Mora impresses Gasperini and enters contention for Fiorentina opener

Paulo Dybala has stoked Roma's anticipation for the 2026–27 season with a message on Instagram ahead of the home fixture against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45. The Argentine forward posted images from the 2–0 derby win on 17 May, writing: "The last home match, with desire to begin the same way." That victory saw Dybala play a starring role before Roma sealed Champions League qualification days later at Verona. The Olimpico is expected to be at full capacity as the giallorossi prepare for their season opener. Dybala enters his fifth season at the club in sharp condition following a high-level pre-season. Wearing number 21, he will be central to Roma's ambitions under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the campaign begins. The forward's public enthusiasm reflects the mood in the dressing room, where desire to replicate last season's closing surge is running high.

Roma have announced that home supporters will be able to purchase tickets for the Distinti Nord-Ovest section—normally reserved for visiting fans—for Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico, kickoff 20:45. The move comes after a travel ban was imposed on Fiorentina supporters from the city and province of Florence. Over 60,000 Roma fans are expected to create a sold-out atmosphere for the first match of the 2026-27 season under Gasperini's leadership. With the away section unavailable to Fiorentina's travelling support, Roma have taken the opportunity to maximize home attendance across the stadium. The club's decision to open an additional sector reflects the scale of demand for the fixture and their aim to ensure a fully yellow-and-red crowd for the campaign's first test.

AS Roma have opened ticket sales for the North-West Stand (Distinti Nord-Ovest) ahead of their Serie A season opener against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August, with a 20:45 kick-off at the Stadio Olimpico. The club has already sold more than 61,000 tickets and is aiming to reach 67,000 for a sold-out capacity. Fiorentina supporters based in Florence and the surrounding province have been banned from attending the away fixture. Roma are targeting a full house to mark the start of what manager Gian Piero Gasperini's side hope will be a campaign culminating in a return to the Champions League. The first match of the domestic campaign is scheduled to welcome a crowd befitting the occasion. With over 61,000 tickets sold, Roma's push for the full 67,000-capacity crowd reflects the appetite among supporters for a successful new season under Gasperini.

Sebino Nela, who played for Roma between 1981 and 1992, has given his assessment of the club's prospects ahead of the new Serie A season. Speaking to Il Tempo, the former defender backed Roma to secure another Champions League place and expressed hope that the Scudetto could arrive in the season leading to the club's centenary. "Bisogna dare continuità conquistando un'altra partecipazione in Champions League. Scudetto? Spero di festeggiarlo quanto prima e sarebbe meraviglioso se accadesse nella stagione che porta al centenario," he said. Nela believes Roma still need reinforcements before the window closes. He identified an attacking winger and a wide midfielder as priorities, arguing that squad depth is essential across a long season with three competitions and five substitutes in use. On the existing squad, he praised Castro and Molina as "acquisti" (signings) and said Koulierakis requires time to adapt to Italian football. He suggested Rodrigo Mora could develop into a world-class talent under Gasperini but lacks the one-on-one ability and goal threat that would complete the attack aux côté Soulé, Dybala and Pellegrini. Nela flagged Koné and El Aynaoui as players with significant room for improvement based on their World Cup performances. Ahead of the opening fixture against Fiorentina, he suggested that while Paratici's summer recruitment has been substantial, Roma's individual quality could prove decisive in the season opener.

Gian Piero Gasperini begins his second season at Roma with renewed momentum after the club secured third place last season and a return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. The transfer window has reshaped the squad with reinforcements across multiple positions, though primary targets Mason Greenwood and Summerville eluded the club. Roma's summer business has produced a deeper, more complete squad better aligned with Gasperini's tactical vision. Molina arrived to offset the loss of Çelik and represents an upgrade; Castro will support Donyell Malen as an alternative; Koulierakis extends defensive rotation; and Rodrigo Mora has captured attention. No significant departures have materialised — unusual given financial fair play constraints — which Gasperini welcomes as Roma shapes up for the coming campaign. Paulo Dybala remains pivotal to the club's balance, though physical uncertainties surround his availability. The transfer market investment has been substantial across three figures, and the absence of standout exits leaves the side well-resourced heading into a season built on Champions League ambitions.

Roma begin the new season buoyed by their return to the Champions League after seven years and the consolidation of Gian Piero Gasperini's leadership. The mood at Trigoria is markedly calmer than twelve months ago, with a deeper and more complete squad aligned to Gasperini's tactical vision. Despite missing some primary attacking targets, sporting director Tony D'Amico has strengthened the team across all departments. Nahuel Molina represents a significant upgrade on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure, Santiago Castro arrives to complete the attack alongside Donyell Malen, Konstantinos Koulierakis extends central defensive rotation, and nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora raises the overall technical quality of the team's play. Paulo Dybala remains the decisive element. The Argentine, following a season finale that carried Roma to third place and earned him a contract renewal, continues to serve as the tactical and emotional focal point of the squad.

