Torri questions El Aynaoui's future as Roma radio panel assesses derby performance

Radio commentator Torri has praised Rodrigo Mora's performance in his AS Roma debut, saying the Portuguese striker played well and came close to scoring. Torri also highlighted the contributions of Lulli and Koné, with the 2007-born full-back earning particular praise for his display. Ahead of the final days of the transfer window, Torri expressed satisfaction after hearing D'Amico rule out any significant departures in the pre-match build-up. However, uncertainty remains over Neil El Aynaoui's immediate future at the club as the market approaches its close.

Roma's 2026–27 season gets under way this evening with a Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico at 20:45. Former Roma and Juventus executive Zbigniew Boniek has outlined his expectations for the campaign in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Boniek said: "My hope is that Roma have an important season, even though they are not among the scudetto favourites. The Champions League is back—a serious commitment that requires high concentration for many months and a broad squad." On the summer transfer activity, he suggested Gasperini may still want more additions but credited the club's work: "Castro, for example, I like as a centre-forward and he will be an excellent alternative to Malen." On the rapport between Gasperini and Roma's support, Boniek offered strong backing: "I like Gasperini very much—he always manages to get the maximum from his squad, he is straightforward. Roma's fans want to see their team play well and win: Gasperini guarantees you all of that. Perhaps he is disliked, yes, but by opponents."

Roma radio pundits assessed the club's summer transfer window on 24 August 2026, with mixed verdicts on recruitment and squad readiness. Francesco Balzani (Tele Radio Stereo) rated the market as "respectable but a missed opportunity", noting Roma are stronger than last season yet have not closed the gap to Inter. He identified Greenwood and Summerville as the signings that got away, arguing that early-window business could have positioned Roma to challenge Inter. Balzani awarded the window a 6.5 out of 10, saying it would rise to 7 if Roma signed a left winger. He also noted that Roma had wanted to sell Soulé, and that Koné would have left for an offer exceeding 50 million euros. Roberto Pruzzo (Radio Radio Mattino) observed that the squad is largely the same as last season, with Soulé able to start despite unspectacular performances—"but tell me who has played well"—and hoped Dybala maintains his current condition and that Malen has recovered his form from the previous year. Mario Mattioli (Radio Radio Mattino) expressed confidence in the squad but doubted Mora's immediate impact. "I don't see many doubts at Roma. In my view Mora doesn't play—maybe he'll get a few minutes at the end, because Gasperini isn't inclined to those choices. When Mora starts playing he'll prove what's expected of him, but I have some doubt he can do it straightaway in a meaningful way for Roma. Who plays plays; we know already how the team can play. The question mark is the new players. Molina will play, but for the rest it'll be last season's Roma. Maybe with a tempo that speeds things up. I see Soulé very well in Dybala's traditional spot, on the right." Nando Orsi (Radio Radio Mattino) discussed midfield and forward combinations, noting Cristante played as a trequartista at Bergamo but reverted to his defensive midfield role at Roma. He expressed concern over Malen's role, saying Gasperini must manage the dynamic carefully: "I think they'll play little together. Castro as an accompanying forward could work. Soulé at Frosinone played behind the striker, he can do the Pasalic role. Castro can, but I don't think he's convinced."

Roma made a statement on the opening day of the 2026-27 Serie A season with a 4-0 victory over Fiorentina, a result that stood out among several notable performances across the weekend. Milan also secured a solid win on the road at Torino, while several players emerged as surprises or confirmed their quality in the first round of fixtures. Donyell Malen was among those to impress, delivering a strong showing in Roma's commanding display. Elsewhere, Cissé and Romano provided unexpected bright spots for their respective clubs. However, not all high-profile names delivered, with Kolo Muani making costly errors in Frosinone's match against Juventus, a performance that fell well short of expectations.

Santiago Castro marked his official Roma debut with an impressive display against Fiorentina on 24 August, entering the match at the 68th minute as a substitute for Donyell Malen. The Argentine striker immediately caught the eye with several promising moments during his first appearance in giallorosso colours at the Stadio Olimpico. Shortly after the final whistle, Castro shared joyful personal news on social media. He posted a photograph taken on the Olimpico pitch alongside his wife Agustina, holding a small Roma shirt, to announce that the couple are expecting their first child. The image included a blue heart to indicate the baby will be a boy. Castro wrote: "We are very happy to be able to announce that our little family is growing! Eager and excited to already have you with us! We look forward to meeting you." The announcement added an extra layer of emotion to what was already a milestone evening for the young striker in his Roma career.

Roma's emphatic 4–0 victory over Fiorentina highlighted the opening round of the 2026–27 Serie A season, which concluded with several standout performances and surprise showings across the division. Milan secured a solid win away at Torino in another notable result from matchday one. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala delivered commanding displays for Roma, underlining their attacking threat early in the campaign. The season opener also produced notable debuts and confirmations elsewhere: Cissé and Romano caught the eye with unexpected performances, while Kolo Muani endured a difficult outing for Frosinone against Juventus, squandering several clear chances.

