Roma's crucial final two matches: derby and Verona trip decide Champions League fate

With less than a month until the new Serie A season begins, roughly 100 players across the Italian top division remain sidelined from their clubs' plans, weighing heavily on balance sheets rather than contributing on the pitch. Napoli, Juventus and Inter face the most complex situations. Inter must manage Frattesi's declining market value as he seeks regular starting football without success, alongside problems with Asllani and Pavard. Napoli's squad is oversized and needs significant departures; Lukaku's substantial wage at 33 remains an obstacle, as does Lucca. Juventus carries aging contracts and new signings outside their plans, including Arthur, Openda, Douglas Luiz and Nico Gonzalez, who is reportedly unwilling to return to Turin and is also being tracked by Roma. Roma is working to move several players out. Artem Dovbyk's situation appeared complicated due to injury and a high valuation, but the club has found a potential solution in recent days: following Castro's arrival, the Ukrainian could leave on loan to Bologna, pending only his approval. Kumbulla's future also remains to be resolved. Milan faces more contained issues but still needs to find homes for Musah and Loftus-Cheek, while Rafael Leao's future hangs in the balance. Across the rest of Serie A, Atalanta, Bologna and Fiorentina face lighter departures, while Sassuolo and Lazio are among clubs needing to trim their squads before the transfer window closes.

Alberto Aquilani will take charge of Sassuolo for his first Serie A managerial job after a successful spell with Catanzaro. The former Roma midfielder expressed his excitement at the appointment, telling Sky Sport: "A nice emotion to begin this journey in Serie A, it stimulates me greatly. We are working well, and when the start of the season approaches the emotions will grow even more." Aquilani will face his former club Roma when the sides meet, adding extra significance to the fixture. He and Daniele De Rossi came through the Roma ranks together, and the prospect of squaring off as opposing managers carries special weight. Aquilani said: "Serie A is full of encounters for me. I have been around and met many coaches. With Daniele we grew up together, it will be strange to face each other from the touchline. And Roma will obviously be another special day."

Roma have completed zero signings a month before their Serie A opener against Fiorentina, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini pressing urgently for reinforcements to complete an attacking unit beset by uncertainties. Paulo Dybala remains a key resource but is hampered by physical fitness concerns, while Matías Soulé is viewed as a potential departure due to tactical doubts from the coach and a desire to refresh the wing positions, pending concrete offers. Donyell Malen is currently the only established attacking option with clear status at the club. The club is pursuing multiple targets across the frontline. A centre-forward is being sought for Champions League football, with Tresoldi as the primary option alongside Bologna's Castro; Artem Dovbyk's future and young Robinio Vaz's status—split between staying and a possible loan—remain fluid. On the flanks, Antonio Nusa of Leipzig has been identified as the preferred choice for the attacking midfield role but faces obstacles from high valuations and strong Premier League interest. Alternatives Godts and Paixão remain under consideration but are viewed as less convincing options. Summerville has fallen away from contention. Tony D'Amico has reopened contact for Nusa, while the transfer window remains wide open with less than a month to deadline.