Roma open the Champions League campaign with a creditable 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahce, as Bryan Cristante's opener was cancelled out by Archie Brown.
The Giallorossi returned to the tournament after seven years and coming off three consecutive Serie A victories. Only Lorenzo Pellegrini was still out of action. Devyne Rensch was back, with Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala and Matias Soulé.
Fenerbahce's last Champions League proper game was 18 years ago, but Matteo Guendouzi was suspended after insulting French fans during the fiery play-off with Lyon. Jayden Oosterwolde and Marco Asensio were injured, with ex-Serie A players Milan Skriniar, Romelu Lukaku and Mert Muldur in the squad, plus Mason Greenwood, who chose the Turkish side over Roma this summer.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: A TIFO of Frankenstein's Monster is displayed by fans as players of AS Roma line up before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

#league

Lorenzo Bettoni and Wayne Girard take a closer look at Roma's impressive start to the season under Gian Piero Gasperini, examining how the new coach has quickly stamped his authority on the Giallorossi.
They discuss the growing influence and power Gasperini appears to have within the club, arguably more than any of his predecessors, including José Mourinho, and what that could mean for Roma's ambitions this season.
VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, gestures to his players during the Serie A match between ***** as Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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The pair also turn their attention to Donyell Malen and the role Gasperini could play in unlocking the striker's full potential. Could the Roma boss help Malen mount a serious challenge for Gonzalo Higuaín's remarkable 36-goal Serie A record?

#gian #serie #malen #coach

Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri has warned Roma that Donyell Malen is in "a state of grace" ahead of Saturday evening's meeting at the Stadio Olimpico, while admitting he is delighted that the summer transfer window has finally closed.
Malen has made an immediate impression since joining Roma and will be one of the main attacking threats Sarri's side must contain. The Atalanta coach singled out the Dutchman when discussing how his team have prepared for the difficult away fixture.
"Malen is in a state of grace, so it will be important to stop him," with quotes via TuttoSport.
Sarri is also aware that his team face a significant physical challenge. Atalanta are the only Serie A side to have already played four matches in 11 days, leaving limited opportunities to train and prepare specifically for their opponents.
"It is a match between a team that already has 13 or 14 months of work behind it and one like ours that has had 45 days."

#atalanta

From Atalanta to Roma, from the transfer market to Scudetto dreams, passing through Dybala, Malen, Mora, and the Champions League.
Gian Piero Gasperini opens up about his career in a long interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, on the eve of the match against his past. An inevitably special reunion: "We parted ways with Atalanta at the right time. Tomorrow will be like a lover reuniting with his ex, but Roma has given me new goals. I'm happy here."
Gasperini has also been captivated by the capital: "The most beautiful thing I've seen is the Sistine Chapel, but the tomb of St. Peter also moved me."
Meanwhile, he's enjoying a team that started strong and an atmosphere that has started to dream again.
Cristante and Pellegrini have spoken openly about the Scudetto and the Circus Maximus, but the coach has no intention of dampening their enthusiasm: "You can never stifle dreams. The important thing is knowing that, when the alarm goes off, reality is something else. Then, if you live reality the right way, you can also make it match your dreams."

#started #Reality

Roma and Atalanta face off this Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A.
Roma have picked up 6 points and currently lie in 1st position. Last time out, Gian Piero Gasperini's team triumphed 0-4 against Lecce (Serie A 2026/27).
Atalanta have 6 points to their name this season and occupy 5th position in the table. In their last match, Maurizio Sarri's team prevailed 1-0 against Bologna (Serie A 2026/27).
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw.
Roma: Mile Svilar, Daniele Ghilardi, Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné, Wesley França, Matìas Soulé, Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala

#serie #atalanta #team

With just under 12 hours left before the transfer window closes, Roma are searching for a left winger to complete Gasperini's attack.
The Grugliasco-born coach, satisfied after the 0-4 win over Lecce, is looking for another player with different characteristics who can raise the bar for his attack, spearheaded by Malen and Dybala.
In recent hours, after failing to secure Leweling's opening midfielder despite an agreement between Roma and Stuttgart, Gudmundsson has been linked with the option.
The Fiorentina striker finished last season with 2,782 minutes of play, 10 goals and 6 ***** ists, in all competitions. The 1997-born player is leaving Fiorentina just hours before the transfer window closes.
As Alfredo Pedullà reports, if the player moves to the capital, he won't wear the Giallorossi jersey, as he isn't part of the club's plans.

