AS Roma begin their 2026/27 Serie A campaign on Monday when Fiorentina visit Stadio Olimpico. The two clubs enter the new season after contrasting campaigns, although both finished 2025/26 in impressive form.
Gian Piero Gasperini guided AS Roma to third place and UEFA Champions League qualification last season, while Fiorentina recovered from an unexpected relegation battle to secure survival. Now under Fabio Grosso, the Viola will hope last season’s late improvement provides the foundation for a significantly stronger campaign.
Gasperini’s first season in Rome ended spectacularly, as the Giallorossi won their final five Serie A matches, scoring at least twice in every game while conceding only two goals. That run allowed them to overtake AC Milan and Juventus before a final-day victory over Hellas Verona confirmed third place.
Most importantly, Roma secured a return to the Champions League after an eight-year absence. The next challenge is closing the gap on Serie A’s title contenders. Gasperini has already demonstrated his ability to produce competitive teams, but Roma’s relatively slow summer recruitment means further improvement may require development from within the existing squad.
Their pre-season results have also been inconsistent as Roma surrendered a significant advantage to draw 3-3 with Cannes before suffering a 4-1 defeat against Cardiff City. They subsequently beat Newport County, lost 3-0 to Brighton and concluded preparations with a 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund.
Those defensive issues contrast sharply with last season and only Inter Milan and Como recorded more Serie A clean sheets than Roma, while the Giallorossi possessed one of the strongest home defensive records across Europe’s major leagues.
Roma’s performances at home were central to their success as Gasperini’s side registered 13 victories and only three defeats at Stadio Olimpico during last season’s Serie A campaign. Fiorentina know just how difficult this venue can be as Roma demolished the Viola 4-0 at the Olimpico in May, and their broader head-to-head record in the capital is even more imposing.
The Giallorossi have lost just three of their last 52 home league meetings with Fiorentina, while the visitors have not won this fixture since 2018. Since that victory, Fiorentina have suffered six defeats and collected only two points from their visits to Stadio Olimpico.
Fiorentina’s previous campaign developed in completely unexpected fashion as dfter beginning the season with ambitions of European qualification, a disastrous start left them battling to preserve their Serie A status. Paolo Vanoli eventually transformed their fortunes and under his guidance, Fiorentina produced the seventh-best record in Serie A during the second half of the season, securing survival with two matches remaining.
Despite that recovery, Vanoli has departed and Fabio Grosso has taken charge. The former Sassuolo coach therefore inherits a team in substantially better condition than its final position might suggest. Several summer additions have further strengthened his options, creating optimism that Fiorentina can return towards the upper half.
Consecutive pre-season draws against Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna were followed by an emphatic 4-1 Coppa Italia victory over Benevento, giving Grosso a convincing competitive win before travelling to Rome. The hosts should dominate possession and territory, but Gasperini will want significantly greater defensive control than his team displayed during pre-season.
An early Roma goal could transform the contest by forcing Fiorentina away from their preferred defensive structure. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
AS Roma
AS Roma are expected to retain the 3-4-2-1 formation that has become synonymous with Gian Piero Gasperini’s approach, giving the Giallorossi numerical security in defence while still allowing the wing-backs and two attacking midfielders to support the centre-forward.
In terms of injury and suspension news, no fresh injury concerns or confirmed suspension issues have been mentioned in the latest team information provided. Unless there are late fitness setbacks, Gasperini should therefore have the core of his preferred starting XI available for the Serie A opener.
Mile Svilar is expected to start in goal behind a three-man defence consisting of Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, and Mario Hermoso. Mancini should operate on the right side of the back three, Ndicka centrally, and Hermoso from the left. Their ability to step forward aggressively when Roma press will be important against a Fiorentina side likely to look for space in transition.
Nahuel Molina should occupy the right wing-back role, while Wesley is expected to start on the left. Both will be encouraged to push high when Roma dominate possession, effectively turning the formation into a much more attacking shape. Their positioning will be crucial in stretching Fiorentina’s defensive block.
In central midfield, Manu Kone and Bryan Cristante should form the partnership. The former provides energy, ball-carrying ability and pressing intensity, while the latter offers positional discipline and helps Roma circulate possession from deeper areas.
Further forward, Matias Soule and Paulo Dybala should operate as the two attacking midfielders behind the striker. Dybala will be given freedom to drift between the lines and create, while Soule can attack from the right half-space and provide direct running toward goal.
