Roma resists cut-price sales as summer deadline looms

Roma's fixture schedule has taken shape following UEFA's announcement of the eight Champions League dates, with October emerging as an exceptionally demanding month that will test Gian Piero Gasperini's squad across two competitions. The congestion begins immediately. After a Serie A match against Atalanta at the Olimpico on Saturday 5 September, Roma make their Champions League debut on Thursday 10 September at Istanbul against Fenerbahce, followed by a trip to Torino on 13 September at 12.30. The real intensity arrives after the international break: nine matches in less than a month. Roma visit Como, then host Real Madrid on 14 October—a reunion with José Mourinho at the Olimpico. Three days later comes another notable occasion: Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, also visit Rome on the weekend of 16–17 October. Roma then face Slovan Bratislava at home on 20 October for a third consecutive Olimpico fixture, immediately followed by a major encounter at the San Paolo against Napoli. Gasperini's side host Cagliari in the first midweek league fixture on 27 October, then travel to face Udinese on 30–31 October. The stretch concludes with Manchester United away on 3 November and Roma-Sassuolo at home, after which players can finally recover during the second international break. Roma's squad includes double-digit numbers of international players, complicating rotation. November fixtures include Parma away on 21 November, then a heavyweight clash at PSG on 25 November, with Monza at home closing that week. December will be equally demanding, featuring Bologna away, Sporting at home, and the first derby against Lazio. Champions League resumes in January with the final two league-phase matches: Atalanta away on 16 January and AEK Athens away on 19 January, sandwiched around a home game against Udinese. The eighth and final league-phase match against Lille comes on 27 January at home, followed by an away trip to Monza. The date for Roma's Coppa Italia round of 16 tie against either Cagliari or Verona remains to be determined from among 2 December, 16 December, and 13 January.

Roma have completed the signing of defender Balerdi on a loan deal with a right of purchase set at €15 million, which can become an obligation under certain conditions. The italo-Argentine arrived at Ciampino airport at 17:45 on 29 August, with the final details of his agreement settled that morning. Medical examinations are scheduled for the evening. The deal strengthens Roma's defence, which the club describes as potentially the strongest in 7–8 years. Balerdi joins a squad that has undergone significant defensive reinforcement during the current transfer window.

Roma's Champions League League Phase fixture list is now set. The Giallorossi begin away to Fenerbahçe in Turkey before hosting Real Madrid in their second match. Matchday three brings a reunion with Slovan Bratislava, a throwback to their 2011 encounter. The schedule presents two testing away fixtures in succession: Roma travel to face Manchester, followed by a trip to Paris Saint-Germain. The full run of eight League Phase matches will determine Roma's path through the competition as they bid to progress from one of Europe's most demanding groups.

Bryan Cristante was the standout performer in midfield as Roma opened their season with a dominant 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday, playing a decisive role in stabilising the team's shape while an attacking force of Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Rodrigo Mora created havoc in the final third. Gasperini deployed a 3–4–1–2 formation, and Cristante's 90 minutes of tactical control were awarded an 8.4 rating by Sofascore. He attempted 83 passes with 88 per cent accuracy, including a 91 per cent success rate in the opposing half, while collecting 8 ball recoveries—more than any other player on the pitch. Defensively, he won 6 of 7 aerial duels and 5 of 7 ground duels, made 4 tackles (2 won), 2 interceptions and 4 defensive clearances. Cristante's ability to drop between the centre-backs, clean up loose balls and restart play with composure allows Roma to push their attacking players forward into dangerous areas. He has been a fixture under every head coach since arriving at the club—Di Francesco, Ranieri, José Mourinho, Paulo Fonseca, Daniele De Rossi and Júrić among them—proving his value transcends tactical philosophy or midfield partners. The 29-year-old has now made 365 official appearances for Roma, entering the club's top 10 all-time list and surpassing Masetti. After the victory, Cristante told Sky Sport: "I am honoured, and I hope to make as many appearances as possible and to continue like this." Roma's next fixture is a trip to Lecce.

Roma will learn the full league-phase schedule for the UEFA Champions League on 29 August, with the phase running from 8–10 September through 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico, while Roma travel to face PSG, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. The club has already sold 40,000 cup subscriptions, with the Curva Sud and Distinti Sud sections sold out. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to keep the starting eleven largely intact following Roma's convincing opening display against Fiorentina, fielding it again away at Lecce on Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora is on course to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with a battle between Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to retain their places. Defence headaches persist: Devyne Rensch will miss the Lecce trip due to a left-flexor problem and continues treatment, while Lorenzo Pellegrini continues his recovery work on an individual programme.

