Svilar prepares for pre-season with intensive training programme

Pietro Leonardi, the former Parma sporting director and close associate of Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, was among over 65,000 spectators at the Stadio Olimpico for Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina on 24 August. Leonardi has long been regarded as Gasperini's principal advisor on transfer matters. According to reports, Leonardi's input influenced Roma's decision to pursue Donyell Malen in January.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has selected Lulli, a 2007-born player, to start in the upcoming match against Fiorentina, preferring him over Nahuel Molina, who has only recently arrived and is still building his match fitness.

Emanuele Lulli will make his Serie A debut as a starter in Roma's season opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. The 19-year-old right-back, aggregated to the first team this summer, has earned the nod from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after impressing throughout pre-season and with Devyne Rensch unavailable and Nahuel Molina not fully fit. Lulli's rise through Roma's academy has been marked by consistent progress and silverware. He won the Scudetto with the Under-16s in 2023 and produced strong showings for the Under-18s, recording 26 appearances, 2 goals and 3 assists. His breakthrough came in the Primavera, where under coach Guidi he established himself as the regular right-sided defender. Last season in the Primavera he was among the best in his position across Italy, contributing 2 goals and 8 assists in the league. He is already involved with Italy's youth national teams. During the pre-season campaign, Gasperini gradually increased his minutes: 18 minutes against Cardiff, 20 against Newport, and 12 against Brighton. On 15 August, in the final summer friendly against Borussia Dortmund, Lulli started and played 76 minutes. Described as intelligent, precise and possessing excellent athleticism, the teenager began his academy journey at Palestrina, then spent five years at Tor Tre Teste before joining Roma's Trigoria academy, progressing through the youth ranks from Under-14 level.

Roma begin the 2026-27 Serie A season at home to Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé drops to the bench. Lulli makes his competitive debut on the right flank in place of Nahuel Molina, who is not at full fitness; Wesley operates on the left. The defence comprises Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, with Mile Svilar in goal. Gasperini's 3-4-1-2 formation pairs Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield. Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, line up in a 4-3-2-1 with David De Gea in goal and Lautaro Pellegrino as their striker. Roma's substitutes bench includes De Marzi, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Ziółkowski, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Vaz, Castro, and Soulé.

Roma opened their 2026–27 Serie A campaign with a 1–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Donyell Malen scored in the 26th minute after a swift buildup involving Paulo Dybala, who collected the ball on the right wing and cut inside before finding Malen with a through pass; the forward controlled the ball on his left foot and finished past David De Gea from close range. Gian Piero Gasperini's side dominated the opening period, with Dybala spurning two clear chances before Malen's breakthrough. Roma had a goal disallowed in the 20th minute when Mario Hermoso was ruled offside after heading in from an Evan N'Dicka flick following a corner kick. The home team's aggressive approach set the tone early, with Wesley providing dangerous crosses from the left wing and Rodrigo Mora threatening down the opposite flank—the Portuguese winger's performances boosted his standing in the squad hierarchy ahead of the match. Roma named an unchanged defensive line of Mile Svilar, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, while Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchored midfield. Devyne Rensch was unavailable, and Nahuel Molina was reported unfit, forcing Roma to hand a debut to Daniele Ghilardi at right-back. Hermoso received the only Roma booking, a 39th-minute yellow card for a late challenge on Mastantuono. Referee Marco Marcenaro also showed yellow to Fiorentina's Rolando Fagioli in the 30th minute for a hard foul on Dybala at the edge of the box. Fiorentina fielded a 4–3–2–1 under Fabio Grosso, with De Gea making several saves before Malen's goal. Roma's squad included Neil El Aynaoui, Niccolò Pisilli, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro among substitutes.

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.