Soulé transforms from outcast to asset as Roma prepares Dortmund friendly

Borussia Dortmund will face Roma on 15 August in their final pre-season fixture before competing for the German Super Cup against Bayern Munich on 22 August. Head coach Niko Kovac's side won 3–2 against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup, with goals from Inacio, Gadou, and Karetsas, and will look to maintain that form against the Italian visitors at Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund's summer recruitment has centred on two 2007-born prospects who cost nearly €50 million combined. Gadou, a French centre-back, arrived from Red Bull Salzburg for €19.5 million, while Karetsas, an attacking midfielder capable of playing on the right wing, joined from Genk for €30 million. The club sold Adeyemi to Barcelona for €22 million and loaned Yan Couto to Como, while Brandt and Süle departed as free agents. Kovac deploys a 3–4–2–1 formation that mirrors a pressing approach, with Karetsas and Inacio operating behind striker Fabio Silva. Italian defender Luca Reggiani, born 2008, is part of Dortmund's defensive unit after joining from Sassuolo at age 15. He featured briefly against Arsenal and had more game time in pre-season friendlies against Cerezo Osaka and Tokyo. Schlotterbeck and Emre Can remain sidelined through injury. For both clubs, tomorrow's match marks the final warm-up before competitive action begins.

Roma has resumed its interest in Christopher Nkunku of Milan after negotiations over Rodrigo Mora reached an impasse, with the club exploring a swap involving Matías Soulé. Roma's sporting director D'Amico remains committed to signing Mora on his own terms: €8 million for a loan with a fee, plus €42 million for an optional purchase clause attached to a five-year contract the Portuguese midfielder has already accepted. D'Amico will not shift on the structure despite concerns from Benfica president Villas-Boas. A definitive answer from Mora's side is expected in the coming hours. With coach Gian Piero Gasperini pushing for reinforcements, D'Amico has begun gathering fresh information on Nkunku, whose annual salary of €5 million net remains a financial strain on Roma's budget. A potential exchange involving Soulé could help bridge the gap, though the wages remain the primary obstacle. The uncertainty over Mora has created a ripple effect on Roma's pursuit of left-back targets, slowing talks for Tottenham's Udogie, Torino's Cacciamani, and Inter's Luis Henrique—the latter representing the most advanced negotiation of the three.

Negotiations between Roma and Porto over Portuguese winger Rodrigo Mora have hit a standstill. After an agreement appeared complete on Tuesday evening — involving a paid loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a total of 45 million euros — Porto reversed course. Two days of intense talks followed through agent Jorge Mendes's office, but no final resolution has been reached. Porto continues to push for easier payment conditions, while Roma wants to enforce the existing agreement. Roma director D'Amico remains committed but is exploring backup options. A move for Fofana remains difficult, with Lyon unwilling to accept less than 45 million euros without creative payment structures. Midfielder Nkunku, a longtime target of coach Giampiero Gasperini, could return to the conversation after Milan, who holds his registration, indicated a loan might be possible — though his 9 million euro gross salary poses an obstacle. For the vice-Wesley role, Roma is pursuing Cacciamani while also tracking Luis Henrique and Udogie as potential loan options, though those would likely only materialise late in the window.

Molina made his first training session appearance at Trigoria wearing the number 20 shirt, settling into Roma with a smile and immediately integrating with his new teammates, particularly his fellow Argentines Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Castro. The winger has already struck up an early rapport with Dybala off the pitch, a connection head coach Gian Piero Gasperini hopes will translate onto it. Gasperini put Molina straight to work, with the player showing promising early signs: precise crosses, clean distribution and a desire to regain his match rhythm. Molina could make his Roma debut on Saturday against Dortmund, though likely in a limited capacity off the bench as Gasperini assesses his condition ahead of the league campaign. The Argentinian winger is targeting the Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 23 August, keen to make an immediate impact in Giallorossi colours. His right foot has already impressed during the opening training session, and Roma will look to have him up to full speed quickly as the new season approaches.

Roma welcomed UEFA's head of referees Roberto Rosetti to Trigoria on 13 August for a meeting with the club's coaching staff and players to discuss new competition directives for the 2026-27 season. Led by Paulo Dybala, the squad and technical team gathered to clarify regulations designed to improve game flow and reduce time-wasting: a countdown on throw-ins and goal kicks, ten seconds permitted for substitutions, and new VAR intervention scenarios for double yellow-card offences. The visit marks Roma's preparation for their return to the Champions League after their absence. Gasperini has been particularly focused on the balance between VAR technology use and the referee's authority on the pitch, a topic the meeting addressed. Rosetti sought maximum cooperation and trust from the giallorossi as they embark on their European campaign, offering the club valuable clarity on the new regulations to begin their continental journey without lingering disputes.

