Torri: Roma falling behind; Friedkin ownership navigating without clear direction

A new Netflix documentary about José Mourinho became available today, featuring three episodes covering his time at Porto, Chelsea and Inter. The film also includes reflection on his period at Roma, where Mourinho discussed his tenure three years ago. Mourinho drew a parallel between his early work at Porto and his Roma appointment, framing both around achieving objectives aligned with each club's potential. He spoke of having promised to deliver a "small miracle" at Roma, distinguishing his achievements from the greatest feats. "With my career I have won the right to be happy," Mourinho said. "I won't have won the Champions League at Roma, but I was happy. When things go badly, they go badly." The documentary's first season does not cover his full managerial portfolio but focuses on his trophy-winning spells across his three featured clubs.

Roma are close to finalizing the signing of Rodrigo Mora from Porto, with negotiations on the fee and future conditions nearing completion. The deal is reported to be worth €25 million, with potential adjustments to the sell-on clause—potentially lowering it from 50% to 40%—or the inclusion of an option for Roma to cancel the arrangement next year by paying additional funds. Mora is viewed as a Gasperini priority, with the coach seeking players who shoot frequently to increase Roma's attacking potential. Radio commentators offered mixed assessments of the transfer. Piero Torri stated: "We are not far from closing the deal for Rodrigo Mora. The boy comes from a singular growth trajectory where in the first year he performed very well while in the past season he was on the bench and I have doubts about the fee invested for the Portuguese player's transfer." Alessandro Vocalelli suggested Mora's arrival is somewhat incongruous with Roma's short-term ambitions, noting the squad has improved but remains incomplete for a title challenge. Franco Melli and others agreed Roma have strengthened defensively but lack sufficient firepower to compete for the Scudetto. Other potential targets discussed include left-back Udogie on loan with a buy option, though uncertainty remains over final attacking additions. Roberto Pruzzo warned against a repeat of the Robinio Vaz situation, where a costly acquisition underperformed.

José Mourinho has discussed his time managing Roma in a new Netflix docuseries titled The Special One, reflecting on a career that culminated in winning the UEFA Europa Conference League. Speaking about his spell at the club, Mourinho recalled the objectives he set upon arrival and his success in delivering them. "Quello che ho fatto al Porto a inizio carriera l'ho rifatto alla Roma tre anni fa. In ogni situazione ci sono obiettivi in relazione al potenziale. Questi obiettivi, io avevo promesso che li avrei raggiunti. Un piccolo miracolo. Quelli grandi? Li fa Gesù Cristo," he said, comparing his approach at Roma to his early work at Porto. "Con la mia carriera ho vinto il diritto di essere felice. Non avrei vinto la Champions League a Roma, ma sono stato felice. Quando le cose vanno male, vanno male." Mourinho's Roma tenure delivered the Conference League title, a historic achievement for the club. He characterised the accomplishment as a "small miracle" given the club's resources and potential, emphasising that while he could not have won the Champions League at Rome, he found happiness in what was achieved. The documentary provides an insight into Mourinho's reflections on a career defined by winning mentality and the pursuit of realistic objectives relative to each club's capacity.

Roma's pre-season tour of England ended in a heavy 3–0 defeat to Brighton. Goals from Georginio and a double from Ayari condemned the Giallorossi to a sluggish, listless performance that prompted immediate concern from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. "Terrible: a poor performance, lacking the right concentration. We're struggling to switch on, but we think we can fix it soon," Gasperini said after the match. The squad returns to Trigoria on Tuesday for group training, which will mark Nahuel Molina's first session with the team. Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury layoff extends beyond initial expectations, with Gasperini warning recovery will take at least a month and the matter will be reassessed in September. The coach also urged patience for players returning from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen among them—as Roma prepare for Serie A's start in a fortnight. On the transfer front, Gasperini confirmed changes to the squad. "We replaced Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro, then Koulierakis arrived. But numerically we still need something. D'Amico is negotiating very young but important players," he said, referencing director Tony D'Amico's ongoing dealings in the market.

