Lulli: the young talent Gasperini starts against Fiorentina

Pietro Leonardi, the former Parma sporting director and close associate of Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, was among over 65,000 spectators at the Stadio Olimpico for Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina on 24 August. Leonardi has long been regarded as Gasperini's principal advisor on transfer matters. According to reports, Leonardi's input influenced Roma's decision to pursue Donyell Malen in January.

Emanuele Lulli will make his Serie A debut as a starter in Roma's season opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. The 19-year-old right-back, aggregated to the first team this summer, has earned the nod from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after impressing throughout pre-season and with Devyne Rensch unavailable and Nahuel Molina not fully fit. Lulli's rise through Roma's academy has been marked by consistent progress and silverware. He won the Scudetto with the Under-16s in 2023 and produced strong showings for the Under-18s, recording 26 appearances, 2 goals and 3 assists. His breakthrough came in the Primavera, where under coach Guidi he established himself as the regular right-sided defender. Last season in the Primavera he was among the best in his position across Italy, contributing 2 goals and 8 assists in the league. He is already involved with Italy's youth national teams. During the pre-season campaign, Gasperini gradually increased his minutes: 18 minutes against Cardiff, 20 against Newport, and 12 against Brighton. On 15 August, in the final summer friendly against Borussia Dortmund, Lulli started and played 76 minutes. Described as intelligent, precise and possessing excellent athleticism, the teenager began his academy journey at Palestrina, then spent five years at Tor Tre Teste before joining Roma's Trigoria academy, progressing through the youth ranks from Under-14 level.

Evan N'Dicka spoke to DAZN ahead of Roma's match against Fiorentina, reflecting on the club's ambitions and his own attacking ambitions this season. On whether Roma can improve on last season's third-place finish, the centre-back said: "We'll see, it's difficult to get there. If we can do better we will. Let's think about today and then we'll see." N'Dicka also addressed his goal-scoring prospects, saying: "I hope so, if the ball comes to me I'll go with all the strength in the world and hope to score many goals." The comments suggest the defender is looking to replicate his attacking contributions from the previous campaign.

Emanuele Lulli will make his Serie A debut as a starter in Roma's season opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. The 19-year-old right-back, aggregated to the first team this summer, has earned the nod from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after impressing throughout pre-season and with Devyne Rensch unavailable and Nahuel Molina not fully fit. Lulli's rise through Roma's academy has been marked by consistent progress and silverware. He won the Scudetto with the Under-16s in 2023 and produced strong showings for the Under-18s, recording 26 appearances, 2 goals and 3 assists. His breakthrough came in the Primavera, where under coach Guidi he established himself as the regular right-sided defender. Last season in the Primavera he was among the best in his position across Italy, contributing 2 goals and 8 assists in the league. He is already involved with Italy's youth national teams. During the pre-season campaign, Gasperini gradually increased his minutes: 18 minutes against Cardiff, 20 against Newport, and 12 against Brighton. On 15 August, in the final summer friendly against Borussia Dortmund, Lulli started and played 76 minutes. Described as intelligent, precise and possessing excellent athleticism, the teenager began his academy journey at Palestrina, then spent five years at Tor Tre Teste before joining Roma's Trigoria academy, progressing through the youth ranks from Under-14 level.

Roma begin their 2026-27 campaign against Fiorentina at the Olimpico on 24 August, kicking off at 20:45, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini handing competitive debuts to two players born in 2007. Rodrigo Mora, signed this summer from Porto for €25 million, will start as trequartista ahead of Matías Soulé, operating behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Emanuele Lulli, a product of Roma's academy, will make his Serie A starting debut at full-back in place of Nahuel Molina, who is not fully fit and will begin on the bench. The pairing marks a historic milestone for the club: it is the first time in Roma's history that two players born in 2007 have started together in an official competitive debut. Mora's arrival from the Portuguese club represents a significant investment in attacking depth, while Lulli's promotion offers the academy prospect his first meaningful opportunity to convince Gasperini of his quality at the top level. Lulli, the academy product, and Mora, the Portuguese talent, will both feature from the outset as Roma aim to begin their league season with a win.

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.