2,745 is a pretty substantial figure, and fortunately, it's one Roma will no longer need to dwell on. That was the number of days between their last Champions League game, against Porto in 2019, and Thursday's clash with Fenerbahçe upon their return to the competition.
Roma claimed a 1-1 draw away from home, going ahead via Bryan Cristante before Archie Brown equalised for the hosts.
So, what were the numbers that stood out from the game?
As in the number of Champions League debutants Roma had on the pitch, including three in their starting lineup. Of course, everyone except Cristante, a veteran of the 2018-19 season, was playing in the Champions League for Roma for the first time. But Gianluca Mancini, Manu Koné and Wesley were newcomers to the competition altogether. So were substitutes Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora, who were aged 14 and 11 respectively when Roma last played a Champions League fixture.
As it happens, the last time Roma had five Champions League debutants in the same game was against Atlético Madrid in September 2017, when Alisson Becker, Bruno Peres, Juan Jesus, Grégoire Defrel and Lorenzo Pellegrini made their bows in Europe's premier competition. The only time Roma have had more Champions League debutants on the pitch in a single game was their first game in the competition in 2001.

#last #time #cristante #number

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

Real Madrid's visit to Sevilla to face Betis is not expected to be an easy one even if Manuel Pellegrini's side just lost to Levante 5-2 a handful of days ago. They're always a strong home team, so this could be the first time this season that Madrid truly need to defend at a high level if they want the three points.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois, Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella, Bernardo, Valverde, Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé.
Betis predicted XI: Valles, Bellerín, Diego Llorente, Natan, Fran García, Facundo, Fornals, Antony, Isco, Riquelme, Cucho.
HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA

#manuel #they 're

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

AS Roma travel to Salento to face Lecce at the Stadio Ettore Giardiniero on Sunday in their next Serie A fixture.
The Giallorossi arrive in excellent form, sitting atop the table after a convincing 4-0 victory over Fiorentina on Matchday 1. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have strung together six straight Serie A wins stretching back into the closing stages of last season, recording five clean sheets during that run. Historically strong against Lecce, Roma have won their last four meetings and start as clear favourites to lengthen that streak.
Manager Gian Piero Gasperini must balance new signings with a handful of ongoing injury issues ahead of the trip to Salento. Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi has been included in the squad for the first time and is widely expected to make his starting debut.
Midfielder Marten De Roon has quickly become part of the group after a surprise deadline-day move from Atalanta.
However, Roma will be without key players Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, both sidelined with thigh and flexor problems; both are due to rejoin full team training next week.

#roma #next

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

A member of the defensive ranks at Real Betis is considered an injury doubt for the club's opening fixture of the new La Liga campaign. This comes owing to developments in the Verdiblancos' latest friendly outing.
Betis were back in action on Saturday, locking horns with Italian champions Inter Milan amid ongoing preparations for the 2026/27 season.
When all was said and done, Manuel Pellegrini's troops were condemned to the wrong side of a 1-0 result. And as alluded to above, their woes did not end with the eventual outcome…
In addition, Real Betis saw an important member of their defensive setup dealt an injury setback. During the opening exchanges on Saturday, Héctor Bellerín was the victim of a blow to the ankle. After attempting to run the problem off, the former **** nal man was ultimately forced to limp off.
And Bellerín, as a result, has been labelled an early doubt for his side's La Liga season opener against Real Sociedad next Friday. As per a report from Mundo Deportivo:

#beller #member

Roma restarts from Trigoria, and Gian Piero Gasperini is back with one of his key players.
Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to the Fulvio Bernardini Training Center after his long-awaited contract renewal, marking a step forward in the process that will gradually bring him back into the team's fold.
The Giallorossi midfielder, however, is not yet ready to train with his teammates.
After recurring from a muscle injury to the rectus femoris in his right thigh, the player is completing the final stage of the recovery program developed by Roma's medical and athletic staff.
The club remains cautious.

#roma #gasperini #pellegrini #bernardini

Roma have been busy on and off the pitch, confirming Marash **** bulla's departure and tying down Lorenzo Pellegrini to a new contract, while Bryan Cristante moved to defuse talk of a training-camp bust-up with Paulo Dybala.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, **** bulla's exit is now official: the defender joins Rayo Vallecano on a loan with an option to buy, returning to LaLiga after previous spells with Espanyol and Mallorca.
He leaves having made 68 appearances across four seasons and played his part in Roma's 2022 Conference League triumph.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
The bigger boost for Gian Piero Gasperini concerns Pellegrini. The club captain has signed a contract extension until 2027 after recovering from injury, with only the official announcement outstanding, expected in the coming hours.

