Roma name squad for Lecce trip as Balerdi included and Rensch sidelined

Roma head to Lecce for their second match of the season with Gasperini able to call on most of his squad. Leonardo Balerdi makes his competitive debut after his official confirmation this morning, while fellow new arrivals Koulierakis, Mora, Castro and Molina are all available. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined but will return to training next week. De Roon, who arrived in the capital today, is not yet officially registered and therefore unavailable. Neil El Aynaoui is also absent from the squad list. Robinio Vaz has been left out as he prepares to join Hull City pending Roma's approval and the arrival of another striker. The full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Roma travel to Lecce for a Monday Night fixture in Serie A's second matchday, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini still seeking two more signings as the transfer window enters its final 48 hours. The Giallorossi are expected to field a similar setup to the side that defeated Fiorentina a week ago, though defensive and attacking decisions remain fluid ahead of kickoff. Emanuele Lulli holds the edge over Nahuel Molina on the flank, with the Argentine still regaining full fitness after his improvement in recent training. In attack, the main competition centres on Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé to complete the forward line alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala. The match is one of three Serie A games in co-exclusive coverage this weekend. Lecce–Roma will be broadcast on DAZN, Sky and NOW. Viewers can watch via the DAZN website and app, or on Sky Sport Calcio (channel 202) and Sky Sport (channel 252) through Sky, Sky Go and NOW. The match can also be accessed on Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and TIM VISION Box. Live updates will be available through Forzaroma.info and on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that no official offers have been made for Matías Soulé, despite ongoing speculation surrounding the midfielder's future. The Roma head coach stated that Soulé remains available for selection and can play in tomorrow's fixture. Gasperini indicated that Roma's transfer priorities lie elsewhere, identifying a need for both a forward and a left-back as the window continues. The club is actively pursuing alternative targets to strengthen the squad in those positions. The statement comes as Roma conducts business across multiple fronts in the market. Gasperini said: "There have never been any offers for Soulé. He can play tomorrow." The clarity provided by the coach should settle questions about Soulé's availability for immediate selection.

Roma head to Lecce for their second match of the season with Gasperini able to call on most of his squad. Leonardo Balerdi makes his competitive debut after his official confirmation this morning, while fellow new arrivals Koulierakis, Mora, Castro and Molina are all available. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined but will return to training next week. De Roon, who arrived in the capital today, is not yet officially registered and therefore unavailable. Neil El Aynaoui is also absent from the squad list. Robinio Vaz has been left out as he prepares to join Hull City pending Roma's approval and the arrival of another striker. The full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Lecce–Roma on 31 August 2026, addressing the signing of Marten de Roon from Atalanta and the club's remaining transfer business. De Roon's arrival came together rapidly over 24–48 hours after he fell out of Atalanta's plans following many years at the club. "He wanted to come to Roma very strongly," Gasperini said. "For us it is an opportunity that allows us to give El Aynaoui the chance to have another experience. Economically it is very important because it gives us the opportunity to bring interest into another role." The move also allows Roma to add depth to their defence with another captain alongside new arrival Balerdi, while the physical strength these signings bring will help compensate for having too many Argentine players in the squad, Gasperini added. Gasperini reported that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin the group on Tuesday and Pellegrini returning next week. He confirmed Roma still need to complete their squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday with a left-sided defender and an attacking winger. "We have always looked for a left-back and an outside attacker," he said. "If we can take two we would be 21 in the squad plus the goalkeepers." He noted that Matías Soulé can play on the left if needed, having done so under former manager Claudio Ranieri, but he prefers the Argentine higher up the pitch. Roma's financial restrictions under Financial Fair Play rules have prevented them from matching certain contract offers from rivals, though Gasperini praised the spirit of those who joined despite lower wages: "The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back specifically to play for Roma, and this is a great spirit, and you do not buy it in the market." On the Champions League draw and upcoming fixtures, Gasperini said: "I believe they are all prestige matches; we have drawn a good group. We will go away in hot and difficult stadiums. This is the Champions League. The objective is to stay inside the play-offs. Beyond the sporting result, it will be nice to breathe the air of the Champions League, to play in extraordinary stadiums, with Real Madrid. I believe it will enrich the squad greatly." He defended the De Roon transfer against potential fan concerns: "When you know him he is a solid person. I explained how the operation was born, and it gives us the chance to have a valuable player. It is not a prospect, but it gives us the opportunity to concentrate our efforts in another role." Regarding Nahuel Molina's fitness, Gasperini said the defender "is better, he had a good week of training. He played the World Cup final, it is just a question of finding some condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I do not know if at the start or during the game." The window closes on Tuesday; once it does, Gasperini said, "finally we can talk about football."