Roma Dominates Fiorentina with 4-0 Victory in Serie A Opener
Donyell Malen netted a hat-trick, with all goals assisted by Paulo Dybala, while Nicolo Pisilli added another as Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma secured a convincing 4-0 win over Fiorentina in the opening match of the Serie A season at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening.
This match marked Fabio Grosso’s inaugural competitive game at the helm of Fiorentina, taking over from Paolo Vanoli, who managed to keep the team out of the relegation zone last season.
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Gasperini opted for his usual 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar guarding the net behind a defensive trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N’Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, while young Emanuele Lulli featured as the right wing-back. Dybala and Rodrigo Mora played in support of Malen. Grosso responded with a 4-3-2-1 setup, featuring David de Gea in goal and Mateo Pellegrino in the attack, assisted by Real Madrid loanee Franco Mastantuono. Key players Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini were absent for Roma, while Fiorentina missed Fabiano Parisi.
Fiorentina striker Moise Kean began the match on the bench amid rumors linking him to Como. Sporting director Fabio Paratici insisted before the match that the Viola need not sell any players.
You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Roma make light work of new-look Fiorentina
The match started energetically, with Pellegrino making an early run down the left, but N’Dicka’s intervention led to a corner for Fiorentina, which they failed to capitalize on. Roma quickly seized the momentum, as Dybala connected with Mora, who tested De Gea from distance.
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Roma maintained high pressure and attacked through the center, with Fiorentina appearing short-handed in offense. Mastantuono emerged as a key player, attempting to push the ball through midfield but with limited support ahead. Marco Brescianini’s long-range shot in the 12th minute was easily collected by Svilar, marking the visitors’ first attempt.
Two minutes later, Malen and Wesley worked well on the left, with a cross reaching Dybala, but his volley went over the bar. Mora forced a good stop from De Gea as Lulli defended Arthur Atta effectively.
Roma thought they opened the scoring on 20 minutes through Hermoso, who poked in following N’Dicka’s flick-on, but the goal was ruled offside.
The first goal finally came in the 27th minute, showcasing the combination that characterized the night. Dybala and Malen synchronised perfectly, allowing the Dutch attacker to slot the ball past De Gea.
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Nicolo Fagioli received a yellow card for a late tackle on Dybala at the half-hour mark, with Hermoso receiving a booking for a cynical challenge on Mastantuono just before half-time. Despite two added minutes, Fiorentina failed to pose any threat before the break.
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Donyell Malen of AS Roma scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on August 24, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Mastantuono was Fiorentina’s standout performer at the beginning of the second half, winning a free-kick that sailed over the bar and earning a booking from Manu Kone during a run into the Roma territory.
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The game’s outcome was solidified in the 52nd minute when Malen collected the ball from Dybala, advanced into the box, and executed a powerful finish into the top corner. Shortly thereafter, Gasperini substituted the impressive Mora for Matias Soule.
Malen’s penalty shout in the 55th minute was denied, followed by a low shot just off target moments later, but he completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute, with Dybala again providing an immaculate assist.
Grosso made a triple substitution in the 63rd minute, bringing on Alex Jimenez, Christ Inao Oulai, and Kean in place of Brescianini, Fagioli, and Mastantuono.
At this point, Roma dominated with 61 percent possession, registered 17 shots against Fiorentina’s nine, and recorded 39 touches inside the visiting box compared to just four by the Viola.
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Fiorentina showed a slight improvement in the final twenty minutes after the introductions of Kean and Oulai, but they could not prevent Roma from achieving a clean sheet.
Roma sealed the game when substitute Nicolo Pisilli scored in the 86th minute, bringing the final score to 4-0.