Roma will face Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park. Gian Piero Gasperini's side complete their build-up after a British tour with this test match in Germany. Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Neil El Aynaoui and Bryan Cristante anchor the midfield, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen in attack. Borussia Dortmund will deploy an identical shape, managed by Kovac. Tickets are available through the Borussia Dortmund club website. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text updates available on ilromanista.eu.

Nahuel Molina trained with Roma for the first time on 13 August, a day after his official arrival was confirmed. The Argentine right-back took part in the squad's preparation at Trigoria ahead of a friendly against Borussia Dortmund scheduled for 15 July at 17:30. CEO John Galantic attended the session from the sideline to monitor the new arrival's integration. Molina's debut in giallorossi colours marks another addition to Gasperini's squad as Roma continue their pre-season build-up for the 2026-27 campaign. The club will be without Lorenzo Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli for the time being, both remaining unavailable during this training phase. Molina's arrival strengthens Roma's options in defence as the season approaches. The friendly against Dortmund will offer an early chance to assess the new defender's form and understanding with his teammates ahead of competitive fixtures.

Molina trained with Roma for the first time on 13 August, now at full disposal of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad trained at Trigoria this morning before departing tomorrow for Dortmund, where a friendly against Borussia is scheduled for Saturday at 17:30. Manu Koné will feature in the match; Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini remain absent. Both midfielders are expected to return to full training in the coming days and are targeting availability for Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina. Roma held an evening meeting with UEFA focused on refereeing matters. Roberto Rosetti, the European confederation's chief refereeing officer, fielded questions from players and club staff regarding new regulations coming into effect next season. The session gave Roma's squad the chance to seek clarification on specific rules and officiating protocols ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Roma has opted for midfield continuity ahead of the new season, with no fresh signings planned unless a major departure occurs. The club will build around Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and El Aynaoui, backed up by Pellegrini. Manu Koné's future had been uncertain in recent weeks, but with the season-opener against Fiorentina approaching, his departure now appears unlikely. The midfielder has returned to training with the group and will partner Cristante in the engine room. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the club view him as a key figure and recognise the difficulty of finding an adequate replacement. Niccolò Pisilli faces no prospect of leaving. Porto made an approach with a €25 million offer, but Roma and Gasperini rejected it outright. The academy graduate is regarded as an indispensable technical asset and crucial to UEFA squad registration plans. El Aynaoui completes the midfield picture and is poised to establish himself as a regular in giallorossi colours following recent encouraging performances.

Nahuel Molina trained with Roma for the first time on 13 August, a day after his official arrival was confirmed. The Argentine right-back took part in the squad's preparation at Trigoria ahead of a friendly against Borussia Dortmund scheduled for 15 July at 17:30. CEO John Galantic attended the session from the sideline to monitor the new arrival's integration. Molina's debut in giallorossi colours marks another addition to Gasperini's squad as Roma continue their pre-season build-up for the 2026-27 campaign. The club will be without Lorenzo Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli for the time being, both remaining unavailable during this training phase. Molina's arrival strengthens Roma's options in defence as the season approaches. The friendly against Dortmund will offer an early chance to assess the new defender's form and understanding with his teammates ahead of competitive fixtures.

Molina trained with Roma for the first time on 13 August, now at full disposal of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad trained at Trigoria this morning before departing tomorrow for Dortmund, where a friendly against Borussia is scheduled for Saturday at 17:30. Manu Koné will feature in the match; Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini remain absent. Both midfielders are expected to return to full training in the coming days and are targeting availability for Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina. Roma held an evening meeting with UEFA focused on refereeing matters. Roberto Rosetti, the European confederation's chief refereeing officer, fielded questions from players and club staff regarding new regulations coming into effect next season. The session gave Roma's squad the chance to seek clarification on specific rules and officiating protocols ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Roma has opted for midfield continuity ahead of the new season, with no fresh signings planned unless a major departure occurs. The club will build around Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and El Aynaoui, backed up by Pellegrini. Manu Koné's future had been uncertain in recent weeks, but with the season-opener against Fiorentina approaching, his departure now appears unlikely. The midfielder has returned to training with the group and will partner Cristante in the engine room. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the club view him as a key figure and recognise the difficulty of finding an adequate replacement. Niccolò Pisilli faces no prospect of leaving. Porto made an approach with a €25 million offer, but Roma and Gasperini rejected it outright. The academy graduate is regarded as an indispensable technical asset and crucial to UEFA squad registration plans. El Aynaoui completes the midfield picture and is poised to establish himself as a regular in giallorossi colours following recent encouraging performances.