Source: Roma News
Serie A has introduced new scheduling criteria for the 2026–27 season following controversy over fixture congestion in the previous campaign. The league has moved to restrict high-risk matches, particularly derbies, after complications arose when Roma's derby clash with Lazio fell during the Internazionali d'Italia final weekend, and Torino–Juventus was scheduled for the final day. League president Ezio Simonelli outlined the goal to prevent overlaps with major events and reduce public order complications in decisive weeks. The draw will take place on Friday 5 June at Teatro Regio in Parma.
Derbies will now be prohibited on matchday one, the final day, and the midweek fixture of 28 October. The asymmetrical calendar structure—with at least eight matchdays between home and away fixtures against the same opponent—remains in place, as does the home–away alternation rule for city rivals including Roma and Lazio. The 2026–27 season runs from the weekend of 22–23 August to 29–30 May, with two midweek rounds scheduled for 28 October and 6 January, plus a Christmas break on 26–27 December. Three international breaks are planned, including an extended pause between late September and early October due to consolidated FIFA windows.
Champions League teams cannot face Europa League or Conference League opponents on specific matchdays positioned between consecutive UEFA rounds. Como will play their opening three fixtures away from home to allow Stadio Sinigaglia renovation work to proceed.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“La Serie A prepara alcune novità per il calendario 2026/27 dopo le polemiche che hanno accompagnato il finale della scorsa stagione. La Lega, infatti, ha deciso di intervenire soprattutto sulla gestione delle partite considerate ad alto rischio, dopo le criticità legate al derby di Roma disputato…”
Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.
Daniele Chiffi will referee Lecce versus Roma in Serie A's second matchday on Monday in Salento. Chiffi will be supported by assistants Imperiale and Cecconi, with Di Bello serving as fourth official. Chiffi has a history with Roma spanning 16 previous meetings. In those 15 prior encounters, Roma's record stands at 8 victories, 3 draws and 4 defeats.
AS Roma are prepared to let Jan Ziolkowski leave the club, with Monza on the verge of signing the Polish defender on loan in Serie A. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has moved on from Ziolkowski in his defensive plans, and after the pre-season work and the opening match against Fiorentina, Roma have decided to send him out to play. Negotiations advanced on 26 August, with talks held between Monza's representatives and Ziolkowski's agents, and the transfer could be completed in the coming hours. One obstacle remains. Monza have requested the inclusion of a buyout clause, a demand Roma have not yet accepted. This is the final point the two clubs must resolve before a deal can be confirmed. Ziolkowski has already made his preference clear: he wants to play regularly and be a key player. Monza have given him guarantees on that front. Once the clause issue is settled, Ziolkowski will leave Trigoria and begin his Serie A adventure.
Roma will travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for their first away fixture of the season, following their 4–0 victory over Fiorentina. Daniele Chiffi will take charge of the match at Via del Mare stadium, assisted by Imperiale and Cecconi. Di Bello will be fourth official, with Di Paolo as VAR and Paganessi as AVAR. Chiffi has overseen 14 previous Roma matches, with a record of 9 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats for the club. His most recent encounter was last season's 3–2 victory over Parma, a result that proved crucial in Roma's pursuit of Champions League qualification. In 2023, however, José Mourinho heavily criticised Chiffi following Roma's draw with Monza, earning himself a suspension for his outburst. Mourinho said: "Playing with the worst referee I have found in my career is difficult, and I have encountered many poor ones. The referee did not influence the result, but it is difficult to play with him. Technically terrible, from a human point of view he is not empathetic."