Roma Target Top-Four Victory Against Relegated Hellas Verona

Italy's U17 national team advanced to the final of the European Under-17 Championship by defeating Spain 1–1 (4–2 after penalties) on June 4. Coach Franceschini's squad took the lead through a Croci penalty in the 42nd minute, but Spain equalized through Urrestarazu in the 77th minute, forcing a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Lupo proved decisive in the shootout, saving two spot-kicks after also denying a penalty during regular play, while Rocca converted the winning penalty. Niccolò Pisilli, a current AS Roma midfielder, featured in the squad and expressed his enthusiasm about the achievement. Pisilli commented: "Una grande emozione andare in Champions. Ho sempre seguito Gasperini" (It is a great emotion to qualify for the Champions League. I have always followed Gasperini). His reference to Roma's new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reflects the midfielder's awareness of his club's recent appointment. Italy will face Belgium in the final on Sunday, June 7 at 19:00. Belgium reached the final by eliminating France. The tournament success offers an encouraging counterpoint to the senior national team's recent disappointments.

Stephan El Shaarawy scored the decisive second goal in Roma's final match against Verona, securing the club's return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. The Egyptian winger's strike came in his last appearance in giallorossi colors, concluding a decade-long association with the club that began in January 2016. El Shaarawy's goal sparked an emotional celebration as he ran toward the away supporters at the Bentegodi stadium. Remarkably, El Shaarawy had predicted this outcome before the match. According to Sky Sport journalist Angelo Mangiante, the number 92 revealed at the end of Friday's training session that he hoped to close his Roma story with a decisive goal. He told Mangiante: "Mi piacerebbe tanto chiudere questa storia con un gol decisivo" (I would really like to close this story with a decisive goal). His premonition proved accurate, as his finish sealed Roma's return to European football's premier club competition after a seven-year absence. El Shaarawy's departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Roma. The winger's final contribution epitomized his importance to the club during his 10-year tenure, delivering a crucial moment when it mattered most for the Giallorossi's continental aspirations.

AS Roma secured a return to the UEFA Champions League after a seven-year absence following a 2–0 victory against Verona at the Bentegodi stadium. The result triggered celebrations at the airport and at Trigoria, the club's training ground, as supporters and staff marked the significant milestone. The triumph ends a lengthy period outside European football's elite competition for the Giallorossi. Details of the goalscorers remain unclear from the available information, but the victory represents a major achievement in the club's push to re-establish itself among Italy's top-flight contenders.

Wesley, the AS Roma left-back, suffered a left groin muscle injury during Brazil's 2–1 friendly victory over Egypt in Cleveland and was forced to leave the pitch after just 15 minutes. The player immediately signaled to be substituted and was visibly distressed on the bench, where he wept and required consolation from teammates and staff. He left the stadium limping and did not return for the second half, instead beginning treatment. Examination results were expected in New Jersey, where Brazil's World Cup base is located. Coach Carlo Ancelotti stated: "Credo che lo staff medico farà una diagnosi domani. (Wesley) deve sottoporsi a degli esami. Ha un problema muscolare e dobbiamo aspettare la diagnosi di domani. Dobbiamo aspettare fino a domani per vedere quale sarà la diagnosi. Penso che avrà il tempo di recuperare ed essere con noi ai Mondiali. Altrimenti, dovremo scegliere un altro giocatore e avremo il tempo per farlo." Brazil's national team director Rodrigo Caetano added that any diagnosis would be premature before test results, expressing hope the injury is not serious with the tournament one week away. The timing is critical for both Wesley and Roma, with the World Cup imminent and his participation now in doubt pending medical assessment.

Roma players Wesley and Zeki Celik have been selected to start for their respective national teams in final World Cup preparation matches. Wesley was chosen by Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti to feature at right-back in a clash against Egypt in Cleveland, continuing his run as a regular starter after appearing in Brazil's 6–2 victory over Panama. Celik, meanwhile, was named in Turkey's lineup against Venezuela in Miami, with the former Lille defender also handed the captain's armband by manager Vincenzo Montella. Both selections underline the growing importance of the Roma pair at international level as their countries enter the final stages of World Cup preparation. Wesley has now established himself as Brazil's primary choice at right-back for the tournament, while Celik's captaincy represents a mark of trust from Montella. The matches served as the latest in a series of final tests before the World Cup proper began, with nations across multiple confederations conducting warm-up fixtures on the same evening to assess their readiness for the competition.

