Roma radio pundits assess Bologna draw and title hopes as Gasperini era begins

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Walter Sabatini, former Roma sporting director, has backed Santiago Castro's arrival at the club, calling the attacker a modern player with strong technical abilities and mentality. Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Sabatini expressed his admiration for Castro, saying: "Castro is very strong. I have always admired him since his first friendlies with Bologna when he arrived. He plays for his life on every ball, with great temperament and he also knows the technical solutions to find the goal. I like him, he is a fighter. A modern player, he fights for every ball, even for second balls. A perfect player, congratulations to Roma, he will do very well." Sabatini highlighted Castro's work rate and versatility as key strengths for Roma's attacking setup. The 21-year-old striker, signed from Bologna in the summer, brings the intensity and technical quality the Giallorossi sought in their forward line. His willingness to engage in physical battles and compete for loose balls aligns with the demands of modern Serie A football. Sabatini's endorsement carries weight given his long experience identifying talent during his time overseeing Roma's transfers.

Radio Roma commentators have weighed in on the club's transfer strategy following its opening move, with widespread consensus that an attacking winger remains the urgent priority before the squad departs for Wales. Lorenzo Pes said: "The first market move is a bit late; now D'Amico's mission is to sign the winger before the trip to Wales. Beyond Nusa there are other profiles we don't know about; after Summerville, Roma is working behind the scenes, and they're trying to close a deal before Friday." Simone Valdarchi added that an attacking winger "will be a fundamental piece the club wants to cover," while Piero Torri expects both a full-back and an attacking winger to arrive within two weeks. Roberto Pruzzo praised Castro as "an excellent level player" but stressed that Roma must still complete its attacking setup. He noted: "Now you have Dybala, you have Soulé, you have Castro, you have Malen…you don't have physicality, but you have players who are at a very high level." Valdarchi also suggested that a departure may follow, naming Koné as a potential sale, and noted that Salah-Eddine is set to leave in the coming days. The consensus reflects a broader view that while Roma's squad possesses technical quality, the club must act swiftly to address gaps before competitive action begins.

Roma are pursuing a significant revamp of their defensive and attacking flanks following Santiago Castro's arrival. Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda remains the priority target for the right-back position, with the Portuguese club valuing the Spanish defender at approximately €15 million. Roma are intensifying diplomatic contact to negotiate that fee downwards. Wesley is the first-choice right-back, with Devyne Rensch providing cover, though the club believes additional quality additions are necessary. Rafik Belghali remains a backup option but has not entirely convinced the coaching staff due to fitness concerns. On the left flank, a major restructure is underway. Anass Salah-Eddine is close to departing after failing to fit Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical requirements, with PSV Eindhoven preparing a return deal following his loan spell there last season. The player had preferred a Premier League move, but PSV are advancing towards completing the transfer. Angeliño's position is also uncertain. The Spanish defender has not fully convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma will consider offers for him. Deportivo La Coruña have registered interest, though no formal bids have yet reached the club.

Roma are overhauling their full-back options as head coach Gasperini reshapes the squad. Salah-Eddine is poised to leave, with PSV Eindhoven positioned to conclude a deal following his loan spell there last season, though the defender had preferred a Premier League move. Angeliño, the Spanish left-back, has not convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma are looking to sell him; Deportivo la Coruña have shown interest but no formal approach has arrived. On the right flank, Roma are targeting Sporting Lisbon's Fresneda at a cost of around €15 million, with the club working to reduce that valuation. Diego Moreira remains the dream signing for the left wing but Strasbourg's high demands are complicating that pursuit. Wesley remains the established starter with Devyne Rensch as cover, though Gasperini wants additional depth across the flank positions. Zeki Çelik, previously in that role, is no longer part of the plans. Roma are also monitoring Cacciamani of Torino, who has returned from his loan at Juve Stabia, though Belghali is also under consideration despite fitness concerns.

Mile Svilar addressed reporters following Roma's friendly against Cannes, firmly stating he had received no contact regarding reported Juventus interest. "Frankly I know nothing about this story. I cannot say anything, because I was not consulted. For me today there is only Roma and I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans," the goalkeeper said. Roma are in their pre-season preparation phase, with Svilar highlighting the intensity of the physical work underway. He felt the first half against Cannes went well but questioned the dismissal of Wesley, which forced Roma to play with a numerical disadvantage in a friendly fixture. Svilar stressed that results cannot yet be measured and that another month of work is needed before competitive matches begin. With Champions League football on the horizon alongside domestic duties, he acknowledged the challenge of the double commitment but expressed confidence in Roma's ability to manage it. Looking ahead to the season, Svilar declared: "Frankly? I do not fear anyone. I cannot wait to play real matches, whatever opponent we face." The goalkeeper's comments underline Roma's ambitions as they prepare for a campaign that will include Europe's premier club competition.

