Roma destroy Lecce 3–0 in Serie A opener; Malen scores twice as Gasperini's side dominate

Roma dominated the first half at Lecce on 31 August 2026, closing the opening 45 minutes with a three-goal lead under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The emphatic away performance showcased aggressive pressing and assured passing from the side, settling the contest before half-time. The first-half display marked a significant statistical milestone for Roma in away Serie A matches. The club had not scored three goals in the first half of an away league fixture since 23 January 2022, when they led 4-0 at half-time against Empoli at the Castellani before the match finished 4-2. The result demonstrates a step change in Roma's attacking output in the opening weeks of the 2026-27 season.

Roma have made a blistering start to the 2026–27 season under Gian Piero Gasperini, scoring seven goals across their first two Serie A fixtures. A dominant 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Olimpico in the opening match was followed by a 3–0 win away at Lecce, displaying the immediate attacking potency of Gasperini's tactical approach. The seven goals in the opening 180 minutes rank among Roma's best starts in recent years. Across the last nine Serie A seasons, only the 2021–22 campaign saw Roma match or exceed this output in their first two matches—when they also scored seven goals. The statistic underlines the impact of Gasperini's offensive system and how quickly the squad has absorbed his tactical concepts, establishing an exceptionally high offensive intensity from the outset of the campaign.

Donyell Malen scored within five minutes of Roma's visit to Lecce, capitalising on a defensive error to finish past Falcone with a precise shot. The goal was his fourth in two league matches, moving him into second place in a Roma statistical milestone: he is now the second Roma player in the last 65 years to score at least four goals in the opening two Serie A fixtures of a season, after Vincenzo Montella in 2004-05. Malen's form has been remarkable. He arrived at Roma as one of Europe's most prolific forwards, with 19 goals in 20 matches and a goal-per-game average. His four-goal haul comes after a hat-trick against Fiorentina in the opening fixture, establishing him as a central threat in Roma's attack from the outset of the 2026-27 campaign.

Donyell Malen has entered the Serie A record books after scoring 19 goals in his first 20 league matches for Roma, a rate unseen in the Italian top flight for nearly seven decades. The forward marked his debut with a hat-trick against Fiorentina and followed that with two goals in 20 minutes against Lecce, continuing a relentless goalscoring run that has captivated the Giallorossi. Only Gunnar Nordahl (20 goals in 1949) and José Altafini (20 goals between 1958 and 1959) have scored more in their opening 20 Serie A matches. Malen, the former Aston Villa player, has also established himself as Roma's most efficient finisher in the club's history by goals per 90 minutes — a clear margin ahead of previous benchmarks. His clinical finishing and immediate impact have made him a transformative addition to the squad.

Donyell Malen scored within five minutes of Roma's visit to Lecce, capitalising on a defensive error to finish past Falcone with a precise shot. The goal was his fourth in two league matches, moving him into second place in a Roma statistical milestone: he is now the second Roma player in the last 65 years to score at least four goals in the opening two Serie A fixtures of a season, after Vincenzo Montella in 2004-05. Malen's form has been remarkable. He arrived at Roma as one of Europe's most prolific forwards, with 19 goals in 20 matches and a goal-per-game average. His four-goal haul comes after a hat-trick against Fiorentina in the opening fixture, establishing him as a central threat in Roma's attack from the outset of 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 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 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.

Mile Svilar spoke to DAZN ahead of Roma's match against Lecce, emphasising the need to build on early defensive improvements. The goalkeeper said: "We must always seek continuity. Against Fiorentina was only the first match. It's better to start this way but we must try to seek continuity for many matches starting from today." Svilar acknowledged the difficulty of playing at Lecce, particularly given the warm conditions expected. "Certainly, we've come here many times and I know it's a difficult pitch and a hot atmosphere. Today we must impose our game and take home the three points," he said. When asked about the Roma team taking shape, Svilar stressed the importance of squad unity: "A Roma that has been building since last year, a group that has been together for years. This is always positive."

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 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.