Roma lost 3–0 to Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium, their final test during their warm-weather camp in England. Goals from Rutter and Ayari in the first half, and a second from Ayari in the second, secured the home side's victory. Despite a decent opening 45 minutes, Roma's display deteriorated markedly after the interval. Gasperini fielded several academy players and made experimental changes, including replacing Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro. After the match, Gasperini addressed the media about the transfer market. He said: "If I do the count at the moment we are few. We have replaced Çelik with Molina. We have replaced Dovbyk with Castro, who I think will give us good satisfaction and for me it was a good operation. And then this boy (Koulierakis) arrived to complete the defence, and he seems interesting to me." The coach acknowledged further work remains: "If you count numerically it seems to me we still need something, but you know who to go for and how to close. There are good possibilities. D'Amico is searching and negotiating very young but also very important players. That is the indication." Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a contract extension keeping him at Roma until June 2027. Roma announced the deal, describing Pellegrini—developed through the academy—as embodying the club's sporting vision and values. The squad returns to Trigoria before Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Real Madrid's Endrick remains a target for the attacking midfield, with Gasperini viewing him as a priority to strengthen the forward line.

Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged Roma's transfer shortfall after a poor showing in a friendly against Brighton, conceding that the club lacks adequate depth. The head coach said: "If we do the count, numerically there is still a need for something, but you know how it is. D'Amico is negotiating very young and very important players. That is the indication." Gasperini stressed that squad decisions rest with the club's chief executive, saying: "We have a chief executive, you will have to ask him these questions and he will say what Roma can and cannot do. On numbers and market possibilities the ball passes to him." Gasperini cited returnees from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen—as still recovering their sharpness. He praised Paulo Dybala's fitness and noted that recent arrivals from the start of preseason had performed well. The manager confirmed that an injured player "will be out for at least a month," with discussion to resume from September onward. Gasperini also highlighted recent squad changes: "We replaced Çelik with Molina, whom we will see on Tuesday. We replaced Dovbyk with Castro, who I believe will give us great satisfaction. And then Koulierakis arrived, who seems interesting to complete the defence."

Roma continues to struggle in finding an attacking left winger, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to evaluate a significant tactical overhaul for the 2026–27 season. High costs and a lack of suitable profiles have left the position unfilled despite sustained efforts, pushing the club to consider a strategic change in formation. The proposal would move away from two attacking midfielders supporting a single striker toward a system with one attacking midfielder behind two forwards. This tactical shift would align with Roma's recent recruitment priorities, including reported interest in players such as Rodrigo Mora and Endrick. With attacking options like Donyell Malen, a forward identified as Castro, and Robinio Vaz already in the squad, alongside creative midfielders of the calibre of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, Roma would have the versatility to reshape its attacking setup to suit the strengths of its available players and adapt the system to their characteristics.

AS Roma has constructed this fantasy XI to celebrate the club's 99-year history of attracting world-class talent. The feature categorises legendary signings by era, beginning with postwar arrivals: Alcide Ghiggia, who joined in 1953 after scoring in Brazil's 1950 World Cup final loss, and Juan Schiaffino, the other Maracanazo hero, who helped Roma lift their first European Cup in 1961 alongside fellow Uruguayan Manfredini. The 1980s elevated Roma's prestige dramatically, starting with Falcao and Vierchowod during the second Serie A title, followed by Cerezo, Boniek, Voeller, and Aldair, who pioneered Roma's succession of elite defenders including Samuel and Chivu. Cafu, who won the World Cup twice as a Roma player and once as captain of Brazil, anchored the right flank; his era also featured Candela, Montella, and Gabriel Batistuta. Later recruits—Maicon, Pjanić, Salah, and Edin Dzeko, who reached the top three all-time goalscorer rankings—maintained the club's magnetism for established stars. Paulo Dybala, still actively representing the club, exemplifies the ongoing mutual affection between world-class talent and Roma's brand.

Rodrigo Mora has agreed to join Roma. Director of football Tony D'Amico has tabled a five-year contract worth two million euros per season, including bonuses, for the Porto playmaker. The agreement with agent Jorge Mendes was reached yesterday after rapid negotiations. Porto's formal approval is awaited in the coming hours. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed D'Amico to complete the deal quickly, expecting two new arrivals by 15 August. Gasperini received reassurances at an emergency meeting with ownership at Vale Resort in Hensol, Wales. Roma plan to close the signing of the new forward first, then turn attention to reinforcing other positions: a right winger to deputise for Paulo Dybala, and a left winger to rotate with Wesley.