The former Giallorossi coach believes Gasperini must quickly address the issues exposed during preseason
Fabio Capello has warned Roma that they face a difficult start to the new Serie A season against a heavily reinforced Fiorentina side.
The Giallorossi will close the opening round of the 2026/27 campaign at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening, with kickoff scheduled for 20:45 CEST.
Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello assessed Roma’s preseason and highlighted the importance of Donyell Malen to the team’s Champions League qualification last term.
Capello: Roma must improve quickly
The former Roma coach was not impressed by the team’s performances during its summer friendlies, although he believes those matches will have helped Gian Piero Gasperini identify the areas requiring improvement.
“Roma’s friendly matches didn’t go particularly well, but when you play these tests, you understand where you need to intervene,” Capello said.
“Gasperini will have to do so quickly because, in the opening league match, he faces a Fiorentina side that went wild in the transfer market this summer.
“They changed the team considerably, starting with the coach, and they will immediately want to avoid another season of suffering like the last one.”
Fiorentina appointed Fabio Grosso during the summer and substantially reshaped their squad ahead of the new campaign.
The Viola’s extensive transfer activity makes Monday’s fixture an immediate test of Roma’s readiness and the progress made during Gasperini’s second preseason in charge.
Malen essential to Roma’s success
Capello also praised Gasperini’s work at Roma but argued that Malen played a decisive role in the club’s third-place finish and return to the Champions League.
“Gasperini has done an excellent job, and I think he’ll continue to do so,” Capello said. “But if Roma finished third, he has to thank Malen.
“He’s extremely good and dangerous. It’s no coincidence that Roma’s transfer market started again with him.”
Malen is expected to lead Roma’s attack against Fiorentina, potentially supported by Paulo Dybala and new signing Rodrigo Mora.
The Dutch forward’s movement and finishing were crucial during the second half of last season, and he will again be expected to carry a significant share of Roma’s attacking responsibility.
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