The dawn of a new season is always a time for optimism. The new signings are still gleaming with potential (even if they were hurt several hours after signing with the club), the fans are in full voice, and the manager is brimming with energy, ready to tackle the enormous task of turning Roma into a winner. With 38 blank slates ahead of them, anything is possible for Gian Piero Gasperini and the Giallorossi.
So, before the season begins on Saturday against Bologna, the CdT crew assembled to discuss
the major issues facing Roma this season: How will the club respond to Gasperini? Can he replicate his Atalanta success in Rome? Do Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have a future with the club? Where will Roma finish on the table?
And be sure to give us your takes in the comments section!
Now that we’ve seen Gasperini’s ball in the flesh, what are you most looking forward to this season? What changes should Roma fans anticipate under his management?
Bren: As much as I love and admire Claudio Ranieri, he didn’t do much to revive Roma’s moribund attack, so it will be nice to be on the other end of a Gasperini ass whooping for once. I’m not sure Roma will be the most prolific team in the league right off the bat, but I don’t think we’ll be sweating out one-nil matches every week.
Given how demanding his brand of football is, I’m hopeful we’ll see fewer muscular injuries this season, thanks to his training regimens. Of course, the opposite could happen, too–he could cause Paulo Dybala’s legs to disintegrate.
ssciavillo: I’m looking forward to a more progressive, attacking style of football that should bring the best out of some of the club’s biggest talents like Soule and Ferguson. Matches in general should feature more goals under Gasperini than they did under Ranieri or Mourinho. That should make for some exciting viewing. On my other pod, we referred to Gasperini’s Atalanta as an “easy over” side because they consistently played matches that crossed the standard over/under betting threshold of 2.5 goals. I’m expecting more of the same in Rome.
JonAS: Short and sweet answer: the best footy in Rome since the good old Spalletti days. I really liked Gasperini’s Atalanta, but that was a well-oiled machine after so many years. Gian Piero has been in Rome for about three months so let’s give the man some time.
As Bren pointed out, we’ll (hopefully) see a more attack-minded approach and no more clueless passes between defence and midfield or long balls that fall into the Tevere. Phase 1 under Ranieri was steadying the ship and grinding out results, whatever it takes. Phase 2 now is to install a clear identity and turn Roma into one of the league’s more entertaining and dangerous teams.
Jimmy: I’m looking forward to the sheer offensive chaos of it all. Gasperini suffocates opponents on a tactical level. He pushes his defenders into midfield, and tells his wingbacks to live in the final third. Roma fans should expect the Olimpico to feel like a basketball court, and that’s a good thing.
I’m personally looking forward to that athletic, offensive playstyle that could see several players break double digits in scoring. Do you remember the last time Roma won a match 5-0? I want to see that this season.
Are there any specific areas where the club will struggle most to adapt to his demands?
Bren: Playing more vertically and hunting for goals, keeping the opposition on the back foot rather than grabbing a lead and hoping nothing bad happens. Simply put, I expect Roma to show more initiative this year–proactive rather than reactive. I’m not sure we have the horses to do that quite yet, but I suppose that may explain the connections to Sancho and Bailey, who are, if nothing else, athletic, aggressive, and capable of keeping opponents on their toes.
I never paid much attention to managers’ personalities, but when a new boss arrives, how he interacts with players and handles adversity are always worth watching.
ssciavillo: There will definitely have to be a mentality change when it comes to tactics. There will be no more sitting back waiting to hit on the counter against big clubs or sitting back to defend leads and grind out results. Gasperini will look for Roma to play on the front foot more often than in past seasons, so this will take a bit of a mentality change for the players. Obviously, Gasperini’s tough training methods and high-pressing style will also take some time for the players to adjust to.
JonAS: Let me reference the title of one of the best movies since 2000: There Will Be Blood. Mancini, Cristante, Pellegrini, Angelino, Dovbyk, Celik, and others. Under Ranieri, it was pretty clear who played when healthy. But for some of those guys, the Roma Club Med is over, and it’s Training Day (hey, another great movie). Players who can’t keep up will be dropped by Gasp, or at least that’s what I hope. I want 11 hungry wolves out there, no sheep. It’s been a while since we’ve had a coach who loves entertaining, high-scoring football. Mourinho, Ranieri, Juric, an unproven DDR, Fonseca… The club has been the same dull, uninspired team for years, so everyone (players, management, staff) must work together to make this season successful.
Players who can’t keep up, will be dropped by Gasp, or at least that’s what I hope. I want 11 hungry wolves out there, no sheep. It’s been some time since we really had a trainer who worships entertaining, high-scoring football. Mourinho, Ranieri, Juric, an unproven DDR, Fonseca,… The club has mostly been the same dull, inspirationless team for years now so everybody at the club (players, management, staff) will need to work together to make this season a success.
