Malen strikes twice as Roma beat Lecce 2–0 in Serie A opener

Roma secured their second consecutive victory in Serie A's second matchday with a goal from Donyell Malen that withstood a VAR check. Referee Chiffi, assisted by VAR official Di Paolo, reviewed the opening goal in the fourth minute and confirmed it was lawful. Paulo Dybala was in a legal position when he touched the ball before Malen capitalised on a fortunate rebound to finish. The match saw Chiffi take charge with Imperiale and Cecconi as assistant referees, Di Bello as fourth official, and Paganessi as assistant VAR. Roma's second consecutive win maintains their strong start to the 2026–27 campaign.

Lecce defender Gaspar has highlighted the attacking threat posed by Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen ahead of his side's fixture against Roma. Speaking to DAZN, Gaspar outlined the defensive approach needed to contain the Roma pair: "Playing well, working it out properly. As a team we have to be careful, the defensive line must play simple and be attentive." Gaspar also reflected on his growing importance to Lecce this season, describing the responsibility as one shared across the squad. "This responsibility is for everyone, we must always do something to follow the objectives," he said. "I don't know if I'm a leader, everyone has to be one and we're on the right track."

Mile Svilar has called for Roma to maintain consistency in their second Serie A match of the season against Lecce. The goalkeeper praised the defensive response in Roma's opening fixture and stressed the need to build on that foundation. "We must always search for continuity," Svilar said. "The match against Fiorentina was only the first game." Svilar acknowledged the difficulty of Lecce's ground, warning that even elite sides find it a challenging environment. "The Lecce pitch is complicated for everyone, and today it is hot," he explained. "I have been here several times and I know it is a difficult ground with a difficult atmosphere. We must impose our style of play and take the three points." The goalkeeper also reflected on Roma's gradual development under their current project, which has been running for several years. "This is a Roma that has been built from last season," Svilar noted. "We have been together for a few years now, and that always helps."

Roma secured their second consecutive victory in Serie A's second matchday with a goal from Donyell Malen that withstood a VAR check. Referee Chiffi, assisted by VAR official Di Paolo, reviewed the opening goal in the fourth minute and confirmed it was lawful. Paulo Dybala was in a legal position when he touched the ball before Malen capitalised on a fortunate rebound to finish. The match saw Chiffi take charge with Imperiale and Cecconi as assistant referees, Di Bello as fourth official, and Paganessi as assistant VAR. Roma's second consecutive win maintains their strong start to the 2026–27 campaign.

Lecce defender Gaspar has highlighted the attacking threat posed by Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen ahead of his side's fixture against Roma. Speaking to DAZN, Gaspar outlined the defensive approach needed to contain the Roma pair: "Playing well, working it out properly. As a team we have to be careful, the defensive line must play simple and be attentive." Gaspar also reflected on his growing importance to Lecce this season, describing the responsibility as one shared across the squad. "This responsibility is for everyone, we must always do something to follow the objectives," he said. "I don't know if I'm a leader, everyone has to be one and we're on the right track."

Roma travel to Lecce for Serie A's second matchday after successive opening-weekend victories. Both sides won their first fixtures: Lecce beat Venezia, while Roma produced a dominant performance against Fiorentina. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini will deploy the same forward pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen that proved effective in the Florence victory. Rodrigo Mora is in line for another start in midfield. Lecce boss Di Francesco is considering Geubbels from the start despite an underwhelming debut, as both sides seek to maintain their winning momentum in gameweek two.

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned that unseasonably hot conditions could affect the spectacle of Roma's Serie A fixture at Lecce on 31 August, the second round of the season. The head coach acknowledged that Lecce presents a difficult away fixture, but expressed hope that the heat does not compromise the quality of play or the experience for supporters attending in large numbers. Gasperini highlighted Roma's impressive opening-day display against Fiorentina and the momentum surrounding the club as key assets for Sunday's match. He stressed that another strong performance will be required on an awkward pitch. "It's a characteristic of ours; we started very well against Fiorentina and also benefited from the enthusiasm around us. This is another match on a difficult field for everyone. An excellent performance will be needed," he said. On team selection, Gasperini confirmed that Matías Soulé and Emanuele Lulli, who performed well in pre-season, are ready to feature. He noted that modern football demands depth across a 16-player squad and said players will be deployed based on their current fitness levels given the weather conditions.

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.

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.

Roma travel to Lecce on 31 August at 18:30 seeking to build on their commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini intends to make minimal changes to the starting eleven that earned that emphatic win, with the principal uncertainty centring on the right-back slot where Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli are contending for a starting place. Rodrigo Mora is favoured to retain his position in the attacking line alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who scored a hat-trick against Fiorentina. Mile Svilar will continue in goal, with the defensive trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso set to remain unchanged in front of him. Wesley will operate at left-back, while Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to continue as the central midfield pairing, despite the latter finishing the Fiorentina match with minor physical discomfort. The attacking system allows the three front players considerable fluidity, with Dybala given freedom to drift between the lines and support Malen as the most advanced referential point. Two recent arrivals—Marten de Roon and Leonardo Balerdi—have been included in the travelling squad for Lecce but are unlikely to start. De Roon, officially confirmed by Roma in recent hours, and Balerdi, newly arrived, have had minimal training time with their teammates and will serve as potential substitutes. Gasperini stated that he considered Matías Soulé fully available for the Lecce fixture, though Mora currently holds the edge for the starting role. The ballottage readings suggest Molina leads Lulli 55–45 per cent, while Mora is favoured 65–35 per cent over Soulé. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain unavailable. Roma's tactical setup is expected to mirror the successful pattern from the opening day, with ten positions clearly established and the contest between Molina and Lulli on the right flank representing the main selection dilemma Gasperini faces.

Roma face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare on 31 August at 18:30 in a Serie A fixture. Four major Italian newspapers predict a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as the attacking pair. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected in midfield, with Wesley operating as a full-back. The main variance in predicted lineups centres on one defensive position. Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera all expect Emanuele Lulli at left-back, while Gazzetta dello Sport forecasts Nahuel Molina in that role. All four outlets agree on the remainder of the eleven, including Rodrigo Mora as the number 10 behind the two forwards.