Serie A 2026–27: Roma's opening fixtures confirmed, campaign starts on Monday

Serie A has confirmed the schedule for the first five matchdays of the upcoming season, which begins the weekend of 22–23 August. Roma will kick off their campaign on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 against Fiorentina at the Olimpico. The following week, the Giallorossi travel to Lecce for another Monday fixture on 31 August at 18:30. Roma's third matchday sees them return home on Saturday, 5 September to face Atalanta. A week later, on Sunday, 13 September at 12:30, Roma travel to Turin to play Juventus — though this fixture could be pushed to Monday if Roma's Champions League schedule demands it. The opening sequence concludes with a significant early-season test: Roma host defending Serie A champions Inter on Saturday, 19 September at 18:00. Mile Svilar, the club's goalkeeper, is already preparing for the new campaign with gym work even during his holiday period.

Serie A's 2026–27 campaign will kick off on Saturday, August 22, with matches scheduled only at 18:30 and 20:45 for the opening two rounds. The league has adopted simplified programming for the first fortnight, with a maximum of two matches running simultaneously to manage the summer heat. Roma will begin their season at the Olimpico against Fiorentina; specific kickoff times and dates will be announced in July. From matchday three onward, the traditional weekend schedule returns. The midday Sunday slot at 12:30 will not be introduced until the fourth round, after the first international break. This staggered approach reflects the league's attempt to balance fixture congestion with player welfare during the hottest months of the year. Meanwhile, Mile Svilar continues preparation for the new campaign, training in the gymnasium even during his vacation period.

Monza have completed the Serie A coaching carousel by appointing Ivan Juric as their new head coach, replacing Paolo Bianco who departed for Pisa. Juric, a Croatian manager, returns to work after being sacked by Atalanta following 11 games last season. His appointment marks the ninth new managerial appointment across Serie A for the 2025–26 campaign. Juric's recent record at elite clubs has been mixed. He managed Roma for just eight games during the 2024–25 season before his spell ended, and similarly lasted only eight matches with Southampton before their relegation. However, he previously established himself at Verona and Torino, where he finished in the middle of the table across five consecutive seasons, demonstrating competence at mid-table level. Other Serie A coaching moves are now confirmed or nearing completion: Eusebio Di Francesco and Lecce will continue together, Massimiliano Allegri is set to join Napoli on a three-year contract after his Milan departure, and Gennaro Gattuso is awaiting FIGC contract clearance before Lazio officially confirm his appointment. The analysis suggests Juric represents a solid, pragmatic choice for a club facing relegation threats, though his track record shows greater success managing teams outside Serie A's top tier.