Weekly Ratings: Ostiamare's historic promotion, Malen's brilliance, and the shadow of refereeing scandal

Alessandro Florenzi, the former Roma, Milan and Paris Saint-Germain defender, has praised Gian Piero Gasperini's appointment as Roma head coach. Speaking at an event in Rome after competing in a seven-a-side football tournament at Parco Schuster, Florenzi told Il Messaggero: "I would have liked very much to be coached by him, for what he makes his full-backs express, for how he interprets football. I'm fortunate, as a Roma fan, to have a coach like Gasperini." Florenzi was asked about Roma's prospects following their qualification for next season's Champions League. He expressed confidence in the team's direction but cautioned that results will determine how far they can go. "I don't know, the pitch will tell us," he said. "The objective last year was very clear and I think it will be the same this year: to try to finish in the top four and have a respectable season." Florenzi's comments underscore the optimism surrounding Gasperini's arrival at the Giallorossi. The former Roma fullback highlighted the tactical approach the new coach brings, particularly his system of play for attacking defenders—a quality that would have suited Florenzi's style during his playing career at the club.

Roma's acquisition of forward Castro for 35 million euros has drawn wide approval from the capital's radio commentators, though opinions differ on his role and the club's broader transfer strategy. Castro is widely seen as a versatile attacking option who can operate across the front line and create chances for teammates, not merely a backup to Donyell Malen. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that Castro resembles Muriel: "a great player, strong. I don't think he can play 45 matches at high level, but he has quality. He can play as a centre-forward but also assist; he is an excellent signing." Nando Orsi echoed the view, calling Castro "an excellent player" who "makes others score and scores decisive goals himself." The 35-million fee raises questions about Roma's willingness to invest heavily in attacking depth while other squad positions remain exposed. Francesco Balzani noted that switching from Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson to Malen and Castro represents "a very big upgrade as centre-forwards," adding that head coach Gasperini rotates his strikers extensively. Balzani suggested Roma's budget for a left-winger—potentially around 50 million—remains intact, separate from the Castro outlay. Francesca Ferrazza described Castro as having "enormous potential" under Gasperini's guidance, positioned as Malen's deputy rather than an out-and-out winger. Dovbyk, who scored 18 goals in his first season, struggled physically last term and is expected to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Roma's move for Atalanta forward Mateo Castro neared completion as radio commentators across Roman airwaves weighed in on the transfer and other squad developments. Castro reportedly requested Bologna allow him to leave after learning of Roma's interest, with negotiations focusing on how the deal structure would be financed. Carina told Radio Radio: "Castro ormai sia in chiusura. È contato molto l'entusiasmo del ragazzo: appena ha saputo che la Roma lo voleva, ha chiesto al Bologna di lasciarlo andare." The striker, available at 35 million euros, is viewed as a versatile attacking option who can play multiple positions and create for teammates. Pruzzo compared Castro to a Muriel-type talent, while Mattioli questioned whether the fee represented full value for a player who isn't a pure number nine. Doubts linger over veteran forward Artem Dovbyk's future at Roma. Carina assigned a 60 per cent probability to Dovbyk remaining, noting Roma had rejected a loan option and that negotiations with Bologna centred on converting conditional clauses into an obligation—an approach Bologna resisted. Orsi remarked that with Castro's arrival, "Dovbyk non mi sembra un acquisto sbagliato" but acknowledged the striker requires different tactical deployment under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's system. Refereeing controversy from a pre-season friendly drew sharp criticism. Cristofori told Radio Romanista: "Ieri il direttore di gara ha causato un danno alla Roma," condemning Wesley's expulsion as unjust for a training-level match. Giustiniani added that Angeliño remains significantly behind Gasperini's fitness demands.

Santiago Castro has become Roma's first signing of the transfer window. The Argentine striker will undergo medical tests on Tuesday and sign his contract with the giallorossi. He joins from Bologna for €35 million plus 10 per cent of future resale proceeds, making him the fifth most expensive acquisition in the club's history. Castro will earn €2.2 million per season, double his Bologna salary; Fiorentina reportedly offered more, but the player prioritised Roma. Gasperini now has three forward options, with Castro potentially forming a 3-4-1-2 partnership alongside Donyell Malen rather than operating purely as a deputy. The 2004-born forward's arrival signals the manager's tactical flexibility in attack. Separately, Artem Dovbyk has joined Bologna on loan with a purchase option, departing Rome after his initial spell.

Roma have signed Santiago Castro from Bologna for €35 million plus bonuses, with the Emilia-Romagna club retaining 10% of any future sale. The 20-year-old Argentine striker enters the club's all-time transfer rankings at fifth place, surpassing Antonio Cassano's €31 million fee from Bari in 2001–02. Only Gabriel Batistuta (€36.15 million from Fiorentina in 2000–01) ranks ahead in a crowded top five. The podium is occupied by Tammy Abraham (€41 million from Chelsea), Artem Dovbyk (€41.1 million from Girona), and Luka Schick (€42 million from Sampdoria). Castro will operate as more than a backup to Donyell Malen, representing the opening salvo of a potentially expansive January window under the Friedkin Group's ownership. The club has set ambitious targets across the market; figures in the frame include Nusa, for whom RB Leipzig are reportedly seeking over €55 million, as well as Adingra, Leao (reportedly close to a Turkish club move), Alajbegovic, and Martinelli.

Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in a pre-season friendly under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a free-kick before Donyell Malen doubled the lead, but Roma were reduced to ten men when Wesley received a second yellow card. After the interval, Dybala added a second goal to make it 3-0, but Cannes mounted a comeback through Lopes, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot, and Oggad to level the match in the closing stages. This was Roma's third summer friendly and demonstrated both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability during the preparation period. The match showcased contributions from two key squad members in Dybala and Malen, though the late collapse and numerical disadvantage highlighted areas for improvement as Gasperini continues his pre-season work.

Gian Piero Gasperini will reconvene the Roma squad on Wednesday afternoon at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground following a two-day rest period after the friendly against Cannes. The squad has completed a series of summer warm-up fixtures: two joint training sessions with the Primavera, a test with Trastevere, and the friendly with Cannes. Paulo Dybala has impressed during the pre-season programme, scoring a brace against the Primavera, one goal against Trastevere, and two more in the 3–3 draw with Cannes, while working on his understanding with Donyell Malen, who recently returned to Trigoria. Roma will continue their preparation in Wales from 31 July, where they face Cardiff (1 August), Newport (4 August), and Brighton (8 August) in further friendlies before a prestige test against Borussia Dortmund in Germany on 15 August. The Serie A campaign begins on 24 August at the Olimpico against Fiorentina. Dybala, fresh from a contract renewal, enters his fifth season at Roma after sealing Champions League qualification in the final stretch of last season. El Aynaoui is expected to rejoin the squad on 30 July, while Manu Koné remains on holiday and will link up with the group in August subject to the transfer market.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has given Roma's squad two days of rest following a friendly draw against Cannes. Training resumes on Wednesday, with the team then departing for Wales on Thursday to begin the second phase of their pre-season camp. Neil El Aynaoui will rejoin the group after completing extra rest days following World Cup commitments. Salah-Eddine will not travel, having been deemed outside the coach's technical plans and is currently seeking a new club. Gasperini is hopeful that Santiago Castro will be available for the move to the capital, with Thursday expected to be a decisive day in finalising the signing once remaining details are resolved.

Neil El Aynaoui is taking a brief holiday in Cannes after his involvement in the World Cup with Morocco, with plans to rejoin Roma within days ahead of pre-season preparations. A photograph shared by a Roma supporter confirmed the midfielder's location in Cannes, where Roma are scheduled to play a friendly against the local side—also owned by the Friedkin Group—today. El Aynaoui will watch the fixture from the stands before returning to full training with his teammates in the coming days and joining them for their pre-season training camp in Wales. The midfielder's recovery period reflects Roma's management of players returning from international duty. Manu Koné is similarly expected to return to the squad soon, giving Gasperini a fuller midfield roster as the club prepares for the new campaign. Both players will complete their integration during the pre-season schedule that will culminate in the trip to Wales.

Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in a pre-season friendly under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a free-kick before Donyell Malen doubled the lead, but Roma were reduced to ten men when Wesley received a second yellow card. After the interval, Dybala added a second goal to make it 3-0, but Cannes mounted a comeback through Lopes, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot, and Oggad to level the match in the closing stages. This was Roma's third summer friendly and demonstrated both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability during the preparation period. The match showcased contributions from two key squad members in Dybala and Malen, though the late collapse and numerical disadvantage highlighted areas for improvement as Gasperini continues his pre-season work.

Roma's move for Atalanta forward Mateo Castro neared completion as radio commentators across Roman airwaves weighed in on the transfer and other squad developments. Castro reportedly requested Bologna allow him to leave after learning of Roma's interest, with negotiations focusing on how the deal structure would be financed. Carina told Radio Radio: "Castro ormai sia in chiusura. È contato molto l'entusiasmo del ragazzo: appena ha saputo che la Roma lo voleva, ha chiesto al Bologna di lasciarlo andare." The striker, available at 35 million euros, is viewed as a versatile attacking option who can play multiple positions and create for teammates. Pruzzo compared Castro to a Muriel-type talent, while Mattioli questioned whether the fee represented full value for a player who isn't a pure number nine. Doubts linger over veteran forward Artem Dovbyk's future at Roma. Carina assigned a 60 per cent probability to Dovbyk remaining, noting Roma had rejected a loan option and that negotiations with Bologna centred on converting conditional clauses into an obligation—an approach Bologna resisted. Orsi remarked that with Castro's arrival, "Dovbyk non mi sembra un acquisto sbagliato" but acknowledged the striker requires different tactical deployment under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's system. Refereeing controversy from a pre-season friendly drew sharp criticism. Cristofori told Radio Romanista: "Ieri il direttore di gara ha causato un danno alla Roma," condemning Wesley's expulsion as unjust for a training-level match. Giustiniani added that Angeliño remains significantly behind Gasperini's fitness demands.

Paulo Dybala was the standout performer in Roma's 3-3 draw against Cannes in a pre-season fixture. The match, played against a side freshly promoted to the French third tier, saw Roma dominate possession—recording 20 total shots to Cannes' 4—but ultimately fail to convert their superiority into victory. Wesley's red card for a second yellow at the end of the first half proved decisive in shifting the momentum. The Friedkin Group ownership was represented in the stands by Ryan, watching as his team's bright start unravelled following the sending-off. Dybala provided the creative spark throughout, weaving together moments of quality in an otherwise inconsistent Roma display. In the second half, with Roma reduced to ten men, Cannes mounted a comeback, with Julien Lopez, recently signed from Paris FC, becoming increasingly influential as the match wore on. The result underlines Roma's ongoing struggles to maintain shape and cohesion across the full ninety minutes, though Dybala's individual brilliance offered a glimmer of hope for the season ahead.