Lulli on playing alongside Dybala: 'I'm grateful, living a dream'

Emanuele Lulli has emerged as one of the standout performers in Roma's early season success, justifying head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's faith in the 19-year-old defender. The teenage centre-back impressed during the club's opening fixtures, most notably in the match at Lecce on 31 August 2026, where he combined maturity beyond his years with reliable positioning and strong physical engagement. Lulli's selection reflects Gasperini's philosophy of prioritising attitude and composure over pure age when assembling his squad. In both the earlier fixture against Fiorentina and at the Via del mare, the young defender established himself as a dependable presence alongside his more experienced teammates, offering clear reference points in defence without error in his spatial awareness. His game showed natural acceleration that created defensive superiority, coupled with precise crossing technique when called upon in wide areas. Against Lecce, Lulli started strongly and grew into the match without overextending himself, consistently working in partnership with his colleagues—particularly Paulo Dybala, who repeatedly sought him out both to retain possession and to launch attacks in depth. The first half displayed his promise; the second half demonstrated his capacity to deliver sustained performance. Roma's opening period established itself in ideal fashion, and Lulli's composed contribution from his flank played a central part in a team described as ruthless, effective and visually impressive.

Donyell Malen has entered the Serie A record books after scoring 19 goals in his first 20 league matches for Roma, a rate unseen in the Italian top flight for nearly seven decades. The forward marked his debut with a hat-trick against Fiorentina and followed that with two goals in 20 minutes against Lecce, continuing a relentless goalscoring run that has captivated the Giallorossi. Only Gunnar Nordahl (20 goals in 1949) and José Altafini (20 goals between 1958 and 1959) have scored more in their opening 20 Serie A matches. Malen, the former Aston Villa player, has also established himself as Roma's most efficient finisher in the club's history by goals per 90 minutes — a clear margin ahead of previous benchmarks. His clinical finishing and immediate impact have made him a transformative addition to the squad.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to reporters ahead of Roma's second Serie A fixture at Lecce on 31 August, addressing the unusual heat affecting the campaign and his team selection. The manager acknowledged the abnormal temperatures that have persisted for months, saying: "Abnormal heat that we've been carrying with us for a few months. We hoped that with the start of the championship there would be a bit less. I hope it doesn't also go against the fans." Gasperini built his starting XI around players who have completed full pre-season preparation, particularly Matías Soulé and Emanuele Lulli. Following Roma's strong performance and pace against Fiorentina in the opening fixture, he stressed the difficulty of conditions in Lecce and the standard required to win. "It's our characteristic — with Fiorentina we started very well, taking advantage of the considerable enthusiasm surrounding us," he said. "We know the difficulty of playing here at Lecce. We will have to put in a high-level performance to win today as well." On his squad depth, Gasperini noted: "With these conditions you need to rely on those who are well and have done the preparation like Soulé and Lulli. Everyone is ready now — football is played with 16 players. Substitutions make whoever starts from the bench a starter too." The manager's comments reflected his emphasis on tactical flexibility and the extended squad involvement required across a demanding season.

Roma swept to a dominant 4-0 victory at Lecce, with Donyell Malen delivering a man-of-the-match display that included two goals and creative play throughout. The forward struck in the third minute to open the scoring, then added a second shortly after, and continued to drive Roma's attack with assists and tireless running. Paulo Dybala orchestrated play between the lines and set up further goals, though he squandered a clear chance in the second half. Gianluca Mancini, shifted to centre at the last moment, dominated his direct opponent and provided an assist for Rodrigo Mora's contribution to the scoreline. Gasperini's side displayed complete control from the outset. Bryan Cristante commanded the midfield with the authority of a captain, exploiting Lecce's turnover attempts and combining physical presence with tactical awareness. The coach made no changes to his selection despite Chelsea's reported interest in Manu Koné, whose performance drew praise for his positioning and defensive work in hot conditions. Emanuele Lulli continued his run of mature displays at the back, while Wesley combined creative work with Matías Soulé on the left and contributed to the sweeping attacking move that produced Roma's second goal. Daniele Ghilardi came into the side and brought personality to his performance, inserting himself into the left flank between Lulli and Dybala and adding an offensive dimension without conceding space behind. The rout illustrated Roma's fitness advantage and tactical superiority. Hermoso brought physical authority and experience to break up Lecce's attacking moves, finishing in growing form and making a crucial line clearance. Koné appeared suddenly behind Lecce's attacking midfielders and moved the ball effectively in dangerous areas. Dybala received standing ovations from the Via del Mare crowd, his half-yard of space consistently yielding chances for teammates, though the sole criticism came from his wasted opportunity in the second half. Malen's performance overshadowed any individual concern—he recovered the ball relentlessly, ran the channels without rest, and went close to adding two more goals. Rodrigo Mora's entry brought absolute positivity to the midfield, offering a sharp contrast to Niccolò Pisilli's substitute appearance, which lacked its usual spark.

