Koné eliminates El Aynaoui as France beats Morocco 2–0 to reach World Cup semi-finals

Donyell Malen scored a hat-trick as Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0, with the Dutch winger later captured in a video posted by his wife Delisha performing as a DJ to celebrate the result. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised the performance across the squad. In his post-match comments, Gasperini said: "Mora is extraordinary. Dybala is a beast. We need a few more reinforcements." Paulo Dybala also spoke after the match, stating: "We can finish higher than third place. I never had doubts about the contract renewal." Malen added: "Playing with Dybala is extraordinary. I don't want to say how many goals I'll score." The emphatic victory showcased Roma's attacking threat, with Dybala operating at his sharpest alongside Malen's match-winning display.

Roma opened their 2026-27 season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Fiorentina, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick and Paulo Dybala providing three assists. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini saw encouraging debuts from Rodrigo Mora, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Santiago Castro. With a trip to Lecce at the Via del Mare scheduled for Monday 31 August at 18:30, Gasperini has given the squad a day's rest. Training will resume on Wednesday afternoon at Trigoria, ahead of the next fixture.

Roma marked their first official victory of the season with a commanding 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The performance was described as high-level, with no debate over the scoreline. Gasperini rewarded the squad with a day off following the Monday night debut, meaning no training session is scheduled at Trigoria on 25 August. Bryan Cristante addressed the media, noting that the workload in the current phase is noticeably lighter and more manageable compared to the summer preparation period. The squad will resume training on Wednesday afternoon.

Roma opened their 2026–27 season with a commanding 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick and setting up further chances in a performance that announced the club's attacking potency. Paulo Dybala provided three assists, combining with Malen in what the match report describes as a partnership functioning "better than Goku and Vegeta". Niccolò Pisilli added the fourth goal. Rodrigo Mora made his debut and was given a standing ovation before kick-off, Gasperini launching him into the starting XI in a statement of intent that saw all new arrivals handed match time in a fixture played at high tempo with minimal defensive strain on Mile Svilar. The victory delivered immediate validation of Roma's summer recruitment. Dybala's fitness and form were on full display—the 8/10 rating in the match assessment noted he "wanted to be Roma's first goalscorer of the season" and that his connection with Malen was devastating when he was operating at this level. Malen's 8.5/10 reflected his ruthlessness, the report highlighting both a gift from Dybala for his opening goal and a second that was "pure Malen: grit, speed and killer instinct". Wesley, making his first competitive appearance, showed his ankle was holding up, though "not yet in dazzling form". Mora's brief introduction before his substitution at 53 minutes drew praise for a "curling shot that forced De Gea to work overtime", demonstrating the quality Villas-Boas had been reluctant to release. Gasperini's tactical blueprint was laid bare from the opening whistle. The boss "called the press, called for few touches" and had "already shifted into fifth gear" by the first match of the campaign, the report notes. In midfield, Bryan Cristante covered the most ground—averaging 10.2 km as he had done last season—while Manu Koné arrived dangerously on percussive runs, though Gasperini "threw him a look" when he forced an unnecessary acceleration on the 3–0 goal. The defence was untroubled; Evan N'Dicka, making an early impact, was "providential in closing on Pellegrino" within three minutes of his entry, and Gianluca Mancini "strapped the spaces by right" from the Fiorentina midfield. Matías Soulé came on at 53 minutes and "got tangled on the shot" despite doing everything else correctly in the box before playing a role in the fourth. Gasperini made five substitutions: Konstantinos Koulierakis replaced Mario Hermoso at 67 minutes, Santiago Castro came on for Malen at the same interval, Neil El Aynaoui entered for Koné at 78, and Pisilli replaced Dybala at 78, scoring shortly after "with a bit of fortune following a good flick".

Roma swept Fiorentina 4–0 in their Serie A opener at the Stadio Olimpico on 24 August, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick and Niccolò Pisilli adding the fourth. The rout marked a confident start under Gian Piero Gasperini, who fielded Lulli and Rodrigo Mora from the first minute in his opening fixture. Paulo Dybala was the architects of Roma's dominance, setting up Malen's opening goal and then providing assists for each of the winger's three strikes. Dybala impressed with his physical condition and range of play, though the assessments noted he still needs to sharpen his finishing in the box. Malen's clinical display capped a straightforward afternoon in the capital — he claimed the matchball immediately after the final whistle. Gasperini's side showed hunger and cohesion from the outset, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné commanding the midfield. Cristante dominated the centre with relentless ball-winning and nearly unbeatable physicality in every challenge. Koné controlled proceedings in his familiar manner and impressed in both distribution and winning possession. The defence stood firm throughout. Evan N'Dicka engaged in a sustained duel with Fiorentina's Pellegrino, ultimately neutralising the threat without undue difficulty. Mario Hermoso played through early imprecision before settling into a battling rhythm, delivering a fine long ball for Dybala's assist on the second goal. Lulli made a strong debut, playing with personality and composure. Mile Svilar made few saves but was alert when Kean entered in the second half. Gasperini rotated from the 79th minute: Pisilli replaced Dybala to immediate effect, scoring and celebrating in front of the Curva Sud. Matías Soulé came on for Mora at the 53rd minute and struck the frame of the goal. Neil El Aynaoui entered the midfield in place of Koné as Roma sealed their opening victory.

Manu Koné was withdrawn in the 79th minute with a left thigh problem during Roma's latest match, cutting short an otherwise commanding midfield display. The French midfielder, who had returned late from World Cup commitments, was replaced by Neil El Aynaoui; medical staff immediately applied ice to his thigh on the bench. Over the coming days he will undergo tests to determine the extent of the muscle injury. Head coach Gasperini faces mounting injury concerns ahead of the Lecce fixture. Devyne Rensch also suffered a muscle strain earlier in the session, while Nahuel Molina, not at his best, remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes. Gasperini hopes to have the full squad available for the Lecce clash.