Roma made a statement on the opening day of the 2026-27 Serie A season with a 4-0 victory over Fiorentina, a result that stood out among several notable performances across the weekend. Milan also secured a solid win on the road at Torino, while several players emerged as surprises or confirmed their quality in the first round of fixtures. Donyell Malen was among those to impress, delivering a strong showing in Roma's commanding display. Elsewhere, Cissé and Romano provided unexpected bright spots for their respective clubs. However, not all high-profile names delivered, with Kolo Muani making costly errors in Frosinone's match against Juventus, a performance that fell well short of expectations.

Roma have made a strong start to the season, but the club needs one more decisive move in the transfer market to challenge Inter. The Friedkin Group is working on final signings to strengthen the squad before the window closes. Fofana remains a key target, with the decision resting with the Friedkin ownership. Lyon have frozen their market activity as negotiations continue. Oosterwolde has arrived in Rome and was greeted by supporters with hugs, smiles and autographs, with medical checks and contract signing to follow. Elsewhere, Paulo Dybala has impressed with three assists and creative play, though his form carries financial implications for the owners. Bahoya remains on the club's shortlist of potential signings as Roma look to add depth across the squad.

Roma's emphatic 4–0 victory over Fiorentina highlighted the opening round of the 2026–27 Serie A season, which concluded with several standout performances and surprise showings across the division. Milan secured a solid win away at Torino in another notable result from matchday one. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala delivered commanding displays for Roma, underlining their attacking threat early in the campaign. The season opener also produced notable debuts and confirmations elsewhere: Cissé and Romano caught the eye with unexpected performances, while Kolo Muani endured a difficult outing for Frosinone against Juventus, squandering several clear chances.

Roma have agreed terms with Malick Fofana (21) but remain at loggerheads with Lyon over the fee. The French club is demanding €35 million fixed plus €5 million in bonuses, a price Roma have resisted after their substantial investment in Rodrigo Mora. The giallorossi will decide in the coming hours whether to meet Lyon's demands or pursue alternative targets as the market remains open. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (22) remains on Roma's radar, but Chelsea continue to block a move. The Blues have rejected a loan-with-option-to-buy formula and insist on an immediate sale, valuing the winger at up to €45 million. Director Florian Friedkin is monitoring the situation, though the negotiations have cooled and will require Chelsea to shift their stance for progress. Ibrahim Mbaye (18), a young winger sidelined by Paris Saint-Germain, is being tracked as a potentially sustainable option to bolster the attack as Gasperini seeks. Friedkin is watching developments in the final days of the window to see if favourable conditions emerge. Meanwhile, Neil El Aynaoui (25) has attracted fresh enquiries beyond Saudi Arabian interest, with Crystal Palace now seeking information on the Moroccan midfielder. Roma do not regard the former Lens player as unsaleable and could consider offers around €35 million, a sum that would significantly boost resources for one final attacking addition. Jan Ziółkowski (21) appears set to leave. The Polish defender is being linked with Parma while Monza also monitor the situation. Gasperini now has greater defensive depth following the arrival of Oosterwolde, who can operate at left-back or centre-back, which may facilitate Ziółkowski's exit in the closing stages of the market.

Roma have agreed personal terms with Malick Fofana but negotiations between the clubs have slowed after Olympique Lyon's steep valuation of the Belgian winger: €35 million plus €5 million in bonuses. The Roma hierarchy has not made the decisive move for the 2005-born player following the completion of Rodrigo Mora's contract, with UEFA Financial Fair Play restrictions also cited as a factor. According to Fabrizio Romano, it will become clear in the closing stages of this summer's transfer window whether Roma decide to reopen contact with Lyon to complete the signing or prefer to wait for potential departures in the forward department.

Roma's 2026–27 season began with a sold-out Stadio Olimpico as Emanuele Lulli, the 2007-born winger, made a mature and courageous competitive debut in a match against Fiorentina. Launched from the start by Gian Piero Gasperini in place of the absent Devyne Rensch and the underperforming Nahuel Molina, Lulli completed all 90 minutes in an assured display. Paulo Dybala's performance and Donyell Malen's hat-trick were also highlights as the crowd of 67,598 marked the 79th sell-out under Friedkin ownership, bolstered by the opening of the Distinti Nord Ovest sector to home supporters. The pre-match atmosphere crackled with tension as Roma unveiled the new faces in the squad. Before kickoff, the Curva Sud unfurled a banner reading "The path is laid out, we resume where we left off. The entire environment united towards the goal!", a rallying cry for collective focus. The crowd roared at every Dybala flourish and sang personalised chants for Malen as he was substituted following his treble, demonstrating the passionate backing that had driven a total of 80,000 season-ticket subscriptions over the summer. New recruits Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Santiago Castro and Rodrigo Mora were presented to the supporters during the warm-up, with Portuguese winger Dybala receiving the warmest reception.