Wesley Fit and Ready as Gasperini Addresses Squad at Start of Pre-Season

Roma have abandoned their move for Jayden Oosterwolde after conducting additional medical tests that altered their assessment of the defender's injury status. Oosterwolde had already arrived in the capital in recent days and passed initial medical examinations, but further investigation into a biceps injury he was carrying prompted Roma to reopen talks with Fenerbahce about modifying the deal's terms. When no new agreement could be reached, the club decided not to proceed with the signing. The transfer had been structured as a loan with an obligation to buy, with a combined value under €20 million. Roma's medical team established that the defender would require three to four weeks to return to group training and a minimum of six to eight weeks before he could play, timescales the club deemed unacceptable. Having reassessed the situation with the Fenerbahce hierarchy, Roma chose to withdraw rather than risk the investment given the extended recovery period. Oosterwolde will now return to Turkey. The move had been expected to be wrapped up swiftly after the midfielder arrived at Ciampino airport two days ago, with only medical clearance standing between the player and his registration.

Roma are exploring defensive reinforcements as the transfer window enters its final days, with uncertainty over Jan Ziółkowski's future complicating their planning. The Polish defender is in talks with Monza over a potential departure, forcing Roma to plan for a replacement centre-back option. The pursuit of Morato has grown increasingly difficult after Nottingham Forest rejected Roma's advances on a loan with a purchase option. Director D'Amico has turned his attention to Thilo Kehrer, the 1996-born defender leaving Monaco according to Sky Sport. Kehrer is viewed as an experienced profile capable of providing Gasperini with defensive cover when needed. The move would allow Roma to manage their squad depth at centre-back depending on whether Ziółkowski departs before the window closes.

Roma are continuing their hunt for defensive and wing reinforcements, and Thilo Kehrer has emerged as a target in the past few hours. According to Sky Sport, the centre-back is among the profiles being evaluated at Trigoria. Kehrer is available to leave Monaco, prompting Roma to consider a loan deal for the German defender. The move forms part of Roma's wider squad-building efforts. Nottingham has so far rejected a loan-with-option approach for Morato, which has delayed the green light for Jan Ziółkowski's exit to Monza. With Ziółkowski's departure still pending approval, Roma are seeking a defensive replacement, and the 1996-born Kehrer represents an alternative option to fill that gap.

Jayden Oosterwolde arrived in Rome on 25 August but his transfer from Fenerbahçe to Roma hit an unexpected snag when medical staff demanded further tests before signing off on the deal. The Dutch left-back, Gasperini's fifth summer signing, was due to sign his contract today but the green light was delayed pending the outcome of fresh medical assessments this morning. Initial fitness tests came back clear, but Roma's medical team wanted to examine a recent muscular problem that sidelined him in recent weeks. Gasperini plans to deploy Oosterwolde on the left flank as a back-up to Wesley, though his versatility also allows him to play as a centre-back. The player has already resumed running and should be fully available by mid-September. Only after final clearance from the medical consultations would the transfer be formally concluded. The deal is structured as a €1 million loan fee with a €15 million purchase option. The obligation to buy will trigger automatically if Oosterwolde makes 20 appearances of at least 45 minutes each.

Gian Piero Gasperini deployed three different formations during Roma's match against Fiorentina, avoiding the 3-4-2-1 system that defined last season but never abandoning the aggressive one-on-one pressing and intensity that characterise his approach. The tactical adjustments were made to nullify Fiorentina's threats rather than to compensate for transfer market gaps or absences. Gasperini's willingness to shift shape underscores a deeper principle: Roma's behaviour remains unchanged regardless of formation. The side consistently attacks, with N'Dicka operating as a target on the attacking third and Mancini and Hermoso—later replaced by Koulierakis—covering the flanks. Fiorentina manager Grosso began in a 4-3-2-1 before moving to 4-2-4 when Roma went two goals clear. With Kean deployed alongside Pellegrino, Gasperini matched the adjustment with an identical system. The lineup featured Svilar in goal, Lulli, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso across the back, Cristante and Koné in midfield, and Soulé, Dybala, Malen and Wesley in attack. Soulé had replaced Mora at 2-0. When Grosso shifted to 4-3-3 late on, Gasperini responded by introducing El Aynaoui and Pisilli for Koné and Dybala, switching to a 3-5-1-1. This brought Mancini, N'Dicka and Koulierakis across the back, a five-man midfield of Lulli, Pisilli, Cristante, El Aynaoui and Wesley, with Soulé supporting Castro in attack. Roma scored a fourth goal. Gasperini's track record with such adjustments is long and proven, but the club now needs a right-footed winger capable of providing thrust on the break and winning one-on-one duels. The manager will learn soon whether Chelsea is willing to negotiate for Gittens, and after Lyon play Fenerbahce tomorrow evening, whether an agreement with Fofana can be finalised.

Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in a commanding display, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick to lead the charge. Paulo Dybala contributed three assists and Manu Koné was withdrawn only through fatigue, underlining Roma's control. Debutant Daniele Ghilardi impressed in an early appearance, while Evan N'Dicka stood firm at the back as the team moved to 3–4–1–2 formation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. All five major Italian newspapers awarded Roma positive marks across the board. Svilar received ratings between 6 and 6.5 in goal. The defence was solid, with N'Dicka rated 7 to 7.5 by all outlets and Mancini and Hermoso both praised. In midfield, Cristante earned 6.5 to 7, while Wesley was rated 6 to 7 on the flank. Koné's 6.5 to 7.5 reflected his strong showing before substitution. Malen's 8.5 to 9 and Dybala's 8 to 9 dominated the attacking ratings. Corrections made 68 minutes in saw Koulierakis introduced for Hermoso, while Pisilli replaced Koné at 79 minutes. Rodrigo Mora (6.5) and later Matías Soulé (6) featured in attack; Santiago Castro entered for Malen at 68 minutes. Gasperini earned 7.5 to 8 from the press corps. N'Dicka's display of 7 to 7.5, Koné's energy and Ghilardi's first appearance highlighted a Roma side functioning with precision and depth throughout.

Roma have learned their eight opponents in the UEFA Champions League League Phase following the draw in Monte Carlo. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will face Real Madrid, PSG, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Athens, with four matches at the Stadio Olimpico and four away. The standout home fixture will be Real Madrid's visit, marking José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico as an opponent after his years managing Roma. Luis Enrique will also feature prominently in the draw — he returns to face Roma, this time from the PSG bench, adding another layer of intrigue to a competition that holds particular resonance for the club. Slovan Bratislava's inclusion stirs memories of Roma's 2011 European elimination under Enrique, a match recalled for the controversial substitution of Francesco Totti. At home, Roma will also host Sporting Lisbon, Lille and Slovan Bratislava. Away, the fixtures include one of recent European football's great classics: Manchester United at Old Trafford, a tie that evokes numerous Champions League clashes between the clubs across the 2000s. The Fenerbahçe trip carries particular significance, bringing Roma face-to-face with Mason Greenwood — described as a major regret from the summer transfer window — alongside Mattéo Guendouzi, who will encounter Paulo Dybala after previous meetings, and Romelu Lukaku. The campaign concludes with a trip to AEK Athens in Greece. Roma's full League Phase schedule: Real Madrid (home), PSG (away), Sporting Lisbon (home), Manchester United (away), Lille (home), Fenerbahçe (away), Slovan Bratislava (home), AEK Athens (away). The draw has assembled a fixture list rich in European history and storylines for Roma's return to the Champions League.

Paulo Dybala has committed to Roma by accepting a dramatic wage cut, restructuring his contract around performance bonuses that could ultimately make him the club's highest-paid player. His base salary fell from 8 million euros net to 2.2 million, but a complex bonus structure rewards every appearance, goal and assist. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged Dybala's commitment after Roma's victory against Fiorentina, saying: "In this squad there are players who wanted Roma very strongly or wanted to stay at Roma very strongly." Dybala reached 100 Serie A appearances for Roma in that same match. The contract, signed on 12 July, reflects both an act of loyalty and a calculated gamble on his own performance. Dybala will earn 100,000 euros for each starting appearance lasting at least 45 minutes, capped at 20 matches for a maximum of 2 million euros. He has already collected 100,000 euros following the Fiorentina win. Substitute appearances of 20 minutes or more earn him 75,000 euros. From his 21st match onwards, the appearance bonus rises to 150,000 euros per game. Goal contributions drive even larger payments: every five goal involvements trigger a bonus ranging from 100,000 to 1 million euros. Dybala has already begun accumulating these rewards, recording three goal involvements in the opening matchday alone. The structure is straightforward: the more prominent Dybala becomes, the more he earns. If his season stalls and he plays infrequently, he will pocket only the 2.2 million base salary—a scenario neither he, Roma nor Gasperini wish to see unfold. Over the course of his fifth season at the club, the bonus framework could elevate his total compensation to rival or exceed that of any teammate.

