Ghilardi joins starters' warm-up as N'Dicka ruled out for Lecce trip

Evan N'Dicka suffered a right adductor injury during Roma's warm-up at the Via del Mare and has been ruled out of the match against Lecce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini opted not to risk the Ivorian defender, who returned to the dressing room after the problem emerged in the pre-match session. Daniele Ghilardi, the former Hellas Verona defender, will replace N'Dicka in the centre-back trio. Gasperini has moved Gianluca Mancini into a central role to accommodate the reshuffle, with Mario Hermoso completing the defensive line on the right.

Roma will learn the full league-phase schedule for the UEFA Champions League on 29 August, with the phase running from 8–10 September through 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico, while Roma travel to face PSG, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. The club has already sold 40,000 cup subscriptions, with the Curva Sud and Distinti Sud sections sold out. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to keep the starting eleven largely intact following Roma's convincing opening display against Fiorentina, fielding it again away at Lecce on Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora is on course to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with a battle between Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to retain their places. Defence headaches persist: Devyne Rensch will miss the Lecce trip due to a left-flexor problem and continues treatment, while Lorenzo Pellegrini continues his recovery work on an individual programme.

Roma will not strengthen their wing-back options before the transfer window closes, barring late surprises. With Devyne Rensch sidelined by a left flexor injury, Gian Piero Gasperini will rely on four defenders to cover the flanks until January: Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina on the right, and Wesley on the left. Molina featured prominently in Roma's opening match against Fiorentina last Monday, while Lulli has also impressed in recent action. The Oosterwolde deal collapsed following additional medical checks, and with Balerdi's arrival imminent to complete the centre-back contingent, Roma have decided against further recruitment in the defensive ranks. The club's focus has instead shifted to signing an attacking left winger rather than a fourth midfield full-back, a decision made in light of the positive performances from Lulli. Any further wing signings remain possible in the final days of the market, but none is planned at present.

Evan N'Dicka suffered a right adductor injury during Roma's warm-up at the Via del Mare and has been ruled out of the match against Lecce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini opted not to risk the Ivorian defender, who returned to the dressing room after the problem emerged in the pre-match session. Daniele Ghilardi, the former Hellas Verona defender, will replace N'Dicka in the centre-back trio. Gasperini has moved Gianluca Mancini into a central role to accommodate the reshuffle, with Mario Hermoso completing the defensive line on the right.

Roma line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation for their second Serie A match of the season at Lecce on Monday, 31 August, with Matías Soulé replacing Rodrigo Mora in attack as the only change from their opening-day win over Fiorentina. The side shows Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Emanuele Lulli and Bryan Cristante in midfield with Manu Koné, Wesley providing width, Soulé in the No. 10 role and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as forwards. Gian Piero Gasperini keeps the bulk of the XI unchanged, with Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon among those on the bench. Lecce, managed by Di Francesco, set out in a 4-3-3 with Falcone in goal and deploy Ndaba, Gaspar, Siebert and Veiga across their back four.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his team for Roma's second Serie A match of the season at Lecce. The head coach persists with a 3-4-2-1 formation, deploying Donyell Malen as the central attacking reference supported by the Argentine pair of Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé operating behind him. The XI maintains continuity in defence and midfield. Mile Svilar starts in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Emanuele Lulli and Wesley occupy the wing-back positions, with Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante in the centre of the pitch. Gasperini's selection prioritises quality and technical ability in the final third, with Dybala and Soulé tasked with creating space and supply for Malen. Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen. Manager: Gasperini.

Evan N'Dicka suffered a right adductor injury during Roma's warm-up at the Via del Mare and has been ruled out of the match against Lecce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini opted not to risk the Ivorian defender, who returned to the dressing room after the problem emerged in the pre-match session. Daniele Ghilardi, the former Hellas Verona defender, will replace N'Dicka in the centre-back trio. Gasperini has moved Gianluca Mancini into a central role to accommodate the reshuffle, with Mario Hermoso completing the defensive line on the right.

Roma claimed a commanding 3–0 victory at Lecce in their first away match of the 2026–27 season, with Donyell Malen scoring twice and Matías Soulé adding the third. Malen opened the scoring in the third minute after Lecce's defence crumbled in the area, doubling his tally in the 22nd minute with a delicate finish after Wesley supplied a low cross. Soulé made it 3–0 in the 24th minute, converting after his initial left-foot strike was parried by goalkeeper Falcone. The first half saw Roma utterly dominant, with Malen spurning further clear-cut chances and Mile Svilar largely untested in the Roma goal, though he did make a crucial save to deny Geubbels on the counter-attack. Lecce offered little threat until a brief resurgence after half-time when N'Dri tested Roma's defence on the break. The result extends Roma's perfect start to the campaign, following their 4–0 demolition of Fiorentina on opening weekend. Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a three-at-the-back system with Daniele Ghilardi at right-back after Evan N'Dicka suffered a problem in the warm-up. Emanuele Lulli, the young Roma talent, started at left-back and impressed going forward, notably teeing up Malen for chances. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchored the midfield, with Wesley at left-back and Paulo Dybala and Soulé deployed in attacking roles alongside Malen. Lecce, managed by Eusebio Di Francesco, had begun their campaign with a 2–0 win at Venezia but were outclassed here. Referee Chiffi issued a yellow card to Malen in the eighth minute for a handball on a cross from Dybala as he attempted to score. The hosts made two changes at the interval, bringing on N'Dri and Maleh in place of Tiago Gabriel and Gorter, but Roma continued to press. In the 59th minute, Gasperini withdrew Wesley and Soulé, introducing Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo Mora in an apparent adjustment to his attacking setup. The match was played on 31 August 2026 at the Via del Mare stadium in Lecce, with Chiffi handling the officiating duties.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Serie A matchday 2 fixture against Lecce. Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz are absent from the squad list, both players close to departing the club. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable through injury. The 24-man squad features goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini. In defence, Gasperini has included Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield options are Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora, while attack is covered by Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.