Emanuele Lulli has emerged as one of the standout performers in Roma's early season success, justifying head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's faith in the 19-year-old defender. The teenage centre-back impressed during the club's opening fixtures, most notably in the match at Lecce on 31 August 2026, where he combined maturity beyond his years with reliable positioning and strong physical engagement. Lulli's selection reflects Gasperini's philosophy of prioritising attitude and composure over pure age when assembling his squad. In both the earlier fixture against Fiorentina and at the Via del mare, the young defender established himself as a dependable presence alongside his more experienced teammates, offering clear reference points in defence without error in his spatial awareness. His game showed natural acceleration that created defensive superiority, coupled with precise crossing technique when called upon in wide areas. Against Lecce, Lulli started strongly and grew into the match without overextending himself, consistently working in partnership with his colleagues—particularly Paulo Dybala, who repeatedly sought him out both to retain possession and to launch attacks in depth. The first half displayed his promise; the second half demonstrated his capacity to deliver sustained performance. Roma's opening period established itself in ideal fashion, and Lulli's composed contribution from his flank played a central part in a team described as ruthless, effective and visually impressive.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to reporters ahead of Roma's second Serie A fixture at Lecce on 31 August, addressing the unusual heat affecting the campaign and his team selection. The manager acknowledged the abnormal temperatures that have persisted for months, saying: "Abnormal heat that we've been carrying with us for a few months. We hoped that with the start of the championship there would be a bit less. I hope it doesn't also go against the fans." Gasperini built his starting XI around players who have completed full pre-season preparation, particularly Matías Soulé and Emanuele Lulli. Following Roma's strong performance and pace against Fiorentina in the opening fixture, he stressed the difficulty of conditions in Lecce and the standard required to win. "It's our characteristic — with Fiorentina we started very well, taking advantage of the considerable enthusiasm surrounding us," he said. "We know the difficulty of playing here at Lecce. We will have to put in a high-level performance to win today as well." On his squad depth, Gasperini noted: "With these conditions you need to rely on those who are well and have done the preparation like Soulé and Lulli. Everyone is ready now — football is played with 16 players. Substitutions make whoever starts from the bench a starter too." The manager's comments reflected his emphasis on tactical flexibility and the extended squad involvement required across a demanding season.

Roma demolished Lecce 4–0 at the Stadio Via del Mare in the second round of Serie A fixtures, recording a second consecutive four-goal victory after their thrashing of Fiorentina. Donyell Malen scored twice in the opening minutes to settle the match, then contributed across defence and attack throughout. Rodrigo Mora, introduced in the second half, marked his Roma debut with a goal and created a masterclass in technique that left the opposition helpless. Gianluca Mancini commanded the centre-back position with a towering defensive and attacking display, setting up Mora's goal with a crucial assist. Daniele Ghilardi, forced into action when Evan N'Dicka suffered an injury during warm-up, delivered a convincing performance at the back. Manu Koné dominated the midfield, contesting and winning every contested ball in the centre of the park, while Bryan Cristante offered essential support and recovery. Wesley provided the assist for Malen's second goal from right-back, though the quality of his delivery was inconsistent. Paulo Dybala understood the match was already decided and managed his involvement accordingly, reaching a high level throughout but ceding the spotlight to teammates; he spurned a simple goalscoring chance after receiving a fine assist from Mora. Matías Soulé netted a goal but could have finished with greater accuracy. Gian Piero Gasperini's side produced football resembling Atalanta's celebrated vintage, entirely dominating their opponent and dismantling them through a relentless goalscoring barrage. Gasperini received an 8 rating for a tactical performance that suggests the 2026–27 season holds genuine promise.

Roma hammered Lecce 4–0 to extend their perfect start to the 2026-27 season, dismantling their opponents with such force and speed that the match was settled within 25 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to top the Serie A scorers' chart on five goals in two games, adding his first brace in giallorosso following his debut for Fiorentina. Paulo Dybala played a quieter but pivotal role, orchestrating from midfield; Rodrigo Mora sealed the rout with his first Serie A goal. The performance laid bare Roma's trademark efficiency under Gasperini: pressing from every angle, dominating the second ball with aggression and verticality, and conceding nothing at the back. What sets this Roma apart is the orchestration. The attack flows joy, bringing defenders into play from the back line while never losing shape. Gianluca Mancini delivered a flawless defensive display, while Daniele Ghilardi, drafted in at the final second of the warm-up after Evan N'Dicka's injury, proved alert and solid across the full 90 minutes. The second 4–0 scoreline in consecutive matches — paired with the second clean sheet running — underlines Roma's early-season dominance. Malen's finishing masterclass combined precise first touch, explosive body movement to create space, and immediate shot selection. Mora's goal meant little for the scoreline but symbolised the entire mood: a Roma team that attacks with freedom and celebrates with abandon. The numbers contextualise the ambition. Only once in the previous nine seasons had Roma scored more than four goals across their opening two fixtures — in 2021–22. Roma have now matched that record and surpassed it in spectacle.

