Gasperini to hold press conference Sunday at 13:30 ahead of Lecce trip

Roma will play their second Serie A fixture of the 2026–27 season at Lecce on Monday 31 August, kicking off at 18:30 at Stadio Via del Mare. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference on Sunday 30 August at 13:30 at the Centro Sportivo Fulvio Bernardini. Lecce are managed by Eusebio Di Francesco. The conference will be streamed live on Roma's official social media channels and covered in real-time text updates on Romanews.eu.

John Galantic, Roma's new chief executive, spoke publicly for the first time since the Champions League league-phase draw on 27 August, expressing confidence that the club can compete at Europe's highest level. Addressing the media after the draw, Galantic commented on Roma's opponents and gave an update on the final days of the summer transfer window under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Galantic described his first month in the role as intense, encompassing both the transfer market and pre-season preparations. He confirmed that Gasperini—a perfectionist by nature—continues to demand more from the squad despite praising the players who have already arrived. Roma made a strong start to their Serie A campaign and now face a demanding European fixture list. Galantic stressed the club's ambition: "The Roma must always be in the Champions League," he said, and indicated the club remains alert to late opportunities in the market. "Winners are always demanding and that is better," Galantic stated. "We are vigilant in these final days of the transfer market and we will see if there are opportunities. Gasperini has also said he is happy with the players who arrived and that we are stronger than last year." Galantic, a Roma supporter since childhood, expressed his honour at the role and thanked the fans, squad, Gasperini and the entire staff for the club's Champions League qualification. On the challenge ahead, he acknowledged that all opponents are formidable but singled out fixtures against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as particularly compelling encounters. "Great emotion," he said of his first weeks. "It is a baptism of fire, between the transfer market and pre-season, but it is good to understand the sporting reality well, because that is where value is created."

John Galantic, Roma's new CEO, spoke to Sky Sport following the Champions League league-phase draw on 27 August 2026. "Great emotion, all the teams are difficult to face," he said. "I have been a huge Roma fan since I was small, for me this is more than a job: it is passion. First month has been complicated with the transfer market and pre-season, but it is good to understand the sporting side well because that is where value is created." On head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Galantic emphasised the club's competitive standing. "Winners are always demanding, that is better. We are vigilant on market opportunities but Gasperini has also said he is happy with the squad he has. We are stronger than last year. I want to thank the fans, the squad and Gasperini—Roma must always be in the Champions League." Galantic's remarks came as Roma were drawn into the Champions League league phase for the 2026-27 season, having finished third in Serie A in 2025-26.

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.

Fresh details have emerged on the failed transfer of Jayden Oosterwolde to Fenerbahçe. According to journalist Piero Torri, the player and his representatives were even prepared to freeze his salary during his recovery from injury, saying "As long as the player hasn't returned from injury, don't pay us". The deal collapsed over a disagreement on his expected return date: Fenerbahçe projected October, while Roma's medical assessments placed recovery no earlier than January 2027. Meanwhile, Martina Piemonte has spoken about her return to Roma colours after an eight-year absence. She said: "Roma is something unique. I had offers abroad, but in Italy I wanted only and solely Roma." She credited the bond with her teammates Pilgrim, Corelli, Oliviero, Bergamaschi, Giugliano and Greggi, and added: "We are a very great team, the objectives are high." On Roma's Champions League campaign this season, she stated: "Playing it in the Roma shirt gives me enormous drive." Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field the same squad that defeated Fiorentina, with the likely only change being Nahuel Molina on the right, now fit and in line for his first league start. A contest remains open on the attacking midfield between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Devyne Rensch continues to be doubtful. Gasperini can also count on Lulli, promoted after an excellent display at the Olimpico. The Champions League draw delivered two emotionally charged fixtures: Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho—the last coach to win a trophy with Roma—will visit the Olimpico, while Paris Saint-Germain, where Luis Enrique managed Roma in the 2011-12 season, will be faced away. Among the most challenging away trips will be Manchester United at Old Trafford, inevitably recalling Roma's historic 7-1 defeat in 2007.