Roma have completed the Santiago Castro signing and will resume their search for a quick attacker, but Gabriel Martinelli and Marcus Rashford remain unrealistic targets despite recent speculation. The Giallorossi will spend €35M including add-ons on Castro. Artem Dovbyk is leaving on loan to Bologna with a €17M option to buy, where he will work with coach Giovanni Tedesco to revive his career. Both Martinelli and Rashford earn around €11M gross annually, significantly above Roma's top earners, a salary barrier that previously blocked Mason Greenwood's move to the Italian capital. Antonio Nusa currently leads Roma's shortlist, though RB Leipzig's advanced talks to sell Yan Diomande to Real Madrid could negatively impact those plans. Rashford's name arose during separate negotiations with Manchester United regarding midfielder Manu Koné, who spent a productive loan at Barcelona where he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 appearances. Manchester United have shortlisted Koné but are not aggressively pursuing him at present. Roma's summer spending on a striker rather than a winger marks a tactical shift, with both Castro and Donyell Malen offering mobility. The club's interest in another forward may depend on whether Matías Soulé remains in the squad.

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Radio Roma commentators have weighed in on the club's transfer strategy following its opening move, with widespread consensus that an attacking winger remains the urgent priority before the squad departs for Wales. Lorenzo Pes said: "The first market move is a bit late; now D'Amico's mission is to sign the winger before the trip to Wales. Beyond Nusa there are other profiles we don't know about; after Summerville, Roma is working behind the scenes, and they're trying to close a deal before Friday." Simone Valdarchi added that an attacking winger "will be a fundamental piece the club wants to cover," while Piero Torri expects both a full-back and an attacking winger to arrive within two weeks. Roberto Pruzzo praised Castro as "an excellent level player" but stressed that Roma must still complete its attacking setup. He noted: "Now you have Dybala, you have Soulé, you have Castro, you have Malen…you don't have physicality, but you have players who are at a very high level." Valdarchi also suggested that a departure may follow, naming Koné as a potential sale, and noted that Salah-Eddine is set to leave in the coming days. The consensus reflects a broader view that while Roma's squad possesses technical quality, the club must act swiftly to address gaps before competitive action begins.

Gianluca Mancini has turned down significant offers to leave Roma, according to his agent Giuseppe Riso, who revealed the defender's commitment to the club despite receiving proposals to depart. Riso stated: "My plan was for Mancini to leave Roma, because we had received important offers. I told him that for me he's crazy, but he loves Roma. Gasperini and D'Amico were more persuasive than me in convincing him. I would have taken him away, but he refused: he wanted Roma. This is a gesture he makes for the Roma people. I'm happy because he's content." Mancini recently renewed his contract with Roma until 2029, cementing his long-term future at the Giallorossi. The 27-year-old has become a cornerstone of the defence under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Riso also praised Bryan Cristante, who has also extended his deal with the club, saying: "Bryan is the captain. He has 360 matches at Roma, he is a pillar and I believe he will enter Roma's history."

Gianluca Mancini has reinforced his commitment to AS Roma by getting the letters 'SPQR' tattooed on his left thigh, a symbol of his deep connection to the club. The centre-back rejected interest from Inter Milan during the summer transfer window and signed a contract renewal on 18 July that keeps him at Roma until 2029. Mancini's agent Giuseppe Riso revealed to fcinter1908 that the defender had turned down more lucrative offers elsewhere. Riso said: "I wanted to take him away with even more important offers (laughs) but he wanted at all costs to stay at Roma." He continued: "Gasperini and D'Amico were better than me at convincing him, I would have sold him but he refused everything for Roma. It's a gesture he makes for Roma." Riso added: "I told him he's crazy, I'm happy because he's happy. He could have earned more but he's happy." Mancini's refusal to join Inter came as the Nerazzurri sought defensive reinforcement under Chivu. Riso also praised fellow Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante, saying: "He never had any intention of leaving Roma, he is Roma's captain and will go down in the history of the club forever." The agent's comments underline the loyalty both players have shown to the Giallorossi despite external interest.

Gianluca Mancini turned down multiple rich transfer proposals during the summer window to remain at Roma, according to his agent Giuseppe Riso. Despite interest from other clubs, the centre-back was determined to continue his career at the Giallorossi and defend the club's colours. Riso told FcInter1908 that he had wanted to sell Mancini and move him away from Roma, but the player refused every option. "Gianluca Mancini for me is mad! I wanted to sell him and take him away from Roma, he refused everything in order to stay. He had very rich offers, I would have sold him. Gasperini and D'Amico were better than me at convincing him," the agent said. Riso also discussed fellow client Bryan Cristante, emphasising the midfielder's commitment to Roma. "Bryan Cristante is the captain and never thought of leaving Roma. He has 360 matches in the Giallorosso shirt… he will enter Roma's history forever," Riso added. Both players have demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the club despite external temptation, reinforcing their status as key figures in the squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.