Jimmy: The answer has to be player fitness, right? Gasperini’s training sessions are notorious for breaking players to build them up—but what happens if some of the players simply can’t handle it? Worst case scenario, half the squad is going to be praying to the foam roller gods by November, something that I can certainly relate to in my own quest for physical fitness. Beyond that, there’s the question of mentality. Can some of Roma’s more, uh, comfortable veterans handle the relentlessness of Gasperini’s system?
Which player(s) will benefit most from Gasperini’s approach this season and why?
Bren: Given the focus on attacking, the safe bet is someone like Dybala, Evan Ferguson, or even Wesley. However, I’ll go a bit deeper and suggest Niccolo Pisilli. As we outlined in our U-23 countdown, he can be to Roma what Teun Koopmeiners was to Atalanta under Gasperini—an aggressive box-to-box midfielder with an attacking bent. If he can find his way into the rotation sooner rather than later, I expect a breakout season from the young Roman.
ssciavillo: I think that’s a good shout on Pisilli, especially considering Roma has only brought El Aynaoui into the midfield. That means Pisilli should get plenty of time in the rotation. I will go with Soule here, though. Gasperini’s attacking system should allow him to flourish playing off the striker. I can see him being the Muriel to Ferguson or Dovbyk’s Zapata, forming a deadly duo.
JonAS: Yeah, Wesley and Neil are good shouts. Logical ones, too, since they are the new kids on the block and requested/approved by Gasperini. Either way, it’s safe to say the answer will be one of the (wide) midfielders or attackers. So I’m going for Wesley, who will turn into Cafu 2.0 in Gasperini’s system by 2026—close call with Soulé though, who really impressed me during preseason. I can see him reaching double digits if all goes well.
Jimmy: Wesley, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, and Evan Ferguson all are great answers. I’m going to go with Angelino to change this up a bit, though. A system built on perpetual motion is perfect for him. I’ll also add Gianluca Mancini: I’m hoping he gets to channel his chaos energy into something productive instead of just yelling at refs.
Okay, flip around: which player(s) will struggle most under his demanding system?
Bren: Given his injury history, I’m worried about how Dybala will survive under Gasperini’s more demanding system, but class is permanent, and I’m confident the two will find a happy medium where Paulo can do Paulo things without being burdened by excessive pressing responsibilities. With wild dogs like Pisilli and Manu Koné roaming the midfield, there’s plenty of pressing power to go around..
But the key with latter-day Dybala is the same as it’s always been: manage his minutes, pick and choose which fixtures to feature him, and things will be fine. He’ll still find a way to make a difference. And with the added depth that Sancho and Bailey can potentially provide, it should be easier to keep Dybala fresh, theoretically anyways.
ssciavillo: I think Dybala and Pellegrini could struggle if he sticks around. Pellegrini is another guy who has had his fair share of injuries and doesn’t strike me as a press-heavy player.
JonAS: Agreed. Dybala is the easy answer here, but it is purely based on fitness. Tactic-wise, maybe Angelino and Dovbyk? I saw some mediocre displays from both of them. The Spaniard will have a hard time replicating his form from last season. Artem is still too static and clueless at times. With Dybala or SES as false nine and an intriguing prospect like Ferguson on the bench, Gasp has plenty of other options.
Jimmy: Dybala is the answer. Gasperini wants players pressing like maniacs—and I wonder just how much Paulo has left in his legs for that. I know that Dybala is good enough to show his brilliance in any system, but does he fit in as a super-sub at this point? If so, does that mean Matías Soulé takes his place? I’m sure we’ll find out sooner rather than later.
Is there room for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante on this team? How will the two veterans adjust to yet another managerial change? Will Gasperini find a use for them?
Bren: Well, as we’re writing this, the latest rumors suggest that one of Pellegrini or Tommaso Baldanzi will be sent packing, so it seems like Cristante’s job is safe. But, if you were a foreign club looking for a new midfielder, who would you want: the aging Pellegrini or the young and full of potential Baldanzi?
In that light, it seems Pellegrini and Cristante are here to stay. The best season of Cristante’s career, at least in terms of goal contributions, came under Gasperini’s watch, so I suppose there’s hope he can recapture some of that magic. But I suspect they’ll both become highly paid rotation players, though with Roma’s injury record, I’m sure they’ll both log significant minutes when all is said and done.
ssciavillo: I don’t think Bryan is going anywhere. I know he’s far removed from his youthful Atalanta days, but I think Gasperini knows the player well and will have a use for him. Pellegrini, on the other hand, probably only leaves if he gets a very enticing offer. However, I think Gasprini going to a captain by committee also says something about Pellegrini’s diminished role in the side. I don’t think Pellegrini wants to leave, but he’s already starting behind the eight ball coming off an injury, so he will have to show a lot in training to earn the kind of minutes he’s accustomed to.
