Mora in contention to start against Fiorentina as Gasperini weighs three midfield options

Robinio Vaz has moved from being a candidate for departure to a central part of Gian Piero Gasperini's plans after impressing during Roma's pre-season preparation. At the start of the summer retreat, the young French forward's future remained uncertain, with a temporary move away mooted to give him regular playing time. As the weeks progressed, however, Vaz's quality and growth potential persuaded Gasperini to work with him directly, developing his characteristics and integrating him into the first team's offensive rotation. Roma has acted decisively to keep him. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club has rejected multiple loan approaches from Serie A sides. The decision reflects Gasperini's commitment to developing Vaz at Trigoria rather than sending him elsewhere for experience. The coach wants to work with him daily and assess how far he can push his development. Vaz can operate as a centre-forward or on the wing, offering flexibility in an attacking department Gasperini favours keeping well-stocked. The shift in direction marks a small but meaningful promotion earned entirely through his pre-season performances, an opportunity Vaz aims to build on after spending his first six months in Serie A in an apprenticeship role.

Gasperini is preparing Roma's opening lineup for Monday's visit of Fiorentina, with the shape of his team already taking clearer form in the final days of the transfer window. The Stadio Olimpico will host Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, who despite their youth and last season's league position will present a stern test. Gasperini has identified Fiorentina's preference for a 4-3-3 setup during summer friendlies and is likely to counter with a 3-4-1-2 formation against their four-man defence, adapting his usual structure. That system would see Rodrigo Mora operating as the trequartista behind the Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen partnership, a position where the Argentine could make an immediate impact and deliver more options than Matías Soulé offers from the left flank. The formation can shift to a 3-4-2-1 during play when Malen presses higher up the pitch. Gasperini will keep some selection decisions until the final stages of Monday's match. Wesley and Molina appear set for the right flank, while Kostas Tsimikas contests the left-back role against Mario Hermoso for a starting place. The central defensive duel between Evan N'Dicka and Fiorentina's Kean will be a critical battleground — N'Dicka has struggled more than usual against Kean's pace and explosive moments from his time at Juventus. Fiorentina's Arthur Atta will be their wildcard variable, looking to disrupt Roma's defensive shape by dropping deep and unsettling the back line. Molina will have dual duties: creating danger down the flank through his runs while containing the constant forward drives of Valdepeñas. The final training session takes place this afternoon at Trigoria, where remaining selection dilemmas—including the Mora-Soulé contest and the Cristante-Neil El Aynaoui decision—will be resolved. Gasperini continues to wait for one more attacking wide player with different characteristics from Mora during the summer window. Monday brings the first competitive test of the season, a tactical chess match between two managers with distinct philosophies and clear identities. Roma will need a strong start in a title race that this year features more Champions League contenders than ever before.

Radio commentators offered contrasting takes on Roma's attacking options as Gian Piero Gasperini begins his tenure. Fabrizio Aspri told Radio Radio that Gasperini has embraced the theme of squad belonging, and although the manager has not yet secured a left winger, Aspri remains confident Roma possesses an important technical framework. The dominant question of the season, he said, will be whether Malen gets constrained or allowed to flourish. Aspri stated: "Gasperini wants wingers who drive at the box, and the only possible name can be Leão. I would always want Leão in the squad even at 30%, which Roma still has in reserve, though he divides the training ground. Mora doesn't have that physicality and with Malen's movements would be perfect. Mora can become a starter. I think Roma can field a podium-challenging side again." Federico Vespa expressed stronger optimism about the attacking line. Speaking to Radio Radio, Vespa said: "I expect 20 goals from Malen, I give him maximum confidence. I always take Leão, even at 30%." The comments reflect ongoing efforts to move some players out of Trigoria, though that process has proved difficult so far.

Gasperini is preparing Roma's opening lineup for Monday's visit of Fiorentina, with the shape of his team already taking clearer form in the final days of the transfer window. The Stadio Olimpico will host Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, who despite their youth and last season's league position will present a stern test. Gasperini has identified Fiorentina's preference for a 4-3-3 setup during summer friendlies and is likely to counter with a 3-4-1-2 formation against their four-man defence, adapting his usual structure. That system would see Rodrigo Mora operating as the trequartista behind the Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen partnership, a position where the Argentine could make an immediate impact and deliver more options than Matías Soulé offers from the left flank. The formation can shift to a 3-4-2-1 during play when Malen presses higher up the pitch. Gasperini will keep some selection decisions until the final stages of Monday's match. Wesley and Molina appear set for the right flank, while Kostas Tsimikas contests the left-back role against Mario Hermoso for a starting place. The central defensive duel between Evan N'Dicka and Fiorentina's Kean will be a critical battleground — N'Dicka has struggled more than usual against Kean's pace and explosive moments from his time at Juventus. Fiorentina's Arthur Atta will be their wildcard variable, looking to disrupt Roma's defensive shape by dropping deep and unsettling the back line. Molina will have dual duties: creating danger down the flank through his runs while containing the constant forward drives of Valdepeñas. The final training session takes place this afternoon at Trigoria, where remaining selection dilemmas—including the Mora-Soulé contest and the Cristante-Neil El Aynaoui decision—will be resolved. Gasperini continues to wait for one more attacking wide player with different characteristics from Mora during the summer window. Monday brings the first competitive test of the season, a tactical chess match between two managers with distinct philosophies and clear identities. Roma will need a strong start in a title race that this year features more Champions League contenders than ever before.