Donyell Malen is expected to lead the line as the centre-forward. His pace and movement behind the defence should complement Dybala and Soule, giving Roma a more dynamic threat in transition as well as a focal point inside the penalty area.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Malen
ACF Fiorentina
Fiorentina begin their Serie A campaign under Fabio Grosso looking to carry forward the defensive improvement that helped them escape relegation trouble last season. Facing Roma at Stadio Olimpico represents an immediate examination of their progress, and Grosso is expected to prioritise midfield compactness while retaining enough attacking quality to threaten on transitions.
In terms of injury and suspension news, there are no major fresh injury concerns or confirmed suspensions mentioned in the latest team information provided. Grosso should therefore have most of his preferred options available for the trip to Rome, barring any late fitness problems.
Fiorentina are expected to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, although the personnel selected in midfield should give Grosso considerable tactical flexibility. David de Gea should retain his position in goal and provide an experienced presence behind a relatively physical defensive unit.
Joao Mario is expected to start at right-back, with Radu Dragusin and Luca Ranieri forming the central defensive partnership. Victor Valdepenas should occupy the left-back position. The full-backs will have particularly demanding assignments because Roma’s wing-backs are expected to push high, meaning Fiorentina must avoid becoming overloaded in wide areas.
In midfield, Cher Ndour and Nicolo Fagioli should provide the main central platform, with Christ Inao Oulai also capable of dropping deeper when Fiorentina are without possession. Fagioli should assume much of the responsibility for progressing the ball and dictating the visitors’ passing, while Ndour can provide greater physical presence and defensive protection.
Further forward, Franco Mastantuono should operate predominantly from the right side, where his creativity and ability to move into central areas could make him one of Fiorentina’s principal attacking outlets. Oulai can occupy a more advanced central role when required, while Arthur Atta should provide another energetic presence behind the striker and can move towards the left channel.
Moise Kean is expected to lead the line as the centre-forward. His physical strength, pace and willingness to run behind the defence will be particularly important if Fiorentina spend extended periods without possession. Rather than attempting to dominate Roma territorially, Grosso may look to release Kean quickly whenever the Viola recover the ball.
Fiorentina’s success could ultimately depend on how effectively their midfield prevents Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule from finding space between the lines. If the visitors remain compact and can release Mastantuono, Atta and Kean quickly on transitions, they should possess enough attacking quality to make Roma uncomfortable.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Mario, Dragusin, Ranieri, Valdepenas; Ndour, Fagioli, Oulai; Mastantuono, Atta; Kean
Key Stats
- AS Roma completed the league double over Fiorentina last season, winning 2-1 away and 4-0 at Stadio Olimpico.
- Fiorentina have not won a Serie A match at Stadio Olimpico against Roma since 2018.
- AS Roma have won each of the last two home meetings without conceding, beating Fiorentina 1-0 in 2025 and 4-0 in 2026.
- AS Roma finished last season with five consecutive Serie A victories, scoring at least twice in each match and conceding only twice during that run.
- Fiorentina lost just one of their final 11 Serie A matches last season, while also keeping five clean sheets in their final eight.
Player to Watch
Donyell Malen
Expected to lead the line in Gian Piero Gasperini’s 3-4-2-1 formation, Malen’s pace and movement should pose a serious problem for Fiorentina’s centre-backs. His ability to make runs behind the defensive line also creates space for Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule to operate between midfield and defence.
Malen made an immediate impact after joining Roma in January, scoring on his Serie A debut against Torino before later producing braces against both Cagliari and Napoli.
With Roma expected to control much of the possession at Stadio Olimpico, Malen should receive opportunities inside the penalty area. His finishing ability and combination with Roma’s creative players make him the most likely candidate to decide the season opener.
Prediction
AS Roma 2-0 ACF Fiorentina
Fiorentina should be substantially more competitive than they were during May’s 4-0 defeat. Their strong finish to last season, improved defensive organisation and encouraging start under Grosso suggest they can make Roma work hard.
However, the historical record at Stadio Olimpico is impossible to ignore. Roma were excellent at home last season and enter the campaign with greater continuity under Gasperini. Their superior attacking quality should eventually find a way through Fiorentina’s improving defence. The visitors can keep the contest close, but Roma should begin their season with three points and another home clean sheet.
