Svilar bids farewell to gym work as Roma pre-season looms

Roma and Fiorentina meet in what promises to be the most compelling fixture of Serie A's opening day on 24 August 2026. The pair arrive on vastly different trajectories: Roma built momentum through the closing stages of last season under Gasperini, while Fiorentina struggled with inconsistency. Both clubs strengthened in the summer transfer window with genuine ambitions of growth. Gasperini requested reinforcements and secured several additions, while Fiorentina's manager Grosso has a squad of considerable quality following an excellent market. The teams are ready to deliver an entertaining spectacle, underpinned by established stars—Malen and Kean chief among them—alongside fresh faces making their debuts.

Roma have secured defender Oosterwolde from Fenerbahçe on a deal that will see him arrive in the capital between late evening on 24 August and during 25 August. The transfer is structured as a loan with a €1 million fee, plus a €15 million purchase option and €2 million in bonuses. The option will become an obligation if Oosterwolde makes at least 15 appearances of 45 minutes or more. The move has been agreed after discussions accelerated in recent hours, with Roma completing the final details with the Turkish club. Before departing for Amsterdam and then Rome, Oosterwolde told Turkish reporters: "I am sad to have left Fenerbahçe, unfortunately the decision was made that I should go. I love the Fenerbahçe fans very much, please continue to support the team."

Jayden Oosterwolde is set to become Roma's fifth summer signing, with the transfer from Fenerbahçe finalized. The Dutch defender will arrive on a loan deal worth €1 million, with a right of purchase valued at €15 million plus €2 million in bonuses. Crucially, the right transforms into an obligation to buy if Oosterwolde reaches 15 appearances of at least 45 minutes each during the season—a clause that ties the permanent transfer directly to his playing time. Oosterwolde is recovering from a muscle injury but has already resumed running and will soon link up with his new teammates under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The 25-year-old left-back joins a squad that has been actively strengthened this summer as Roma prepare for the 2026–27 season. In a farewell message to Fenerbahçe, Oosterwolde told A Spor: "I am sad to leave Fenerbahçe, unfortunately the decision has been made to send me away." He added: "I love the Fenerbahçe fans, please continue to support the team." Oosterwolde will travel first to the Netherlands before heading to Rome to begin his new adventure.

Roma begin their 2026–27 campaign against a revamped Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on matchday one. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will field a largely unchanged defensive line: Svilar in goal behind Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso. Koné and Cristante anchor the midfield, with Wesley deployed on one flank and Lulli—who replaces the off-colour Molina—on the other. Matías Soulé starts ahead of Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield slot, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen forming the front pair against Fiorentina manager Grosso's defence. Although Gasperini can call on new arrivals, the composition of the starting XI reveals few changes from last season's blueprint. Wesley lines up in the three-back system that Gasperini has favoured, while the midfield remains built around Cristante's experience. Lulli's selection offers the element of surprise on the flank. Roma XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Wesley, Cristante, Koné, Lulli; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. Fiorentina XI: De Gea; Joao Mario, Dragusin, Ranieri; Valdepenas; Ndour, Fagioli, Oulai; Atta, Kean, Gudmundsson.

Roma take on Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico at 20:45 in the opening fixture of the Serie A season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named a 22-man squad for the match, with all new signings included in the selection. The squad omits Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch. In goal, Gasperini has selected Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi, and Pierluigi Gollini. The defence includes Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Jan Ziółkowski, Wesley, Lulli, and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options are Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, and Rodrigo Mora. Attacking players named are Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala, and Robinio Vaz.

Devyne Rensch has been withdrawn from Roma's squad for tonight's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico after suffering a left flexor muscle strain in training at Trigoria. His condition will be assessed in the coming hours. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has otherwise named a full contingent, including new arrivals Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro. Emanuele Lulli has also been included after impressing in pre-season and joining the first-team group. Roma will begin their campaign with 23 players available, though the loss of Rensch leaves Gasperini with fewer options on the wing. The squad named for the match comprises: Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini in goal; Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi in defence; Cristante, El Aynaoui, Koné, Pisilli and Mora in midfield; and Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala and Vaz in attack.