Gian Piero Gasperini has one change to make for Monday's match at Lecce, with Nahuel Molina fully recovered from the issue that left him on the bench against Fiorentina. The Argentine trained normally yesterday with his teammates and is ready to start in Salento. Devyne Rensch, however, is likely to miss out after suffering a muscular strain, and his inclusion in the squad for the Puglia trip remains highly uncertain. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains sidelined and is targeting a return to group training in September.

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.

Roma return to the Champions League after eight years with a curious contradiction: a squad seasoned in European competition but largely inexperienced in the continent's top tier. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the giallorossi have navigated knockout stages, difficult away trips and high-pressure evenings in recent seasons, yet a significant portion of the squad presents as Champions League debutants when their record in the competition itself is examined. The drawn opponents—Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Sporting, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Atene—underscore the magnitude of the step up. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen stand as the principal points of reference, each with around 50 Champions League appearances. Behind them Nahuel Molina brings roughly 40 such matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, followed by Mario Hermoso, equally accustomed to the highest level of European football. The picture shifts sharply thereafter. Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played in the Champions League, though Roma's last participation dates back to the 2018–19 season. Other squad members have sampled the competition only briefly, while a substantial portion will encounter it for the first time. Key players such as Manu Koné, Wesley, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro have either never played it or collected minimal appearances. Yet Roma should not be labelled a European-inexperienced side. The club built a genuine identity in the cups: Cristante, Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and the core nucleus lived through the Conference League triumph in 2022, the Europa League final of 2023 and numerous knockout campaigns. Dybala, Evan N'Dicka, Koné, Pisilli and Matías Soulé have progressively accumulated international experience outside the Champions League but in matches where pressure, emotional control and reading momentum matter most. Here lies the true uncertainty: Roma possesses European aptitude but lacks a true Champions League identity. Errors recoverable in Europa League risk becoming instant goals against Real Madrid and PSG. The new League Phase format demands Gasperini navigate eight different fixtures without building a classic group-stage rhythm. The task ahead is not to teach Roma what a European night means, but to elevate what they have learned over five years.

Fresh details have emerged on the failed transfer of Jayden Oosterwolde to Fenerbahçe. According to journalist Piero Torri, the player and his representatives were even prepared to freeze his salary during his recovery from injury, saying "As long as the player hasn't returned from injury, don't pay us". The deal collapsed over a disagreement on his expected return date: Fenerbahçe projected October, while Roma's medical assessments placed recovery no earlier than January 2027. Meanwhile, Martina Piemonte has spoken about her return to Roma colours after an eight-year absence. She said: "Roma is something unique. I had offers abroad, but in Italy I wanted only and solely Roma." She credited the bond with her teammates Pilgrim, Corelli, Oliviero, Bergamaschi, Giugliano and Greggi, and added: "We are a very great team, the objectives are high." On Roma's Champions League campaign this season, she stated: "Playing it in the Roma shirt gives me enormous drive." Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field the same squad that defeated Fiorentina, with the likely only change being Nahuel Molina on the right, now fit and in line for his first league start. A contest remains open on the attacking midfield between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Devyne Rensch continues to be doubtful. Gasperini can also count on Lulli, promoted after an excellent display at the Olimpico. The Champions League draw delivered two emotionally charged fixtures: Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho—the last coach to win a trophy with Roma—will visit the Olimpico, while Paris Saint-Germain, where Luis Enrique managed Roma in the 2011-12 season, will be faced away. Among the most challenging away trips will be Manchester United at Old Trafford, inevitably recalling Roma's historic 7-1 defeat in 2007.