#league #rome #march

Lorenzo Pellegrini will rejoin Roma today.
After a long and unusual wait of over a month, the number 7 will return to Trigoria today for at least a year.
A medical appointment was scheduled for this morning at the Campus Biomedico, followed by the signing and official confirmation of the contract renewal, strongly supported by Gasperini, in the afternoon.
It's clear that if it were up to the owners, Pellegrini's contract would not have been renewed.
The club's resistance has led to a prolonged stalemate, with even the final details of the new contract being tweaked.

#roma

Arsenal faces Real Betis at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Wednesday in a preseason friendly, the first meeting between the two clubs at any level.
The Gunners have had a comfortable summer so far, beating MK Dons 3-0 behind closed doors and Girona 4-1 on Saturday.
Arsenal won the Premier League last season and reached the Champions League final. Max Dowman scored and set one up in Girona. New signing Christos Tzolis also found the net.
Watch ***** nal vs. Real Betis on Fubo
Betis is much further along in its preparations. Manuel Pellegrini's side has played five friendlies already, with a 4-0 win over Lyon plus victories against Sportfreunde Lotte, Recreativo Huelva and Almería.

#arsenal #dons

Matteo Cancellieri has become a conundrum for Lazio, especially with his move to Celtic becoming increasingly unlikely.
The Biancocelesti started the summer with several players running on expiring contracts. However, they have already cashed in on Ivan Provedel and Mario Gila, while Alessio Romagnoli and Luca Pellegrini could follow suit. On the contrary, Danilo Cataldi could soon sign an extension.
As for Cancellieri, he has been placed on the transfer list, as his management believes it is the right time to part ways with the winger who joined the club in 2022 but has yet to fulfil his early career promise.
In recent weeks, Celtic emerged as the reported frontrunners in the race for the Roman, while West Ham United were said to be behind the reigning Scottish champions. But according to Il Messaggero (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Cancellieri's move to Glasgow has become more and more 'complicated ', leaving the Aquile in a tough spot.
As the source explains, Lazio still prefer to cash in on the player, even though Gustav Isaksen's current absence could give Gennaro Gattuso second thoughts. The Lazio boss expects to have the Danish winger at his disposal in the coming weeks, as he continues to recover from a groin surgery, while the versatile Tijjani Noslin is being tested on the right wing.

#become

Abde Ezzalzouli has become one of the biggest names in the transfer market after enjoying the best season of his career with Real Betis.
The Moroccan winger was a key attacking outlet for Manuel Pellegrini during 2025-26, contributing 15 goals and 13 **** ists in 43 official matches, numbers that have significantly boosted his profile across Europe.
That form, however, was cut short by a knee ligament injury that ruled him out of Morocco's World Cup, denying him the chance to further enhance his reputation on the biggest stage.
Abde's future still remains unsure. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images)
According to Diario SPORT, Roma are now considering Abde as a potential attacking reinforcement, with the Italian club evaluating him among their options for the summer window.

#abde #manuel

Manchester City will embark on their first season without Pep Guardiola as manager for over a decade, as incoming boss Enzo Maresca prepares to take on the role.
The Italian head coach becomes just City's fourth manager in more than two decades following Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini, and Roberto Mancini, and embarking on his third stay at the Etihad Stadium.
After spells within the club's Academy system, before departing to take on a head coach role in Italian football and returning to become Guardiola's **** istant in the 2022/23 season, Enzo Maresca has now been tasked with steering the club into a new era.
Among the early challenges is the summer transfer window and how best to tackle the exits of Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and possibly more including Rodri, as well as identifying the necessary stars to bolster his playing squad.
Now, ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season, here are all of the key dates you need to know and make a note of for a big season in the history of Manchester City!