Roma delivered an authoritative performance at Lecce, winning 4-0 on the opening day to send a powerful statement to their Serie A rivals. Gian Piero Gasperini's side dominated from start to finish, with Donyell Malen scoring twice, Matías Soulé adding a third, and Rodrigo Mora notching his first goal in Italian football. The emphatic victory came despite Evan N'Dicka's last-minute absence and suggested Roma have shed doubts from a mixed pre-season. Malen broke the deadlock within three minutes, capitalizing on Lecce's defensive error with a low, precise finish past goalkeeper Falcone. The early goal transformed the match entirely. Roma assumed control of possession and raised their pressing intensity, suffocating Lecce's build-up play. The second goal arrived at the 23-minute mark when Malen finished a rapid vertical attack down the left, and one minute later Soulé made it 3-0, again with Malen involved in the build-up. By that stage, only one team was on the pitch. Lecce offered little resistance in the first half, though goalkeeper Mile Svilar was called upon to deny Geubbels a consolation goal at the 38th minute by staying tall and closing down the shooting space. In the second half, Roma maintained their intensity and control. Lecce struck the post from a corner kick but never truly threatened again. Gasperini introduced substitute Rodrigo Mora, who scored the fourth goal just minutes after coming on, realizing his first goal in Italian football. Castro also made an impactful entrance, while Marten De Roon earned a late debut, replacing Paulo Dybala as the pace dropped in the closing stages. The performance showcased the hallmarks Gasperini demands: high pressing, immediate ball recovery, vertical passing, and attacking aggression. With the league at its earliest stage, definitive judgments remain premature, but Roma have emerged from the Via del Mare with a clear demonstration of competitive strength.

Roma claimed their second successive 4-0 victory in as many Serie A matches, dismantling Lecce on matchday two. Donyell Malen was the standout performer, scoring twice in the opening 23 minutes after capitalizing on defensive lapses from the hosts. The winger's brace took his tally to five goals in Roma's first two league games. Matías Soulé added a third before halftime to wrap up the contest early. Rodrigo Mora then marked his Serie A debut with a goal in the second half. The victory moved Gasperini's side level on points with Inter, Juventus, Milan and Lazio at the summit, though Roma top the table on goal difference with eight goals scored and none conceded across their opening fixtures. The attacking display underlined Roma's early-season dominance, building on the four-goal haul against Fiorentina.

Roma demolished Lecce 4–0 at the Stadio Via del Mare in the second round of Serie A fixtures, recording a second consecutive four-goal victory after their thrashing of Fiorentina. Donyell Malen scored twice in the opening minutes to settle the match, then contributed across defence and attack throughout. Rodrigo Mora, introduced in the second half, marked his Roma debut with a goal and created a masterclass in technique that left the opposition helpless. Gianluca Mancini commanded the centre-back position with a towering defensive and attacking display, setting up Mora's goal with a crucial assist. Daniele Ghilardi, forced into action when Evan N'Dicka suffered an injury during warm-up, delivered a convincing performance at the back. Manu Koné dominated the midfield, contesting and winning every contested ball in the centre of the park, while Bryan Cristante offered essential support and recovery. Wesley provided the assist for Malen's second goal from right-back, though the quality of his delivery was inconsistent. Paulo Dybala understood the match was already decided and managed his involvement accordingly, reaching a high level throughout but ceding the spotlight to teammates; he spurned a simple goalscoring chance after receiving a fine assist from Mora. Matías Soulé netted a goal but could have finished with greater accuracy. Gian Piero Gasperini's side produced football resembling Atalanta's celebrated vintage, entirely dominating their opponent and dismantling them through a relentless goalscoring barrage. Gasperini received an 8 rating for a tactical performance that suggests the 2026–27 season holds genuine promise.

Roma hammered Lecce 4–0 to extend their perfect start to the 2026-27 season, dismantling their opponents with such force and speed that the match was settled within 25 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to top the Serie A scorers' chart on five goals in two games, adding his first brace in giallorosso following his debut for Fiorentina. Paulo Dybala played a quieter but pivotal role, orchestrating from midfield; Rodrigo Mora sealed the rout with his first Serie A goal. The performance laid bare Roma's trademark efficiency under Gasperini: pressing from every angle, dominating the second ball with aggression and verticality, and conceding nothing at the back. What sets this Roma apart is the orchestration. The attack flows joy, bringing defenders into play from the back line while never losing shape. Gianluca Mancini delivered a flawless defensive display, while Daniele Ghilardi, drafted in at the final second of the warm-up after Evan N'Dicka's injury, proved alert and solid across the full 90 minutes. The second 4–0 scoreline in consecutive matches — paired with the second clean sheet running — underlines Roma's early-season dominance. Malen's finishing masterclass combined precise first touch, explosive body movement to create space, and immediate shot selection. Mora's goal meant little for the scoreline but symbolised the entire mood: a Roma team that attacks with freedom and celebrates with abandon. The numbers contextualise the ambition. Only once in the previous nine seasons had Roma scored more than four goals across their opening two fixtures — in 2021–22. Roma have now matched that record and surpassed it in spectacle.