Roma hit by injury blow as Robinio Vaz sidelined with collateral ligament damage

Robinio Vaz sustained a collateral ligament injury to his knee during Roma's second day of training at Trigoria and will be sidelined for several weeks. The young forward was forced to stop during the session, dealing a blow to the club's pre-season preparations under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Vaz's absence will force him to miss the opening stages of summer training and deny him the chance to impress during the pre-season retreat with the first team. The 2007-born attacker had hoped to use the summer programme to stake a claim for regular football in Gasperini's new project. Roma's medical staff will continue to monitor his condition as he begins his recovery.

Gian Piero Gasperini's second summer as Roma head coach began in earnest on Monday with the squad's return to Trigoria for their first training session. Wesley completed his rehabilitation from a muscle injury sustained before the World Cup and trained with the full group, while Paulo Dybala arrived shortly before noon to sign a contract renewal. Nearly one hundred supporters welcomed the players as they arrived for medical checks at Campus Bio Medico before heading to the training ground, with Daniele Ghilardi the first through the gates. Gianluca Mancini and Wesley were among the most warmly received by fans. Gasperini delivered an address to the squad ahead of the opening session in the late afternoon, which featured high intensity work that quickly dispelled any notion of a gentle introduction. The session took place under the watch of sporting director D'Amico. Seventeen players were included in the initial squad list—four of them goalkeepers—with additional names including Pagano, Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini and Reale awaiting transfer moves. No new signings have yet arrived at the club; the only fresh faces are at administrative level. From Tuesday, Roma will begin double training sessions, with the first starting at 8 a.m. and gym work scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss Roma's official training camp at Trigoria beginning tomorrow, but a contract extension with the club is close to completion. The midfielder's renewal has reached the final stage, with an agreement in principle for a new deal until 2028 at €2.5 million per year plus bonuses, and an option for 2029. His absence is attributed to two factors: the contract situation awaiting formal completion and a season-ending injury that requires careful management of his return to training. Pellegrini's renewal negotiations have accelerated in recent days, with his representatives and Roma drawing closer to a verbal accord. While the deal remains unsigned, the trajectory suggests the path forward is now clear. Separately, the situations of Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are said to be well advanced, leaving Pellegrini's extension as the outstanding renewal requiring final detail work.

Robinio Vaz sustained a collateral ligament injury to his knee during Roma's second day of training at Trigoria and will be sidelined for several weeks. The young forward was forced to stop during the session, dealing a blow to the club's pre-season preparations under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Vaz's absence will force him to miss the opening stages of summer training and deny him the chance to impress during the pre-season retreat with the first team. The 2007-born attacker had hoped to use the summer programme to stake a claim for regular football in Gasperini's new project. Roma's medical staff will continue to monitor his condition as he begins his recovery.

Roma's 2026–27 season got underway at the Trigoria training ground as players arrived for pre-season, drawing around 100 supporters to Piazzale Dino Viola on a hot summer day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees in the afternoon. The first arrivals included Ghilardi, Angeliño, and Soulé, with supporters greeting the squad enthusiastically throughout the morning. Coach Gasperini arrived without signing autographs or posing for photos but opened his car window to acknowledge the fans. Pisilli drew particular acclaim from the gathering, while Wesley, described as one of the squad's brightest stars, spent time engaging with the crowd despite the heavy gathering around his vehicle. Other squad members including Gollini, Mancini, Dovbyk, Svilar, Hermoso, Vaz, Rensch, Ziółkowski, and Cristante all passed through during the session. Some players, including Dybala, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano, arrived discreetly. One supporter praised Dybala's commitment, saying: "He gave proof of a great gesture of love towards the city and fans, accepting the salary reduction." The atmosphere captured the renewed optimism surrounding the club as preparation for the new campaign began.

Roma started serious preparation for the 2026–27 season on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming a 17-man squad for initial training at Trigoria. Paulo Dybala featured in the group and marked his contract renewal with a short interview on Roma's official channels. Wesley returned to training immediately following the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup, training alongside teammates in the new kit that showcases the restored classic crest. Gasperini was accompanied by sporting director Tony D'Amico. The initial squad includes four goalkeepers—Svilar, Gollini, De Marzi, and Vasquez—and seven defenders: Angeliño, Ghilardi, Hermoso, Mancini, Rensch, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Çelik will join on 18 August after completing his holiday following his contract renewal, while N'Dicka is due to arrive on 22 August. Only Pisilli and Cristante are currently available in midfield, with El Aynaoui expected on 30 August and Koné's arrival date to be confirmed pending the end of the World Cup. The attacking line features Dybala, Dovbyk, Soulé, and Vaz, with Dybala the only forward certain to remain at the club long-term. The squad is staying overnight at Fulvio Bernardini training centre and will undergo a double session today—training at 08:00 and 18:00. Roma have also opened ticket sales for their first official pre-season match at Cannes on 26 July at Pierre de Coubertin stadium, with visiting supporters' tickets priced at €15 each through AS Cannes' official website.