Serie A sides step up pre-season: Borussia Dortmund vs Roma among fixture highlights

Paulo Dybala is dazzling Roma early in the 2026-27 season, with the Argentine leading the club to first place in Serie A thanks to his incisive performances. Dybala has already provided 4 assists—more than any other player in the division so far—and according to Squawka data, he holds the top spot across multiple statistical categories: most big chances created (8), most chances created overall (22), and most successful passes on the attacking third (125). His only shortcoming remains a goal—his last Serie A strike came in January against Torino. Roma face Como on the next matchday, an opportunity for Dybala to end his goal drought. The 33-year-old's creative brilliance has been central to Roma's strong league position. His eight big chances created and 22 total chances put him well clear of the competition in playmaking, while his 125 passes on the attacking third demonstrate his consistent involvement in Roma's attacking build-up.

Midfielder Alessandro Romano, on loan at Cagliari from Roma's academy, has earned a senior Italy national team call-up for the upcoming three matches after an impressive start to the 2026-27 season. Romano has appeared in close to 500 minutes of Serie A football with Cagliari, scoring once, in what is his first full campaign in the Italian top flight. Cagliari hold an obligation to buy him permanently. Romano came through the Roma academy and moved to Cagliari on an initial loan deal. Of Swiss origins, he represented Switzerland during his youth career before switching to Italy. The teenager's breakthrough has come after spells at Roma and Spezia in Serie B, where he gained experience in senior football. Speaking to Rai about the call-up, Romano said: "It happened very quickly. I definitely wasn't expecting such a good start to the season, but I worked hard. Then came the goal, the great start to the season with Cagliari, and then the call-up. I still can't believe it." On choosing Italy, he added: "I always played my youth career with Switzerland. Then this unexpected call came, but it was a heartfelt decision. As I said, it wasn't a choice against Switzerland, but for Italy. I felt it inside me, and I think it was the right decision." Romano also reflected on his development: "A lot happened between the ages of 18 and 20. I grew a lot, moving from the youth teams to senior football. First at Roma, then at Spezia in Serie B, and now at Cagliari, where I'm finding consistency. I'm very happy and I also thank the coach. When you gain experience and play a lot, you grow, and this helps me keep working and improving."

Gianluca Mancini is poised to lead Italy's defence in the upcoming match against Belgium, with the Roma centre-back a permanent fixture in Roberto Mancini's tactical drills at Coverciano. The Italian technical staff have been working primarily in a 4-3-3 formation, and the Roma defender has featured consistently alongside Di Lorenzo, Calafiori and Coppola in recent training sessions. Mancini's presence offers the squad stability, experience and continuity as the final preparations continue ahead of the team's departure for Rome. Meanwhile, Roma are monitoring Giorgi Kvernadze, the Frosinone winger, according to reports from Nicolò Schira and confirmed by Il Tempo. The 2003-born Georgian has produced five goals and two assists across Serie A and Coppa Italia in recent matches observed by Roma scouts. Napoli are also tracking the situation. In his early Roma career, Rodrigo Mora has spoken of his experience since arriving. On the adjustment to Italian football, he said: "It was a different change. I lived 19 years in Porto and played for Porto for 10 years. It's a different culture. But I'm happy with the change. It will be a positive change." Regarding his goal against Lecce in his second Roma appearance, Mora added: "I like scoring very much. Scoring for Roma was beautiful, but I want to score again at the Olimpico. It's special and I can't wait to score at the Olimpico. I'm happy with my journey so far. The atmosphere at the Olimpico is something really special and beautiful and it makes you want to play and score for Roma." Mora also reflected on his relationship with Paulo Dybala: "He's someone I admired as a child, now being able to play and train with him…seeing the things he does, that few do…He's a humble person and he's helped me a lot at the start of my Roma career. I like him as a player and as a person. I'm grateful to be able to play at his side."