JonAS: Well, you can’t deny one thing about Cristante: the man’s made of steel and rarely injured. He’s literally always available and can play multiple positions, so that’s always interesting for a coach. There are plenty of games coming up, and in Gasperini’s system, the midfielders need to work their ass off, so I expect plenty of subs and rotation in the middle of the park. Also, let’s not act as if he’s 35 or so. Bryan just turned 30, and who knows, maybe the old Atalanta link with Gasp could have a positive effect on him.
Pellegrini, now that’s a different case. Roma has an abundance of attacking options this summer, and in Gasperini’s 3-4-2-1, there’s not really a place for someone like Lorenzo. He has a good pass but is too slow for the CAM role and physically not good enough for CM. This has all the signs of a slow and painful death. He ain’t going nowhere this summer, and Roma probably won’t renew his contract. Mancini, Cristante, and SES have taken over the role as leaders/veterans on this team. Shame to say, but I haven’t missed Pellegrini one single second this preseason, and that tells us something.
Jimmy: It always seems like there’s room for them, but the question is whether they’ll be able to thrive—something they haven’t done in forever, quite frankly. Pellegrini has the intelligence and vision to float between lines, but does he have the motor to survive in Gasperini’s system? Cristante is a tactical sponge who has played with Gasperini before and is a manager’s pet, but in a system that needs dynamism, I wonder if he risks being just too slow. Many Romanisti will be happy to hear this, but I think the simplest answer is that Gasperini will use them, but not as undroppable pillars anymore.
Which new signing has you most excited? Did any of them leave you scratching your head?
Bren: I think Evan Ferguson will score a ton of goals, but I’m most excited about Wesley. It’s been ages since we’ve had a dynamic Brazilian on the team, which was once a hallmark of the best Roma sides. They didn’t go crazy on the transfer market this summer, so I wasn’t puzzled by any of their moves, but I suppose Neil El Aynaoui is the least exciting one. But even the prospect of adding Bailey and Sancho was a total surprise.
ssciavillo: As exciting as Wesley is, I’m most excited for Ferguson. He has the potential to be our best striker since prime Dzeko, and Roma’s been starved for goals in recent seasons. I’m excited to see how many he can bang home under Gasperini’s tutelage. I don’t think any moves left me scratching my head, but El Aynaoui has to be the least exciting so far.
JonAS: Then I’m going for Ghilardi. I love me some Italian defenders, and when they look like a young Nesta, man, I’m sold. A little rough on the edges, but I can see him stealing Celik or even Mancini’s place in just a few weeks. Add a keeper like Mile in the mix, and boy, we’re cooking. Unleash the Svilardi!
Jimmy: Jadon Sancho is the wildcard if that deal really happens. I think Evan Ferguson is the smart choice, but let’s run with Sancho for a hot second. On paper, he’s the Gasperini winger prototype: dribble, press, score, repeat. If he comes in, and Gasperini can manage him well… who doesn’t love a successful reclamation project?
We’ll get to the table shortly, but how should we measure success for Gasperini in year one?
Bren: Just finish higher than sixth, and we can definitely say Roma made progress during Gasp’s first year at the helm. Apart from that, I’d love to see a better record against the likes of Juve, Milan, Napoli, Bologna, etc.
In his first year in charge, I don’t think we should hold him to a Champions League or bust mentality. The club hasn’t reached those heights in nearly a decade, so we need to slow play this and give Gasperini time to truly implement his vision and get the pieces he needs to put Roma back on the right track.
ssciavillo: I don’t think it’s Champions League or bust. But after finishing one point off fourth last season, I think that would mark a clearly successful season.
JonAS: Exactly. Ranieri and his bunker formations finished -1 from the top 4. One point! All the pillars remained (pray for Koné). Gasperini got some shiny new toys like Wesley, Ferguson, and Bailey, so we have to do better, or at least stay in fifth place. Top 4 would be great, but I can live with fifth and better overall performances and football. Anything below fifth is a failure.
Jimmy: I want a top-four finish and a deep Coppa run. I don’t think that’s unreasonable. I get why Bren is saying we shouldn’t hold Gasperini to a Champions League qualification, but these are the breaks—Gasperini was brought in and the big transfers were made to make CL happen for the first time in a long time. Anything less than that and I’ll be genuinely disappointed.
What do you see as Roma’s biggest weakness this season?
