Serie A Week One: Malen and Dybala shine, Cissé surprises, Kolo Muani struggles

Roma's emphatic 4–0 victory over Fiorentina highlighted the opening round of the 2026–27 Serie A season, which concluded with several standout performances and surprise showings across the division. Milan secured a solid win away at Torino in another notable result from matchday one. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala delivered commanding displays for Roma, underlining their attacking threat early in the campaign. The season opener also produced notable debuts and confirmations elsewhere: Cissé and Romano caught the eye with unexpected performances, while Kolo Muani endured a difficult outing for Frosinone against Juventus, squandering several clear chances.

Roma's commanding 4–0 victory over Fiorentina on 24 August has dominated discussion across Rome's radio stations, with broadcasters and former players praising the team's performance and title credentials. David Rossi of Rete Sport called it "a monologue, a performance at a level perhaps too high for expectations", while noting that August friendlies are a different proposition from matches that matter. The standout performer was Paulo Dybala, who impressed sufficiently that Gianluca Piacentini declared himself tempted to head to the Circus Maximus: "If Dybala has 35 matches in his legs at that level, it's an easy title. I would sign for him to play 25 full matches like yesterday." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo offered the most striking assessment, claiming the players themselves are convinced of their prospects. "Having the fortune to speak with some footballers, they assure the squad's identity—if they're saying among themselves that they'll make it this year, they're exhausted. These footballers have gained a consciousness, you see it even from how they play in defence. When Dybala talks about doing better than last year, you think he means finishing second 20 points behind first? They're talking about the title. There's Inter, but if Roma continues with this ferocity this year it's entertaining. If Roma competes with Inter, then everything starts again from scratch. This time I couldn't bear to have another title stolen from me by Inter." Lorenzo Pes assessed the Serie A landscape: "Aside from Inter, which is more distant, only Napoli perhaps is stronger than Roma. Roma and Napoli are very close; Roma has the advantage of Gasperini's second year and the fact they've sold none of the big names. Milan and Juve are two unknowns; I think they're slightly behind Como." Discussion also centred on summer recruitment and academy prospects. Piero Torri stated: "If Roma sign Fofana, they buy another one with great quality—take my word. With Fofana–Dybala–Malen I'm settling at the Circus Maximus. I think it can be done." Checco Oddo Casano flagged the need for a winger, believing one will arrive: "The priority is the attacking winger, and I'm convinced one arrives." Roberto Pruzzo and Nando Orsi both highlighted Jan Ziółkowski's (referred to as Lulli) unexpected emergence in the squad, with Pruzzo saying: "Lulli must be there, watch carefully, train at Trigoria, and pick things up bit by bit to try to be useful to the squad," and Orsi praising his personality: "Lulli has the personality to play as a starter." Francesca Ferrazza noted that Gasperini remains actively engaged in the market: "Gasperini is obsessed, living these final market days with the phone in his hand. There's a series of footballers calling him to come to Roma." Whether Roma can maintain this trajectory depends on closing recruitment before the window closes.

Roma's 2026–27 season began with a sold-out Stadio Olimpico as Emanuele Lulli, the 2007-born winger, made a mature and courageous competitive debut in a match against Fiorentina. Launched from the start by Gian Piero Gasperini in place of the absent Devyne Rensch and the underperforming Nahuel Molina, Lulli completed all 90 minutes in an assured display. Paulo Dybala's performance and Donyell Malen's hat-trick were also highlights as the crowd of 67,598 marked the 79th sell-out under Friedkin ownership, bolstered by the opening of the Distinti Nord Ovest sector to home supporters. The pre-match atmosphere crackled with tension as Roma unveiled the new faces in the squad. Before kickoff, the Curva Sud unfurled a banner reading "The path is laid out, we resume where we left off. The entire environment united towards the goal!", a rallying cry for collective focus. The crowd roared at every Dybala flourish and sang personalised chants for Malen as he was substituted following his treble, demonstrating the passionate backing that had driven a total of 80,000 season-ticket subscriptions over the summer. New recruits Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Santiago Castro and Rodrigo Mora were presented to the supporters during the warm-up, with Portuguese winger Dybala receiving the warmest reception.