#born

Making his debut as a starter, then coming off the bench and scoring his first goal for the Giallorossi.
Rodrigo Mora has already made his mark, displaying great quality and already earning praise from Gasperini, who seems to be raving about him.
After the victory against Lecce, the young Portuguese gave his first TV interview: "I want to continue like this, it was kind of the dream I wanted to start with. Last year didn't go as I expected, now I want to continue like this."
"It's a dream to play with Dybala, I've been following him since I was a kid. I even tried to give him an ******* ist, it's wonderful to play with players like that. And also with Malen, who scored five goals in two games."
"Gasperini? He was one of the reasons I came here, he was decisive in my choice. He wanted a player with my characteristics. I want to continue like this with him."

#want #continue #wanted #making

After their 4-0 opening-day victory against Fiorentina, Roma are eager to confirm their form at 6:00 PM at the Via del Mare against Eusebio Di Francesco's Lecce.
Gian Piero Gasperini will certainly start with the Dybala-Malen pairing, with Mora ahead of Soulè for the third-choice attack. The other contender is on the right flank: Lulli or Molina?
The 2007-born player, who trained in the Giallorossi youth system, is expected to be retained, with the former Atletico Madrid player possibly coming on during the match.
In fact, Roma could take the field in Lecce with the same team that won 4-0 against Fiorentina.

#roma #player #gian

At the Olimpico on Saturday, August 24, Roma put together a display that went further than the usual opening-day adrenaline: dominant possession and chance creation that kept coming, while Fiorentina struggled to build anything resembling a move.
Possession sat at 61% for the hosts against 39% for Fiorentina, which is more than can be said for the shot counts, where the numbers moved around depending on who was counting. Shots on target were the clearest gap: seven for Roma against a single one from Fiorentina all afternoon. Roma also completed nearly twice as many passes as their visitors and won the aerial battle comfortably, 9 duels to 3. What stood out more than any single number was the shape of the pressing: wing backs pushing forward with real consistency and a high line that didn't switch off even when the ball looked lost, closer to the front-foot version of Gasperini's football than the more cautious, results-first team we mostly saw for long stretches last season.
One match isn't enough to declare a tactical shift official, but when what you watched lines up with what little hard data holds steady across sources, the signal still carries some weight.
Malen and Dybala are already speaking the same language
Donyell Malen closed the game with a hat-trick, in the 27th, 52nd and 60th minutes, and every single goal came from a Paulo Dybala ****** ist. One player supplying all three ****** ists for a Serie A hat-trick is rarer than you'd think: the last time it happened was May 2, 2021, when Rodrigo Palacio scored a treble for Bologna against Fiorentina off three ****** ists from Emanuel Vignato, in a game that finished 3-3. Malen walked off with a perfect 10.0 Sofascore rating after just 68 minutes, subbed before full time because there was nothing left to prove.

#malen #single #possession #last

Roma is working to provide Gian Piero Gasperini with an attacking winger to complement the lineup of Dybala, Soulé, Mora, and Pellegrini, while excluding the three central attackers Malen, Castro, and Vaz.
A key player is still missing; the lack of a left winger with the ability to sprint at pace is palpable. D'Amico's eyes are on Malick Fofana and Gittens.
Gasp is confident that the Friedkins have been convinced to make one last effort, but there are no significant progress signs for either the Lyon or Chelsea winger. However, beware of potential surprises.
Gian Piero Gasperini expects another striker from the current transfer window, which ends on September 1st at 8:00 PM.
As Corriere della Sera reports, sporting director Tony D'Amico is keeping in mind an alternative, which he has been quietly working on, in addition to Gittens and Fofana.

#piero #gittens #dybala #soul

Roma stars Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala were the standout performers in Serie A round 1, but Italian players left their mark as well, especially Pio Esposito, Antonio Vergara and Davide Frattesi.
The opening round of the 2026-27 Serie A campaign is in the history books, with all the top clubs in Italy's top flight securing victories.
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on August 24, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 15: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma at Signal Iduna Park on August 15, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Roma's 4-0 win over Fiorentina on Monday was the last game of Week 1 and featured the weekend's absolute best players: Dybala and Malen. The latter scored a hat-trick, inspired by three ****** ists from La Joya.

