wanted to cry, he said no," Svilar said. "With him it wasn't possible to cry. So I learned that way and thank goodness it was tough." The goalkeeper emphasised that fear was never a factor: "Maybe at the start, yes and no. But I have a father who did the same job, so he wouldn't allow it." This formative period under his father's tutelage instilled both technical skill and mental resilience that continue to define Svilar's approach in goal.

Ticket sales for Roma's Serie A season opener against Fiorentina opened today. The fixture is scheduled for Monday, 24 August at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Tickets are available on the official club website according to the phases and methods announced by Roma, with prices and availability varying by sector and sales window. Roma have already reached the 40,000-subscription limit well in advance, which means the match will not proceed to the free general sale phase. The club expects a large attendance at the stadium. Fans purchasing tickets should note the structured allocation and pricing framework set out by the Giallorossi.

Santiago Castro, Roma's summer signing from Bologna for approximately 35 million euros, has declared his ambition to help the club compete for the Serie A title. Speaking from Roma's pre-season training camp in Cardiff, the Argentine forward said: "Certo, ho visto il valore di questo gruppo e possiamo giocarcela con tutti. Perché abbiamo giocatori forti in tutti i reparti e Gasperini è uno dei migliori allenatori d'Italia. Siamo al livello per competere per lo scudetto e per la Coppa Italia. E vogliamo fare bene in Champions. Se sei alla Roma devi ambire a vincere tutto." He added that other Italian clubs had approached him before his move, but that Roma was his only choice. Castro joins a squad already featuring Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, with whom he shares close ties. He said of Soulé: "Con Soulé ci conosciamo da undici anni, giocavamo insieme nel Velez e adesso è incredibile ritrovarsi qui insieme, da uomini e non più da bambini che rincorrevano un pallone sognando l'Europa." The 2004-born forward will compete with Donyell Malen for attacking minutes. On that rivalry, Castro stated: "Assolutamente no, io e Donny saremo in competizione per giocare tanto, ma soprattutto per il bene della squadra. Questa sana rivalità mi farà crescere tanto. Malen è un attaccante fortissimo, ci alterneremo, potremo anche giocare insieme."

Santiago Castro has arrived at Roma from Bologna for approximately 35 million euros this summer and is confident the club can compete for the Serie A title. Speaking from Roma's pre-season training camp in Cardiff, the Argentine striker said: "Certo, ho visto il valore di questo gruppo e possiamo giocarcela con tutti. Perché abbiamo giocatori forti in tutti i reparti e Gasperini è uno dei migliori allenatori d'Italia. Siamo al livello per competere lo scudetto e per la Coppa Italia. E vogliamo fare bene in Champions." Castro, born in 2004, emphasised his strong bonds with Roma's other Argentine players. He has known Matías Soulé for eleven years—they played together at Velez—and praised Paulo Dybala and Mario Hermoso as part of a cohesive group. Despite joining a squad where Donyell Malen was the standout performer last season, Castro dismissed any suggestion he would be a reserve, saying: "Io e Donny saremo in competizione per giocare tanto, ma soprattutto per il bene della squadra." When asked whether other Italian clubs had approached him before leaving Bologna, Castro confirmed they had. "Sì, un altro paio di squadre in Italia mi hanno chiamato, ma io ho voluto solo la Roma," he said, underlining his commitment to the Giallorossi.

Santiago Castro, Roma's first summer acquisition at €35 million, has settled quickly into the squad and is confident the club can compete for the Serie A title. Speaking from the Welsh training camp, Castro revealed he purchased his own train ticket to Rome after receiving clearance to join, with his wife Augustina buying it to avoid delays. "I saw the value of this group and we can play against everyone," he said. "We have strong players in every department and Gasperini is one of the best coaches in Italy. We are at the level to compete for the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia. And we want to do well in the Champions League. If you're at Roma you must aim to win everything." Castro scored his first Roma goal from the penalty spot against Newport. Though arriving in a position already occupied by Donyell Malen—who starred last season—Castro dismissed any suggestion of a reserve role. "Absolutely not, Donny and I will be in competition to play a lot, but above all for the good of the squad. This healthy rivalry will help me grow a lot. Malen is a very strong striker, we will alternate, we could also play together. Everyone is important, the good is Roma." He also expressed his bond with fellow Argentines Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, whom he has known for eleven years from their Velez days, noting Soulé's return as "incredible."