Dybala reaches 100 Serie A goals for Roma, targeting first Olimpico strike since December

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."

Zbigniew Boniek has backed Roma's transfer strategy and championship ambitions in an interview with Corriere della Sera. The former Roma striker urged the club to start the season strongly, saying: "It will be fundamental to start well. In Italy if you make mistakes in a few matches they immediately start criticizing you. On the contrary, starting with the right foot the enthusiasm of Roma fans could push you to dream. Simply fighting for the top would already be considered an important achievement. My hope is that Roma has an important season, even if they are not among the favourites for the Scudetto." Roma return to the Champions League after seven years, an undertaking Boniek considers demanding. He acknowledged that while Gian Piero Gasperini may still want additional players, the club has already moved decisively in the market. Santiago Castro impressed Boniek as a centre forward: "Castro, for example, I like as a striker and he will be an excellent alternative to Malen." Boniek expressed confidence in Donyell Malen's ability to replicate his form. "He has the perfect characteristics for Serie A," Boniek said. "He's not like many strikers today, who play with their back to goal and fight defenders—Malen always looks at the goalkeeper. He is destined to do well again." Boniek also praised Gasperini's fit with the Roma support, describing the coach as someone who consistently extracts maximum performance from his squad. "I like Gasperini very much, he always manages to get the best out of his team, he is outspoken," Boniek reflected. "Roma 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.

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 punditry centred on team selection and attacking form ahead of the new season, with Matías Soulé emerging as the favoured choice in the number 10 role over Rodrigo Mora, though debate continues over the precise formation Gasperini will deploy. Carina suggested the coach may operate a 3–4–1–2 shape when facing four-at-the-back defences, with Soulé holding an edge because he has been tested more in pre-season. However, Bryan Cristante could slot into midfield if Gasperini opts for a more compact setup. The formation flexibility allows Gasperini to rotate among his front players, with Paulo Dybala tasked to make the difference in the final third. Orsi noted that Castro operates from deep and requires careful management alongside Malen, who is not a static centre-forward. "Castro as an accompanying figure to the striker could work. Soulé at Frosinone played behind the striker and can perform that Pasalic role," Orsi said, adding that he doubts Castro will take on that responsibility immediately. Pruzzo expressed hope that Malen improves on recent displays, saying: "I hope Malen is better than in his last performances." He backed Soulé as a potential starter and praised Castro as a strong player capable of greater involvement. Mattioli predicted Mora would not feature significantly, suggesting he might appear only late in matches as Gasperini prefers not to make such bold substitutions. Mattioli also noted he has seen Soulé perform well on the right wing when Dybala is absent, and would prefer him deployed on that flank. The pundits agreed Roma would resemble the side from last season, though operating at a higher pace of play.