With the mercato winding down and new faces arriving daily, once the season kicks into full gear, we should see plenty of variability in Roma’s starting XI as Gian Piero Gasperini juggles Serie A and Champions League action. However, it’ll take a bit of time to integrate some of those players who are just arriving in the capital into the squad.
With that in mind, we shouldn’t expect many, if any, changes from last week’s 4-0 thumping of Fiorentina to open the season. With solid performances from everyone
involved, it’s expected that newcomer Rodrigo Mora will retain his place in the starting XI over Matías Soulé. But, according to Gasperini, don’t read too much into rumors of a potential Soulé departure, and he expects the Argentine to play tomorrow.
“I respect everything, I read everything, even if I read little, but I hear everything. I’ve never heard of an offer from Soulé. So there has never been one, throughout the summer, not for him or for any of the other players who have been rumored. Soulé will probably play tomorrow, in my opinion. Whatever the news, I follow that too, but I assure you there has never been a concrete offer. This doesn’t mean that his agents are making any moves, doing anything, talking, etc. But there has never been anything concrete, and there has never been a different idea on his part, at least not towards me.”
The other newcomer who showed out was Emanuele Lulli in his senior team debut. The Primavera product was a surprise starter due to a minor issue for Nahuel Molina. Gasperini addressed Molina’s condition in his presser.
“Better, much better. He had a good week of training, but it’s just a matter of finding some form of fitness. He played in the World Cup final, so it’s just a matter of finding his rhythm again, but he definitely did well this week. I think he’ll be part of the game in Lecce. I don’t know if he’ll start or play during the match, but he’s fit to play now.”
Given the way Lulli played and Gasperini’s seeming caution about Molina in his presser, we’re going to tip Lulli to be given another look. But, Molina sliding in could be the one change to this projected XI.
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Svilar, Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen.