Giancarlo Antognoni, Fiorentina legend, has praised Paulo Dybala as the best attacking midfielder in Serie A and the player capable of driving Roma towards the title under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Antognoni analysed Roma's recent victory and Dybala's role in it, singling out the Argentine's quality on the ball as decisive. "Dybala is one of the strongest in the league, the best in his position," Antognoni said. "If he continues like this, Gasperini will be able to fight for the Scudetto. With the ball he does what he wants: pure spectacle. Fiorentina gave him too much freedom, but if bad luck leaves him in peace, Gasperini has an ace in his hand." Antognoni also highlighted Dybala's impact on Roma's opening goal, noting how he "jumped past half the team before setting up Malen." Antognoni reflected on the rarity of the number 10 role in modern football, observing that Italy has few players of such quality. "Football has become too tactical and physical," he explained. "The number 10 still exists in youth academies, but at club level results come first and fear of losing stifles imagination. So the number 10s have to adapt: Calhanoglu became a regista, Dembélé is a ten disguised as a nine, Yildiz starts wide but moves inside the pitch." He detected signs of revival, citing Nico Paz at Como, Liberali, and Mastantuono as promising talents, and suggested that talented players in midfield positions—like Lautaro at Inter—can make their teams unpredictable. Antognoni also praised Rodrigo Mora, describing him as another talented signing Roma has brought in who "seems already almost ready."

Roma's faith in youth continues to bear fruit. Niccolò Pisilli and Daniele Ghilardi have already demonstrated that the club can develop young players alongside established stars, and now Lulli is reinforcing that message with his own fearless display. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has shown he is unafraid to field young talent immediately and without hesitation, trusting them to perform at the highest level without requiring a lengthy apprenticeship elsewhere. The approach reflects a broader shift in how Roma now treats academy graduates, driven partly by financial fair play requirements but rooted in genuine conviction that opportunity accelerates development. The long season ahead, with numerous competitions and fixtures, will require depth across the squad, and Gasperini has stressed that everyone will be needed. Young players bring hunger and a genuine desire to prove themselves and claim their place, creating what the article describes as a Roma that is both young at its core and ambitious at its summit. The combination allows academy products to grow while senior stars set the standard. However, Romano appears to be the exception to this pattern; while a loan to Avellino might have aided his development, remaining within this Roma squad is judged a more valuable opportunity. The club's youth academy continues to produce talent at a consistent rate. Rather than sending prospects out on loan as standard practice, Roma now retains them with greater confidence. This dual structure—where academy graduates develop through regular involvement while senior players lead the way—allows both groups to push in the same direction. Gasperini's willingness to deploy young players without hesitation has become a defining feature of his Roma tenure.

Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in a commanding display, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick to lead the charge. Paulo Dybala contributed three assists and Manu Koné was withdrawn only through fatigue, underlining Roma's control. Debutant Daniele Ghilardi impressed in an early appearance, while Evan N'Dicka stood firm at the back as the team moved to 3–4–1–2 formation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. All five major Italian newspapers awarded Roma positive marks across the board. Svilar received ratings between 6 and 6.5 in goal. The defence was solid, with N'Dicka rated 7 to 7.5 by all outlets and Mancini and Hermoso both praised. In midfield, Cristante earned 6.5 to 7, while Wesley was rated 6 to 7 on the flank. Koné's 6.5 to 7.5 reflected his strong showing before substitution. Malen's 8.5 to 9 and Dybala's 8 to 9 dominated the attacking ratings. Corrections made 68 minutes in saw Koulierakis introduced for Hermoso, while Pisilli replaced Koné at 79 minutes. Rodrigo Mora (6.5) and later Matías Soulé (6) featured in attack; Santiago Castro entered for Malen at 68 minutes. Gasperini earned 7.5 to 8 from the press corps. N'Dicka's display of 7 to 7.5, Koné's energy and Ghilardi's first appearance highlighted a Roma side functioning with precision and depth throughout.

Jan Ziółkowski is facing an exit from Roma following the arrivals of Koulierakis and Oosterwolde, which have closed the door on the young Polish defender. Parma and Monza have both made enquiries, with Parma seeking a loan deal while Monza have tabled a permanent offer. Foreign clubs, particularly from Saudi Arabia, are also monitoring the situation. Negotiations are expected to intensify in the coming days. Ziółkowski's path at Roma has been blocked by the new defensive signings brought in this summer. During the recent match against Fiorentina, he remained unused on the bench for the full 90 minutes, unlike Ghilardi, who came on as a substitute and is heading towards staying at the club.