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 30 August ahead of Roma's trip to Lecce on 31 August at 18:30 in Serie A's second round. The head coach confirmed that Marten de Roon has joined Roma from Atalanta and praised the midfielder's arrival alongside defender Balerdi, saying: "With him and Balerdi are arrived two captains, we give a turn both physical and of personality, we need that beyond talent." De Roon, who arrived within the last 24–48 hours, will allow Neil El Aynaoui to seek a more gratifying experience elsewhere. Gasperini stressed the squad's improved robustness: "We have more solutions and better solidity. Honestly I look at my squad and I am very happy with who arrived, we can give continuity and improve the results of last year." Gasperini acknowledged Roma remain short in specific positions. The club must still sign a left-back and an attacking winger to complete the squad for a demanding fixture schedule and to cover injury absences. He confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are recovering from injury — Rensch returning to group training on Tuesday and Pellegrini from next week — and that all other players are available for the Lecce match. On Matías Soulé, heavily linked with a departure this summer, Gasperini said: "I respect everything and read everything, but of Soulé I have never known of a proposal, there was never one all summer, for him as for other players chattered about. Soulé probably plays tomorrow. Those that are the news, I don't go behind these. There was never a proposal." Gasperini addressed Roma's Financial Fair Play constraints and the squad's character. "Roma suffered the discourse of FFP and had to lower the payroll and certain players we aspired to be stronger we could not reach them. The society was available. The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back to play in Roma, this is a great spirit you form inside, and under this aspect we are among the very first, if not the very first." He confirmed Nahuel Molina will play against Lecce, either from the start or during the match, after playing in the World Cup final and needing to regain match fitness. On De Roon's past controversial comments about Roma, Gasperini noted: "It is normal when you are opponents. When you know him you will understand he is a very solid person, physically intact. He is a player of value, not of prospect." The transfer window closes on Tuesday 2 September. Gasperini expressed frustration that the market remains open during the season and reiterated his wish for one or preferably two further signings — a left-back and a left-sided forward. "If we manage to take two we are 21, if we take one we will be 20. It is not a numerous squad." On Roma's Champions League group, drawn on 27 August, he said: "It is a nice group with matches of great prestige, we will go to play in very difficult stadiums. This is the Champions. Reaching the top eight is hard for everyone, the objective is to stay inside the playoffs."

Roma head to Lecce for their second match of the season with Gasperini able to call on most of his squad. Leonardo Balerdi makes his competitive debut after his official confirmation this morning, while fellow new arrivals Koulierakis, Mora, Castro and Molina are all available. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined but will return to training next week. De Roon, who arrived in the capital today, is not yet officially registered and therefore unavailable. Neil El Aynaoui is also absent from the squad list. Robinio Vaz has been left out as he prepares to join Hull City pending Roma's approval and the arrival of another striker. The full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Lecce–Roma on 31 August 2026, addressing the signing of Marten de Roon from Atalanta and the club's remaining transfer business. De Roon's arrival came together rapidly over 24–48 hours after he fell out of Atalanta's plans following many years at the club. "He wanted to come to Roma very strongly," Gasperini said. "For us it is an opportunity that allows us to give El Aynaoui the chance to have another experience. Economically it is very important because it gives us the opportunity to bring interest into another role." The move also allows Roma to add depth to their defence with another captain alongside new arrival Balerdi, while the physical strength these signings bring will help compensate for having too many Argentine players in the squad, Gasperini added. Gasperini reported that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin the group on Tuesday and Pellegrini returning next week. He confirmed Roma still need to complete their squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday with a left-sided defender and an attacking winger. "We have always looked for a left-back and an outside attacker," he said. "If we can take two we would be 21 in the squad plus the goalkeepers." He noted that Matías Soulé can play on the left if needed, having done so under former manager Claudio Ranieri, but he prefers the Argentine higher up the pitch. Roma's financial restrictions under Financial Fair Play rules have prevented them from matching certain contract offers from rivals, though Gasperini praised the spirit of those who joined despite lower wages: "The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back specifically to play for Roma, and this is a great spirit, and you do not buy it in the market." On the Champions League draw and upcoming fixtures, Gasperini said: "I believe they are all prestige matches; we have drawn a good group. We will go away in hot and difficult stadiums. This is the Champions League. The objective is to stay inside the play-offs. Beyond the sporting result, it will be nice to breathe the air of the Champions League, to play in extraordinary stadiums, with Real Madrid. I believe it will enrich the squad greatly." He defended the De Roon transfer against potential fan concerns: "When you know him he is a solid person. I explained how the operation was born, and it gives us the chance to have a valuable player. It is not a prospect, but it gives us the opportunity to concentrate our efforts in another role." Regarding Nahuel Molina's fitness, Gasperini said the defender "is better, he had a good week of training. He played the World Cup final, it is just a question of finding some condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I do not know if at the start or during the game." The window closes on Tuesday; once it does, Gasperini said, "finally we can talk about football."