#donyell #paulo

We're officially past the point in the U-23 rankings where potential alone will get you a spot. When you make your way closer and closer to #1 , you have to show ability in a top-flight league, preferably Serie A, to show that you're a serious hope for the future and for the present. There's no doubt that Santiago Castro has the Serie A experience necessary to view him as a player that Roma can rely on now and for the next five seasons. The biggest question circling the new Giallorossi #9 is whether he will be able to seize the opportunity handed to him confidently, with Donyell Malen ahead of him in the pecking order.
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Shades of: Lautaro Martinez, Julián Álvarez, Carlos Tevez with less wide play
Santiago Castro (who likes to go by Santi) was born in San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina, nearly 22 years ago. He first came to the attention of the Argentine football system while playing for the youth team at Vélez Sarsfield, the club he joined at age seven. After a decade in that youth system, Castro was given the chance to debut for their senior side in August 2021 at the age of sixteen. Since then, it's been a generally quick rise to the top for the young striker, as he racked up 65 appearances across all competitions for Vélez Sarsfield before transferring to Bologna in January 2024 for around €13.2 million.

#sarsfield

Roma are reportedly lining up a summer bid for Lyon forward Malick Fofana to bolster their attacking ranks. According to recent domestic reports, the Belgian starlet has become one of the club's top targets.
Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to reinforce his attacking options after helping Roma return to the Champions League for the first time since 2018. The Giallorossi have already signed Donyell Malen on a permanent deal. Furthermore, Santiago Castro has joined the club from Bologna for a reported fee of €35 million.
In addition to Castro, Roma could soon meet Bologna at the negotiating table again to discuss the future of Jonathan Rowe. They've also been exploring a move for Strasbourg's Diego Moreira. However, that deal now appears to be dead in the water, prompting the Giallorossi to expand their search for a new winger.
Priced out of the move for RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa, Roma have now set their sights on Malick Fofana. After an impressive 2024/25 breakout season, the 21-year-old suffered a severe ankle injury that sidelined him for almost the entire 2025/26 campaign.
Concerns over Fofana's fitness could make Roma hesitant to meet Lyon's asking price, especially given his lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, his explosive pace, direct running and ability to operate on either flank make him an intriguing option for Gasperini.

#fofana

Donyell Malen said it would be 'a dream' to win the Scudetto with Roma, explains he's 'not jealous' of Aston Villa winning the Europa League, and tried to talk Crysencio Summerville into a move.
The striker made an astonishing impact on Italian football when he arrived from Aston Villa in January, scoring 14 goals in just 18 competitive games.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Considering that was just with six months, could he aim to become the first Roma player since Edin Dzeko a decade ago to be Serie A Capocannoniere?
"I hope so, but I want to focus on improving week by week, then we'll see how many goals I manage to score," Malen told Il Messaggero newspaper.

#malen #donyell #aston

Roma have set sights on both Endrick and Franco Mastantuono to complete their frontline. Gian Piero Gasperini have explicitly asked for two more forwards, despite the recent arrival of Santiago Castro.
According to Alfredo Pedullà, the Giallorossi have been keeping tabs on the Brazilian for a month, but they are unlikely to pounce on him in short order. They want to make a splash on the left wing first, for Antonio Nusa or other options, before addressing the other one. The future of Matias Soulé, who's been for sale for the whole summer but not particularly close to leaving yet, also contributes to the timing.
Roma are dueling with Fiorentina for Mastantuono, while Endrick has some suitors abroad, Mediaset reports. The former is poised to go out on loan or with a formula similar to Nico Paz's. That could also be the case for his teammate, who has a €45/50M price tag.
The capital club has some tactical reservations. The 20-year-old isn't a pure winger nor a no.10 and is at his best as a false-nine. He's not far from Donyell Malen and Castro in terms of characteristics, even though he could still be molded. He starred for Olympique Lyonnais last year, notching 8 goals and 8 ****** ists in 21 fixtures.
Perhaps there could be an opening to sign the former permanently, as he's been under Real Madrid's control for longer without properly leveling up; if not, they'd better look elsewhere, as this kind of deal is a double-edged sword and works okay only for second-tier teams, as it winds up developing youngsters for somebody else's benefit.

#former #franco #gasperini

Roma is moving the market in search of an offensive reinforcement to replace Malen.
The Giallorossi management is working to bring him to the capital.
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the hot name is Nicolò Tresoldi. Roma is pushing hard for the striker, maintaining contact with Club Brugge in an attempt to find a solution that could unlock the deal.
The Belgian club, however, currently appears unwilling to sell their player.
Club Brugge has already rejected a €35 million offer and considers Tresoldi a key player, effectively declaring him not for sale. This clear position complicates the Roman club’s plans.

