Wesley focused on keeping Fiorentina out as Roma battle intensity

Konstantinos Koulierakis and Santiago Castro made their official competitive debuts for Roma in the opening Serie A match of the 2026–27 season against Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico. Both players arrived in the current transfer window and saw action after initial appearances in the club's pre-season training camp in Wales. Koulierakis, a Greek defender signed from Wolfsburg, entered the match in place of Mario Hermoso, while Castro came on as a substitute for Donyell Malen, who had scored a hat-trick before being withdrawn to applause from the home crowd. The two new arrivals had already featured in the squad's earlier warm-weather preparations, but this represented their first official competitive action in Roma colours.

Rodrigo Mora made his AS Roma debut at the Olimpico on 24 August, receiving an immediate opportunity from head coach Gasperini after just a week of training. The 19-year-old Portuguese forward played 53 minutes and nearly broke the deadlock with a striking effort from the edge of the box that seemed destined for the top corner, only for De Gea to deny him his first goal in giallorosso colours. Despite the close call, Mora's approach was assured and measured; he avoided overplaying and completed his task efficiently in what amounted to a successful audition. Gasperini had decided to give the young attacker a starting role immediately, backed by the faith shown in training. The Olimpico crowd supported Mora throughout his appearance, acknowledging a composed first outing. His substitution came at the 53-minute mark when Matías Soulé replaced him on the pitch. Gasperini had begun demanding more from his team after the interval, unsatisfied with Roma's second-half attitude before Donyell Malen added a second goal. As Mora departed to applause and headed to the bench, he approached his manager. The two embraced—a simple gesture that carried symbolic weight. The moment encapsulated an encouraging beginning: a debut, crowd recognition, and the warmth between player and coach that suggested a promising relationship was already forming.

Donyell Malen scored three goals as Roma opened the 2026–27 Serie A season against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with Paulo Dybala providing all three assists in a dominant display of attacking football. Malen's opening goal, set up by Dybala after the Argentine had dribbled past two Fiorentina defenders and entered the box, initially drew him level with Gabriel Batistuta among Roma's all-time top scorers in the opening 20 matches of a season. However, the Dutch forward's second and third strikes—both again from Dybala crosses—saw him overtake the legendary Batistuta in that statistic. Malen's performance underlined his status as Roma's principal attacking threat. He has now scored 17 goals in 19 appearances for the club, figures that position him as the team's leading force. Dybala's three-assist haul completed a perfect attacking partnership, illuminating every offensive action Roma executed. The result also extended Roma's run of scoring in all their last 16 Serie A matches, a streak that reflects the offensive continuity built during head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure.

Wesley reflected on Roma's performance in the opening match of the 2026–27 Serie A season against Fiorentina on matchday one. The midfielder said the team executed their tactical plan effectively in the first half. "We did well in the first half," Wesley said. "We need to stay concentrated to avoid conceding. We knew what the game plan was and it was important to start that strong with the pressing." He added that the squad must maintain the rhythm shown in the opening period.

Roma's official 2026–27 season gets underway at the Stadio Olimpico against Fiorentina, managed by Fabio Grosso. Gian Piero Gasperini names Rodrigo Mora in the starting XI, with Wesley confirmed at left-back. The match will be officiated by Matteo Marcenaro (Genova), with assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi. Rosario Abisso oversees VAR duties, with Antonio Giua as AVAR. Fiorentina arrive having undergone significant changes after a difficult previous season. The fixture represents an early test for Gasperini's side as they begin their league campaign.

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.