Ninety minutes remain: Malen's social media post fuels Roma fan hope

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.

Radio pundits debated Roma's transfer strategy on 20 August, with analyst Sabatini arguing the season depends on how many goals Malen scores and how many matches Dybala can play. "It is difficult to think that they can play more than 20 matches as regular starters," Sabatini said on Radio Radio. Commentator Carina added that Roma has spent heavily but must make outgoings to balance the books, noting that Soulé's agent has guaranteed offers will arrive at Trigoria in the coming days. Carina also highlighted Roma's failure to sign a left-footed right winger despite it being a stated priority: "We are on 20 August and Roma has bought everything except that player." Marcacci suggested Fofana would have been a more useful acquisition than Mora for Roma's midfield needs, while Pes called for Roma to strengthen the attack with additional physicality and athleticism. Torri reported that an agreement exists between Lyon and Fofana, with conditions in place to close the deal. He also underlined Roma's two-year absence of a right-footed left winger despite spending over 10 million euros in that market. Speculation mounted around Koné's future, with Pes noting Manchester City interest but estimating Roma would demand 60 million euros for the midfielder.

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.