Amantino Mancini, a former Roma winger, has praised Wesley's first season at the club during an interview on Radio Romanista. Mancini highlighted Wesley's intensity, work rate, and offensive capabilities as a left-sided player, noting that the Brazilian has settled well into Roman football. Mancini said: "Wesley me is always liked, I like his characteristics, how he moves on the pitch. I said when Roma was acquiring him that it would be very useful, because he is of great intensity, never stops. He has the characteristics of all Brazilian full-backs who are very offensive. Maybe he leaves something to be desired defensively because even I when I arrived at Roma played as a full-back and improved thanks to Capello. Wesley has fitted in very well at Roma, many Brazilians at Roma settled immediately because the climate and the support are very similar to those in Brazil. Wesley took advantage of this period and had a wonderful season." Mancini drew parallels with his own career transition, recalling how moving from right to left-back under Spalletti transformed his game. He predicted Wesley will continue on the left flank next season but warned that opponents have now studied him closely. Mancini also expressed confidence in head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's ability to guide Roma's next phase, emphasizing the need for experienced signings to strengthen the squad for Champions League football. He suggested Roma should make two or three strategic acquisitions to elevate the team's competitive level in European competition.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed his squad list for Roma's final Serie A match against Verona at the Bentegodi, a fixture critical to the club's bid for Champions League qualification. Midfielder Manu Koné returns after missing the recent derby, though he is expected to start on the bench. Absent from the selection are Lorenzo Pellegrini, sidelined by a muscular problem, and Tsimikas, who is recovering from influenza. Both players will travel with the squad despite not being available for selection. Wesley remains unavailable due to suspension, while defender Ndicka is out with a muscular injury. The match represents Roma's final opportunity to secure European football next season. Gasperini's squad combines established players with squad depth, with forwards Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé expected to form the attacking pair. The full list of 26 players includes goalkeeper Mile Svilar and a mix of defensive, midfield, and attacking options to navigate what is anticipated to be a competitive encounter. The squad announcement followed Gasperini's afternoon press conference, with the coach having just days to prepare his team for the decisive fixture.

AS Roma face their final Serie A match of the season against Hellas Verona with several key players unavailable. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the trip to the Bentegodi stadium due to a flexor muscle injury still being managed, while Tsimikas is sidelined by flu. Gianluca Mancini is carrying an ankle problem but is expected to feature. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini may consider tactical changes following Roma's improved performance in the recent derby, potentially preferring El Aynaoui over Koné in midfield. Meanwhile, the club continues to explore attacking reinforcements, with interest reportedly extending beyond primary targets to include alternative options. The midfield situation has also drawn attention, with discussions ongoing regarding potential personnel shifts. Mancini addressed the importance of European competition, stating: "I know that it is important for the squad and for Roma to qualify for and play in the Champions League. And I think that when I do or if we do, or if we have the opportunity to do so, I know that people will remember me because I can enter into history. I know that a lot of time has passed since the last time." The final match carries significance in Roma's push for continental football next season.

Roma will be without several key players for their final Serie A match of the season against Verona at the Bentegodi, two days away. Lorenzo Pellegrini continues to manage a flexor muscle injury and trained separately again, while Tsimikas has been ruled out due to influenza symptoms. These absences join existing gaps caused by Wesley's suspension and Ndicka's muscle injury, leaving head coach Gasperini with a depleted squad for what the club views as a crucial match. The fixture holds significant importance in Roma's season, though the exact context of its importance remains unclear. Gasperini is expected to announce his final squad list on the day before the match. In attack, the trio of Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Donyell Malen is almost certain to feature, forming the offensive core Roma will deploy despite the defensive and midfield constraints. The accumulation of injuries and unavailability creates a challenging situation for Roma's closing fixture, with Pellegrini's ongoing flexor issue the most persistent concern among the outfield players sidelined.