Derby della Capitale: Soulé and Pellegrini reportedly set for bench as Dybala leads Roma attack

Roma have opened ticket sales for their Serie A fixture against Atalanta on September 5 at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. The match is the third round of the season and represents a high-level test for the Giallorossi, arriving after opening fixtures against Fiorentina at home and Lecce away. Tickets went on sale from 12:00 today. Supporters can find all pricing information and purchase tickets via the dedicated page on Roma's official website.

Matteo Marcenaro has been appointed to referee Roma's first Serie A match of the season against Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on 24 August at 20:45. The fixture comes five days after the announcement of the Serie A refereeing assignments for opening weekend. Marcenaro last took charge of a Roma match on 18 April, when Roma faced Atalanta. He will be supported by assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi, with Fabbri as fourth official. Abisso will serve as VAR and Giua as assistant VAR for the match.

Matteo Marcenaro of Genoa has been assigned to referee Roma's first match of the 2026-27 season against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. The fixture marks Gian Piero Gasperini's official debut in Serie A with Roma. Marcenaro's assistants will be Lo Cicero and Rossi, with Fabbri as fourth official. Abisso will operate at VAR, supported by Giua as AVAR. Roma's record against Marcenaro is positive overall. In seven previous matches overseen by the Genoa-based referee, the Giallorossi have won four, drawn two, and lost one. Their most recent encounter came in the 2025-26 season, matchday 33 of Serie A, when Roma drew 1-1 with Atalanta. Fiorentina, by contrast, have a less favourable record with Marcenaro, having won four and lost two of their six previous meetings with him before the Atalanta fixture. Fiorentina's last game under Marcenaro was Atalanta-Fiorentina on matchday 13 of the 2025-26 season, which finished 2-0 to Atalanta.

Lorenzo Pellegrini will not be available until the end of August at the earliest, as he continues to recover from a right thigh muscle injury. The Roma midfielder will miss fixtures against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August and Lecce on Monday 31 August. From 1 September, Pellegrini will begin training with the squad, with a week needed to regain match fitness. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had indicated the extent of the layoff following Pellegrini's contract renewal on 8 August, stating: "It will take at least a month. At least. We'll talk about it in September." A call-up for the home match against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September is possible, but the key fixture targeted for Pellegrini's return is the away trip to Torino on Sunday 13 September. The number 7 suffered a recurrence of his muscular injury to the rectus femoris of his right thigh, prolonging his absence from team training and competitive action.

Roma want to complete their squad with two more signings before the transfer window closes, but face financial and numerical constraints imposed by UEFA agreements and profit rules. Head coach Gasperini continues to push for a profile like Malick Fofana to add unpredictability to the attack, but the situation is complex. With the arrival of Rodrigo Mora, the attacking midfield is already well covered: Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Robinio Vaz are all in the squad. Any move for Fofana depends on a significant sale that generates a profit to stay within settlement agreement parameters—which allow a maximum loss of €60 million over three years. Matías Soulé is the likeliest candidate to raise a fee close to €40 million. Director Tony D'Amico is also evaluating Luis Henrique from Inter as an alternative. The Brazilian can play on the wing or as an additional forward and would be an ideal utility player. Inter have indicated availability for a loan with a buyout clause set at €27–28 million, though the Nerazzurri are demanding very simple conditions to trigger the obligation—such as the first point won or survival—which complicates the deal. Lyon's timeline further clouds matters: the French club wants to wait for the outcome of Champions League qualifying before giving final approval for Fofana.

Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley have returned to training with Roma ahead of Monday evening's Serie A fixture against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, which is set for a sell-out. Pisilli has recovered from a muscular problem to the thigh that sidelined him in recent weeks, while Wesley completed partial work with the squad after a minor ankle sprain. Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing in midfield despite Pisilli's availability. Wesley, the Brazilian winger, is targeting a starting berth against Fiorentina. Manchester United completed a deal for Brighton's Carlos Baleba on the same day, removing any uncertainty over Manu Koné's future at Roma. In defence, Mario Hermoso holds an advantage over Koulierakis for a place, while Molina will make his debut on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini is unavailable for the match.

Radio pundits debated Roma's transfer strategy on 20 August, with analyst Sabatini arguing the season depends on how many goals Malen scores and how many matches Dybala can play. "It is difficult to think that they can play more than 20 matches as regular starters," Sabatini said on Radio Radio. Commentator Carina added that Roma has spent heavily but must make outgoings to balance the books, noting that Soulé's agent has guaranteed offers will arrive at Trigoria in the coming days. Carina also highlighted Roma's failure to sign a left-footed right winger despite it being a stated priority: "We are on 20 August and Roma has bought everything except that player." Marcacci suggested Fofana would have been a more useful acquisition than Mora for Roma's midfield needs, while Pes called for Roma to strengthen the attack with additional physicality and athleticism. Torri reported that an agreement exists between Lyon and Fofana, with conditions in place to close the deal. He also underlined Roma's two-year absence of a right-footed left winger despite spending over 10 million euros in that market. Speculation mounted around Koné's future, with Pes noting Manchester City interest but estimating Roma would demand 60 million euros for the midfielder.

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.