Radio commentators offered contrasting takes on Roma's attacking options as Gian Piero Gasperini begins his tenure. Fabrizio Aspri told Radio Radio that Gasperini has embraced the theme of squad belonging, and although the manager has not yet secured a left winger, Aspri remains confident Roma possesses an important technical framework. The dominant question of the season, he said, will be whether Malen gets constrained or allowed to flourish. Aspri stated: "Gasperini wants wingers who drive at the box, and the only possible name can be Leão. I would always want Leão in the squad even at 30%, which Roma still has in reserve, though he divides the training ground. Mora doesn't have that physicality and with Malen's movements would be perfect. Mora can become a starter. I think Roma can field a podium-challenging side again." Federico Vespa expressed stronger optimism about the attacking line. Speaking to Radio Radio, Vespa said: "I expect 20 goals from Malen, I give him maximum confidence. I always take Leão, even at 30%." The comments reflect ongoing efforts to move some players out of Trigoria, though that process has proved difficult so far.

Roma and Fiorentina meet in what is arguably the most compelling opening fixture of the 2026–27 season. The two clubs arrive from markedly different 2025–26 campaigns: Roma finished strongly to become protagonists, while Fiorentina struggled throughout. Both have signalled growth ambitions in the transfer market. Gasperini requested reinforcements and secured some of them, while Fiorentina's roster has been bolstered by what is described as a fantastic summer window. The match will pit established strengths against new arrivals—Malen and Kean chief among the recognised talents on show—as both sides prepare to compete.

Gasperini is preparing Roma's opening lineup for Monday's visit of Fiorentina, with the shape of his team already taking clearer form in the final days of the transfer window. The Stadio Olimpico will host Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, who despite their youth and last season's league position will present a stern test. Gasperini has identified Fiorentina's preference for a 4-3-3 setup during summer friendlies and is likely to counter with a 3-4-1-2 formation against their four-man defence, adapting his usual structure. That system would see Rodrigo Mora operating as the trequartista behind the Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen partnership, a position where the Argentine could make an immediate impact and deliver more options than Matías Soulé offers from the left flank. The formation can shift to a 3-4-2-1 during play when Malen presses higher up the pitch. Gasperini will keep some selection decisions until the final stages of Monday's match. Wesley and Molina appear set for the right flank, while Kostas Tsimikas contests the left-back role against Mario Hermoso for a starting place. The central defensive duel between Evan N'Dicka and Fiorentina's Kean will be a critical battleground — N'Dicka has struggled more than usual against Kean's pace and explosive moments from his time at Juventus. Fiorentina's Arthur Atta will be their wildcard variable, looking to disrupt Roma's defensive shape by dropping deep and unsettling the back line. Molina will have dual duties: creating danger down the flank through his runs while containing the constant forward drives of Valdepeñas. The final training session takes place this afternoon at Trigoria, where remaining selection dilemmas—including the Mora-Soulé contest and the Cristante-Neil El Aynaoui decision—will be resolved. Gasperini continues to wait for one more attacking wide player with different characteristics from Mora during the summer window. Monday brings the first competitive test of the season, a tactical chess match between two managers with distinct philosophies and clear identities. Roma will need a strong start in a title race that this year features more Champions League contenders than ever before.

Gasperini will settle his choice of attacking midfielder for Sunday's match against Fiorentina by tonight or tomorrow morning. Matías Soulé has been tested for a second consecutive day in training, but Rodrigo Mora and Bryan Cristante remain in contention. Should Cristante advance into that role, either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli would partner Manu Koné in midfield. Roma's campaign starts from third place and a 65,000-capacity Olimpico crowd, but the foundation is Gasperini's core players. The coach continues to regard Paulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini and Cristante as essential to the team. Dybala finished pre-season with 7 goals and strong physical condition, while Mancini and Cristante remain the anchors for solidity, charisma and balance. Former Roma player Dario Bonetti reflected on the club's great regrets in an interview. On a disallowed goal by Turone, he said: "The disallowed goal to Turone cost us the scudetto in a glaring way." He also recalled Roma-Lecce: "That was an unexplainable, cursed match: it still bothers me to talk about it now." On the European Cup final against Liverpool, Bonetti added: "We were penalised, their goal came from an obvious foul on me."

