Roma defender Devyne Rensch will miss Monday’s Serie A opener against Fiorentina after failing to recover from a muscular problem in his right thigh. The setback deprives coach Gian Piero Gasperini of valuable flexibility across his back line at the start of the new campaign.
Rensch had been expected to take a place on the bench as cover for either Nahuel Molina at right-back or Wesley on the opposite flank. However, a flexor muscle issue detected in training has ruled him out of the home fixture, leaving the Giallorossi with limited experienced alternatives in the full-back positions.
Key Absences Limit Gasperini’s Options
Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini is also unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation from an injury that kept him working individually throughout pre-season. His absence removes a key creative influence from midfield for the visit of La Viola.
The double blow complicates preparations for the Stadio Olimpico clash, with Gasperini unable to call upon two established figures who would have featured prominently in his plans.
Teenager Lulli Handed Opportunity
To address the defensive shortfall, Gasperini has promoted 19-year-old right-back Emanuele Lulli to the senior matchday squad. The teenager trained consistently with the first team during the summer schedule and now finds himself in line for a potential debut should either starting full-back require substitution.
The 22-man group named for the fixture includes goalkeepers Mile Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini. In defence, Evan Ndicka, Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso and Giorgos Koulierakis provide central cover, while Molina and Wesley are the only specialist senior options in the wide positions. Lulli and fellow youngster Filippo Ghilardi offer emergency alternatives on the flanks.
Midfield duties will fall to Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, Matteo Mora and El Aynaoui, while the attacking threat is carried by Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé, Lorenzo Castro and Jorginho Vaz.
Visitors Contend with Kean Uncertainty
Fiorentina arrive in the capital with their own selection concerns. Left-back Fabiano Parisi has not travelled with the squad and will definitely miss out.
Further doubt clouds the involvement of striker Moise Kean. Reports suggest the Italy international has reached an agreement with Como, casting uncertainty over his availability and focus for the match. His potential absence would leave the visitors short of their primary attacking threat as they seek to upset the home side.
The match represents the first competitive fixture of the Serie A season for both clubs. Roma will look to exploit home advantage to secure early points, though the selection headaches in defence and midfield add unwelcome complications to Gasperini’s preparations. Fiorentina, meanwhile, hope to capitalise on any uncertainty in the hosts’ reshuffled back line despite their own personnel issues.