Roma return to Serie A action on Monday when Gian Piero Gasperini’s side visit Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare.
Both teams began the 2026/27 campaign with victories. Roma dismantled Fiorentina 4-0 at the Olimpico, while Lecce opened their season by defeating Venezia away from home.
Match: Lecce vs Roma
Competition: Serie A, Matchday 2
Date: Monday, August 31, 2026
Kick-off: 18:30 CEST / 12:30 ET
Venue: Stadio Via del Mare
How to watch Lecce vs Roma in North America
United States: The match will stream live on Paramount+, which carries every Serie A match during the 2026/27 season. Spanish-language coverage is also scheduled on Universo and Peacock. (CBS Sports, Sports Media Watch)
Canada: The match will be available through Fubo, the exclusive Canadian home for complete Serie A coverage. (Fubo Canada)
Roma seek confirmation after dominant opening victory
Roma could hardly have started the season more convincingly. Donyell Malen scored a hat-trick against Fiorentina, with Paulo Dybala providing all three assists before Niccolò Pisilli completed the scoring.
The result offered an early demonstration of Roma’s attacking potential. Dybala and Malen combined brilliantly, while Rodrigo Mora and Emanuele Lulli delivered assured performances on their Serie A debuts.
Gasperini wants his team to reproduce the quality of that display rather than focus exclusively on the result.
“We must be good enough to provide continuity in our performance more than simply the result,” Gasperini said. “Regardless of Fiorentina’s problems, Roma produced an excellent performance.”
Roma have dominated this fixture recently, winning 12 of the past 15 recorded meetings with Lecce. The Giallorossi also won both league encounters last season without conceding, according to Starting11’s head-to-head data.
Lecce arrive with confidence
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side will provide a different challenge at a full and enthusiastic Via del Mare.
Lecce demonstrated resilience in their opening victory at Venezia, and Di Francesco believes that result has strengthened the mood surrounding the club.
“Starting with a victory certainly brings enthusiasm, including among the supporters,” Di Francesco said. “We have broken our season-ticket record.”
The former Roma coach will want Lecce to remain compact without sacrificing the additional quality provided by their new midfield options.
Ivan Ilić could make his debut from the bench after joining the club without having trained regularly with a team for approximately one month. Berisha has returned to the squad, while Fatah is also available following a lengthy layoff. Lecce’s 26-player squad includes new arrivals Ilić, Fatah and Dembélé, with Jean omitted for transfer-related reasons, according to Calcio Lecce.
Roma team news
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain unavailable, although Gasperini expects Rensch to resume full training on Tuesday. Pellegrini is scheduled to follow him back into the group.
Nahuel Molina has improved after completing a full week of training, but Gasperini has not decided whether the Argentine will start. Lulli is considered the slight favourite on the right after impressing against Fiorentina.
Robinio Vaz has not been called up because of his proposed move to Hull City. Roma have agreed a €2 million paid loan with a €30 million option to buy, but final approval from the forward’s representatives is still required.
Matías Soulé remains available despite reported contact between his representatives, Newcastle United and Fulham. Gasperini emphasized that Roma have not received a concrete proposal and suggested that Soulé could play in Lecce.
Sky Sport expects Roma to retain most of the side that defeated Fiorentina, with Lulli and Molina competing for the only uncertain starting position. Sky’s predicted lineup features Dybala and Mora behind Malen.
Balerdi travels as De Roon prepares to join Roma
Leonardo Balerdi has officially joined Roma from Marseille on loan with an option to buy.
The Argentine defender immediately travelled with his new teammates to Lecce, although Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso remain the favourites to start in Gasperini’s three-man defence.
Balerdi gives Roma another aggressive, experienced option ahead of a demanding schedule containing Serie A and Champions League commitments.
Marten de Roon is also set to reunite with Gasperini after reaching an agreement with Roma. The Dutch midfielder’s move developed rapidly, but he must complete the remaining formalities before becoming available. Gasperini views the veteran as an immediate replacement for Neil El Aynaoui and a player who can add leadership, physicality and tactical familiarity.
El Aynaoui and Vaz heading toward exits
Roma have accepted RB Leipzig’s offer for Neil El Aynaoui.
Reports differ slightly on the breakdown, but the agreement is a paid loan with an option worth approximately €27 million to €28 million. Roma will also retain a percentage of any future resale, while the deal does not contain an obligation to buy.
El Aynaoui’s expected departure creates room for De Roon and gives the Moroccan midfielder an opportunity to pursue more regular playing time in the Bundesliga.
Vaz’s potential transfer to Hull could also help Roma reshape the attack during the final days of the market.
Lecce team news
Antonino Gallo experienced physical discomfort during the week, but he is expected to recover and start at left-back.
Tiago Gabriel is also in contention to enter the defence after scoring from the bench on the opening weekend. Di Francesco said that transfer speculation surrounding the defender has not developed into anything concrete.
Willem Geubbels and Nikola Stulić are competing to lead Lecce’s attack. Di Francesco praised Stulić’s development and training performances, but Geubbels is considered the slight favourite to start.
Lecce are expected to operate in a 4-2-3-1 formation, remaining compact in midfield and attempting to attack the spaces left by Roma’s aggressive wing-backs.
Predicted lineups
Lecce (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Veiga, Tiago Gabriel, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly, Gorter; Pierotti, Ngom, N’Dri; Geubbels.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen.
Key tactical battle
Roma’s primary challenge will be breaking down a Lecce side prepared to defend collectively and wait for transition opportunities.
Dybala and Mora should operate between Lecce’s midfield and defensive lines, with Malen threatening the space behind the centre-backs. If Roma move the ball quickly enough, Lulli and Wesley can stretch the hosts and create central openings.
Lecce will attempt to exploit the areas behind Roma’s wing-backs. Pierotti and N’Dri can offer direct running on the flanks, while Geubbels or Stulić will look to occupy Roma’s three centre-backs.
Gasperini’s side must maintain the defensive concentration that accompanied their attacking dominance against Fiorentina.
Players to watch
Paulo Dybala: The Argentine enters the match after recording three assists against Fiorentina and now has seven across his past four Serie A appearances.
Donyell Malen: Malen’s opening-day hat-trick underlined his efficiency and movement. His relationship with Dybala will again be central to Roma’s attack.
Emanuele Lulli: If selected ahead of Molina, the academy graduate will face another important test after an impressive debut.
Wladimiro Falcone: The Lecce goalkeeper may need to produce a major performance if Roma recreate the attacking volume shown against Fiorentina.
Prediction
Lecce should provide greater resistance than Fiorentina and will be energized by the home crowd. Roma nevertheless possess more attacking quality and arrive with confidence after their opening victory.
If Gasperini’s side avoid being distracted by the frantic final days of the transfer window, Dybala and Malen should create enough opportunities to secure another three points.
Prediction: Lecce 0-2 Roma
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