Pisa

Roma heads to Pisa tomorrow for what’s a barely simpler match than their first one of many 2025/2026 season. Though it’s cool to see Pisa again in Serie A for the primary time for the reason that ‘90s, the win over Bologna ought to give Romanisti extra confidence in getting three factors in opposition to a brand new aspect primarily constructed to outlive for one more season in Serie A (versus that Bologna aspect intent on pushing for one more 12 months in European competitions). A assured win in Tuscany can be a boon for the Giallorossi, notably as none of their primary opponents for Champions League soccer are anticipated to deal with a significant take a look at both.

That assured win has to come back about by means of professionalism. Gian Piero Gasperini has to ensure his gamers deal with their enterprise firmly, with out giving Pisa a purpose to consider, permitting for a return to Rome for subsequent week’s match in opposition to Torino an ideal six for six. In the meantime, if Pisa do impress tomorrow, it would seemingly be imposing chaos on the match. Minnows normally shock a giant membership by making issues ugly, involving their tifosi as a lot as doable, and poking at Goliath’s weakest spots. One sport gained’t outline the season, however how Roma deal with nights like this may inform us lots about whether or not they’re truly able to make the leap to Champions League and extra that Gasperini was introduced in to ship.

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What To Watch ForDybala’s Again Beginning, However How A lot Will He Play?

Though Roma has injected various new blood into its assault over the past 12 months and a half, the one fixed within the ahead positions has been Paulo Dybala—no less than, at any time when he’s wholesome. But as Dybala will get older, Roma is starting to acknowledge that, very like Francesco Totti within the later phases of his profession, Roma’s Argentine legend can’t delivery each offensive spark himself.

Gian Piero Gasperini stated as a lot in his pre-match presser, complimenting Dybala whereas additionally stating that Roma wants to have the ability to win as a group first, as an alternative of counting on magic from one famous person:

There’s a Roma, and Dybala is an added worth when he’s match and wholesome. He’s bought extraordinary toes, he’s an incredible participant; there aren’t many who create such an enormous worth. Roma will need to have its personal identification and its personal energy, whatever the particular person, who can then contribute one thing extra.

Fortunately for all concerned, Dybala is reportedly again in Roma’s beginning lineup for tomorrow’s match versus Pisa; Gasperini’s proper that Roma should be capable to win with none particular participant, however Dybala simply makes it a lot simpler that all of us have to understand each match he’s capable of begin. The actual query, although, is how a lot Gasperini will truly use him. It’s one factor to pencil Dybala again into the XI, it’s one other to ask him to go full throttle for 90 minutes in late August, away to a newly promoted aspect. Given his harm historical past, widespread sense suggests we’ll see one thing nearer to 60–65 minutes, with the hope that Roma can have the match in hand earlier than Gasperini has to show to the bench.

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Match Particulars

Date: August thirty ninth

Kickoff: 20:45 CET/2:45 EDT

Venue: Area Garibaldi, Pisa

Referee: Giuseppe Collu

Forecast: 76°F/50% probability of precipitation

That’s the place the stability of this revamped assault is available in. Hopefully, the likes of Matías Soulé, Evan Ferguson, and Neil El Aynaoui can make sure that Dybala doesn’t should do all of it tomorrow. I’m notably intrigued to see how the Soulé/Dybala taking part in relationship develops in smaller-stakes matches like this one. Soulé’s already proven himself to be way over a winger with some neat dribbles up his sleeve; he appears like somebody who can truly share inventive duty, which is precisely what Roma have been crying out for. If he and Dybala can begin to develop a rhythm collectively by buying and selling positions, drawing defenders off form, and giving one another house to function, it might give Gasperini the sort of dual-threat assault that forces opponents to select their poison.

Is This The Finish for Dovbyk in Rome?

With all due respect to Tommaso Baldanzi and Anass Salah-Eddine, the foremost storyline in Roma’s slowly-wrapping summer season mercato is surely the way forward for Artem Dovbyk—and whether or not his time within the capital is already drawing to an in depth. The Ukrainian striker arrived final 12 months having simply been La Liga’s capocannoniere, and he carried with him a status as a relentless goalscorer. Nonetheless, between accidents, inconsistent ending, and the arrival of latest attacking choices like Evan Ferguson this summer season, his spot within the pecking order has began to slide. Gasperini was requested about Dovbyk in his pre-match press convention and, whereas supportive, his feedback learn extra like a request for one more audition from the Ukrainian than a vote of long-term confidence:

“Sadly, he had an early layoff. I believe he’s been a constructive participant, at all times working extremely onerous. I’ve no criticism for him. What I anticipate tomorrow is for him to convey all his vitality to the desk to attain the end result.”

I’ll be trustworthy, even with Paulo Dybala getting older and the sheer heft of Dovbyk’s switch charge and resumé, it’s onerous to see how Dovbyk forces himself again into the beginning dialog as Evan Ferguson and Matías Soulé set up themselves because the attacking way forward for the membership—save for an simple run of targets. In the meantime, the rumor mill is buzzing a few swap deal between Roma and AC Milan involving Santiago Giménez, a youthful striker who at first look seems like a greater match for Gian Piero Gasperini’s quick-transition assault.

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Whether or not or not that deal materializes earlier than the window shuts, the actual fact that it’s being floated suggests Roma are no less than beginning to plan for a future with out Dovbyk. Though he gained’t be beginning tomorrow in opposition to Pisa, tomorrow’s match might be one in all Dovbyk’s final alternatives to persuade Gasperini and the membership that he nonetheless has a task to play in Rome’s undertaking if he does make the pitch at one level or one other.

Area within the Squad—Simply A Reward, Or One thing Actual?

Gasperini did slip in just a little shock when saying the touring squad for tomorrow’s match: 16-year-old Italian-Australian striker () Antonio Area will make the journey to Pisa. Requested concerning the resolution, Gasperini saved it low-key:

“Tomorrow our assault will function Ferguson, Dybala, El Shaarawy, Baldanzi, and Soulé. Area will even be included; he piqued my curiosity in coaching, and I’m bringing him alongside, so I’m beginning to get to know him.”

On the floor, this appears like a basic case of rewarding a teenager who’s caught the coach’s eye, but it surely may be one thing extra, notably because it’s occurring solely on the second matchday of the season. Gasperini’s status for giving youth a shot suggests this won’t simply be a ceremonial call-up, notably with the Giallorossi making an attempt and failing to herald extra younger attacking expertise to help an already-young group as this summer season mercato attracts to an in depth. Add in the truth that Area is sort of new to Rome interval—he solely joined the aspect in July, and as a Primavera signing at that—and his sudden elevation into the senior matchday squad ought to elevate eyebrows, and perhaps coronary heart charges, among the many Giallorossi devoted.

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Even when he doesn’t see the pitch in Pisa, the expertise of touring with the senior squad at 16 is important in itself. It alerts that Gasperini is wanting past the established names and is keen to speed up Primavera gamers’ growth if any of them show prepared. For a Roma aspect that has struggled to combine academy expertise into the primary group lately, Area’s inclusion is value watching. Though he will not be a real academy graduate, who is aware of? Possibly we’re about to see the beginning of a brand new Roman Golden Era due to Gasperini’s openness to youth.