#brugge #giallorossi #tavolieri

Netherlands international Crysencio Summerville appears to be on the verge of joining Al-Hilal in a staggering €80m package, despite the best attempts of Roma and centre-forward Donyell Malen, who made a last-ditch attempt to convince his international colleague to join him at the Stadio Olimpico.
For several days, Roma had been engaged in negotiations with Summerville, who has been seeking a move away from West Ham United following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The Giallorossi were hoping to secure a deal in the region of €50m with bonuses included, which would have made the Dutchman the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
However, according to updates on Tuesday, Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal have stepped forwards with a staggering offer worth around €80m in transfer fees and around €60m in wages for Summerville over the duration of a four-year contract.
That salary offer is almost four times as high as the €4m-per-season proposal that Roma had put forward.

#hilal #staggering #made

Today is the first day of training camp at Trigoria, but there's still a lot of work to do regarding the transfer market.
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini's priority is strengthening the attack, and the Giallorossi are keeping a close eye on several players.
One of the names on the list is Nicolò Tresoldi, considered a good fit for Malen's backup.
However, in addition to Roma, other foreign clubs are also monitoring the striker's situation.
Tresoldi isn't just a target for Roma. According to fussballdaten.de, several European clubs have their eyes on the 2004-born player.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Radio Anch'io Sport on the first day of Roma's preseason.
The Giallorossi manager touched upon several topics including Manu Kone and Donyell Malen's World Cup performances and their future.
"Malen? These guys play 12 months a year, not all of them arrived at the World Cup in top condition. It's not easy to consistently play at the highest level after a difficult and tiring season."
"Then again, players also reflect the value of their team. Malen reflects the Netherlands' performance; in the past, there had been this doubt about his position. He can play further out, but for me, never: he plays close to the goal."
"Kone? Unlike Malen, he was sidelined for a while due to injury and arrived at the World Cup in better shape. Last year, he hadn't played for France yet, and he managed to earn a starting spot, which shows his true worth."

Roma has identified Nicolò Tresoldi as the right candidate to serve as Malen's ***** istant.
The Club Brugge striker has clear ideas and has already made his decision: he wants to wear the Giallorossi jersey.
The 2004-born player has already given the green light to a move to the capital, confident he can work and grow under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Tresoldi finished the season with extraordinary numbers: 23 goals and 9 ***** ists in 3,315 minutes. He also made a positive impact in the Champions League, scoring three goals in 10 games against Monaco, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid.
Gasperini believes Tresoldi is the ideal player to strengthen the attack.

Artem Dovbyk's career at Roma is drawing to a close, with the Ukrainian striker set to leave the Stadio Olimpico after two years. According to Calciomercato, Ajax have joined the race to sign the 29-year-old.
Roma dashed out €30.5 million plus €5.5 million in bonuses to secure Dovbyk's services in 2024. He was on fire at Girona, winning La Liga's Golden Boot award in the 2023/24 season, which made the Serie A giants believe he could be an answer to their scoring problems.
However, Dovbyk has never settled into life in Serie A. Last season was disappointing for the robust center-forward, as he made just 14 league appearances and scored three goals. Needless to say, he has fallen out of favor with manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
After being deemed surplus to requirements, he's now preparing to leave Roma. Despite his underwhelming year, the Giallorossi have slapped a €23 million price tag on his shoulders and seem unwilling to budge on their valuation.
With Donyell Malen joining the club on a permanent basis, Roma are keen to offload Dovbyk, especially now that they're pursuing several high-profile targets. In addition to Strasbourg starlet Diego Moreira, they've also set their sights on Chelsea outcast Alejandro Garnacho.

Roma has identified Nicolò Tresoldi as Malen’s replacement.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Club Brugge player has already expressed his approval and has also spoken to Niccolò Pisilli about the deal: the two met when they faced each other for the Under-19s in 2022 and have remained in touch.
Negotiations are expected to accelerate next week.
As added by Alfredo Pedullà, Tresoldi has a lot of market interest but for now he’s waiting for Roma’s first moves.
The Giallorossi club really likes the striker and, as revealed a few days ago, they could make the move regardless of a possible sale of Dovbyk.

