Lulli shows fearlessness on debut as Roma uncovers another young talent

Santiago Castro made his AS Roma debut at the Olimpico on 25 August 2026 and celebrated in unforgettable fashion by announcing he is expecting his first child. The Argentine striker revealed the news on Instagram, writing: "We are very happy to say that our small family is growing. Eager and emotional to have you with us. We are waiting for you." Castro and his wife posed for a photograph on the pitch immediately after the match, holding a miniature Roma shirt bearing his name to mark both occasions at once. The couple chose to announce the pregnancy on the night of Castro's first appearance in the giallorossi shirt, combining two significant milestones into a single celebration. The photograph, taken in the stadium, carries dual meaning—recording both his debut and the arrival of a new generation to his family. Castro's daughter will be born in Rome, linking his child to the capital from birth.

Roma have agreed terms with Malick Fofana (21) but remain at loggerheads with Lyon over the fee. The French club is demanding €35 million fixed plus €5 million in bonuses, a price Roma have resisted after their substantial investment in Rodrigo Mora. The giallorossi will decide in the coming hours whether to meet Lyon's demands or pursue alternative targets as the market remains open. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (22) remains on Roma's radar, but Chelsea continue to block a move. The Blues have rejected a loan-with-option-to-buy formula and insist on an immediate sale, valuing the winger at up to €45 million. Director Florian Friedkin is monitoring the situation, though the negotiations have cooled and will require Chelsea to shift their stance for progress. Ibrahim Mbaye (18), a young winger sidelined by Paris Saint-Germain, is being tracked as a potentially sustainable option to bolster the attack as Gasperini seeks. Friedkin is watching developments in the final days of the window to see if favourable conditions emerge. Meanwhile, Neil El Aynaoui (25) has attracted fresh enquiries beyond Saudi Arabian interest, with Crystal Palace now seeking information on the Moroccan midfielder. Roma do not regard the former Lens player as unsaleable and could consider offers around €35 million, a sum that would significantly boost resources for one final attacking addition. Jan Ziółkowski (21) appears set to leave. The Polish defender is being linked with Parma while Monza also monitor the situation. Gasperini now has greater defensive depth following the arrival of Oosterwolde, who can operate at left-back or centre-back, which may facilitate Ziółkowski's exit in the closing stages of the market.

Paulo Dybala delivered a performance against Fiorentina on 24 August that Roma fans have not seen before, returning to the form he showed at Juventus with tireless running, shooting, creativity and team play. The Argentine remained the squad's standout player, with the recovery of the ball in the second half and his physical intensity signalling a player in elite condition. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini knew what he had: Dybala completed the full pre-season preparation without missing a day and followed every instruction without compromise. Dybala's three assists were the headline, but the display itself raised an immediate question for Roma's ownership: what happens if he stays this sharp? The renewal contract he signed is built on performance bonuses—appearances, goals and assists—meaning the stronger he plays and the more he contributes, the more the Friedkins will pay. Yet that has become, by the club's own logic, a problem Roma wanted to have. The financial structure is detailed. Dybala cuts his base salary to 2.2 million euros—a reduction of over 70 per cent—but unlocked significant bonus layers. Each appearance as a starter with a minimum of 45 minutes earns 100,000 euros, up to a maximum of 20 matches totalling 2 million euros. From the 21st such appearance, that bonus rises to 150,000 euros per match. Substitute appearances of at least 20 minutes are worth 75,000 euros each. Goals and assists activate further bonuses: for every five combined across both categories, he earns between 100,000 and 1 million euros. Against Fiorentina, playing 79 minutes as a starter and recording three assists, Dybala already triggered 100,000 euros in appearance bonuses. The three assists fell short of the five needed to unlock the goals-and-assists tier—that remains in progress. In the post-match interview, Dybala said: "The will to stay has always been there." His commitment came down to an act of faith in his own talent and in Roma's project.

Roma opened their Serie A season with a commanding 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, powered by a starring performance from Donyell Malen. The Dutch forward scored a hat-trick, setting up by an inspired Paulo Dybala, before Niccolò Pisilli added the fourth. Malen's display—comprising a backheel finish, a burst of pace and a poacher's tap-in—answered mounting criticism from the summer, when national team coach Ronald Koeman had used him on the wing, preferring Brian Brobbey in the central role. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has never wavered in his tactical vision for the attacker. "For me he cannot ever play out wide: he must be close to goal," Gasperini said. Malen's three goals vindicated that conviction and offer an early statement of intent as Roma bid to contend in Serie A. The explosive start also underlines Gasperini's influence over team selection and tactics since his appointment in 2025. With this haul, Malen has now reached 18 goals in 21 official appearances in Roma colours—an extraordinary tally that marks him as a central attacking force for the club going forward. His hat-trick against the Viola demonstrated the clinical finishing and movement Gasperini has been asking of him, a sharp contrast to the peripheral role assigned to him at international level.

