Dybala and Malen: Roma's explosive weapon for the Champions League

Roma will discover the fixture dates and kick-off times for the Champions League league-phase campaign today, with matches running from 8–10 September through 27 January. The club will host Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbona, Lille and Slovan Bratislava at the Olimpico. This marks Roma's return to the competition for the first time in over seven years after finishing third in Serie A last season. Ticket allocation will be severely limited: 40,000 supporters have already secured the European cup subscription package, leaving fewer than 20,000 seats available across other sections, with prices expected to be prohibitively expensive. UEFA will announce the fixture schedule today; Roma will publish ticket sale terms in the coming days. Season ticket holders for Serie A will have first refusal through the PNR system for friends and family.

Roma will discover the dates and times of their Champions League league-phase matches today, with the first fixture between 8–10 September and the final match on 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting CP, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico across the campaign. Ticket availability will be severely limited. Some 40,000 supporters have already taken out cup competition season tickets, leaving fewer than 20,000 seats available across other sections—though prices are expected to be prohibitive. The club will announce sales procedures in the coming days following UEFA's release of the fixture schedule today. Series A season-ticket holders will receive first refusal on tickets through the PNR system for friends and relatives.

Gian Piero Gasperini's offensive philosophy, honed during his time managing Atalanta in the Champions League, is shaping Roma's approach to European competition this season. The coach has made clear that Roma's attack will not match the firepower of PSG and Real Madrid, but intends to compete effectively against the other sides in the competition. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala are at the required standard and elevate Roma's level, forming a front line capable of standing alongside Europe's strongest. Roma have been building their attacking threat for two years, though last season saw a failure driven chiefly by the underperformance of players already in the squad. This season Gasperini has been explicit about his demands. Matías Soulé adds depth to the attacking pool, though he lacks experience in a major European competition; he possesses the numbers and quality required at this level. The European landscape features Real Madrid continuing heavy investment in attack, while PSG has assembled proven attacking talent including Ferran Torres, and Manchester United defends solidly. The rest of Roma's Champions League opponents sit at or below the Giallorossi's level. According to analysis by Alessandro Angeloni in Il Messaggero, Gasperini's tactical imprint reflects a continuous pursuit of goals and attacking play to compete with Europe's strongest. The upcoming fixture against Fenerbahçe will offer a different challenge. Should Gasperini secure an additional attacking player, Roma would possess the championship-winning attacking pairings needed to compete across all fronts.

Gian Piero Gasperini's offensive philosophy, honed during his time managing Atalanta in the Champions League, is shaping Roma's approach to European competition this season. The coach has made clear that Roma's attack will not match the firepower of PSG and Real Madrid, but intends to compete effectively against the other sides in the competition. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala are at the required standard and elevate Roma's level, forming a front line capable of standing alongside Europe's strongest. Roma have been building their attacking threat for two years, though last season saw a failure driven chiefly by the underperformance of players already in the squad. This season Gasperini has been explicit about his demands. Matías Soulé adds depth to the attacking pool, though he lacks experience in a major European competition; he possesses the numbers and quality required at this level. The European landscape features Real Madrid continuing heavy investment in attack, while PSG has assembled proven attacking talent including Ferran Torres, and Manchester United defends solidly. The rest of Roma's Champions League opponents sit at or below the Giallorossi's level. According to analysis by Alessandro Angeloni in Il Messaggero, Gasperini's tactical imprint reflects a continuous pursuit of goals and attacking play to compete with Europe's strongest. The upcoming fixture against Fenerbahçe will offer a different challenge. Should Gasperini secure an additional attacking player, Roma would possess the championship-winning attacking pairings needed to compete across all fronts.

Roma are on the verge of signing Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the Argentine centre-back expected to arrive in the capital on 29 August to complete the formalities and undergo medical tests at Campus Biomedico. The move comes after Jan Ziółkowski's departure to Monza created a need for defensive reinforcement. Balerdi, born in 1999, will join on a loan with an option to purchase, with Roma paying approximately €2 million in loan fees and holding a conditional right of redemption set at around €15 million and linked to the player's appearances. His contract runs until 2031. The signing will also boost Roma's growing Argentine contingent to five players — Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro are already at the club. Marseille's financial pressures under UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations accelerated the deal, allowing Roma to secure the Argentine international as they continue to reshape their squad in the closing stages of the summer transfer window. Balerdi holds an Italian passport and will not occupy a non-EU registration slot, easing administrative requirements. The club remains focused on filling their primary target — a left-sided attacking midfielder — before the window closes, but has used the intervening period to strengthen the backline further. The arrival of Balerdi will add another experienced voice to Roma's defence. He becomes part of what the club describes as the largest cohort of foreign players in the squad's history, with the Argentine presence now numbering five across the roster at Trigoria.

Leonardo Balerdi, the Argentine centre-back from Olympique Marseille, is poised to complete his move to Roma, with the transfer expected to be finalised today. The club moved decisively to exploit Marseille's financial difficulties, which forced the Ligue 1 side to sell due to financial fair play restrictions. Balerdi will arrive on a loan deal worth approximately €2 million with a conditional right of redemption tied to his appearances, valued at around €15 million. The 28-year-old holds both Argentine and Italian citizenship, meaning he will not occupy a non-EU squad slot. His contract with Marseille runs until 2031. The signing addresses Roma's defensive needs following the departure of Jan Ziółkowski to Monza. Balerdi's arrival will further bolster Roma's Argentine contingent to five players—joining Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Nahuel Molina, and Santiago Castro. The tango colony at Trigoria represents the largest cohesive foreign group in the club's history, according to reports. The centre-back is expected to arrive in Rome today to undergo medical examinations at the Campus Biomedico before beginning training. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini is bringing in a defender with proven personality and commitment to regular first-team football. The left-sided attacking midfielder remains the priority in the transfer market, though that signing may not materialise until late in the current window.

Gian Piero Gasperini's offensive philosophy, honed during his time managing Atalanta in the Champions League, is shaping Roma's approach to European competition this season. The coach has made clear that Roma's attack will not match the firepower of PSG and Real Madrid, but intends to compete effectively against the other sides in the competition. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala are at the required standard and elevate Roma's level, forming a front line capable of standing alongside Europe's strongest. Roma have been building their attacking threat for two years, though last season saw a failure driven chiefly by the underperformance of players already in the squad. This season Gasperini has been explicit about his demands. Matías Soulé adds depth to the attacking pool, though he lacks experience in a major European competition; he possesses the numbers and quality required at this level. The European landscape features Real Madrid continuing heavy investment in attack, while PSG has assembled proven attacking talent including Ferran Torres, and Manchester United defends solidly. The rest of Roma's Champions League opponents sit at or below the Giallorossi's level. According to analysis by Alessandro Angeloni in Il Messaggero, Gasperini's tactical imprint reflects a continuous pursuit of goals and attacking play to compete with Europe's strongest. The upcoming fixture against Fenerbahçe will offer a different challenge. Should Gasperini secure an additional attacking player, Roma would possess the championship-winning attacking pairings needed to compete across all fronts.

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.