Di Francesco takes responsibility after Roma defeat at Lecce in Serie A

Roma defeated Lecce 4-0 in Serie A's second matchday, extending their perfect start to the season with a dominant display. Donyell Malen scored twice in the opening 23 minutes, capitalising on defensive lapses from the hosts to put the contest beyond doubt early on. Matías Soulé added a third before half-time, while Rodrigo Mora completed the rout in the second half with his first Serie A goal. The victory follows Roma's 4-0 win over Fiorentina in their opening fixture. Gasperini's side now sit level on points with Inter, Juventus, Milan and Lazio at the top of the table with perfect records, but lead the standings on goal difference with 8 goals scored and none conceded. Malen has now signed five goals across the opening two league matches. The midfielder's contribution has been central to Roma's attacking prowess in these opening fixtures, with the attacking unit functioning at a high level across both matches.

Rodrigo Mora scored his first Roma goal in the second half of the 2–1 victory at Lecce on matchday two, and spoke to journalists after the final whistle about the significance of the moment and his early impression of the club. "I want to continue like this. Starting this way was my dream. I'm very happy," Mora said of his debut strike. He expressed particular emotion at sharing the pitch with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. "It's a dream for me to play with Dybala—I followed him since I was a child. I tried to give him an assist. For me it's marvellous to play with a champion like him and Malen." Mora credited head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with engineering his arrival: "For me the manager was decisive. He wanted a player with my characteristics. I want to continue with him." The midfielder acknowledged the physical demands of Gasperini's methods. "At first the training sessions were very hard, it cost me a bit to adapt, but the results are already showing," he said, adding that Gasperini frequently corrects his decision-making on the ball: "He corrects me often when I receive the ball—to open up, to take on the opponent, to play face-on, vertically." Mora is still in the process of settling into Rome. "I've had little time so far to visit such a special city. I had special treatment from the Porto fans and I'm getting the same from Roma fans," he said. He expressed hope of meeting Francesco Totti soon: "I haven't yet had the chance to get to know the city—I'm still finishing my move. I hope to meet Totti soon. He was an idol for an entire generation."

Gian Piero Gasperini expressed satisfaction with Roma's start to the season after a 4–0 victory over Lecce, telling Sky Sport that the squad has been substantially strengthened and now possesses the depth to maintain performance even when key players are unavailable. "The squad's condition is spectacular," Gasperini said. "It was evident we had top-level players. It was important to put players of equal strength alongside them. This is an extraordinary group in terms of values, who give everything and are attached to Roma. The team plays with passion, a fundamental aspect." Gasperini highlighted the continuity Roma achieved from last season's third-place finish in Serie A, which gave the group confidence and familiarity. "Compared to last year we have greater understanding," he explained. "We played a season together and did so in a crescendo, in confidence in finding the way to score. These are advantages for the second year. We are stronger and more solid mentally. We approach every match. This is a group of very healthy lads, with values." He emphasised that the recent departures and injuries have not dented the team's ambition: when Evan N'Dicka became unavailable during the warm-up before the Lecce match, the squad did not drop its level. On individual performances, Gasperini drew a comparison between Donyell Malen and Gonzalo Higuaín. "It can stand. Perhaps Malen has less stature. But for control, acceleration, and shooting, it's a comparison that fits," he said. He also praised Paulo Dybala's continuity and Matías Soulé's display, noting that Rodrigo Mora had scored his first goal for the club. Gasperini confirmed that Marten de Roon has arrived to bolster the midfield, and that Santiago Castro and Rodrigo provide attacking solutions. He expressed hope that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch would soon be available to add further options. The manager reflected on his previous experience of leading strong forwards, including Milito at Genoa: "Malen has the ability to control, shoot and accelerate over a few metres that burns you. We made a fine gamble and I'd say it's working well." When asked about the transfer market closing on 1 September, Gasperini said: "I don't know anything, I haven't spoken to D'Amico, I need to call him." On the title race, he tempered expectations: "Inter have a straight stretch of advantage, then there are squads equipping themselves notably, even more than us in some respects, including Como, no longer to be considered a surprise, and then the usual big teams. We must look at our own road and path."

Rodrigo Mora scored his first Roma goal in the second half of the 2–1 victory at Lecce on matchday two, and spoke to journalists after the final whistle about the significance of the moment and his early impression of the club. "I want to continue like this. Starting this way was my dream. I'm very happy," Mora said of his debut strike. He expressed particular emotion at sharing the pitch with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. "It's a dream for me to play with Dybala—I followed him since I was a child. I tried to give him an assist. For me it's marvellous to play with a champion like him and Malen." Mora credited head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with engineering his arrival: "For me the manager was decisive. He wanted a player with my characteristics. I want to continue with him." The midfielder acknowledged the physical demands of Gasperini's methods. "At first the training sessions were very hard, it cost me a bit to adapt, but the results are already showing," he said, adding that Gasperini frequently corrects his decision-making on the ball: "He corrects me often when I receive the ball—to open up, to take on the opponent, to play face-on, vertically." Mora is still in the process of settling into Rome. "I've had little time so far to visit such a special city. I had special treatment from the Porto fans and I'm getting the same from Roma fans," he said. He expressed hope of meeting Francesco Totti soon: "I haven't yet had the chance to get to know the city—I'm still finishing my move. I hope to meet Totti soon. He was an idol for an entire generation."

Gian Piero Gasperini expressed satisfaction with Roma's start to the season after a 4–0 victory over Lecce, telling Sky Sport that the squad has been substantially strengthened and now possesses the depth to maintain performance even when key players are unavailable. "The squad's condition is spectacular," Gasperini said. "It was evident we had top-level players. It was important to put players of equal strength alongside them. This is an extraordinary group in terms of values, who give everything and are attached to Roma. The team plays with passion, a fundamental aspect." Gasperini highlighted the continuity Roma achieved from last season's third-place finish in Serie A, which gave the group confidence and familiarity. "Compared to last year we have greater understanding," he explained. "We played a season together and did so in a crescendo, in confidence in finding the way to score. These are advantages for the second year. We are stronger and more solid mentally. We approach every match. This is a group of very healthy lads, with values." He emphasised that the recent departures and injuries have not dented the team's ambition: when Evan N'Dicka became unavailable during the warm-up before the Lecce match, the squad did not drop its level. On individual performances, Gasperini drew a comparison between Donyell Malen and Gonzalo Higuaín. "It can stand. Perhaps Malen has less stature. But for control, acceleration, and shooting, it's a comparison that fits," he said. He also praised Paulo Dybala's continuity and Matías Soulé's display, noting that Rodrigo Mora had scored his first goal for the club. Gasperini confirmed that Marten de Roon has arrived to bolster the midfield, and that Santiago Castro and Rodrigo provide attacking solutions. He expressed hope that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch would soon be available to add further options. The manager reflected on his previous experience of leading strong forwards, including Milito at Genoa: "Malen has the ability to control, shoot and accelerate over a few metres that burns you. We made a fine gamble and I'd say it's working well." When asked about the transfer market closing on 1 September, Gasperini said: "I don't know anything, I haven't spoken to D'Amico, I need to call him." On the title race, he tempered expectations: "Inter have a straight stretch of advantage, then there are squads equipping themselves notably, even more than us in some respects, including Como, no longer to be considered a surprise, and then the usual big teams. We must look at our own road and path."

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma, starting in one match and scoring from the bench in another, and has now spoken publicly about his early experience at the club. The Portuguese midfielder praised head coach Gasperini's influence on his arrival and his admiration for his new teammates, particularly Paulo Dybala. "It's a dream to play with Dybala, I followed him since I was a child," Mora said in a television interview after Roma's victory over Lecce. "I even tried to set up an assist for him—it's wonderful to play with players of that calibre. And with Malen too, who scored 5 goals in 2 matches." Mora revealed that Gasperini played a central role in his decision to join Roma. "He was one of the reasons I came here, he was decisive in my choice," the midfielder explained. "He wanted a player with my characteristics." On adapting to the Italian side's demands, Mora acknowledged the physical intensity of training under Gasperini but said the results are evident. "At first the training sessions were tough, it took me time to get used to them. But the results show—the team plays with intensity and rhythm," he said. "I've benefited from playing in a position where I'm comfortable." Gasperini has been particular in his coaching, Mora noted. "He corrects me often when I receive the ball, asking me to open up and take on my opponent, not to receive with my back turned. Then to play vertical passes and to play as a first option going forward." Mora, who described his previous season as not going as planned, said he is now content with his performances. "I'm happy with both matches," he stated. "I wanted to start with a goal, and it was a dream to begin this way. I want to keep going like this." On settling into Rome itself, Mora said he has not yet had time to explore the city, still in the process of moving. However, he expressed hope of meeting Francesco Totti soon. "I hope to get to know Totti, I hope it happens soon. He was an idol for an entire generation," Mora said.