AS Roma vs Lecce: Serie A Clash as Gasperini’s Side Looks Ruthless
AS Roma head south to Salento on Sunday, carrying the weight of expectation and the swagger of a side that suddenly looks ruthless.
Top of Serie A after dismantling Fiorentina 4-0 on the opening weekend, the Giallorossi walk into the Stadio Ettore Giardiniero with momentum snapping at their heels. Six straight league wins under Gian Piero Gasperini, five of them with clean sheets, have turned a promising run into something more serious. Lecce, historically, have not enjoyed this fixture. Roma have taken the last four meetings and arrive as clear favourites to extend that run.
Gasperini’s Roma take shape
This trip comes at an intriguing moment in Roma’s evolution. Gasperini has his side pressing high, defending aggressively and finishing chances with a clinical edge that has often deserted them in past seasons. The Fiorentina win underlined that shift: organised without the ball, ruthless with it.
Now he must keep that edge while reshaping his XI.
Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi has been named in the squad for the first time and is widely tipped to go straight into the starting lineup. A debut in Salento would immediately test his ability to slot into a back line that has become one of Roma’s main strengths in recent months.
Marten De Roon, snapped up in a late, surprise move from Atalanta, has already integrated into the group. His presence offers bite and experience in midfield, even if he may not yet be a guaranteed starter.
Injuries and exits test Roma’s depth
Not everything is smooth. Roma travel without two key pieces.
Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini remains sidelined with a thigh problem, robbing Gasperini of creativity and leadership between the lines. Devyne Rensch is also out with a flexor issue. Both are expected back in full training next week, but neither will feature here.
There is better news at wing-back. Nahuel Molina has shaken off a knock and is back fit, a timely boost that turns up the heat on young Emanuele Lulli, who is battling to hold onto his place in the XI.
Squad depth has taken a hit from recent departures. Robinio Vaz has left for Hull City and Neil El Aynaoui has joined RB Leipzig, trimming Gasperini’s options just as the schedule begins to thicken.
Predicted Roma XI
Even with those absences, Roma can still field a strong side in Lecce. Gasperini is expected to stick with his three-at-the-back structure and attacking pair, with Balerdi the likely new face.
Predicted AS Roma lineup:
Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Mora, Dybala; Malen.
With Paulo Dybala pulling strings and Donyell Malen offering pace and penetration, Roma have the tools to hurt Lecce from multiple angles. The question is whether the newcomers can maintain the defensive standards that have underpinned this winning run.
Kick-off time and how to watch
Lecce vs AS Roma kicks off at 5:30pm BST on Monday, 31st August.
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on DAZN.
Roma arrive as league leaders, armed with form, history and a coach whose ideas are starting to bite. Now comes the real test: can they turn this surge into something that lasts beyond the early-season glow?