Matias Soulé could leave Roma.
Although the Giallorossi club made it through June 30 without making any major transfers, the 2003-born player remains on the move.
Gian Piero Gasperini is looking for two starting strikers behind Malen, and in the coming weeks, the Argentine winger could be the prime candidate to leave the capital.
The former Frosinone player, despite a difficult second half of the season due to groin pain, has attracted the attention of several clubs, including Sunderland, where former Roma sporting director Ghisolfi works.
In the end, Soulé could move to the Premier League. According to English portal teamtalk.com, Ghisolfi, who brought the Argentine winger to Roma in 2024, is interested in signing the 2003-born player to strengthen Sunderland's squad.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is waiting to sign a contract renewal with Roma.
An agreement with the Giallorossi club will need to be reached in the coming days, as the player is currently a free agent and is expected to arrive at Trigoria on July 13th for a training camp ahead of next season.
The Giallorossi number 7 is important to Gasperini, who has requested his continued presence, despite the expected arrival of two starters behind Malen. In short, his role within Roma could change.
The Roman midfielder’s agent, however, has had an initial meeting with D’Amico, and the parties are working towards a final agreement.
There’s still a gap between supply and demand, but Pellegrini is set to sign a contract with Roma.

Artem Dovbyk is expected to leave Roma.
The Ukrainian striker isn't part of Gian Piero Gasperini's coaching plan, although he will likely attend the training camp scheduled for July 13th at Trigoria.
The Giallorossi, however, intend to capitalize on the former Girona player's sale, allowing them to invest in Malen as his replacement. Genoa has made an offer for Dovbyk but has requested the player on loan, a deal that can't meet Roma's financial needs.
Daniele De Rossi has made moves to bring Artem Dovbyk to Genoa. As Corriere dello Sport reports, the former Roma coach spoke directly with the player to understand the terms of the deal, but the club has put a damper on the deal.
The Giallorossi are unwilling to accept a loan deal that would also require them to contribute to the player's wages. A different deal is being worked on at Trigoria that could guarantee a financial return for the club.

On Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical board, a name is rumored to be written in red: Nicolò Tresoldi.
The center forward for Club Brugge. A talent closely monitored in recent months, far from prying eyes, and one for whom the coach holds great esteem.
Moving along a fine line of interlocking destinies, Roma is targeting the Italian-German player as Malen’s understudy.
However, they will have to make a dramatic departure: that of Ukrainian Artem Dovbyk.
Club Brugge value him at €25 million, and the Giallorossi would like to sign him on loan with an option to buy.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is waiting to sign a contract renewal with Roma.
An agreement with the Giallorossi club will need to be reached in the coming days, as the player is currently a free agent and is expected to arrive at Trigoria on July 13th for a training camp ahead of next season.
The Giallorossi number 7 is an important player for Gasperini, who has requested his continued tenure, despite the expected arrival of two starters behind Malen.
Therefore, his role within Roma could change. The Roman midfielder’s agent, however, has had an initial meeting with D’Amico, and the parties are working towards a final agreement.
The gap between supply and demand remains, but Pellegrini has always given priority to Roma.

Roma isn’t just looking at Mason Greenwood to strengthen their attack.
Gian Piero Gasperini has laid out the path: they need at least two starters behind Malen, the only player capable of scoring double figures last season.
They also need to add players who know how to damage opposing defenses and have a good eye for goal. Among the wingers being monitored is Alejandro Garnacho.
The 2004-born player has qualities the Giallorossi coach appreciates: speed, dribbling, and unpredictability. His sprints, bursts of speed, and quality play make the Argentine left winger a perfect fit for Roma.
As reported by Il Messaggero, all eyes are on Alejandro Garnacho, but Chelsea are currently unwilling to take a loan.

Roma’s attacking certainty is Donyell Malen.
To improve their attack ahead of next season, the Giallorossi are seeking suitors for Dovbyk (watch out for Genoa) and Vaz (on loan).
Inevitably, the focus will then be on a center forward who will allow the Dutch striker to rest and have a ready alternative in case of poor performances in front of goal.
Aside from Greenwood, Roma is exploring several players who could be a good fit, especially if the former Girona player were to leave, as he is currently holding off on any incoming deals. Among those being monitored is Andrea Pinamonti.
As reported by Tuttosport, in addition to Tresoldi, the Giallorossi are also considering the Sassuolo striker, a player already familiar with Serie A.

Roma continues to monitor the transfer market for a new backup for Malen.
In the last few hours, Romulo has been linked with a move to the capital.
According to ASpor, the Giallorossi are also among the clubs interested in the striker, valued by Leipzig at around €50 million.
According to the Turkish press, other clubs are also reportedly interested in the 2002-born Brazilian, including Galatasaray, who are reportedly pushing to bring the striker back to Turkey after his time at Goztepe.
The potential arrival of a new center forward, however, depends on the departures.