Flash: Robinio Vaz responds to bench jabs; Olympic Village objects to match-day parking plan

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 open their 2026–27 campaign at home to Fiorentina on 24 August at 20:45 at Stadio Olimpico, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini weighing a significant selection decision hours before kickoff. Rodrigo Mora, the young Portuguese talent who has impressed at Trigoria with his quality, vision and intensity, is a serious candidate to start in the playmaker role, potentially displacing Matías Soulé on the trequarti. The teenager's inclusion would support the attacking partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in Gasperini's established 3–4–1–2 system. Gasperini has built his XI around familiar defensive foundations: Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Nahuel Molina and Wesley covering the flanks. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchor the midfield. The decision on Mora reflects Roma's strengthened squad depth this season, with options including Niccolò Pisilli's recovery, Neil El Aynaoui, Robinio Vaz, and the tactical flexibility offered by both Mora and Soulé as attacking alternatives—a level of squad quality the club has been building toward as the transfer window approaches its close.

Robinio Vaz has moved from being a candidate for departure to a central part of Gian Piero Gasperini's plans after impressing during Roma's pre-season preparation. At the start of the summer retreat, the young French forward's future remained uncertain, with a temporary move away mooted to give him regular playing time. As the weeks progressed, however, Vaz's quality and growth potential persuaded Gasperini to work with him directly, developing his characteristics and integrating him into the first team's offensive rotation. Roma has acted decisively to keep him. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club has rejected multiple loan approaches from Serie A sides. The decision reflects Gasperini's commitment to developing Vaz at Trigoria rather than sending him elsewhere for experience. The coach wants to work with him daily and assess how far he can push his development. Vaz can operate as a centre-forward or on the wing, offering flexibility in an attacking department Gasperini favours keeping well-stocked. The shift in direction marks a small but meaningful promotion earned entirely through his pre-season performances, an opportunity Vaz aims to build on after spending his first six months in Serie A in an apprenticeship role.

On the eve of Roma's season opener against Fiorentina, the transfer market continues to dominate the agenda at the club. Jayden Oosterwolde is set to arrive from Fenerbahçe, but head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his frustration with the handling of incoming transfers, calling on the board for a final push to complete the squad. Gasperini began the summer window with ambitions to recruit experienced, established players capable of competing in the Champions League. However, constraints imposed by wage limits and UEFA Financial Fair Play forced a shift toward younger, more sustainable profiles. "If we had signed Summerville, we wouldn't have been able to do anything else," Gasperini explained at his press conference, commenting also on the arrival of Rodrigo Mora: "It's an important investment with long-term prospects for the club, but it cannot be compared to Vaz." To consider the squad truly competitive and able to sustain a triple fixture schedule, Gasperini is still waiting for two additions. Beyond Oosterwolde, who will serve as Wesley's deputy, the coach is seeking a wide forward capable of providing pace and incisiveness. The club's line remains cautious: any move in the attacking department will materialise only if an opportunity of genuine quality presents itself.