#manchester

AC Milan's Serie A campaign begins on 23 August, with an away trip to face Ignazio Abate's Torino. One curious statistic links the Rossoneri's last three league visits to Turin: each match featured a penalty. Yet AC Milan only came away victorious when the spot-kick was awarded to the opposition, in one of football's many quirks. The sequence began in February 2025. Torino took the lead through an own goal before referee Simone Sozza awarded AC Milan a first-half penalty. Christian Pulisic stepped up, but Milinković-Savić produced an excellent save. Despite creating numerous chances and eventually finding an equaliser, the Rossoneri ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat.
A different outcome followed a few months later, in early October 2025, when referee Marco Guida pointed to the spot during Juventus vs AC Milan with the score still goalless. Once again, Pulisic took the penalty, but his effort drifted narrowly wide, and the match finished 0-0. Two months later, it was back to Turin once more. Early in the game between Torino and AC Milan, referee Chiffi awarded a penalty to the hosts. Vlašić converted to give Torino the lead, but after a dramatic and eventful contest, the Rossoneri fought back to secure a 3-2 victory. The penalty spot has also featured prominently in Mike Maignan's summer, who began his World Cup campaign by saving Erling Strand Larsen's penalty in France's victory over Norway. Before that save on the world stage, Maignan had already denied Dybala and Çalhanoğlu from the spot in Serie A, while the only players to beat him were Pellegrini (Roma) and Vlašić (Torino, twice).
The new AC Milan 2026/27 Home Kit is available: buy it now!

#spot

Roma won the friendly match at Trigoria against Trastevere 6-0.
After the match, Bryan Cristante spoke to the media: "We're working well, we already know the coach's concepts, we're providing consistency, we're working hard."
"New faces? Someone will arrive, the club will take care of that."
Cristante awaits Pellegrini's return to the team: "Yes, I've spoken to him, we're waiting for him with open arms: we hope he returns to the team as soon as possible."
Cristante hasn't set any goals for next season: "It's time to build consistency. We want to grow and have a great season like last year. This year, there's also the Champions League, which will clearly make the initial phase tougher. We want to have a good season; setting goals now is difficult."

#goals #want

Lorenzo Pellegrini is waiting to return to Trigoria to prepare for the 2026-27 season alongside the teammates he helped reach the Champions League with.
The midfielder has always prioritized renewing his contract with Roma, but time is ticking and there’s no sign of an agreement.
The 1996-born midfielder has rejected interest from other clubs, including Juventus, but negotiations to reach a new agreement are progressing slowly.
Pellegrini has been a free agent for 23 days and no longer has a contract with Roma.
The number 7 is working with a fitness coach in Forte dei Marmi, waiting to reunite with Gian Piero Gasperini, who has stated his desire to continue investing in him.

#roma #midfielder #lorenzo #trigoria

Roma have secured the long-term future of both Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini.
The two Giallorossi captains are set to stay in the Italian capital after weeks of discussions regarding their new contracts.
As confirmed by Filippo Biafora of Il Tempo, Roma and the players' agent, Giuseppe Riso, have completed the agreement to extend both players' contracts.
The matter is now closed, whereas there is still a need to further discuss Lorenzo Pellegrini's deal – the midfielder, in fact, is still a free agent after his contract ended on June 30th.

Roma is preparing to officially announce several contract renewals.
The training camp at Trigoria will begin on Monday, and Gasperini will officially begin his second season as Roma coach.
Among the coach's requests were the retention of Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Celik. Gianluca Mancini is in the clear.
Surprisingly, given that his contract with the Roman club expires on June 30, 2027, the third extension, following the new agreement with La Joya and the Turkish full-back, will be that of Roma's number 23. This comes before Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal.
Lorenzo Pellegrini may start his training camp with Roma late.

Manchester City have confirmed the coaches that will join the club as part of Enzo Maresca's backroom team, with all having previously worked with the Italian.
Maresca signed a three-year contract to replace Pep Guardiola and compatriot Roberto Vitiello will become his new **** istant manager.
The 43-year-old started his career at Parma and played for Cesena, Vicenza, Rimini, Siena and at Palermo along with Maresca.
Willy Caballero joins as a first-team coach and returns to City, where he made 48 appearances as a goalkeeper and helped them win the 2013-14 League Cup with some penalty shootout heroics.
The Argentine is a former team-mate of Maresca from when they played for Malaga under ex-City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Real Madrid have agreed to sell left-back Fran Garcia to La Liga rivals Real Betis in a deal worth €4 million for 50% of the player’s economic rights, reports El Chiringuito TV.
By retaining half of the 26-year-old’s future economic rights, Real Madrid ensure they will pocket half of any transfer fee should Betis decide to sell him down the line.
Furthermore, the report states that Garcia has finalised personal terms with the Andalusian club, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract that ties him to the Estadio Benito Villamarín until June 2030.
The moving parts of the deal progressed rapidly after Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini identified the energetic full-back as a priority signing to reinforce his defensive flank.
On his way to Real Betis. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

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.

