Roma is back in the Champions League after an eight-year drought, and the Romanisti have spent months wondering if Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad was truly ready. Well, the waiting is over. Tomorrow night, we finally get to see what all that summer drama was for, as Roma kicks off their Serie A campaign at the Olimpico against Fiorentina. This isn’t last season’s easy matchup, though. Fiorentina has transformed, not by choice but out of dire necessity after a miserable 15th-place finish last year, bringing in intriguing new signings like Franco Mastantuono, Arthur Atta, and Christ Inao Oulaï. This could be a challenging opener, especially with Roma likely still needing time to truly gel.
The Mora-Dybala Show Is About To Drop
The biggest question facing the Giallorossi has to be how they line up their creative attacking talent, because the arrival of Rodrigo Mora changes everything. After a week-long push-and-pull with Porto, Gasperini finally has a new weapon, someone he can mold into his next Papu Gomez or even, dare I say it, his next Paulo Dybala. Reports from training suggest the 19-year-old is getting the start tomorrow alongside “La Joya” himself, giving Roma a genuinely potent creative duo at the heart of their starting eleven.
Mora hasn’t been quiet about his admiration for Dybala, calling him an idol. He also praised Gasperini’s knack for No. 10-type players, saying they should be a “natural fit.” Imagine this: both Mora and Dybala playing behind the striker. Mora brings the explosiveness and one-on-one ability Gasperini loves, while Dybala floats into those dangerous spaces to do maximum damage. It screams echoes of Gasperini’s old Atalanta attacking setups. The hope is this new “goal-happy attitude” will build on last season’s results and make Roma a force.
What’s At Stake Monday Night
Now, expecting Mora to be a world-beater in his first Roma match at just 19 years old might be a big ask. But let’s not forget, the kid already broke the 10-goal barrier at Porto when he was only 17. Gasperini has publicly said Mora has “all the qualities” to make his mark. If Mora can give Roma even a glimpse of the talent that made D’Amico fight so hard to bring him here, the Olimpico could have a new favorite in no time. Plus, a performing Mora makes it way easier for Gasperini to pick and choose when Dybala plays, keeping “La Joya” well-rested.
Roma and Fiorentina kick off on Monday, August 24th, at 2:45 PM EDT (20:45 CET) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Matteo Marcenaro is set to referee. All eyes will be on this new attacking setup. Can they click from the first whistle and deliver on all this hype? We’ll find out soon enough!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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