Gasperini's Roma begins Serie A campaign against Fiorentina

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 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.

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 will face Fiorentina in the opening match of the 2026–27 Serie A season on 24 August at 20:45, with the Olimpico sold out for the campaign's debut. Head coach Gasperini has settled most selection questions but left unresolved a contest between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for a place on the attacking midfield line, both having been tested in recent tactical sessions. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will lead the attack. The squad arrives with the goal of confirming the previous season's strong showing, which returned Roma to the Champions League after seven years away. The defensive line appears set, with Mile Svilar in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The midfield four will likely be Nahuel Molina, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Wesley across the width. Rome's major newspapers offered varying formations in their predicted lineups ahead of the fixture. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tempo, Messaggero, Repubblica and Romanista all suggested a 3–4–2–1 or 3–4–1–2 structure, though they differed on whether Soulé or Mora would occupy the second attacking midfield slot. Romanews.eu predicted a 3–4–2–1 with Soulé in that role and Dybala flanking him, while other outlets split between the two options, reflecting the uncertainty Gasperini has yet to resolve.

Roma begin the 2026–27 season tonight at the Olimpico, hosting Fiorentina under coach Gian Piero Gasperini in a fixture expected to deliver intensity and attacking football. Kickoff is 20:45, and the stadium is sold out. Gasperini has settled on a 3–4–1–2 formation to suit the squad's strengths. The main pre-match question centres on the playmaker role, where young talent Rodrigo Mora is challenging Matías Soulé for a place, though the Argentine holds a slight edge after his summer work in that position. The rest of the starting eleven is confirmed: Mile Svilar in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso across the defence; Wesley and Nahuel Molina on the flanks, the latter preferred to Devyne Rensch; Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, as Niccolò Pisilli and Neil El Aynaoui are not at full fitness; Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with Santiago Castro ready from the bench. Fiorentina arrive under Fabio Grosso with a heavily rebuilt squad, managing a transition period and the off-field situation involving Kean. Roma have shown steady progress in pre-season and carry the confidence of a strong finish to last season into this campaign.

Roma open their 2026–27 season at home to Fiorentina on 24 August at 20:45 in a high-profile first-round fixture, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side seeking to extend a remarkable record. Gasperini is chasing his ninth consecutive opening-day victory in his twentieth season as head coach. The Roma manager will deploy an attack-minded system built around Paulo Dybala's creativity and the centre-forward Donyell Malen, who will share duties with Santiago Castro. Matías Soulé is the clear favourite to start on the attacking midfield line after overcoming physical problems and regaining fitness, while left-back Wesley faces an assessment of an ankle issue that could see Devyne Rensch step in if needed. Fabio Grosso makes his Fiorentina Serie A debut on the opposite bench with a heavily remodelled squad. The Viola's defence could include three new arrivals—Valdepenas, Joao Mario, and Dragusin—from the start. Grosso is tempted to field young Argentine talent Franco Mastantuono in the attacking midfield, setting up an intriguing clash of Argentine playmakers against Dybala. Moise Kean may begin on the bench due to transfer speculation linking him to Como, creating space for centre-forward Mateo Pellegrino in the team sheet.

Roma face Fiorentina tonight in a match that pits two coaches united by their commitment to attacking, creative football against each other. Gian Piero Gasperini and Fabio Grosso, though separated by a generational divide, share a philosophy centred on beautiful play and going forward to score. Gasperini will count on the imagination of Paulo Dybala and the quality of Donyell Malen, with Matías Soulé favoured over Rodrigo Mora in the midfield. Should Wesley be unavailable, Devyne Rensch is ready to step in. The Roma manager intends to play an attacking match to start the season well. For Gasperini, this marks his twentieth season as a manager—a significant milestone considering he has accumulated 637 Serie A bench appearances, more than any manager today, and has secured a first-match victory in each of the past eight seasons. Roma are adopting a conservative approach, though more from necessity than philosophy. The fixture promises excitement and intensity. Fiorentina have made ten summer signings, though only five are likely to start. Mastantuono could be their trump card in attack, and Grosso has not yet decided his line-up—a decision he will make this morning—but the idea of giving the new signing immediate trust appeals to him. The real surprise could be the exclusion of Kean, with Pellegrino ready to take his place.