Gasperini set to keep Mora as Roma prepare for Lecce trip; Molina-Lulli contest for right-back

Roma face Lecce at the Via del Mare at 18:30 in Serie A's second matchday, seeking to build on a strong opening victory against Fiorentina and maintain top spot before the transfer window closes. The mood at Trigoria has improved markedly following the arrival of two significant reinforcements: Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon. The Dutch midfielder's swift acquisition from Atalanta enabled the sale of Neil El Aynaoui and brought the physicality and personality Gasperini explicitly requested to complete the squad. Gasperini is pleased with a more solid team but knows the final hours of the transfer market will be decisive. The coach hopes to add one more reinforcement on the left flank—either a defender or an attacking winger. He has praised young squad member Emanuele Lulli, who is responding well, but acknowledges the player cannot yet carry such responsibility alone. Regarding Matías Soulé, Gasperini stated he has received no official offers for the Argentine and will continue to field him regularly, despite reports and activity surrounding his future. Roma now focus on the pitch with a tricky test awaiting against Di Francesco's side, aiming to preserve their perfect record ahead of the transfer deadline.

Roma travel to Lecce tonight at 18:30 for the second Serie A matchday, seeking to build on their 4-0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina and maintain their perfect record. Gasperini's side will be bolstered by two new arrivals: Leonardo Balerdi, brought in for the bench, and Marten de Roon, officially confirmed yesterday evening and immediately integrated into the travelling squad. Gasperini described both as "captains", emphasising that their arrival adds physicality, experience and personality to a squad facing a long season. The coach defended his team's opening performance in a press conference yesterday, insisting that despite Fiorentina's subsequent 3-0 home defeat to Frosinone, Roma's display at the Olimpico was "a proof of absolute value for intensity, quality and solidity". He intends to field a very similar starting XI at the Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora continues to impress and is on track to start again in attack, while the main tactical question centres on the right flank: Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina remain in contention, with Lulli having made strong use of his opening opportunity while Molina gradually recovers his best condition. Matías Soulé also remains an option as a right-sided midfielder, a possibility Gasperini is considering but which appears to be a contingency rather than the first choice. Lecce arrive with momentum from their own opening win and will look to exploit home advantage under Eusebio Di Francesco. Roma will need rhythm, aggression and concentration to maintain their intensity; Gasperini wants a team capable of imposing its football again and confirming the mental and physical solidity shown against Fiorentina. A second consecutive victory would allow Roma to approach an increasingly demanding fixture list with genuine confidence.

Gian Piero Gasperini will look to extend Roma's perfect start when the side travels to Lecce today, hoping to claim three more points that would keep the club atop the Serie A table, at least for now. The head coach will lean heavily on the attacking pair of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who impressed in Roma's opening fixture against Fiorentina. Malen is on the cusp of becoming only the second Roma player in 65 years to score at least four goals in their opening two matches. The contest promises to be difficult. Lecce will bring home-ground advantage and expected warm, humid conditions to kick-off, while the hosts' enthusiasm for the fixture will be evident. Gasperini has settled on nine of his starting eleven, leaving two key decisions unresolved: whether to deploy Nahuel Molina or Emanuele Lulli on the right flank, and whether to confirm Rodrigo Mora in the role behind Dybala and Malen. On Matías Soulé's involvement, Gasperini confirmed: "He will play as well."

Roma face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare on 31 August at 18:30 in a Serie A fixture. Four major Italian newspapers predict a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as the attacking pair. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected in midfield, with Wesley operating as a full-back. The main variance in predicted lineups centres on one defensive position. Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera all expect Emanuele Lulli at left-back, while Gazzetta dello Sport forecasts Nahuel Molina in that role. All four outlets agree on the remainder of the eleven, including Rodrigo Mora as the number 10 behind the two forwards.

Roma travel to Lecce's Via del Mare stadium on 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A fixtures, looking to build on a convincing 4–0 victory over Fiorentina. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has few selection doubts, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen leading the attack. The main uncertainty lies at right-back, where Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for the starting role. Gasperini will also be able to call on two new signings, Balerdi and De Roon. Multiple Italian outlets have published predicted lineups for the fixture. Most expect a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Roma's starting XI likely to feature Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, Wesley at left-back, Rodrigo Mora in an attacking midfield role, and Dybala and Malen in the forward line. The key variable remains the right-back position, with some outlets favouring Molina and others backing Lulli for the role.

Roma travel to Lecce tonight at 18:30 for the second Serie A matchday, seeking to build on their 4-0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina and maintain their perfect record. Gasperini's side will be bolstered by two new arrivals: Leonardo Balerdi, brought in for the bench, and Marten de Roon, officially confirmed yesterday evening and immediately integrated into the travelling squad. Gasperini described both as "captains", emphasising that their arrival adds physicality, experience and personality to a squad facing a long season. The coach defended his team's opening performance in a press conference yesterday, insisting that despite Fiorentina's subsequent 3-0 home defeat to Frosinone, Roma's display at the Olimpico was "a proof of absolute value for intensity, quality and solidity". He intends to field a very similar starting XI at the Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora continues to impress and is on track to start again in attack, while the main tactical question centres on the right flank: Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina remain in contention, with Lulli having made strong use of his opening opportunity while Molina gradually recovers his best condition. Matías Soulé also remains an option as a right-sided midfielder, a possibility Gasperini is considering but which appears to be a contingency rather than the first choice. Lecce arrive with momentum from their own opening win and will look to exploit home advantage under Eusebio Di Francesco. Roma will need rhythm, aggression and concentration to maintain their intensity; Gasperini wants a team capable of imposing its football again and confirming the mental and physical solidity shown against Fiorentina. A second consecutive victory would allow Roma to approach an increasingly demanding fixture list with genuine confidence.

