Fresh from a draining and ultimately heartbreaking European night, AS Roma must quickly refocus their attention on domestic matters as they welcome US Lecce to Stadio Olimpico. With their push for a top-four finish beginning to wobble, this fixture suddenly carries far greater weight than it might have just a few weeks ago.
Roma’s Europa League journey came to a dramatic halt in midweek, as they were edged out over two legs by fellow Italian outfit Bologna in a tie that swung relentlessly from one side to the other. After a balanced first leg, the return fixture in the capital turned into a chaotic contest, with momentum shifting repeatedly before slipping away from the hosts in extra time.
A late strike from Lorenzo Pellegrini had briefly revived hope and forced an additional period, but defensive lapses once again proved costly. The inability to shut down key moments has become a recurring theme, and it ultimately cost them a place in the quarter-finals.
That disappointment compounds what has already been a worrying run in Serie A. Roma’s league form has dipped at precisely the wrong time, with their grip on a Champions League place loosening week by week. A frustrating draw after surrendering a two-goal advantage against Juventus was followed by defeats on the road, leaving them outside the top four and searching for stability.
Five matches without a win in all competitions paints a concerning picture. For a side with ambitions of returning to Europe’s elite competition, the margin for error is now razor-thin. The pressure is mounting on the manager to arrest the slide before the season drifts away.
If there is one encouraging sign for the home side, it lies in the history of this matchup. Roma have long enjoyed the upper hand against Lecce at the Olimpico, turning this fixture into something of a stronghold over the decades.
Since their only home defeat to Lecce in the top flight back in the 1980s, the Giallorossi have consistently imposed themselves in this contest, often doing so with attacking authority. The visitors have frequently struggled to cope with the intensity and quality of Roma on their own turf, conceding heavily in the process.
Given their current need for a confidence-boosting result, this fixture presents an ideal opportunity, at least on paper, for Roma to rediscover their rhythm. For Lecce, however, this is far from a routine trip. Every point now carries immense value as they battle to secure their Serie A status.
A recent win in a crucial relegation clash offered a temporary lift, but inconsistency continues to undermine their progress. Their latest outing, a defeat despite taking an early lead, highlighted both their attacking intent and their defensive vulnerability. Losing control of matches after promising starts has been a recurring issue.
Away form remains a particular concern. Lecce have struggled to impose themselves on the road, especially against stronger opposition. Their record against top-half sides is especially telling, with very few points collected and goals hard to come by. That trend does not bode well heading into a hostile environment like the Olimpico. Still, with survival on the line, they will approach this contest with urgency and a willingness to disrupt Roma’s rhythm.
the home side’s challenge will be to regain defensive discipline while maintaining attacking fluidity. Their recent matches have been too open, leaving them exposed during transitions. Against a side likely to sit compact and look to counter, patience and structure will be essential.
Lecce, meanwhile, will aim to frustrate and capitalize on moments of hesitation. Set-pieces and quick breaks could be their best route to goal, particularly given Roma’s recent defensive fragility. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
AS Roma head into this fixture against US Lecce with significant concerns in the attacking department, as multiple forwards remain unavailable. Paulo Dybala continues to be sidelined, while Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, and Matias Soule are also ruled out through injury, leaving the hosts short of options in the final third.
The situation is further complicated by the absence of midfielder Manu Kone, who has now joined the injury list and reduces depth in the middle of the park. There is also a suspension to contend with, as Brazilian wing-back Wesley will miss this match after receiving a red card in the recent defeat to Como.
His absence removes an important outlet on the flank and forces a reshuffle in the wide areas. On a more positive note, Evan Ndicka is available again after serving his suspension. The Ivorian centre-back has emerged as an unlikely goal threat in recent weeks, finding the net in three consecutive Serie A matches after a prolonged drought in front of goal.
With limited attacking alternatives, Donyell Malen is expected to lead the line once more despite the physical toll of playing 120 minutes in midweek. From a tactical perspective, AS Roma are likely to retain a 3-4-2-1 formation against US Lecce, designed to provide defensive stability while still offering support to a lone striker.
