AS Roma Face Lecce: League Leaders Aim for Victory

AS Roma head south to Salento on Sunday, carrying the weight – and the confidence – of league leaders into their clash with Lecce at the Stadio Ettore Giardiniero.

They travel in form, and they travel fast.

Roma arrive roaring

Roma’s Serie A campaign could hardly have started with a louder statement. A 4-0 demolition of Fiorentina on Matchday 1 underlined a side that looks sharp, ruthless and organised at both ends of the pitch.

Stretch the lens back to last season and the picture looks even more ominous for Lecce. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have pieced together six straight league wins, five of them with clean sheets. They are not just winning; they are shutting teams down.

History offers Lecce little comfort. Roma have taken the last four meetings between the clubs and walk into Salento as clear favourites to extend that run. The expectation is simple: stay top, keep the streak alive.

Gasperini’s balancing act

The storyline around Roma is not just about momentum. It is also about how Gasperini knits together a refreshed squad.

At the back, there is a new face ready to step into the spotlight. Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi has been named in the squad for the first time and is widely tipped to make his starting debut. A fresh defender in a backline already in miserly form adds another intriguing layer to Roma’s set-up.

In midfield, Marten De Roon has wasted no time settling in after his surprise deadline-day move from Atalanta. The Dutchman’s arrival gives Roma another experienced engine in the middle, a player Gasperini knows how to use.

Not everything is smooth. Roma will be without key figures Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, both sidelined with thigh and flexor problems. The good news for Gasperini: both are expected back in full training next week. For now, though, he must improvise without their influence.

Out wide, there is a battle brewing. Nahuel Molina has shaken off a knock and is back fit, putting immediate pressure on young wing-back Emanuele Lulli. If Lulli starts, he does so knowing one mistake could open the door for Molina.

Squad depth has been trimmed too. Robinho Vaz and Neil El Aynaoui have departed, moving to Hull City and RB Leipzig respectively, shaving options off the bench and forcing Roma to lean harder on those who remain.

Predicted Roma XI

Gasperini is expected to stick close to the structure that has carried Roma through this winning run.

Possible AS Roma starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Mora, Dybala; Malen.

It is a side built to press, to swarm, and to let Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen decide things in the final third.

Kick-off and how to watch

Lecce vs AS Roma is scheduled to kick off at 5:30pm BST on Monday, 31st August.

In the UK, the match will be shown live on DAZN.

Roma arrive as favourites, in form, and on top of the table. The question now is simple: can anyone slow them down in Salento?