Antognoni praises Dybala's quality: 'Few players like him in Italy'

Gianluca Falsini, who coached Emanuele Lulli at Roma's Under-16 and Primavera levels, gave an exclusive interview to Retesport praising the young forward's character and potential. Falsini described Lulli as "incredible, a Roma fan with Giallorosso blood running through his veins. He is resilient, has the capacity to listen, everyone would want him as a son: he is extraordinary." The former academy coach noted that Lulli's greatest asset is his intensity, combined with a good first touch and ball control, though he still needs to improve his finishing, crossing, shooting and short passing. "He has 19 years, have patience and he applies himself to the work. Certainly he will improve, Gasperini's style of play suits him perfectly: he has to run a lot without the ball, I am happy for him and his family," Falsini said. Falsini emphasised that Lulli's path to the first team was unconventional. Unlike earlier academy products such as Coletta, Di Nunzio and Nardin, who had a certain technical baseline, Lulli lacked that foundation initially. "When I started, he had great physical capacity, strength and power and had problems to the point that he suffered rebalancing his body, but he did it working with dedication every day," Falsini explained. The coach was emotional watching Roma's 4–0 win over Fiorentina, in which Lulli played at the Stadio Olimpico under immense pressure. He remains confident in the player's trajectory: "In silence every year he has improved, so he is a boy who will make it." Falsini also touched on the broader Serie A landscape. He called Roma's result against Fiorentina frightening but cautioned that Inter are "clearly much stronger," while Napoli should fight for a top-three finish. He expressed hope that Como would replicate last season's campaign and predicted Juventus would perform better than they did in 2025–26. "It will be a gripping Serie A; the line will be drawn when the market closes, but the indications are these: it is normal that one match does not prove anything," he said.

Gianluca Falsini, former Roma Under-16 and Primavera coach who developed Emanuele Lulli, praised the 19-year-old's character and potential in an exclusive interview. Falsini stressed Lulli's mentality and work ethic: "He is a boy with giallorosso blood running through his veins. He is resilient, has the ability to listen, everyone would want him as a son—he is extraordinary." Lulli lacked technical foundation when Falsini first trained him, yet improved through daily dedication and now shows great physical capacity and running ability. Falsini highlighted that Lulli's best quality is intensity, coupled with good first touch and ball control, though he still needs to develop his finishing, crossing, shooting, and short passing. At 19, Falsini expressed patience with his development. Crucially, Falsini believes Gasperini's playing style aligns perfectly with Lulli's profile: "The way Gasperini plays suits him to a tee—he has to run a lot without the ball, and I am happy for him and his family." Lulli's path was unconventional; he was never selected for his age-group national teams and suffered illness that prevented him from progressing to Under-17, yet Falsini calls him an example for other academy players. Falsini also reflected on Roma's broader prospects. He noted that Roma impressed with a 4–0 victory over Fiorentina and that Serie A will be competitive, with Inter "markedly stronger" than others. He expects Napoli to challenge for a top-three finish, Como to replicate last season's performance, and Juventus to avoid another mediocre campaign. On the first round of fixtures: "There is good news in that there is more football being played—athletically stronger squads will have an advantage." Falsini cautioned that one match does not define a season but predicted an engaging Serie A campaign.

Roma return to the Champions League after eight years with a curious contradiction: a squad seasoned in European competition but largely inexperienced in the continent's top tier. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the giallorossi have navigated knockout stages, difficult away trips and high-pressure evenings in recent seasons, yet a significant portion of the squad presents as Champions League debutants when their record in the competition itself is examined. The drawn opponents—Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Sporting, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Atene—underscore the magnitude of the step up. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen stand as the principal points of reference, each with around 50 Champions League appearances. Behind them Nahuel Molina brings roughly 40 such matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, followed by Mario Hermoso, equally accustomed to the highest level of European football. The picture shifts sharply thereafter. Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played in the Champions League, though Roma's last participation dates back to the 2018–19 season. Other squad members have sampled the competition only briefly, while a substantial portion will encounter it for the first time. Key players such as Manu Koné, Wesley, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro have either never played it or collected minimal appearances. Yet Roma should not be labelled a European-inexperienced side. The club built a genuine identity in the cups: Cristante, Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and the core nucleus lived through the Conference League triumph in 2022, the Europa League final of 2023 and numerous knockout campaigns. Dybala, Evan N'Dicka, Koné, Pisilli and Matías Soulé have progressively accumulated international experience outside the Champions League but in matches where pressure, emotional control and reading momentum matter most. Here lies the true uncertainty: Roma possesses European aptitude but lacks a true Champions League identity. Errors recoverable in Europa League risk becoming instant goals against Real Madrid and PSG. The new League Phase format demands Gasperini navigate eight different fixtures without building a classic group-stage rhythm. The task ahead is not to teach Roma what a European night means, but to elevate what they have learned over five years.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media on Sunday at 13:30, the day before the club's second Serie A fixture of the season away at Lecce on Monday at 18:30. The appointment comes after Roma's convincing opening victory against Fiorentina. Gasperini faces few selection dilemmas ahead of the Lecce match. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable, but Nahuel Molina has recovered and will compete with Lulli for a place in the squad. On the attacking midfield line, Rodrigo Mora is favoured over Matías Soulé to operate behind forwards Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma have agreed personal terms with Leonardo Balerdi after securing Jan Ziółkowski's departure on loan to Monza, with negotiations between the club and Marseille progressing on a loan deal with a buy clause set to become mandatory under certain conditions. Barlerdi, an Argentine defender born in 1999 currently at Marseille, is Roma's primary target to strengthen the defence following Ziółkowski's exit. Roma had previously pursued Morato as a replacement, but Nottingham Forest's refusal to budge on their valuation closed that avenue. The club accelerated their move for Balerdi in recent hours, with multiple sources confirming contact between the two clubs and the submission of a formal offer. According to reports, Balerdi wants to join Roma and Marseille have accepted the loan-with-mandatory-purchase-option structure that suits all parties involved. The formula involves a loan with a right of purchase that becomes an obligation once certain conditions are met. Negotiations are continuing between the clubs as they work to finalise the terms, with confidence expressed that the deal could be completed in the coming hours.

Leonardo Balerdi is close to joining Roma after the club reached an agreement with Marseille for the Argentine defender's transfer. The French side has granted Balerdi clearance to travel to the capital. The move will be structured as a loan with a right of purchase that can become an obligation based on appearances. Roma will pay €1 million for the loan fee, and Balerdi has already agreed personal terms with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini; he will arrive in the coming hours. Bareldi was targeted last season and will replace Jan Ziółkowski, who is departing on loan to Monza with a €18 million purchase option. The deal marks the completion of Roma's defensive recruitment. Separately, negotiations with Morato of Nottingham have collapsed due to a wide gap between the parties, and Roma will not pursue that avenue further. With the backline settled, the club is now hunting an attacking winger. Gittens is the leading candidate, while Fofana remains on the list alongside an unnamed prospect currently under negotiation by the sporting director.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media on Sunday at 13:30, the day before the club's second Serie A fixture of the season away at Lecce on Monday at 18:30. The appointment comes after Roma's convincing opening victory against Fiorentina. Gasperini faces few selection dilemmas ahead of the Lecce match. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable, but Nahuel Molina has recovered and will compete with Lulli for a place in the squad. On the attacking midfield line, Rodrigo Mora is favoured over Matías Soulé to operate behind forwards Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala.