Don't Leave Him to Command Alone

Roma face Fiorentina at the Olimpico at 20:45 tonight in the opening match of the Serie A season, with Gian Piero Gasperini preparing several significant choices for his debut fixture. The surprise selection could be Rodrigo Mora, who arrived only in recent days but is already a candidate for a starting shirt. The Portuguese forward is slightly favoured over Matías Soulé to play behind the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the back three, though Konstantinos Koulierakis is pushing to displace the Spanish defender following encouraging signs in pre-season. Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the wing-backs, with Manu Koné returning to midfield. Bryan Cristante is slightly favoured over Neil El Aynaoui for the remaining midfield spot. Mora's immediate integration represents the most intriguing tactical choice, with Santiago Castro available as an important option from the bench. Fiorentina will respond with a 4-3-2-1 under Fabio Grosso. Their lineup includes goalkeeper De Gea, a back four of Jimenez, Dragusin, Ranieri and Valdepenas, Brescianini, Fagioli and Ndour in midfield, Gudmundsson and Atta in support, and Kean as the central striker.

Paulo Dybala will aim to end a drought in front of goal at the Olimpico when Roma face Fiorentina on 24 August. The Argentine has not scored at home in Serie A since 22 December 2024, when he netted a brace in Roma's 5–0 win over Parma under manager Claudio Ranieri. Since then, Dybala has scored three more goals at the Olimpico, but only in European competition: a double against Porto in the 2024–25 Europa League play-off and a penalty against Viktoria Plzen in the 2025–26 season. He has found the net away from home against Milan, Venezia, Sassuolo and Torino. Gasperini assessed Dybala's physical condition positively two days ago at a pre-match press conference. "I see him not only determined as he was last year, but also particularly strong," the Roma boss said. "He completed a preparation phase that for some time he hasn't been able to finish without injuries. Clearly you always cross your fingers." Dybala is keen to celebrate in front of the home crowd after a summer in which he has maintained top form and made a strong contribution on the pitch. Fiorentina present a particular challenge: in 19 previous Serie A encounters against the Viola, Dybala has recorded only three goals and three assists—his lowest return against any opponent he has faced at least 13 times in the league.

Roma's 2026–27 season gets under way this evening with a Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico at 20:45. Former Roma and Juventus executive Zbigniew Boniek has outlined his expectations for the campaign in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Boniek said: "My hope is that Roma have an important season, even though they are not among the scudetto favourites. The Champions League is back—a serious commitment that requires high concentration for many months and a broad squad." On the summer transfer activity, he suggested Gasperini may still want more additions but credited the club's work: "Castro, for example, I like as a centre-forward and he will be an excellent alternative to Malen." On the rapport between Gasperini and Roma's support, Boniek offered strong backing: "I like Gasperini very much—he always manages to get the maximum from his squad, he is straightforward. Roma's fans want to see their team play well and win: Gasperini guarantees you all of that. Perhaps he is disliked, yes, but by opponents."

Roma face Fiorentina at the Olimpico at 20:45 tonight in the opening match of the Serie A season, with Gian Piero Gasperini preparing several significant choices for his debut fixture. The surprise selection could be Rodrigo Mora, who arrived only in recent days but is already a candidate for a starting shirt. The Portuguese forward is slightly favoured over Matías Soulé to play behind the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the back three, though Konstantinos Koulierakis is pushing to displace the Spanish defender following encouraging signs in pre-season. Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the wing-backs, with Manu Koné returning to midfield. Bryan Cristante is slightly favoured over Neil El Aynaoui for the remaining midfield spot. Mora's immediate integration represents the most intriguing tactical choice, with Santiago Castro available as an important option from the bench. Fiorentina will respond with a 4-3-2-1 under Fabio Grosso. Their lineup includes goalkeeper De Gea, a back four of Jimenez, Dragusin, Ranieri and Valdepenas, Brescianini, Fagioli and Ndour in midfield, Gudmundsson and Atta in support, and Kean as the central striker.

Roma will face Fiorentina in the opening match of the 2026–27 Serie A season on 24 August at 20:45, with the Olimpico sold out for the campaign's debut. Head coach Gasperini has settled most selection questions but left unresolved a contest between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for a place on the attacking midfield line, both having been tested in recent tactical sessions. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will lead the attack. The squad arrives with the goal of confirming the previous season's strong showing, which returned Roma to the Champions League after seven years away. The defensive line appears set, with Mile Svilar in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The midfield four will likely be Nahuel Molina, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Wesley across the width. Rome's major newspapers offered varying formations in their predicted lineups ahead of the fixture. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tempo, Messaggero, Repubblica and Romanista all suggested a 3–4–2–1 or 3–4–1–2 structure, though they differed on whether Soulé or Mora would occupy the second attacking midfield slot. Romanews.eu predicted a 3–4–2–1 with Soulé in that role and Dybala flanking him, while other outlets split between the two options, reflecting the uncertainty Gasperini has yet to resolve.

Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma begin their Serie A campaign this evening at the Olimpico against a heavily refreshed Fiorentina. The squad setup is largely settled: Svilar in goal, a proven defensive three of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso, with Molina making his official Roma debut on one flank and Wesley on the other. The only genuine uncertainty sits in the attacking midfield position, where Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora vie for the spot behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini's formation hints at an attacking intent despite the tactical flexibility expected of the former Atalanta boss. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are locked in as the midfield pairing, with Molina's inclusion marking his competitive entry into the side. The Olimpico is set to display Roma colours in full, underlining the fresh start under new management in what shapes as a defining early test against Fiorentina's overhauled squad. Multiple outlets have converged on the likely XI. La Gazzetta dello Sport predicts a 3-4-1-2 shape with Soulé in the playmaking role and Dybala and Malen as the strike pair. Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport both favour a 3-4-2-1 formation, positioning Soulé and Dybala together on the second line with Malen as the sole striker. Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo align with Gazzetta's 3-4-1-2 structure, again backing Soulé to start ahead of Mora in the attacking unit.

Roma face Fiorentina at the Olimpico at 20:45 tonight in the opening match of the Serie A season, with Gian Piero Gasperini preparing several significant choices for his debut fixture. The surprise selection could be Rodrigo Mora, who arrived only in recent days but is already a candidate for a starting shirt. The Portuguese forward is slightly favoured over Matías Soulé to play behind the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the back three, though Konstantinos Koulierakis is pushing to displace the Spanish defender following encouraging signs in pre-season. Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the wing-backs, with Manu Koné returning to midfield. Bryan Cristante is slightly favoured over Neil El Aynaoui for the remaining midfield spot. Mora's immediate integration represents the most intriguing tactical choice, with Santiago Castro available as an important option from the bench. Fiorentina will respond with a 4-3-2-1 under Fabio Grosso. Their lineup includes goalkeeper De Gea, a back four of Jimenez, Dragusin, Ranieri and Valdepenas, Brescianini, Fagioli and Ndour in midfield, Gudmundsson and Atta in support, and Kean as the central striker.

Paulo Dybala will aim to end a drought in front of goal at the Olimpico when Roma face Fiorentina on 24 August. The Argentine has not scored at home in Serie A since 22 December 2024, when he netted a brace in Roma's 5–0 win over Parma under manager Claudio Ranieri. Since then, Dybala has scored three more goals at the Olimpico, but only in European competition: a double against Porto in the 2024–25 Europa League play-off and a penalty against Viktoria Plzen in the 2025–26 season. He has found the net away from home against Milan, Venezia, Sassuolo and Torino. Gasperini assessed Dybala's physical condition positively two days ago at a pre-match press conference. "I see him not only determined as he was last year, but also particularly strong," the Roma boss said. "He completed a preparation phase that for some time he hasn't been able to finish without injuries. Clearly you always cross your fingers." Dybala is keen to celebrate in front of the home crowd after a summer in which he has maintained top form and made a strong contribution on the pitch. Fiorentina present a particular challenge: in 19 previous Serie A encounters against the Viola, Dybala has recorded only three goals and three assists—his lowest return against any opponent he has faced at least 13 times in the league.

Roman radio stations have fielded a panel of journalists and former players to analyse Roma's setup for the coming season. Roberto Pruzzo argued that the squad remains largely unchanged from last year, with Matías Soulé capable of starting despite uneven form, and Paulo Dybala in good condition. He hopes Donyell Malen has recovered the energy he showed in the previous campaign. Mario Mattioli struck a more cautious note on squad integration. He does not expect Rodrigo Mora to play and make an immediate impact, suggesting that Gasperini is not inclined to deploy untested players mid-match. Mattioli stated: "When Mora begins to play he will show what is expected of him, but I have some doubt he can do it right away in an important way for Roma." He expects Nahuel Molina to feature but sees the rest of the side operating as it did last season, albeit with a faster rhythm of play. Soulé, he added, looks well-suited to Dybala's traditional right-sided role. Nando Orsi observed that Bryan Cristante played as a trequartista at Bergamo but has settled into his defensive midfield role at Roma. He noted the tactical complexity of deploying Santiago Castro, whose withdrawn starting position suits an accompanying forward rather than a static centre-forward, and flagged that Malen is not a traditional number nine. Gasperini must balance their use carefully; Castro can operate as Pasalik-style playmaker but Orsi questioned whether the manager is convinced of that approach. Soulé played in a behind-the-striker position at Frosinone and could replicate that role.

Roma face Fiorentina at the Olimpico at 20:45 tonight in the opening match of the Serie A season, with Gian Piero Gasperini preparing several significant choices for his debut fixture. The surprise selection could be Rodrigo Mora, who arrived only in recent days but is already a candidate for a starting shirt. The Portuguese forward is slightly favoured over Matías Soulé to play behind the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the back three, though Konstantinos Koulierakis is pushing to displace the Spanish defender following encouraging signs in pre-season. Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the wing-backs, with Manu Koné returning to midfield. Bryan Cristante is slightly favoured over Neil El Aynaoui for the remaining midfield spot. Mora's immediate integration represents the most intriguing tactical choice, with Santiago Castro available as an important option from the bench. Fiorentina will respond with a 4-3-2-1 under Fabio Grosso. Their lineup includes goalkeeper De Gea, a back four of Jimenez, Dragusin, Ranieri and Valdepenas, Brescianini, Fagioli and Ndour in midfield, Gudmundsson and Atta in support, and Kean as the central striker.

Roma's 2026–27 season gets under way this evening with a Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico at 20:45. Former Roma and Juventus executive Zbigniew Boniek has outlined his expectations for the campaign in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Boniek said: "My hope is that Roma have an important season, even though they are not among the scudetto favourites. The Champions League is back—a serious commitment that requires high concentration for many months and a broad squad." On the summer transfer activity, he suggested Gasperini may still want more additions but credited the club's work: "Castro, for example, I like as a centre-forward and he will be an excellent alternative to Malen." On the rapport between Gasperini and Roma's support, Boniek offered strong backing: "I like Gasperini very much—he always manages to get the maximum from his squad, he is straightforward. Roma's fans want to see their team play well and win: Gasperini guarantees you all of that. Perhaps he is disliked, yes, but by opponents."

Roman radio stations have fielded a panel of journalists and former players to analyse Roma's setup for the coming season. Roberto Pruzzo argued that the squad remains largely unchanged from last year, with Matías Soulé capable of starting despite uneven form, and Paulo Dybala in good condition. He hopes Donyell Malen has recovered the energy he showed in the previous campaign. Mario Mattioli struck a more cautious note on squad integration. He does not expect Rodrigo Mora to play and make an immediate impact, suggesting that Gasperini is not inclined to deploy untested players mid-match. Mattioli stated: "When Mora begins to play he will show what is expected of him, but I have some doubt he can do it right away in an important way for Roma." He expects Nahuel Molina to feature but sees the rest of the side operating as it did last season, albeit with a faster rhythm of play. Soulé, he added, looks well-suited to Dybala's traditional right-sided role. Nando Orsi observed that Bryan Cristante played as a trequartista at Bergamo but has settled into his defensive midfield role at Roma. He noted the tactical complexity of deploying Santiago Castro, whose withdrawn starting position suits an accompanying forward rather than a static centre-forward, and flagged that Malen is not a traditional number nine. Gasperini must balance their use carefully; Castro can operate as Pasalik-style playmaker but Orsi questioned whether the manager is convinced of that approach. Soulé played in a behind-the-striker position at Frosinone and could replicate that role.