Fiorentina boss Grosso readies squad for Roma opener: 'We have excellent weapons at our disposal'

Fiorentina manager Raffaele Grosso has declared his squad ready to face Roma at the Olimpico, saying the team is physically and mentally prepared for a high-level fixture. Speaking ahead of the match, Grosso confirmed that all his players are available after recovering from various injuries, and that he will have squad depth to rotate. Grosso acknowledged Roma's quality and the difficulty of the challenge away from home. "The opponents are strong, they had a tremendous season and have a very clear manager," he said. "Many characteristics make this fixture difficult, but difficult things, if you dive into them and try to stay inside them, can become even more beautiful. There are many pitfalls in this match, but we have the characteristics to try to play a great match." On the defensive setup, he noted flexibility: "Yes, I have no reservations but I prefer to put them in the positions they prefer. We have four central defenders with different experiences and characteristics. The skill is to make the players who take the field express themselves." Grosso highlighted the responsibility of maintaining Fiorentina's momentum and the support of the club's supporters. "One of our objectives is to ride this beautiful enthusiasm that is being created," he said. "We are aware of it. It is a beautiful responsibility; we want to keep it that way, knowing it won't always be easy. People support us and make many sacrifices to follow us. We take that into account, always." He stressed the importance of consistency: "The skill is giving continuity to doing things well; if you lower your level the other side will raise it and do well." On starting the season away from home, Grosso noted that many players know the Olimpico while others will discover it in time, but the group is prepared for the test ahead.

Fiorentina manager Fabio Grosso addressed reporters on 23 August ahead of Roma-Fiorentina, the opening fixture of the 2026-27 Serie A season, in what will be his official debut on the Fiorentina bench. Grosso confirmed that all squad members are available and physically ready for the challenge, with forward Kean fit both physically and mentally. He acknowledged Roma's strength under Gasperini but expressed confidence in Fiorentina's ability to compete: "We know the opponent's qualities and what awaits us. We prepare ourselves to counter and put our qualities on the pitch. The opponents are good, they had a great season and a very clear coach. Many characteristics make the fixture difficult, but difficult things if you throw yourself into them can become even more beautiful." Grosso also addressed the transfer market, stating that Fiorentina are on track with the club's plans. "We go hand in hand with the club. In the days before matches we focus on the priority aspect and the players we have. In these days we have talked little about the market, but we remain where we were. The squad needs filling in some points," he said. He outlined his defensive approach, noting that he prefers to position his defenders in their favoured roles rather than focus solely on containing specific opponents. "We have four centre-backs with different experience and characteristics. The skill is making the players who take the pitch express themselves well." Grosso reflected on his appointment as an emotional moment rooted in his deep passion for the work, while emphasizing the scale of the challenge ahead. He described Fiorentina's project as one requiring time and collective effort to rebuild competitive status. "We are aware of being many new things, we must blend together to walk together with a precise identity and a real squad," he said.

Roma are close to finalizing the arrival of Jayden Oosterwolde and pursuing Jamie Gittens as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini targets two new signings before the window closes. Gasperini confirmed in his press conference: "We can add two players, but only if they are suitable profiles and if we can reach them on the conditions we can afford." The Oosterwolde transfer is in its final stages after the clubs began preparing documentation on the evening of 22 August. Roma will pay €1 million for a loan with a fee, then €15 million if Oosterwolde records 20 appearances of at least 45 minutes, at which point the initial right to buy becomes an obligation. The 1.89 cm-tall Dutch defender is currently sidelined with a muscular injury; his recovery is estimated for early October. If all goes smoothly, he should be available for Gasperini after the first international break of the season. Originally a wing-back, Oosterwolde's physicality and positioning sense have often seen him deployed as a centre-back—either as a third defender or a fixed outside defender—offering Gasperini valuable tactical flexibility. The Gittens pursuit requires further negotiation with Chelsea. The Blues publicly rejected Roma's opening offer on 22 August, though the article suggests this is part of standard transfer posturing aimed at moving Roma away from their initial loan proposal. Chelsea will make their Premier League debut on Monday evening in the London derby against Fulham, making negotiations unlikely to progress over the coming 48 hours while attention turns to the pitch. Roma plan to offer €5 million for a loan with a fee and aim to secure a sell-on right—not an obligation—set above €50 million, reflecting the significant investment Chelsea made in Gittens a year ago.