Gianluca Falsini, who coached Emanuele Lulli at Roma's Under-16 and Primavera levels, gave an exclusive interview to Retesport praising the young forward's character and potential. Falsini described Lulli as "incredible, a Roma fan with Giallorosso blood running through his veins. He is resilient, has the capacity to listen, everyone would want him as a son: he is extraordinary." The former academy coach noted that Lulli's greatest asset is his intensity, combined with a good first touch and ball control, though he still needs to improve his finishing, crossing, shooting and short passing. "He has 19 years, have patience and he applies himself to the work. Certainly he will improve, Gasperini's style of play suits him perfectly: he has to run a lot without the ball, I am happy for him and his family," Falsini said. Falsini emphasised that Lulli's path to the first team was unconventional. Unlike earlier academy products such as Coletta, Di Nunzio and Nardin, who had a certain technical baseline, Lulli lacked that foundation initially. "When I started, he had great physical capacity, strength and power and had problems to the point that he suffered rebalancing his body, but he did it working with dedication every day," Falsini explained. The coach was emotional watching Roma's 4–0 win over Fiorentina, in which Lulli played at the Stadio Olimpico under immense pressure. He remains confident in the player's trajectory: "In silence every year he has improved, so he is a boy who will make it." Falsini also touched on the broader Serie A landscape. He called Roma's result against Fiorentina frightening but cautioned that Inter are "clearly much stronger," while Napoli should fight for a top-three finish. He expressed hope that Como would replicate last season's campaign and predicted Juventus would perform better than they did in 2025–26. "It will be a gripping Serie A; the line will be drawn when the market closes, but the indications are these: it is normal that one match does not prove anything," he said.

Gianluca Falsini, former Roma Under-16 and Primavera coach who developed Emanuele Lulli, praised the 19-year-old's character and potential in an exclusive interview. Falsini stressed Lulli's mentality and work ethic: "He is a boy with giallorosso blood running through his veins. He is resilient, has the ability to listen, everyone would want him as a son—he is extraordinary." Lulli lacked technical foundation when Falsini first trained him, yet improved through daily dedication and now shows great physical capacity and running ability. Falsini highlighted that Lulli's best quality is intensity, coupled with good first touch and ball control, though he still needs to develop his finishing, crossing, shooting, and short passing. At 19, Falsini expressed patience with his development. Crucially, Falsini believes Gasperini's playing style aligns perfectly with Lulli's profile: "The way Gasperini plays suits him to a tee—he has to run a lot without the ball, and I am happy for him and his family." Lulli's path was unconventional; he was never selected for his age-group national teams and suffered illness that prevented him from progressing to Under-17, yet Falsini calls him an example for other academy players. Falsini also reflected on Roma's broader prospects. He noted that Roma impressed with a 4–0 victory over Fiorentina and that Serie A will be competitive, with Inter "markedly stronger" than others. He expects Napoli to challenge for a top-three finish, Como to replicate last season's performance, and Juventus to avoid another mediocre campaign. On the first round of fixtures: "There is good news in that there is more football being played—athletically stronger squads will have an advantage." Falsini cautioned that one match does not define a season but predicted an engaging Serie A campaign.

Fresh details have emerged on the failed transfer of Jayden Oosterwolde to Fenerbahçe. According to journalist Piero Torri, the player and his representatives were even prepared to freeze his salary during his recovery from injury, saying "As long as the player hasn't returned from injury, don't pay us". The deal collapsed over a disagreement on his expected return date: Fenerbahçe projected October, while Roma's medical assessments placed recovery no earlier than January 2027. Meanwhile, Martina Piemonte has spoken about her return to Roma colours after an eight-year absence. She said: "Roma is something unique. I had offers abroad, but in Italy I wanted only and solely Roma." She credited the bond with her teammates Pilgrim, Corelli, Oliviero, Bergamaschi, Giugliano and Greggi, and added: "We are a very great team, the objectives are high." On Roma's Champions League campaign this season, she stated: "Playing it in the Roma shirt gives me enormous drive." Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field the same squad that defeated Fiorentina, with the likely only change being Nahuel Molina on the right, now fit and in line for his first league start. A contest remains open on the attacking midfield between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Devyne Rensch continues to be doubtful. Gasperini can also count on Lulli, promoted after an excellent display at the Olimpico. The Champions League draw delivered two emotionally charged fixtures: Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho—the last coach to win a trophy with Roma—will visit the Olimpico, while Paris Saint-Germain, where Luis Enrique managed Roma in the 2011-12 season, will be faced away. Among the most challenging away trips will be Manchester United at Old Trafford, inevitably recalling Roma's historic 7-1 defeat in 2007.