Torino–Roma fixture rescheduled to accommodate Champions League

Lecce trained at their Martignano facility on 28 August as they prepare for Monday's Serie A fixture against Roma. The match is scheduled for 31 August at 18:30 at the Via del Mare. In the session, the squad worked on activation drills and technical-tactical exercises under the watch of manager Di Francesco. Three players completed personalised work in isolation, their involvement in Monday's game uncertain: Berisha, Gallo and Gandelman. A morning training session was planned for 29 August at Martignano.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Bryan Cristante was the standout performer in midfield as Roma opened their season with a dominant 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday, playing a decisive role in stabilising the team's shape while an attacking force of Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Rodrigo Mora created havoc in the final third. Gasperini deployed a 3–4–1–2 formation, and Cristante's 90 minutes of tactical control were awarded an 8.4 rating by Sofascore. He attempted 83 passes with 88 per cent accuracy, including a 91 per cent success rate in the opposing half, while collecting 8 ball recoveries—more than any other player on the pitch. Defensively, he won 6 of 7 aerial duels and 5 of 7 ground duels, made 4 tackles (2 won), 2 interceptions and 4 defensive clearances. Cristante's ability to drop between the centre-backs, clean up loose balls and restart play with composure allows Roma to push their attacking players forward into dangerous areas. He has been a fixture under every head coach since arriving at the club—Di Francesco, Ranieri, José Mourinho, Paulo Fonseca, Daniele De Rossi and Júrić among them—proving his value transcends tactical philosophy or midfield partners. The 29-year-old has now made 365 official appearances for Roma, entering the club's top 10 all-time list and surpassing Masetti. After the victory, Cristante told Sky Sport: "I am honoured, and I hope to make as many appearances as possible and to continue like this." Roma's next fixture is a trip to Lecce.

Roma will learn the full league-phase schedule for the UEFA Champions League on 29 August, with the phase running from 8–10 September through 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico, while Roma travel to face PSG, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. The club has already sold 40,000 cup subscriptions, with the Curva Sud and Distinti Sud sections sold out. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to keep the starting eleven largely intact following Roma's convincing opening display against Fiorentina, fielding it again away at Lecce on Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora is on course to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with a battle between Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to retain their places. Defence headaches persist: Devyne Rensch will miss the Lecce trip due to a left-flexor problem and continues treatment, while Lorenzo Pellegrini continues his recovery work on an individual programme.

Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo believes the club is strong this season and could be even better with the addition of a left-sided attacker, but emphasised that Paulo Dybala's physical condition may prove more decisive than the summer transfer activity. Pruzzo said: "Roma is a strong squad, and if it signs the left-sided striker it will be even better. But I have the feeling that much of the weight on a Roma stronger than last year comes from Dybala's condition more than the transfer campaign. Castro is one of the best that could be on the market, I am convinced he will have more playing time than we think. I hope Mora gains confidence and personality." Santiago Castro has been identified as one of the best available targets. Rodrigo Mora, who has arrived this summer, is expected to play a significant role in Roma's attack despite the ongoing search for a left winger. Nando Orsi noted: "Mora was paid quite a lot and for this I expect him to be decisive from the start. There needs to be continuity and he needs to be decisive in important phases of a match." Sandro Sabatini sharply criticised Roma's failure to secure a left winger, remarking: "The left-sided winger search at Roma has become a joke, it's been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't arrived." Sabatini highlighted Dybala's standout performance against Fiorentina, calling it the best display from the Argentine in a decade. On Mora's early showing, Sabatini said: "Mora's start pleased me, but if the name on the shirt had been Baldanzi we would have spoken of a good performance by Baldanzi. He certainly distinguished himself with careful marking on Fagioli."