Stadio Olimpico set for all-yellow crowd as Fiorentina fans banned from travelling

Gian Piero Gasperini has resolved most selection questions ahead of Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico, with the main decision point centring on the attacking midfield role behind Donyell Malen. Rodrigo Mora, described as a new acquisition, has made an immediate positive impression in early training at Trigoria. The Portuguese player arrives with an advantage in match fitness after Porto's season had started over a week earlier, and currently leads Matías Soulé for the chance to support Paulo Dybala from the start, though Soulé's market situation remains fluid. Better news comes from the flanks. Wesley has fully recovered from the ankle problem sustained before the Borussia Dortmund friendly and completed a full training session, clearing him to occupy the left wing regularly alongside Niccolò Pisilli. On the opposite flank, Nahuel Molina is poised for his Roma debut, eager to play after serving a seven-match ban with the Argentine national team.

Roma's 2026–27 campaign begins on Monday 24 August at 20:45 against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, marking the start of Gian Piero Gasperini's second season in charge and the club's return to the Champions League after years away. The match will draw 64,000 supporters, with 40,000 season-ticket holders among them. The club recently opened sales for the Nord-Ovest Distinti section to Roma fans, a sector normally reserved for visiting supporters. For Mora, Molina, Koulierakis and Castro, the fixture represents their first home appearance before the Olimpico crowd. Gasperini's squad has been strengthened during the transfer window, though the coach is still awaiting signings in two positions: left wing and full-back. Roma holds the highest subscription numbers in Serie A, tied with Inter at 39,700 season-ticket holders registered for Champions League fixtures. The Champions League group stage draw will take place on 27 August at 18:00, with enthusiasm building around the club's centenary year ahead. The focus now shifts to competitive action after the summer break. Gasperini continues to seek reinforcements to complete his squad ahead of the campaign proper, with Roma supporters backing the team with 64,000 expected at the Olimpico for the Fiorentina opener.

Wesley has returned to full training and will start at left-back in Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico (20:45), after recovering from an ankle injury that disrupted his summer preparation. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley and Molina on the wings, and Dybala and Malen leading the attack. The main tactical question concerns the number 10 position: Gasperini is tempted to deploy Rodrigo Mora's pure talent from the start, but faces a dilemma. Launching Mora could risk losing defensive balance and midfield cover; instead, Gasperini appears inclined toward a more cautious approach, pairing either Pisilli or El Aynaoui alongside Koné in midfield, with Cristante advanced to the number 10 role to provide substance, runs, and physical presence. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation after knee surgery, while young Bah has successfully undergone right-knee surgery.