Roma have signed midfielder Marten de Roon from Atalanta and defender Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, but failed to complete moves for fullback Jayden Oosterwolde and defender Morato. The deal for Oosterwolde collapsed after Fenerbahçe's injury proved more severe than expected and the club refused to renegotiate terms; Roma are not pursuing alternative options as academy product Emanuele Lulli has proven serviceable. Morato joins on loan with a €15 million conditional obligation to buy after Nottingham Forest demanded an immediate permanent transfer—he had been a cornerstone of Marseille's plans for six seasons with 200 appearances. De Roon arrives as a replacement for Neil El Aynaoui, who is heading to RB Leipzig for a reported potential €29 million package. The midfielder asked to leave when his manager Maurizio Sarri called, and Atalanta allowed his departure without obstruction. Roma's recruitment reflects a broader shift away from signings made by the previous director that lacked Gian Piero Gasperini's approval, selecting instead established players unlikely to disrupt the group. Roma are also working on signings from Zenit's Luiz Henrique and Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling, according to reports from Alfredo Pedullà, with the possibility of adding both if Matías Soulé departs. El Aynaoui, who joined from Lens, never fully realised the potential he had shown in Ligue 1, and the club have opted to move forward with proven commodities expected to deliver solid contributions when called upon.

Roma face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare on 31 August at 18:30 in a Serie A fixture. Four major Italian newspapers predict a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as the attacking pair. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected in midfield, with Wesley operating as a full-back. The main variance in predicted lineups centres on one defensive position. Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera all expect Emanuele Lulli at left-back, while Gazzetta dello Sport forecasts Nahuel Molina in that role. All four outlets agree on the remainder of the eleven, including Rodrigo Mora as the number 10 behind the two forwards.

Roma travel to Lecce's Via del Mare stadium on 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A fixtures, looking to build on a convincing 4–0 victory over Fiorentina. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has few selection doubts, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen leading the attack. The main uncertainty lies at right-back, where Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for the starting role. Gasperini will also be able to call on two new signings, Balerdi and De Roon. Multiple Italian outlets have published predicted lineups for the fixture. Most expect a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Roma's starting XI likely to feature Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, Wesley at left-back, Rodrigo Mora in an attacking midfield role, and Dybala and Malen in the forward line. The key variable remains the right-back position, with some outlets favouring Molina and others backing Lulli for the role.

Roma have signed midfielder Marten de Roon from Atalanta and defender Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, but failed to complete moves for fullback Jayden Oosterwolde and defender Morato. The deal for Oosterwolde collapsed after Fenerbahçe's injury proved more severe than expected and the club refused to renegotiate terms; Roma are not pursuing alternative options as academy product Emanuele Lulli has proven serviceable. Morato joins on loan with a €15 million conditional obligation to buy after Nottingham Forest demanded an immediate permanent transfer—he had been a cornerstone of Marseille's plans for six seasons with 200 appearances. De Roon arrives as a replacement for Neil El Aynaoui, who is heading to RB Leipzig for a reported potential €29 million package. The midfielder asked to leave when his manager Maurizio Sarri called, and Atalanta allowed his departure without obstruction. Roma's recruitment reflects a broader shift away from signings made by the previous director that lacked Gian Piero Gasperini's approval, selecting instead established players unlikely to disrupt the group. Roma are also working on signings from Zenit's Luiz Henrique and Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling, according to reports from Alfredo Pedullà, with the possibility of adding both if Matías Soulé departs. El Aynaoui, who joined from Lens, never fully realised the potential he had shown in Ligue 1, and the club have opted to move forward with proven commodities expected to deliver solid contributions when called upon.

Roma face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare on 31 August at 18:30 in a Serie A fixture. Four major Italian newspapers predict a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as the attacking pair. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected in midfield, with Wesley operating as a full-back. The main variance in predicted lineups centres on one defensive position. Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera all expect Emanuele Lulli at left-back, while Gazzetta dello Sport forecasts Nahuel Molina in that role. All four outlets agree on the remainder of the eleven, including Rodrigo Mora as the number 10 behind the two forwards.

Roma travel to Lecce's Via del Mare stadium on 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A fixtures, looking to build on a convincing 4–0 victory over Fiorentina. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has few selection doubts, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen leading the attack. The main uncertainty lies at right-back, where Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for the starting role. Gasperini will also be able to call on two new signings, Balerdi and De Roon. Multiple Italian outlets have published predicted lineups for the fixture. Most expect a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Roma's starting XI likely to feature Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, Wesley at left-back, Rodrigo Mora in an attacking midfield role, and Dybala and Malen in the forward line. The key variable remains the right-back position, with some outlets favouring Molina and others backing Lulli for the role.