Lazio left-back Luca Pellegrini could end up in the Premier League, with Hull City and Ipswich Town among his suitors.
The 27-year-old is a childhood Lazio supporter who realized his dream by joining his beloved club in January 2023. This season, he finally had a run in the starting lineup, with Maurizio Sarri dropping Nuno Tavares to the bench. However, the Portuguese ended up recovering his place in the starting XI towards the end of the season, so Pellegrini found himself on the bench again.
With only one year left on his contract, the Roman is expected to be sold this summer, especially following the arrival of Alfonso Pedraza, who completed a free transfer from Villarreal.
According to La Repubblica (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Pellegrini has several admirers on the market, especially outside Italy. The newspaper reveals interest from the newly promoted Premier League duo of Hull City and Ipswich Town. In Spain, the left-back is well-liked by Espanyol and Celta Vigo.
Pellegrini was previously linked with Serie A sides, but Como had already signed a new left-back in Kaiki, while others would struggle to match his salary (circa €1.5 million per year). The Italian full-back made 90 appearances for Lazio in total, producing seven **** ists and only two goals, but he arguably scored the club’s best goal of the previous campaign

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.

As of July 1st, Lorenzo Pellegrini is a free agent.
The Roma captain concluded his official contract with the club and is now in talks to extend his deal.
However, at the same time, there is growing interest in the player from abroad.
As journalist Flavio Maria Tassotti reports, Besiktas, led by new coach Vincenzo Italiano, has its eye on the midfielder.
The player, however, wants to prioritize Roma and is waiting for the club to renew his contract.

Enzo Maresca is part Italian, part Spanish in his approach to coaching and life.
His Spanish influence stems from his family, and his exposure to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona while he was at Sevilla and Malaga during the peak years of his playing career.
Facing a Barcelona side regarded by some as the greatest club team of all time opened Maresca's eyes to a new way of playing, and helped spark the trend for technical, possession-based teams dominating at the highest level.
In Spain, Maresca also met his trusted ******* istant, Willy Caballero, and his children were born there. Spanish is now the main language spoken at home within his large family.
It was also his "football father", former Manchester City and West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini, who identified during Maresca's playing days that he had the qualities to become a coach.

ABC 22 June 2026
According to ABC in Spain, ***** nal have strengthened their medical and performance department by signing Eneko Angulo, the head of rehabilitation for Real Betis’ first team.
Angulo leaves Betis after 12 years with the Spanish club, where he had worked across the youth academy before taking responsibility for first-team set-up.
Mateo Gonzalez reports that Angulo accepted a “lucrative offer” from the Premier League champions and Champions League finalists.
Angulo had initially developed his work at Betis as an ***** istant in Manuel Pellegrini’s first-team set-up, after previously gaining experience in the academy.

These are crucial days for Roma’s present and future.
From today, there are three weeks to go until the Giallorossi’s next training camp, and Celik, Dybala, and Pellegrini (all with expiring contracts) are officially unsure whether they will be able to attend.
The next few hours will be crucial in finalizing the new agreements.
Gasperini has made a personal commitment and would like to build on the core team that helped him reach the Champions League in his first attempt as Roma coach.
Celik is expected to sign for just under €3 million net, Pellegrini’s agent will meet with D’Amico shortly, and a deal is expected for Dybala.

Following the departure of Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna has decided to start over with Domenico Tedesco.
In the coming days, the Rossoblu will begin preparing the transfer market for their new coach, who will be making his debut in Italy.
Among the options being put to the former Fenerbahçe manager is Robinio Vaz.
The French striker, who arrived in Rome during the winter transfer window, delivered his most convincing performances for the Giallorossi in the two Europa League matches against Bologna. The 2007-born player earned a penalty and provided an ****** ist for Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Roma appears intent on letting Robinio Vaz leave to gain experience and earn the playing time he’s unlikely to earn with Malen.

As the whole world descended on Brazil in 2014, several City players went into the FIFA World Cup full of enthusiasm.
Men's Team
Manuel Pellegrini’s side had just lifted the Premier League for the second time in three seasons, while 10 of those went to one of the game’s spiritual homes with glory on their mind.
Here we’ll take a look at how they did…
All three were heavily involved for La Albiceleste as they reached the final and came within one swing of Mario Gotze’s boot away from taking the showpiece to penalties.