Sabatini on Roma's Champions League return: 'The club cannot exist without it'

Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region, has set out strict conditions for the proposed new Roma stadium at Pietralata. Speaking at a press conference at Pertini Hospital, Rocca made clear that two issues are non-negotiable: acoustic protection and traffic management. He stated: "For the Stadium at Pietralata there are two things. First, acoustics, which is non-negotiable. The hospital and nearby homes must be protected and the stadium's acoustics must never interfere with a hospital's quiet: we must have a guarantee, through design, that this is certain." The acoustics requirement stems from the stadium's proximity to Pertini Hospital and residential areas. Rocca's second concern centers on traffic and parking, drawing from personal experience living near the Stadio Olimpico. He warned: "If the area is not well served and if there are problems these cannot absolutely be discharged onto the Pertini. The mayor knows this aspect very well and I expect clear answers for traffic that does not harm citizens and ensures necessary emergency-urgent pathways and the right to visits for hospitalized patients. All this must absolutely be guaranteed, even on days when the stadium will be used." Rocca emphasized that he expects the mayor to provide clear solutions addressing these infrastructure concerns before the project advances further.

Commentary on Roma's transfer operations suggests head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is frustrated with how the club managed the Greenwood transfer. Questions have been raised about Roma's transfer timing and decision-making processes. The article features radio commentary discussing tactical preferences and squad building, with references to previous transfer dealings involving players linked to Marseille. Details remain unclear on the specific nature of Gasperini's concerns or what transfer alternatives Roma may be pursuing.

Roma midfielder Manu Koné started for France in their Round of 16 World Cup match against Paraguay, replacing the injured Aurélien Tchouameni. Despite the absence of Real Madrid's midfielder, French media and supporters have praised Koné's solid display. France won 1–0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty, advancing to the quarter-finals while demonstrating resilience against a compact defensive opponent. Koné earned widespread acclaim for his performance across both defensive and attacking phases. Journalist Olivier Bossard of L'Équipe stated: "I am not concerned about Tchouameni's absence. I think Koné will be very good and hold firm. We are not losing quality—in fact, we may even improve with him, because we gain attacking options without losing anything in defence." The Roma midfielder recorded 88 touches, tied for the match high, and attempted three long-range shots while making continuous defensive interventions. RMC Sport named him man of the match, though some outlets such as Le Figaro highlighted technical errors in the first half. Deschamps' assistant Guy Stéphan described Koné as "a different type of player, one with quality and a different profile," emphasizing his ball recovery abilities and distribution. Koné was cautioned late in the match but demonstrated the work rate and versatility that satisfied French staff and supporters alike.