Roma – Fiorentina: Malen And Dybala’s Combination Signals Tough Days Ahead For Serie A Defenders (4-0)

With the 2026/27 Serie A season beginning at the Stadio Olimpico, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma had the opportunity to make an immediate statement against a Fiorentina side starting a new era under Fabio Grosso. The hosts quickly established control through their intensity, pressing and attacking rotations, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen proving almost impossible for the Viola to contain. By full time, Roma had produced a commanding 4-0 victory, offering an early glimpse of how Gasperini’s attacking structure could evolve this season.

Tactical analysis and match report by Mustafa Hassan.

Roma began their 2026/27 Serie A campaign under Gian Piero Gasperini with his familiar 3-4-2-1 system, providing a clear structural foundation for their attacking approach. Mile Svilar started in goal behind Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka and Mario Hermoso, while Emanuele Lulli and Wesley operated as the wing-backs.

Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné formed the central midfield pairing, with Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Mora positioned behind Donyell Malen, who led the Roma attack. The structure allowed Roma to maintain three players in the first defensive line while using the wing-backs and attacking midfielders to create width and occupy the spaces between Fiorentina’s defensive lines.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, lined up in a 4-3-2-1 formation under new manager Fabio Grosso. David de Gea started between the posts behind Dodô, Radu Drăgușin, Luca Ranieri and João Mário, who formed the defensive line. Cher Ndour, Nicolò Fagioli and Marco Brescianini operated as the midfield three, while Franco Mastantuono and Arthur Atta played behind Mateo Pellegrino, who was selected as the central striker. Grosso’s selection provided . . .