Santiago Castro marked his official Roma debut with an impressive display against Fiorentina on 24 August, entering the match at the 68th minute as a substitute for Donyell Malen. The Argentine striker immediately caught the eye with several promising moments during his first appearance in giallorosso colours at the Stadio Olimpico. Shortly after the final whistle, Castro shared joyful personal news on social media. He posted a photograph taken on the Olimpico pitch alongside his wife Agustina, holding a small Roma shirt, to announce that the couple are expecting their first child. The image included a blue heart to indicate the baby will be a boy. Castro wrote: "We are very happy to be able to announce that our little family is growing! Eager and excited to already have you with us! We look forward to meeting you." The announcement added an extra layer of emotion to what was already a milestone evening for the young striker in his Roma career.

Roma's emphatic 4–0 victory over Fiorentina highlighted the opening round of the 2026–27 Serie A season, which concluded with several standout performances and surprise showings across the division. Milan secured a solid win away at Torino in another notable result from matchday one. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala delivered commanding displays for Roma, underlining their attacking threat early in the campaign. The season opener also produced notable debuts and confirmations elsewhere: Cissé and Romano caught the eye with unexpected performances, while Kolo Muani endured a difficult outing for Frosinone against Juventus, squandering several clear chances.

Roma's commanding 4–0 victory over Fiorentina on 24 August has dominated discussion across Rome's radio stations, with broadcasters and former players praising the team's performance and title credentials. David Rossi of Rete Sport called it "a monologue, a performance at a level perhaps too high for expectations", while noting that August friendlies are a different proposition from matches that matter. The standout performer was Paulo Dybala, who impressed sufficiently that Gianluca Piacentini declared himself tempted to head to the Circus Maximus: "If Dybala has 35 matches in his legs at that level, it's an easy title. I would sign for him to play 25 full matches like yesterday." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo offered the most striking assessment, claiming the players themselves are convinced of their prospects. "Having the fortune to speak with some footballers, they assure the squad's identity—if they're saying among themselves that they'll make it this year, they're exhausted. These footballers have gained a consciousness, you see it even from how they play in defence. When Dybala talks about doing better than last year, you think he means finishing second 20 points behind first? They're talking about the title. There's Inter, but if Roma continues with this ferocity this year it's entertaining. If Roma competes with Inter, then everything starts again from scratch. This time I couldn't bear to have another title stolen from me by Inter." Lorenzo Pes assessed the Serie A landscape: "Aside from Inter, which is more distant, only Napoli perhaps is stronger than Roma. Roma and Napoli are very close; Roma has the advantage of Gasperini's second year and the fact they've sold none of the big names. Milan and Juve are two unknowns; I think they're slightly behind Como." Discussion also centred on summer recruitment and academy prospects. Piero Torri stated: "If Roma sign Fofana, they buy another one with great quality—take my word. With Fofana–Dybala–Malen I'm settling at the Circus Maximus. I think it can be done." Checco Oddo Casano flagged the need for a winger, believing one will arrive: "The priority is the attacking winger, and I'm convinced one arrives." Roberto Pruzzo and Nando Orsi both highlighted Jan Ziółkowski's (referred to as Lulli) unexpected emergence in the squad, with Pruzzo saying: "Lulli must be there, watch carefully, train at Trigoria, and pick things up bit by bit to try to be useful to the squad," and Orsi praising his personality: "Lulli has the personality to play as a starter." Francesca Ferrazza noted that Gasperini remains actively engaged in the market: "Gasperini is obsessed, living these final market days with the phone in his hand. There's a series of footballers calling him to come to Roma." Whether Roma can maintain this trajectory depends on closing recruitment before the window closes.