Roma's Dybala Set to Return After Three Months Out

Fiorentina will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday 24 August for the opening day of the 2026-27 Serie A season, three days away. Midfielder Arthur Atta and midfielder Rolando Mandragora remain sidelined, continuing individual work away from the squad after the previous day's session. Both players have yet to rejoin full training, a situation that has begun to cause concern. Alex Jimenez and Joao Mario have already returned to group training on Wednesday. Their availability for Roma's trip is now in doubt. Today's training session will be decisive in determining whether Atta and Mandragora can be fit and available for the fixture on 24 August.

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.

Roma prepare for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Stadio Olimpico with Paulo Dybala leading the charge. The Argentine forward posted images of last season's final home fixture—the derby, where Gianluca Mancini scored twice—as motivation for the new campaign. Rodrigo Mora, the Portuguese attacking midfielder, completed his second training session at Trigoria on 20 August under Gasperini's watch, adding renewed creativity and unpredictability to the attacking unit. Niccolò Pisilli returned to full training after a calf injury sustained in late July, while Wesley managed only a partial session following a slight ankle sprain suffered ahead of the Borussia Dortmund friendly. Mora's arrival bolsters an attacking setup that Gasperini had sought to strengthen last season before Donyell Malen's arrival reshaped the forward line. The Portuguese midfielder described his key strength: "I believe my main point of strength is the ability to free myself from opponents in complicated situations." Squad availability shapes team selection for the Fiorentina match, with Mora potentially deployed as a pure attacking midfielder alongside Dybala and Malen against Grosso's side or introduced during the match. Lorenzo Pellegrini requires more time to return to availability. Gasperini will hold his first press conference of the 2026–27 season on 22 August at 13:30. Roma's initial fixtures include Lecce, Atalanta, Torino and Inter before the September break. The UEFA Champions League league-phase draw will be revealed on 27 August at 18:00.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Sebino Nela, the legendary Roma defender and 1982–83 Scudetto winner, has assessed Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which falls in less than two weeks. Nela believes Roma has improved but still requires reinforcements in two areas: a wide midfielder and a winger striker. "The Roma has still need of a wide midfielder and of a winger striker," Nela told Il Tempo. "The season is long, there are three competitions and it is important to have a deep squad. In the football of five substitutions, having a bench of level can make the difference." On the summer arrivals, Nela praised Castro and Molina but urged patience with Koulierakis, who is adapting to Italian football. He remains cautious about Rodrigo Mora as an attacking option, questioning whether his profile matches what the team needs despite Gasperini's backing. However, Nela acknowledged that if Mora flourishes under the coach's guidance, "a day, maybe, he will become a new Dybala, especially if he follows the coach's indications." He suggested a strong one-on-one player capable of scoring goals would complete an attack already bolstered by Soulé, Dybala, Mora, and Pellegrini.

Roma's transfer activity is entering its most intense phase with 11 days remaining in the summer window. The club is prioritising the signing of a left-back and left winger, with the attacking department potentially reinforced only by a loan deal, possibly with a purchase option. The American ownership's strategy is taking shape through over €100 million invested to strengthen Gasperini's squad while lowering both wage bill and average age. The green line of investment—acquisitions targeting both immediate impact and long-term development—is evident across the squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini have agreed wage cuts on their renewals. Among the notable signings are two strikers and a Greek defender, contributing to an squad now containing 11 players under 25: Ziolkowski (21), Koulierakis (22), Ghilardi (23), Rensch (23), Pisilli (21), Koné and El Aynaoui (25), Mora and Vaz (19), Castro (21) and Soulé (22). These are players ready to perform now and into the future under a manager like Gasperini, who has consistently developed and promoted emerging talent. Potential arrivals of Fofana and Luis Henrique—or even just one of them—would further increase the number of young players in the squad. The possibility of selling academy product Ziolkowski and Matías Soulé remains under consideration as part of the squad restructuring.