AS Roma Aim for Victory Against Lecce in Serie A Clash
AS Roma head south to Salento on Sunday, carrying the weight of early-season expectation and the swagger of a side that has forgotten how to lose in Serie A.
Top of the table after dismantling Fiorentina 4-0 on the opening weekend, the Giallorossi arrive at the Stadio Ettore Giardiniero with momentum, confidence and a recent history that offers Lecce little comfort. Roma have stitched together six straight league wins stretching back to last season, shutting out opponents in five of those matches. Lecce have been on the wrong side of that ruthlessness too: Roma have won the last four meetings between the clubs and walk into this one as clear favourites to extend that run.
Gasperini’s Roma rolling – and evolving
Gian Piero Gasperini has wasted no time stamping his identity on this Roma side. High energy, aggressive without the ball, ruthless when chances come. The Fiorentina win underlined that shift, but the trip to Salento asks a different question: can they manage expectation as well as they’ve managed opponents?
The answer will come from a squad that is still settling after a busy end to the transfer window and a few unwelcome injury problems.
New faces, key absences
At the back, all eyes fall on Leonardo Balerdi. The Argentine defender has been named in the squad for the first time and is widely expected to walk straight into the starting XI. It’s a bold call, but very much in keeping with Gasperini’s willingness to trust players who fit his system.
In midfield, Marten De Roon has wasted no time integrating after his surprise deadline-day switch from Atalanta. His familiarity with Gasperini’s demands should speed up Roma’s tactical cohesion in the centre of the pitch, adding bite and balance around Bryan Cristante.
Not everything has gone Roma’s way, though. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are both out with thigh and flexor issues, stripping Gasperini of a creative leader and a versatile defensive option. The club expects both to rejoin full training next week, but for Lecce, Roma must cope without them.
There is better news at wing-back. Nahuel Molina has shaken off a knock and is back fit, increasing competition on the flanks and turning up the heat on young Emanuele Lulli, who is battling to hold his place in the XI.
Squad depth has taken a hit in other areas. Robinho Vaz and Neil El Aynaoui have departed for Hull City and RB Leipzig respectively, trimming Gasperini’s options and making his selection calls even more pointed.
Predicted Roma XI
Despite the changes and absences, Roma are expected to line up with a familiar structure and a dangerous front line.
Possible AS Roma starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Mora, Dybala; Malen.
With Paulo Dybala pulling strings between the lines and Donyell Malen offering pace and penetration ahead of him, Roma carry more than enough attacking threat to trouble Lecce. Behind them, the blend of De Roon’s steel, Cristante’s control and the energy from the flanks should allow Gasperini’s side to impose their game.
Kick-off and how to watch
Lecce vs AS Roma kicks off at 5:30pm BST on Monday, 31st August.
In the UK, the match will be shown live on DAZN.
Roma arrive as league leaders, in form, and historically dominant in this fixture. The question now is simple: can Lecce disrupt the surge, or will Gasperini’s side turn another promising start into a relentless early-season charge?
