World Cup penalties: the Roma curse strikes El Aynaoui and others

Former Roma player and executive Antonio Tempestilli has backed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to win a trophy at the club, but warned that the squad needs three or four significant summer signings to close the gap at the top. Speaking to Il Tempo, Tempestilli stressed the urgency of market action before the season begins, saying: "Bisogna puntare a qualcosa di importante. Dipenderà dal mercato, perché finora la Roma non ha fatto movimenti. Bisogna accelerare, la stagione sta per cominciare e Gasperini deve lavorare con i nuovi giocatori" (We must aim for something important. It will depend on the market, because Roma hasn't made moves so far. We must accelerate; the season is about to start and Gasperini must work with new players). Templestilli praised Gasperini as one of the best managers available and said his arrival has energised both the fanbase and the project. On the squad, he backed the retention of key players, particularly midfielder Manu Koné, arguing that Roma should not sell their best performers annually for accounting gains. He also expressed confidence in Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Matías Soulé, though he acknowledged Soulé's physical problems last season. On the club's structure, Tempestilli said the Friedkin Group's physical presence at Trigoria matters less than appointing capable figures to represent them and make quick decisions. He also paid tribute to Bruno Conti, who recently departed the club at 71, saying he deserved to enjoy family time after his long service to Roma.

Paulo Dybala has recommitted to AS Roma following his automatic contract renewal, capping a resurgence that helped secure the club's return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. The Argentine playmaker delivered decisively in the final stretch of the 2025–26 season, recording assists for Malen and El Shaarawy in matches against Verona—the goals that sealed Europa League qualification and promotion to the group stage. Over 27 appearances in that run, Dybala posted 3 goals and 8 assists. Since joining Roma in 2022, Dybala has compiled 140 matches, 45 goals and 30 assists across all positions—attacker, second striker, attacking midfielder and creative fulcrum. His debut campaign (2022–23) proved prolific with 18 goals and 8 assists before injury despite a standout display against Inter and a vital Europa League goal against Feyenoord. The following year brought 16 goals in 39 matches with 10 assists. A proposed summer transfer to Al-Qadsiah fell through when Dybala chose to remain in the Eternal City, but form and fitness suffered under successive managers, leaving him sidelined until early 2026. After knee surgery in March forced another layoff, his timely return proved crucial. The lingering scar from the 31 May 2023 final—a missed opportunity to change Roma's history—remains, but the coming seasons offer fresh chances to heal that wound.

Nine players assembled during Gian Piero Gasperini's first season at Roma have combined for 100 appearances across Serie A and cup competitions but have failed to establish themselves as regular contributors. Pierluigi Gollini featured only once, against Panathinaikos in January's final Europa League group stage match. Angeliño made brief appearances against Celtic and Panathinaikos before a March return to the Olimpico against Lecce, where he saw limited action in the run-in. Robinio Vaz, signed for 20 million euros plus 5 million in bonuses in January alongside Donyell Malen, scored his sole Roma goal against Lecce but has proven too raw for immediate impact as deputy striker. Bryan Zaragoza arrived on loan from Bayern Munich in January and impressed on his second appearance, starting against Napoli and providing an assist for Malen's opening goal from the seventh minute, yet proved costly when he came on in Roma's Europa League elimination against Bologna in extra time. Lorenzo Venturino, an 18-year-old winger on loan from Genoa, saw limited use due to his age. Evan Ferguson, signed on loan with a purchase option from Brighton, closed the season with 40 combined appearances across both strikers; the 20-year-old's campaign ended in January after injury and limited backing from Gasperini. Artem Dovbyk meanwhile struggled to meet the technical demands of the role and reappeared late in the season with only two minutes in the final two matches.

AS Roma opened summer training at Trigoria on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his squad, with dozens of supporters present to greet the team. Players reported around 12:00 and completed their first session at 18:00. Notably absent from the squad call were World Cup representatives Koné (still in competition), N'Dicka, El Aynaoui, Malen, and Çelik—who is close to renewing his contract—as well as Pellegrini, sidelined by injury but nearing a contract extension. Paulo Dybala's renewal has been officially confirmed through 30 June 2027. The forward said: "This story continues, as everyone wanted—the club, me, and the fans. I'm happy to play another season here, another year in this city. Being able to defend Roma's shirt is a privilege for me. Roma means many things to me: honour, responsibility, beauty. There are also many personal reasons that brought me to be here today. When the music we've all been waiting for plays—the Champions League—we'll look at each other, us on the pitch and you in the stands, and we'll be proud of what we're doing." Gasperini told Rai Radio Uno the Friedkins will arrive in the coming hours and stressed the importance of their presence. "From today there will be important accelerations. We hope to do good business in the market and give answers to the enthusiasm of a city that has already made many subscriptions," he said. Pellegrini is set to sign until 2028 with a 2029 option, earning €2.5 million per season plus bonuses; the deal is in final stages before signature.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his initial squad of 17 players for Roma's pre-season training camp at Trigoria as the 2026–27 season officially begins. The Giallorossi are preparing for the new Serie A campaign and a return to Champions League football. Several key players are absent from the initial group. Zeki Çelik is unavailable after his contract expired on 30 June; the Turkish defender is completing his break following the World Cup with his national team, though a contract renewal remains under discussion. Lorenzo Pellegrini is similarly without a deal at present. A staggered return has been arranged for other recent internationals: Evan N'Dicka and Donyell Malen, both recently eliminated from the World Cup, will join the squad later, as will El Aynaoui. Manu Koné's arrival date is yet to be confirmed as he continues with France at the World Cup. Several players returning from loan spells will also train with the first team while their future transfers are resolved. For all involved, the pre-season retreat represents an opportunity to impress Gasperini and stake their claim for the campaign ahead.

Roma have announced a 17-player squad for the opening phase of their pre-season training camp under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala is included after signing a contract extension to 30 June 2027. Absent are Zeki Çelik and Lorenzo Pellegrini, both still finalizing renewal negotiations. Çelik is expected to arrive at Trigoria on 18 July, while Pellegrini's return date remains uncertain. Five additional players—Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano—have been added to the first-team squad pending potential departures. The squad will train this afternoon at 18:00 and overnight at Trigoria. Double sessions are scheduled for tomorrow: 08:00 and 18:00, with another overnight stay at the training centre. Several internationals are due back on staggered dates: Evan N'Dicka and Donyell Malen on 22 July, Neil El Aynaoui on 30 July, and Manu Koné at a date still to be confirmed as he continues World Cup involvement. The official squad list includes: Angelino, Cristante, De Marzi, Dovbyk, Dybala, Ghilardi, Gollini, Hermoso, Mancini, Pisilli, Rensch, Soulé, Svilar, Vasquez, Vaz, Wesley, and Ziolkowski.