Roma's prospects for the 2026–27 season drew mixed assessments from prominent radio commentators on 29 August, with particular focus on the squad's readiness and the still-unresolved left-wing forward slot. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that Roma are "a strong squad, stronger still if they sign the left-sided forward," but stressed the importance of Paulo Dybala's physical condition: "I have the feeling that much of what will make Roma stronger than last season will depend on Dybala's condition more than the transfer campaign. Castro is one of the best available on the market; I'm convinced he'll have more playing time than people think. I hope Rodrigo Mora gains confidence and personality." Sandro Sabatini, also on Radio Radio Mattino, was harsher: "The left-sided forward position at Roma has become a joke—it's been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't been filled. A Dybala like the one we saw against Fiorentina, we haven't seen in ten years. Mora's start pleased me, but if the shirt had said Baldanzi on it we'd have talked about a good Baldanzi performance. He certainly stood out with meticulous marking of Fagioli." Earlier on Radio Radio pomeriggio, Giancarlo Padovan remarked that Roma were "the team that played best among those who featured on the opening day," and that Gasperini's tactical approach, "once absorbed by the players, is an idea that can take them far. I don't know if it's in the Champions League or the domestic campaign, but Rome can get into the top 24, and after that we'll see." Luca Marchetti noted the squad's structure under Gasperini: "one piece is still missing, at the level of names that warning light keeps flashing." He praised Mora as "strong and bold—someone not physically structured, who reads the play early." Paolo Cannavaro discussed the left-back situation: Wesley was initially deployed at right-back, but no replacement has arrived; without a signing, Devyne Rensch will play left-back as "an adapted player." Federico Camelio raised tactical concerns: "Mora is not a winger, not a Papu Gómez, nothing like him. The manager has made two choices on the flank and still nobody arrives." Daniele Ordine suggested if the market deals close as expected—"adding a Kessié and not selling Koné"—Roma would field "a squad of real substance" capable of reaching the knockout stages.

Roma will learn the full league-phase schedule for the UEFA Champions League on 29 August, with the phase running from 8–10 September through 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico, while Roma travel to face PSG, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. The club has already sold 40,000 cup subscriptions, with the Curva Sud and Distinti Sud sections sold out. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to keep the starting eleven largely intact following Roma's convincing opening display against Fiorentina, fielding it again away at Lecce on Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora is on course to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with a battle between Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to retain their places. Defence headaches persist: Devyne Rensch will miss the Lecce trip due to a left-flexor problem and continues treatment, while Lorenzo Pellegrini continues his recovery work on an individual programme.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Former Roma and Lecce player Gigi Garzya has warned that Roma must be ready for an opponent who gives nothing away when the sides meet on Monday. Speaking ahead of the match, Garzya praised Lecce's performance in their opening away win at Venezia, saying the team of Di Francesco "remained in the game with the right mentality and lucidity that weighed heavily in the final half-hour". He highlighted Olaf Gorter as a player who impressed with both quality and personality, and noted the arrival of Ilić as evidence of Lecce's focus on adding strength in the transfer market. On Roma's prospects under Gian Piero Gasperini in his second season, Garzya acknowledged the squad has been reinforced, though he described Zeki Çelik's departure as a "heavy" loss—while backing Nahuel Molina to compensate with his quality and competitive drive. He was effusive about midfielder Rodrigo Mora, saying: "Technically he has numbers that make him an important prospect; one characteristic struck me more than others: he is the type of player you do not see frequently in the various leagues, because his thinking arrives first, and consequently he then makes the ball travel in an unpredictable way for opponents. When people say he is a bit light physically, they forget that the most important characteristic is playing the ball always with some instant of anticipation for whoever controls it." On the defence, Garzya explained that Konstantinos Koulierakis represents a deliberate and necessary choice rather than mere cover: "This year, with the Champions League, you need at least six established defenders in the department, calculating also that the game starts from the back, there are so many matches and Gasperini's football is very demanding in every role. The choice was targeted; the Roma coach never approves a signing just to make up numbers." Regarding Roma's ambitions, Garzya urged caution: "It is too early to say and ultimately the transfer market may not be finished yet; let's also see what the others do by the close; certainly you must do everything to maintain Champions League qualification, because Roma must play this competition regularly. Then we'll see if appetite comes with eating."

The relationship between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and sporting director Ricky Massara deteriorated throughout the 2025–26 season, marked by clashing views on transfer strategy, public criticism and mounting friction that became irreparable. Massara, who felt treated as an amateur despite his substantial track record, endured difficult months in silence, though tension grew steadily. The conflict began last summer during negotiations for Sancho and Fabio Silva, then escalated in late August when Massara said "Sancho at the moment remains a suggestion because I don't think there are the conditions or the motivations," while Gasperini later replied: "Sancho never refused Roma." The situation exploded in early September during a heated discussion at Fulvio Bernardini, where Gasperini accused Massara of being too slow in negotiations, dismissing the restrictions imposed by Financial Fair Play and inherited difficulties. Disputes over specific targets fuelled the rift further: Gasperini's veto on Raspadori, his preference for Malen over Zirkzee, and disagreements over Robinio Vaz. The breakdown continued from a distance after Massara moved to Juventus, with the director's pursuit of Zeki Çelik irritating Roma while Gasperini attempted to insert himself into the Juventus deal for Kessié. The definitive rupture came in spring, when Gasperini rejected Kerim Alajbegovic and made his position clear: having secured the departure of Ranieri, he wanted Massara gone as well to remain at Roma.

Kostas Tsimikas could be offered a fresh chance in Serie A after his difficult spell at Roma. The left-back has returned to Liverpool but has caught the attention of Juventus, who are searching for a deputy to Cambiaso. Massara, who brought Tsimikas to Roma last summer, could reunite with the defender at Turin. According to Corriere dello Sport, Juventus view Tsimikas as a low-cost option to strengthen their defence. The move would also reunite him with Zeki Çelik, who transferred to Juventus in early July. Tsimikas arrived at Roma on loan from Liverpool ahead of the 2025–26 season but struggled during his time in the capital.