Bren: Depth in defense. Ndicka, Mancini, and Ghilardi are a good start, but who’s the fourth CB? Who will back up Angeliño on the left? Should Wesley be given the starting RB job just because of his price tag?
ssciavillo: Agreed. As of writing this, the answer has to be a lack of depth in defense.
JonAS: Celik is a decent option for that RCB spot. But yeah, once Ndicka is gone to the Africa Cup it’s gonna be a true survival. Unless that Ziolkowski kid is the next great Polish CB after…..umm, Kamil Glik?
Jimmy: I’ll just add that Gasperini systems chew up legs and spit them out. If you think injuries were bad under Mourinho, wait until you see what double sessions in Trigoria could look like. Gasperini will need to nail its rotations, or else we’ll be running Primavera kids out in March. Who knows, though, with Gasperini’s track record, that might be for the best!
Prediction time, give us the following: top scorer, top assistman, MVP
Bren: Evan Ferguson (16 goals), Paulo Dybala (10 assists), and the overall MVP, hmm, that’s a toughie, but I’ll say Mile Svilar. On a squad of mostly average to slightly above average players, he’s the only genuine top-shelf talent on the roster. It’s not every season I’d pick a keeper as my MVP, but he’s that good. Last season, he established himself as the best keeper in Serie A. This season, it’ll be Europe writ large.
ssciavillo: I’m also going to go with Ferguson (20 goals) and Sancho (10 assists) if he arrives. As for the MVP, I’ll go with Ndicka. I think the big Ivorian will continue to develop as one of the best center-backs in the league. Gasperini’s teams are built on attacking prowess, but someone has to hold it down in the back. Hopefully, Roma will be able to fill his shoes during AFCON.
JonAS: I’m gonna go on a limb here: Dovbyk to stay and win the striker battle with Ferguson (18 goals), Soulé (9 assists). MVP will be Soulé with 12 goals and 9 assists and a lot of eye candy for the fans.
Jimmy: I’m going to be optimistic and say that Soulé has a year where he becomes a true superstar and scores 15 goals, making him the top goalscorer because Dovbyk and Ferguson split striker duties. Let’s say Sancho is the top assist man with 9, assuming he actually comes in—otherwise Soulé. As for MVP, I’ll go with Soulé again. Gasperini will turn him into the embodiment of this offense-heavy tactic.
Okay, now the big question: Predict the top four–does Roma return to the Champions League?
Bren: Sadly, no. Roma has been a sixth-place team for most of the 2020s, and until that changes, I can’t predict anything different. Call it a copout if you must, but recent history suggests they’re not quite good enough yet. We’ve seen superstar managers and €40M strikers come and go, yet the club remains stuck in the Europa League zone.
I’m confident they’ll get there under Gasperini, but not this season. Then again, Atalanta lost some talent and will likely take a step backward, while Napoli just lost Lukaku for a few months.
All of these are to say: I have no earthly idea. The cards seem to be falling in that direction late in the summer, so perhaps I should say that I’m cautiously optimistic, though jaded from the past several years of having my hopes crushed.
I could see 4th place (or even 3rd) just as easily as 6th–this is unlike any other season we’ve seen in the past decade.
ssciavillo: I’m going to say yes. Considering all of the managerial changes and lack of transfers from other sides, I like Roma’s top 4 chances.
JonAS: I feel Bren. Every damn time. After Mourinho’s hire, after DDR, the EL final vs Sevilla, and Ranieri’s comeback last season, we always predict Roma will make it to the CL, but we always shoot ourselves in the foot. So here I am again, hopeful that Gasperini is the right man for the job this time. My prediction: 1 Napoli 2 Milan 3 Inter 4 Roma
Jimmy: Napoli, Inter, and then Roma in third. Milan and Juventus implode by March, Atalanta finally runs out of magic, and Gasperini takes us back to the big stage. Quote me.
Lastly, if you could give Gasperini one piece of advice as he starts what may be the biggest job of his career, what would it be?
Bren: Hire some sort of shaman that specializes in healing hamstrings. In fact, hire two. You’re going to need them.
ssciavillo: Rome can be an inferno. Stay level-headed and don’t let the media pressure eat you alive.
JonAS: Just beat Juric and Lazio this season and you’ll be fine.
Jimmy: Don’t look to outsmart the city or these fans. Rome eats philosophers and pragmatists alike. Lean into the spectacle and give fans a team they can feel. They’ll forgive losses if you play with courage (to a point). They’ll never forgive boredom.
That’s it for our truncated 2025-2026 season preview—win, lose, or draw, it’s bound to be another entertaining 38 weeks in the capital. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our first match preview of the season as Gasperini’s guys open the season against upstart Bologna.
In the meantime, please give us your Roma predictions!