Mile Svilar is set to start in goal, protected by a back three comprising Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, and Daniele Ghilardi, each tasked with maintaining a compact defensive shape and dealing with transitions. On the flanks, Zeki Celik and Kostas Tsimikas are expected to operate as wing-backs, providing width and supporting both defensive recovery and attacking overlaps.
In midfield, Bryan Cristante will anchor the side with Neil El Aynaoui alongside him, combining defensive discipline with forward distribution. Further ahead, Niccolo Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini are likely to operate in advanced midfield roles, tasked with linking play and creating chances in the absence of Roma’s regular attacking options. Leading the line, Donyell Malen will be expected to stretch the defence with his pace while also holding up play, making him central to Roma’s attacking approach in this fixture.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Tsimikas; Pisilli, Pellegrini; Malen
Lecce arrive in the capital dealing with a number of absentees, which continue to disrupt both their attacking cohesion and midfield balance. Nikola Stulic is expected to spearhead the attack once again, but the Serbian forward has struggled to make an impact on his travels, still searching for his first away goal of the season.
His lack of cutting edge reflects a broader issue for Lecce, who have lacked a consistent goalscorer since Nikola Krstovic’s departure to Atalanta. In fact, their recent goals have been spread across multiple players, underlining the absence of a reliable focal point in the final third.
The visitors remain without Medon Berisha, Francesco Camarda, and Kialonda Gaspar, all of whom are sidelined through injury. Their problems have been compounded by a fresh setback, with Mali international Lassana Coulibaly picking up a thigh strain in the recent clash against Napoli, ruling him out of this encounter.
These absences limit Lecce’s options in both midfield rotation and attacking support, placing greater responsibility on the available players to step up in a difficult away fixture. From a tactical standpoint, Lecce are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against AS Roma, prioritising defensive structure while looking to exploit transitions.
Wladimiro Falcone will start in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Danilo Veiga at right-back, Tiago Gabriel and Jamil Siebert as the central defensive pairing, and Antonino Gallo occupying the left-back role. This defensive unit will be tasked with maintaining compactness and limiting space between the lines against a Roma side seeking to regain attacking rhythm.
In midfield, Ylber Ramadani is likely to partner Oumar Ngom in a double pivot, providing defensive cover and attempting to disrupt Roma’s build-up play. Ahead of them, Santiago Pierotti is expected to operate on the right flank, with Omri Gandelman deployed centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Lameck Banda offering pace and directness from the left. Leading the line, Nikola Stulic will be responsible for holding up the ball and making runs in behind, as Lecce look to capitalise on quick counter-attacking opportunities rather than sustained possession.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Veiga, Gabriel, Siebert, Gallo; Ramadani, Ngom; Pierotti, Gandelman, Banda; Stulic
With Roma’s attacking unit severely depleted, much of the creative burden will fall on Lorenzo Pellegrini. The Italian international remains the side’s most influential figure in advanced areas, capable of dictating tempo, unlocking compact defences, and stepping up in decisive moments.
Pellegrini’s importance has only grown in recent weeks, particularly given the absence of key forwards around him. Operating in an advanced midfield role, he will be expected to bridge the gap between midfield and attack, providing both creativity and a goal threat. His ability to arrive late into the box, deliver from set-pieces, and find pockets of space could prove crucial against a Lecce side likely to sit deep and defend in numbers.
Fresh from making an impact in the midweek UEFA Europa League clash, Pellegrini enters this fixture as Roma’s primary attacking outlet. If the hosts are to rediscover their rhythm and secure a much-needed victory, their captain will almost certainly be at the heart of it.
Roma come into this clash under pressure, with form dipping and confidence slightly shaken after recent setbacks. However, returning to Stadio Olimpico against a side they have historically dominated presents the ideal opportunity to steady the ship. Even with several attacking absentees, their overall quality, particularly in midfield and defense, should be enough to control proceedings.
Lecce’s struggles away from home and their lack of a consistent goalscorer make this a difficult assignment. While they may remain compact and threaten sporadically on the counter, sustaining that over the full 90 minutes against a motivated Roma side appears unlikely. Expect the hosts to approach this with caution early on before gradually asserting control, using their structure and experience to break Lecce down.
