Roma hold firm on Koné as Chelsea interest emerges; Castro sends unity signal

Roma have confirmed the loan departure of Mattia Mannini to Benevento, a Serie B side, with a right of rescission included in the deal. The 2006-born midfielder has moved to gain regular playing time after spending pre-season training with Gasperini's first-team squad at Trigoria. Mannini worked consistently during the summer preparations and had the opportunity to train alongside the coach, but Roma judged that he would struggle to secure continuity in their Serie A campaign and opted to grant him a spell in the second tier. The loan represents a chance for Mannini to build on his experience, having previously played in Serie B with Juve Stabia last season. Benevento will provide the minutes and responsibility needed for his development at this stage of his career. The move does not leave Mannini isolated: fellow former Roma player Cherubini has also transferred to Benevento in this summer's window.

Roma's transfer window has erupted into activity in the closing hours before the market shuts at 20:00 today. The most pressing move involves Leweling, the German winger who has never been closer to joining Roma. The player has signalled his willingness to move, and Roma have raised their offer to Stuttgart: €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses are on the table. A plane is already arranged to bring him to the capital, with departure scheduled for 16:00. The picture has shifted dramatically since last year, when sporting director Massara failed to secure a winger and closed the incoming market early without fanfare. This summer, however, D'Amico is working non-stop right up to the deadline to complete the squad. Meanwhile, an outgoing deal that appeared settled has unravelled: El Aynaoui's transfer to Leipzig has suddenly become uncertain, creating the possibility that the midfielder could remain at Roma. On the defensive flank, Roma are also monitoring Cabal as a potential alternative to Wesley on the left. Juventus are asking €12 million for the former Verona player, though Atalanta are also pushing hard. Cabal reportedly prefers Roma to his other suitors. Time is running out with the window set to close at 20:00, and Roma still have pieces to fit into place.

AS Roma have made a surprise move to reopen discussions over a deal for Leweling, according to Fabrizio Romano. The club has tabled an improved proposal to both the player and his club. A private aircraft is standing by in Stuttgart awaiting final clearance to proceed with the transfer.

Roma demolished Lecce 4–0 at the Via del Mare, delivering a display of tactical and physical dominance that underlined Gian Piero Gasperini's team's excellent current form. The national press unanimously celebrated the performance, with particular praise for Donyell Malen's increasingly devastating form and for squad players who seized their starting opportunities with compelling showings. Malen earned the highest individual rating across the papers surveyed, with marks of 8 to 8.5, while Daniele Ghilardi emerged as a surprise standout, consistently rated between 6.5 and 7.5 in a defensive line that held firm. Bryan Cristante impressed in midfield with ratings of 6.5 to 8, and Paulo Dybala registered 6.5 to 7 before being replaced late in the match. Gasperini himself received widespread commendation, rated between 7.5 and 8 by the publications. The team lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar was steady in goal, Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso anchored the defence alongside Ghilardi, and Manu Koné controlled the midfield before his substitution on 67 minutes. Matías Soulé appeared in an attacking role and was replaced on 60 minutes, as was Wesley. Santiago Castro and Niccolò Pisilli entered from the bench, while Marten de Roon came on in the closing stages.

Roma delivered a four-goal performance at Lecce in a tactical display that showcased Gasperini's developing system. The Giallorossi dominated from the opening whistle, pressing high across the pitch and recovering possession aggressively through Koné, who repeatedly forced turnovers. Gasperini deployed his customary 3-4-2-1 with Soulé on the left and Dybala flanking Malen, while Lecce set up in a 3-5-1-1 with Pierotti supporting Geubbels. Roma mounted sustained pressure from the start, moving the ball with speed and disrupting Lecce's central defensive line through coordinated forward pressing that stole time and space from the opening moment of possession. The right-flank rotations proved particularly effective, with Ghilardi consistently pushing forward to generate width while Roma systematically penetrated down the baseline; on the left, Wesley initially faced heavier pressure from Veiga, with Soulé struggling to gain ground and Hermoso operating primarily in a covering role to shield Mancini from Geubbels' pace—a crucial mismatch the article identified as dangerous for their system. A single vulnerability emerged in Roma's defensive setup: when Mancini operated as a central defender rather than as a full-back alongside the faster N'Dicka, his reliance on aggression and anticipation left him vulnerable to opponents who could draw him forward and then attack the space laterally. Geubbels exploited this channel after 37 minutes, forcing a save from Svilar. The defensive fragility proved temporary. Malen created further chaos by moving between Lecce's three central defenders, causing confusion over coverage and drifting into offside positions repeatedly; Lecce's high defensive line compounded the problem, leading to a devastating 24-minute spell where Roma took command. The second half brought tactical adjustments from both sides: Di Francesco switched to a four-defender formation with three midfielders and three attacking players, while Gasperini repositioned Soulé behind Dybala and Malen in pursuit of Ngom. Stulic replaced the injured Geubbels, removing a significant threat to Mancini's positioning. Mora and Molina entered for Wesley and Soulé, maintaining Roma's 3-4-1-2 structure; Mora scored his first goal in Italy after Mancini supplied an assist from an uncluttered defensive position. Castro and Pisilli replaced Malen and Koné later in the match, continuing the established rotation pattern from the opening league fixture, before De Roon's introduction sealed the victory with Cristante moving into the number-ten role. The performance underlined how Gasperini's squad depth and tactical flexibility allow him broad scope to manage matches creatively and adapt his approach across the 90 minutes.

Roma's week in football ratings begins with De Rossi at the top of the marks for his measured and uncompromising approach in the press conference. Described as intelligent and characterful, he argued without hypocrisy and avoided clichés—qualities the rater valued against journalists' provocations. Donyell Malen earned a 9 for dominating Roma's attacking phase so completely that his two goals, aided by Lecce's defensive lapses, almost seemed incidental. He hunts the goal with instinctive hunger, and the rater suggested Gasperini may field two of him. Daniele Ghilardi, drafted in for N'Dicka with little notice, rated an 8 for combining tackling toughness with elegant distribution on the break. Emanuele Lulli received a 7, confirming his promising debut against Fiorentina with a second outing that showed growing maturity and command. Matías Soulé began in a static mould, waiting for the ball at his feet, but improved once he began hunting space to connect with Malen and teammates, claiming a share of the action despite the heat of southern Italy. Santiago Castro rated a 5, needing to shed a couple of kilograms before the hesitation limiting his pace disappears. The rater also assessed other Serie A moments: Łukasz Skorupski's costly hesitation for Bologna against Sarrism; Napoli's passive display against Como, redeemed only by a late rally; and Fiorentina's uncoordinated collection of talented players failing to function as a team.