Roma and Fiorentina Set to Clash in Serie A Opener
The line-ups have been finalized as Gian Piero Gasperini and Fabio Grosso prepare their teams for the opening match of their respective Serie A campaigns at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening. This match marks the conclusion of the first week of the 2026-27 Serie A season. Reigning champions Inter achieved a decisive 4-1 victory over Monza on Saturday, while other clubs including Napoli, Lecce, Milan, Atalanta, Juventus, and Cagliari also kicked off their campaigns with wins.
Roma arrives at this match after a successful season last year, finishing third under Gasperini, who took charge for the first time. The team closed the previous season with five consecutive victories, securing a place in the Champions League for the first time since the 2018-19 season. In contrast, Fiorentina’s past season was challenging, as they finished in 15th place, shifting their focus from European aspirations to avoiding relegation after a difficult first half of the campaign.
Despite facing Financial Fair Play restrictions this summer, Roma managed to bring in new players, including Santiago Castro from Bologna and Rodrigo Mora from Porto. The only notable departure was Zeki Celik.
Fiorentina, on the other hand, has embarked on a necessary squad overhaul, adding several players, including Arthur Atta, Franco Mastantuono, and Alex Jimenez among new arrivals. Grosso has taken over as head coach, succeeding Paolo Vanoli, who despite guiding the Viola to safety, faced challenges last season as Fiorentina became the first team in Serie A history to avoid relegation without winning any of their opening 15 matches.
Roma boasts a strong historical advantage against Fiorentina, having lost just three of the last 52 league encounters at the Olimpico. The last victory for Fiorentina in Rome was in 2018, while Roma triumphed 4-0 in their most recent clash in May. Currently, Roma holds an impressive 12-match unbeaten streak at home in the league.
Mora will start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as they make their debuts under Gasperini. Fiorentina will feature debutants Radu Dragusin, Joao Mario, Atta, Mastantuono, and Mateo Pellegrino.
The match is set to kick off at 19:45 BST.
Roma vs Fiorentina confirmed line-ups
Roma: Svilar; Mancini, N’Dicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Mora; Dybala, Malen
Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodo, Dragusin, Ranieri, Joao Mario; Brescianini, Fagioli, Atta; Ndour, Pellegrino, Mastantuono
The line-ups have been confirmed as Gian Piero Gasperini and Fabio Grosso open their Serie A campaigns with Roma and Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening.
This is the closing fixture of the opening week of 2026-27 Serie A matches. Reigning champions Inter won 4-1 against Monza on Saturday, while Napoli, Lecce, Milan, Atalanta, Juventus and Cagliari have also begun with wins.
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The two clubs arrive from opposite ends of last season. Roma finished third under Gasperini in his first year in charge, closing with five straight victories to seal a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2018-19.
Fiorentina came 15th, their objective shifting from Europe to survival after a dismal opening half of the campaign.
Roma’s summer was shaped by Financial Fair Play constraints but still brought reinforcements, with Santiago Castro arriving from Bologna and Rodrigo Mora signed from Porto. Zeki Celik is the only regular to have departed.
FLORENCE, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Franco Mastantuono of ACF Fiorentina of ACF Fiorentina reacts during warm-up prior during of the Coppa Italia match between of ACF Fiorentina and Benevento Calcio at Artemio Franchi on August 14, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
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Fiorentina, rebuilding out of necessity rather than ambition, have refreshed a squad that badly needed it, with the likes of Arthur Atta, Franco Mastantuono and Alex Jimenez arriving amongst others.
Grosso replaced Paolo Vanoli in the Fiorentina dugout despite the latter steering the Viola clear of relegation, becoming the first side in Serie A history to survive after failing to win any of their opening 15 matches.
History sits heavily against the visitors. Roma have lost just three of the last 52 league meetings between the sides at the Olimpico, Fiorentina’s most recent win in the fixture dating to 2018, and the hosts won 4-0 when the teams last met here in May. Roma also carry a 12-match unbeaten home run in the league.
Mora starts alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen today, making his debut in Gasperini’s front line.
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For Fiorentina, meanwhile, Radu Dragusin, Joao Mario, Atta, Mastantuono and Mateo Pellegrino are among the debutants for a refreshed Viola.
Kick-off is due at 19.45 BST.
FLORENCE, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Head coach Fabio Grosso manager of ACF Fiorentina reacts during of the Coppa Italia match between of ACF Fiorentina and Benevento Calcio at Artemio Franchi on August 14, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Roma vs Fiorentina confirmed line-ups
Roma: Svilar; Mancini, N’Dicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Mora; Dybala, Malen
Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodo, Dragusin, Ranieri, Joao Mario; Brescianini, Fagioli, Atta; Ndour, Pellegrino, Mastantuono
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