AS Roma vs Fiorentina - Serie A

All eyes turn to the home ground on August 24, 2026 as AS Roma welcome Fiorentina in a Serie A encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. O'Neill made five changes for Celtic's midweek win at St Johnstone as he rested some key players ahead of Sunday's clash.

The standings paint a clear picture: AS Roma in 1st, Fiorentina in 15th, and both keen to climb. When a side is winning 100% of their matches and posting DLDDW in their last five, as AS Roma have, the conversation shifts from form to silverware. Fiorentina have blown hot and cold, W across their last five and a season win rate of 25%. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. The Reds continue to retain an interest in the midfielder Manu Kone and left-back Lewis Hall, while one remaining high-profile departure this summer could come in the form of Marcus Rashford.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. AS Roma favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Fiorentina are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United 'are not proceeding' with a move for the Brighton midfielder.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman D. Malen — 6 goals this term — will be one to watch. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. That was more than any midfielder or attacker in the Barcelona squad.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. Given the balance of the numbers, AS Roma should have enough to edge it — a 3-1 victory looks the most likely outcome. Whatever the outcome, the Serie A fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.