The result positions Roma alongside eight other teams that won their opening matches of the season, with only one draw on the first matchday between Como and Udinese.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 15: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma at Signal Iduna Park on August 15, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Roma 4-0 Fiorentina
Malen 27′, 52′, 60′, Pisilli 86′
Donyell Malen scored a hat-trick, every goal laid on by Paulo Dybala, and Nicolo Pisilli scored as Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma pulled clear of Fiorentina in the closing fixture of the Serie A opening weekend at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening.
This was Fabio Grosso’s first competitive match in charge of Fiorentina, the former Italy full-back having replaced Paolo Vanoli in the summer despite the latter steering the Viola clear of relegation.
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Gasperini went with his familiar 3-4-2-1, Mile Svilar behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N’Dicka and Mario Hermoso, and youngster Emanuele Lulli handed the right wing-back role. Dybala and Rodrigo Mora played behind Malen. Grosso countered with a 4-3-2-1 built around David de Gea in goal and Mateo Pellegrino leading the line, with Real Madrid loanee Franco Mastantuono in support. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini were unavailable to Roma, Fabiano Parisi to Fiorentina.
There was no Moise Kean in the Fiorentina XI, the striker starting on the bench amid links to Como. Sporting director Fabio Paratici had insisted before kick-off that the Viola have no need to sell.
You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Roma make light work of new-look Fiorentina
The opening exchanges were lively, Pellegrino getting down the left before N’Dicka’s intervention conceded a corner, but the pattern established itself quickly. Fiorentina wasted that set piece and Roma broke, Dybala combining with Mora before testing De Gea from distance.
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Roma pressed high and attacked centrally, and Fiorentina looked short of bodies going forward, Mastantuono repeatedly carrying the ball through midfield with only Pellegrino ahead of him. Marco Brescianini’s speculative long-range effort on 12 minutes was comfortably held by Svilar and represented the visitors’ first attempt.
Malen and Wesley worked the left two minutes later, the cross finding Dybala, whose volley cleared the bar. Mora then forced a good save from De Gea after Lulli had done well to shepherd Arthur Atta away from danger.
Roma thought they had the lead on 20 minutes when Hermoso poked home from close range following N’Dicka’s flick-on, but the Spaniard was offside.
The breakthrough arrived seven minutes later and came from the source that would define the evening. Dybala and Malen linked, and the Dutchman stayed composed to slide the finish beyond De Gea.
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Nicolo Fagioli was booked for a poor challenge on Dybala on the half-hour, and Hermoso followed on 39 minutes for a cynical foul on Mastantuono as Fiorentina countered. Two minutes were added, but the visitors reached the break without creating anything of substance.
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Donyell Malen of AS Roma scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on August 24, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Mastantuono was Fiorentina’s only real outlet after the restart, winning a free-kick that he then fired well over, and drawing a booking from Manu Kone with a run into the Roma half.
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Any lingering doubt disappeared on 52 minutes. Malen collected from Dybala, drove into the box and lashed his finish into the roof of the net. Gasperini withdrew Mora, who had impressed on debut, for Matias Soule shortly afterwards.
Malen was denied a penalty appeal on 55 minutes and dragged a low effort just wide from outside the area three minutes later, but the hat-trick came on the hour. Dybala provided again, this time on a plate, for his third assist of the night.
Grosso responded with a triple change on 63 minutes, Alex Jimenez, Christ Inao Oulai and Kean replacing Brescianini, Fagioli and Mastantuono.
By that point Roma had 61 per cent possession, 17 shots to nine, and 39 touches in the Fiorentina box against the visitors’ four.
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The last twenty minutes saw Fiorentina perk up a little, boosted by the introductions of Kean and Oulai. However, the Viola were not able to deny Roma the clean sheet.
Finally, Roma put Fiorentina to the sword when substitute Nicolo Pisilli scored late on.
The result sees Roma join the other eight sides who won their opening game of the season – with just one draw in the first matchday between Como and Udinese.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 15: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma at Signal Iduna Park on August 15, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Roma 4-0 Fiorentina
Malen 27′, 52′, 60′, Pisilli 86′
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