Gian Piero Gasperini begins his second season at Roma with renewed momentum after the club secured third place last season and a return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. The transfer window has reshaped the squad with reinforcements across multiple positions, though primary targets Mason Greenwood and Summerville eluded the club. Roma's summer business has produced a deeper, more complete squad better aligned with Gasperini's tactical vision. Molina arrived to offset the loss of Çelik and represents an upgrade; Castro will support Donyell Malen as an alternative; Koulierakis extends defensive rotation; and Rodrigo Mora has captured attention. No significant departures have materialised — unusual given financial fair play constraints — which Gasperini welcomes as Roma shapes up for the coming campaign. Paulo Dybala remains pivotal to the club's balance, though physical uncertainties surround his availability. The transfer market investment has been substantial across three figures, and the absence of standout exits leaves the side well-resourced heading into a season built on Champions League ambitions.

Roma begin the new season buoyed by their return to the Champions League after seven years and the consolidation of Gian Piero Gasperini's leadership. The mood at Trigoria is markedly calmer than twelve months ago, with a deeper and more complete squad aligned to Gasperini's tactical vision. Despite missing some primary attacking targets, sporting director Tony D'Amico has strengthened the team across all departments. Nahuel Molina represents a significant upgrade on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure, Santiago Castro arrives to complete the attack alongside Donyell Malen, Konstantinos Koulierakis extends central defensive rotation, and nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora raises the overall technical quality of the team's play. Paulo Dybala remains the decisive element. The Argentine, following a season finale that carried Roma to third place and earned him a contract renewal, continues to serve as the tactical and emotional focal point of the squad.

AS Roma has built a squad of striking youth following years of investing heavily in players under 25, creating a roster balanced between promising talent and senior experience. Paulo Dybala, who will turn 33 next November, is the oldest player on the books, followed by Bryan Cristante, Mario Hermoso and Pierluigi Gollini all aged 31, and Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini both 30. The remainder of the squad skews considerably younger, with 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora emerging as the club's most junior player, matched in age by Robinio Vaz though slightly older by a few months. Jan Ziółkowski is 21, while Castro and Niccolò Pisilli will turn 22 this year. The youth project, initiated under Daniele De Rossi, has been maintained throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure across two transfer windows. Players born in 2003—Daniele Ghilardi, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Wesley and Koulierakis—form a strong cohort, with Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui the only two 25-year-olds in the squad. The young foundation is complemented by experienced operators: Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka are 27, while Molina is 28. This structure combines future potential with a stable base of proven professionalism.

Niccolò Pisilli has cleared medical checks at Trigoria and is on course for selection in Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina. The academy product has resumed regular group training after recovering from a calf muscle injury that sidelined him since late July, and is pushing Manu Koné for a starting berth alongside Bryan Cristante in midfield, though Koné currently holds the edge in Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical plans. Pisilli, born in 2004, was unavailable for much of the pre-season campaign but is now building momentum four days before the season opener. Koné, meanwhile, missed most of pre-season preparation owing to post-World Cup rest, yet remains slightly favoured for the midfield role. Wesley, the left-sided Brazilian defender, sustained a minor ankle sprain in recent days that forced him to sit out an August 15th friendly against Borussia Dortmund. The club has implemented precautionary measures with partial training for Wesley, but he is expected to start on the left flank for Roma's debut at Stadio Olimpico.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma's training base and is in contention to start against Fiorentina on Monday at the Olimpico, where the club will begin its Serie A campaign. The playmaker, who arrived on Wednesday at Trigoria, is competing for a starting role in the number 10 position alongside Matías Soulé and Bryan Cristante. Under Gasperini's preferred 3-4-1-2 formation against four-at-the-back defences, Soulé is currently favored but Mora has impressed the coach within two training sessions and could challenge for the role. Gasperini will conduct tactical work today and hold a pre-match press conference at Trigoria tomorrow, where the transfer market is expected to feature among topics discussed. Cristante would offer greater defensive balance in midfield, though the coach's options in that area are limited. Roma's sporting director D'Amico continues to work on securing a winger—a priority gap in the squad—while the club also pursues opportunities for an additional attacking reinforcement.

Manu Koné remains at the heart of Roma's midfield as Manchester City emerged as the latest club to monitor his availability, though Gian Piero Gasperini is determined to keep him at the club. The midfielder has attracted interest from Atlético Madrid (who tabled a €43 million offer that was rejected), Saudi Arabia, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. Manchester City have now signalled potential interest should their pursuit of Enzo Fernández collapse, but no formal approach has yet materialised and Koné is expected to stay. Gasperini views his retention as crucial. With only ten days left in the transfer window, replacing Koné would be nearly impossible, and the midfielder remains the strongest option available in Roma's squad despite not being perfect. The coach had concerns about Koné's attitude late last season when his focus appeared to drift towards World Cup considerations, though that situation has since been resolved. Last season across Serie A and Europa League, Koné was unavailable eleven times; Roma failed to win in six of those matches. The established midfield partnership with Bryan Cristante will continue as the foundation of Gasperini's setup. While Koné lacks a goal-scoring threat—an area unlikely to be his strength—he excels in all other facets of midfield play. Monday will mark the restart with him as a central fixture.