Torri: Roma must strike fear into Juventus and Milan

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 nearing the completion of a transfer for Rodrigo Mora, a Portuguese player, according to radio discussion on Roman sports broadcasts. Piero Torri, speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), noted that Mora had a strong first year at his previous club but spent the last season on the bench. Torri expressed reservations: "We are not far from closing the deal for Rodrigo Mora. The boy comes from a singular growth path where in the first year he did very well while in the last season he was on the bench and I have doubts about the fee invested for the Portuguese player's transfer." Roberto Pruzzo, on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), warned against repeating mistakes in squad recruitment, citing concerns over expensive signings who do not immediately integrate into the team. He stressed that Roma need quality in attack and must improve as a squad. Pruzzo said: "The important thing is that he has the possibility not to wait too long, because otherwise it becomes chaos that comes down on you. I don't know Mora, but that it doesn't happen like with Vaz: you end up with a significant expense and a player who is part of the squad only partially. Roma made its choice, the priority is to have some quality up front. Roma is behind as a team, then inserting a couple of players I don't think is complicated. There is a need for the team to make a leap in quality." Nando Orsi added that any player costing significant fees must make an immediate impact under Gasperini's direction, and questioned whether Mora would provide the quality Roma require at the highest level.

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 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.

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.

Beppe Bergomi has recommended Davide Frattesi to Roma, suggesting the midfielder could flourish under head coach Gasperini. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Bergomi said: "I would see him fitting well. Someone like him, with that style of play, could score several goals." Roma's recruitment team continues to work intensively to complete the squad. The priority is to add another striker and a winger—possibly two—in the coming weeks. No midfield moves are planned unless there are unexpected departures. Mora is close to joining the club. Bergomi also praised Gasperini, describing him as "a certainty" and part of the generation that changed football. He noted: "He is unique in managing players, on the pitch and off it. The only weakness is that his teams have big peaks and then slumps. He'll need to be smart managing the double commitment, but he has Malen's goals on his side."

Rodrigo Mora, a Portuguese talent developed at Porto, is on the verge of joining Roma to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Mora can operate as a playmaker behind the striker and also as a winger, and will provide an understudy option to Paulo Dybala in the attacking midfield role. Alongside Dybala, Mora will support Donyell Malen and the team's striking setup as part of Gasperini's tactical rebuild during August. Mora's arrival forms part of a broader reshaping of Roma's squad. Nahuel Molina landed at Ciampino airport on 10 August and is undergoing medical checks and contract formalities before beginning his work at Trigoria. The return of midfielder Manu Koné, who was previously on loan, will also bolster the depth available to Gasperini. The convergence of these player movements represents Gasperini's effort to refine the team's tactical identity and competitive options across multiple positions.