Roma face Fiorentina in their Serie A opener on 24 August with Nahuel Molina poised to make his debut at right-back, ahead of Devyne Rensch, while Wesley is fully fit at left-back after recovering from an ankle problem. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield slot alongside Paulo Dybala and behind centre-forward Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé currently leads the competition for the position after impressing the coaching staff with his dedication since the start of pre-season, losing excess weight and setting aside transfer speculation. Rodrigo Mora provides competition and is eager to make his debut. Gasperini retains a tactical option to consider deploying Bryan Cristante as a number 10. The 1995-born midfielder has been used repeatedly in that role during the previous season in Roma's 3-4-1-2 formation, delivering balance and positive results. Should Gasperini select Cristante, the midfield would comprise Manu Koné alongside either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli. The final decision will come only after the pre-match training session on 24 August, with Gasperini assessing the fitness of El Aynaoui, who remains behind schedule following the World Cup, and Pisilli, who has only recently rejoined the squad.

Gasperini is preparing Roma's opening lineup for Monday's visit of Fiorentina, with the shape of his team already taking clearer form in the final days of the transfer window. The Stadio Olimpico will host Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, who despite their youth and last season's league position will present a stern test. Gasperini has identified Fiorentina's preference for a 4-3-3 setup during summer friendlies and is likely to counter with a 3-4-1-2 formation against their four-man defence, adapting his usual structure. That system would see Rodrigo Mora operating as the trequartista behind the Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen partnership, a position where the Argentine could make an immediate impact and deliver more options than Matías Soulé offers from the left flank. The formation can shift to a 3-4-2-1 during play when Malen presses higher up the pitch. Gasperini will keep some selection decisions until the final stages of Monday's match. Wesley and Molina appear set for the right flank, while Kostas Tsimikas contests the left-back role against Mario Hermoso for a starting place. The central defensive duel between Evan N'Dicka and Fiorentina's Kean will be a critical battleground — N'Dicka has struggled more than usual against Kean's pace and explosive moments from his time at Juventus. Fiorentina's Arthur Atta will be their wildcard variable, looking to disrupt Roma's defensive shape by dropping deep and unsettling the back line. Molina will have dual duties: creating danger down the flank through his runs while containing the constant forward drives of Valdepeñas. The final training session takes place this afternoon at Trigoria, where remaining selection dilemmas—including the Mora-Soulé contest and the Cristante-Neil El Aynaoui decision—will be resolved. Gasperini continues to wait for one more attacking wide player with different characteristics from Mora during the summer window. Monday brings the first competitive test of the season, a tactical chess match between two managers with distinct philosophies and clear identities. Roma will need a strong start in a title race that this year features more Champions League contenders than ever before.

Gasperini will settle his choice of attacking midfielder for Sunday's match against Fiorentina by tonight or tomorrow morning. Matías Soulé has been tested for a second consecutive day in training, but Rodrigo Mora and Bryan Cristante remain in contention. Should Cristante advance into that role, either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli would partner Manu Koné in midfield. Roma's campaign starts from third place and a 65,000-capacity Olimpico crowd, but the foundation is Gasperini's core players. The coach continues to regard Paulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini and Cristante as essential to the team. Dybala finished pre-season with 7 goals and strong physical condition, while Mancini and Cristante remain the anchors for solidity, charisma and balance. Former Roma player Dario Bonetti reflected on the club's great regrets in an interview. On a disallowed goal by Turone, he said: "The disallowed goal to Turone cost us the scudetto in a glaring way." He also recalled Roma-Lecce: "That was an unexplainable, cursed match: it still bothers me to talk about it now." On the European Cup final against Liverpool, Bonetti added: "We were penalised, their goal came from an obvious foul on me."

Roma face Fiorentina in their Serie A opener on 24 August with Nahuel Molina poised to make his debut at right-back, ahead of Devyne Rensch, while Wesley is fully fit at left-back after recovering from an ankle problem. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield slot alongside Paulo Dybala and behind centre-forward Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé currently leads the competition for the position after impressing the coaching staff with his dedication since the start of pre-season, losing excess weight and setting aside transfer speculation. Rodrigo Mora provides competition and is eager to make his debut. Gasperini retains a tactical option to consider deploying Bryan Cristante as a number 10. The 1995-born midfielder has been used repeatedly in that role during the previous season in Roma's 3-4-1-2 formation, delivering balance and positive results. Should Gasperini select Cristante, the midfield would comprise Manu Koné alongside either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli. The final decision will come only after the pre-match training session on 24 August, with Gasperini assessing the fitness of El Aynaoui, who remains behind schedule following the World Cup, and Pisilli, who has only recently rejoined the squad.