Roma opened their 2026–27 campaign with a dominant 4–0 victory over Fiorentina, with the partnership of Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala at the heart of a scintillating display. Malen scored three goals, all created by Dybala's playmaking, before Niccolò Pisilli sealed the result in the closing stages, replacing Manu Koné. The standout impression came from young left-back Lulli, who delivered an assured performance in his first Serie A start at the highest level. The emphatic win provided an ideal platform for Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma to begin the new season. Dybala's creative excellence underpinned the attacking threat throughout, while the defence was sufficiently organised to limit Fiorentina to no clear opportunities. The performance suggested Roma's front-four setup—with Dybala in a creative role alongside Malen—could prove a potent combination in the campaign ahead. Italian football newspapers were unanimous in their praise of the performance and individual displays. La Gazzetta dello Sport awarded Malen 8.5 and Dybala 8, with Gasperini earning an 8 overall. Corriere dello Sport went higher, rating both attackers 9 and the coach 8. Corriere della Sera gave Malen 9 and Dybala 8, with Gasperini receiving 7.5. Il Messaggero and Tuttosport were slightly more measured, rating Malen 8.5 and 8 respectively, and Dybala 8 across both outlets. Lulli received ratings of 6.5 to 7.5 across the publications for his assured debut display.

Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in a commanding display, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick to lead the charge. Paulo Dybala contributed three assists and Manu Koné was withdrawn only through fatigue, underlining Roma's control. Debutant Daniele Ghilardi impressed in an early appearance, while Evan N'Dicka stood firm at the back as the team moved to 3–4–1–2 formation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. All five major Italian newspapers awarded Roma positive marks across the board. Svilar received ratings between 6 and 6.5 in goal. The defence was solid, with N'Dicka rated 7 to 7.5 by all outlets and Mancini and Hermoso both praised. In midfield, Cristante earned 6.5 to 7, while Wesley was rated 6 to 7 on the flank. Koné's 6.5 to 7.5 reflected his strong showing before substitution. Malen's 8.5 to 9 and Dybala's 8 to 9 dominated the attacking ratings. Corrections made 68 minutes in saw Koulierakis introduced for Hermoso, while Pisilli replaced Koné at 79 minutes. Rodrigo Mora (6.5) and later Matías Soulé (6) featured in attack; Santiago Castro entered for Malen at 68 minutes. Gasperini earned 7.5 to 8 from the press corps. N'Dicka's display of 7 to 7.5, Koné's energy and Ghilardi's first appearance highlighted a Roma side functioning with precision and depth throughout.

Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in a commanding display, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick to lead the charge. Paulo Dybala contributed three assists and Manu Koné was withdrawn only through fatigue, underlining Roma's control. Debutant Daniele Ghilardi impressed in an early appearance, while Evan N'Dicka stood firm at the back as the team moved to 3–4–1–2 formation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. All five major Italian newspapers awarded Roma positive marks across the board. Svilar received ratings between 6 and 6.5 in goal. The defence was solid, with N'Dicka rated 7 to 7.5 by all outlets and Mancini and Hermoso both praised. In midfield, Cristante earned 6.5 to 7, while Wesley was rated 6 to 7 on the flank. Koné's 6.5 to 7.5 reflected his strong showing before substitution. Malen's 8.5 to 9 and Dybala's 8 to 9 dominated the attacking ratings. Corrections made 68 minutes in saw Koulierakis introduced for Hermoso, while Pisilli replaced Koné at 79 minutes. Rodrigo Mora (6.5) and later Matías Soulé (6) featured in attack; Santiago Castro entered for Malen at 68 minutes. Gasperini earned 7.5 to 8 from the press corps. N'Dicka's display of 7 to 7.5, Koné's energy and Ghilardi's first appearance highlighted a Roma side functioning with precision and depth throughout.

Jan Ziółkowski is facing an exit from Roma following the arrivals of Koulierakis and Oosterwolde, which have closed the door on the young Polish defender. Parma and Monza have both made enquiries, with Parma seeking a loan deal while Monza have tabled a permanent offer. Foreign clubs, particularly from Saudi Arabia, are also monitoring the situation. Negotiations are expected to intensify in the coming days. Ziółkowski's path at Roma has been blocked by the new defensive signings brought in this summer. During the recent match against Fiorentina, he remained unused on the bench for the full 90 minutes, unlike Ghilardi, who came on as a substitute and is heading towards staying at the club.

Roma begin the 2026-27 Serie A season at home to Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé drops to the bench. Lulli makes his competitive debut on the right flank in place of Nahuel Molina, who is not at full fitness; Wesley operates on the left. The defence comprises Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, with Mile Svilar in goal. Gasperini's 3-4-1-2 formation pairs Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield. Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, line up in a 4-3-2-1 with David De Gea in goal and Lautaro Pellegrino as their striker. Roma's substitutes bench includes De Marzi, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Ziółkowski, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Vaz, Castro, and Soulé.