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 30 August ahead of Roma's trip to Lecce on 31 August at 18:30 in Serie A's second round. The head coach confirmed that Marten de Roon has joined Roma from Atalanta and praised the midfielder's arrival alongside defender Balerdi, saying: "With him and Balerdi are arrived two captains, we give a turn both physical and of personality, we need that beyond talent." De Roon, who arrived within the last 24–48 hours, will allow Neil El Aynaoui to seek a more gratifying experience elsewhere. Gasperini stressed the squad's improved robustness: "We have more solutions and better solidity. Honestly I look at my squad and I am very happy with who arrived, we can give continuity and improve the results of last year." Gasperini acknowledged Roma remain short in specific positions. The club must still sign a left-back and an attacking winger to complete the squad for a demanding fixture schedule and to cover injury absences. He confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are recovering from injury — Rensch returning to group training on Tuesday and Pellegrini from next week — and that all other players are available for the Lecce match. On Matías Soulé, heavily linked with a departure this summer, Gasperini said: "I respect everything and read everything, but of Soulé I have never known of a proposal, there was never one all summer, for him as for other players chattered about. Soulé probably plays tomorrow. Those that are the news, I don't go behind these. There was never a proposal." Gasperini addressed Roma's Financial Fair Play constraints and the squad's character. "Roma suffered the discourse of FFP and had to lower the payroll and certain players we aspired to be stronger we could not reach them. The society was available. The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back to play in Roma, this is a great spirit you form inside, and under this aspect we are among the very first, if not the very first." He confirmed Nahuel Molina will play against Lecce, either from the start or during the match, after playing in the World Cup final and needing to regain match fitness. On De Roon's past controversial comments about Roma, Gasperini noted: "It is normal when you are opponents. When you know him you will understand he is a very solid person, physically intact. He is a player of value, not of prospect." The transfer window closes on Tuesday 2 September. Gasperini expressed frustration that the market remains open during the season and reiterated his wish for one or preferably two further signings — a left-back and a left-sided forward. "If we manage to take two we are 21, if we take one we will be 20. It is not a numerous squad." On Roma's Champions League group, drawn on 27 August, he said: "It is a nice group with matches of great prestige, we will go to play in very difficult stadiums. This is the Champions. Reaching the top eight is hard for everyone, the objective is to stay inside the playoffs."

Roma head to Lecce for their second match of the season with Gasperini able to call on most of his squad. Leonardo Balerdi makes his competitive debut after his official confirmation this morning, while fellow new arrivals Koulierakis, Mora, Castro and Molina are all available. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined but will return to training next week. De Roon, who arrived in the capital today, is not yet officially registered and therefore unavailable. Neil El Aynaoui is also absent from the squad list. Robinio Vaz has been left out as he prepares to join Hull City pending Roma's approval and the arrival of another striker. The full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma return to the Champions League after eight years with a curious contradiction: a squad seasoned in European competition but largely inexperienced in the continent's top tier. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the giallorossi have navigated knockout stages, difficult away trips and high-pressure evenings in recent seasons, yet a significant portion of the squad presents as Champions League debutants when their record in the competition itself is examined. The drawn opponents—Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Sporting, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Atene—underscore the magnitude of the step up. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen stand as the principal points of reference, each with around 50 Champions League appearances. Behind them Nahuel Molina brings roughly 40 such matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, followed by Mario Hermoso, equally accustomed to the highest level of European football. The picture shifts sharply thereafter. Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played in the Champions League, though Roma's last participation dates back to the 2018–19 season. Other squad members have sampled the competition only briefly, while a substantial portion will encounter it for the first time. Key players such as Manu Koné, Wesley, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro have either never played it or collected minimal appearances. Yet Roma should not be labelled a European-inexperienced side. The club built a genuine identity in the cups: Cristante, Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and the core nucleus lived through the Conference League triumph in 2022, the Europa League final of 2023 and numerous knockout campaigns. Dybala, Evan N'Dicka, Koné, Pisilli and Matías Soulé have progressively accumulated international experience outside the Champions League but in matches where pressure, emotional control and reading momentum matter most. Here lies the true uncertainty: Roma possesses European aptitude but lacks a true Champions League identity. Errors recoverable in Europa League risk becoming instant goals against Real Madrid and PSG. The new League Phase format demands Gasperini navigate eight different fixtures without building a classic group-stage rhythm. The task ahead is not to teach Roma what a European night means, but to elevate what they have learned over five years.