Roma host Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening in a meeting that arrives with both clubs still needing points to shape the final stretch of the Serie A season.
With the round 35 fixture carrying clear significance for momentum and league direction, the contest also brings together two sides whose recent results suggest a tight, tactical battle rather than an open shootout.
Look at our Data and Stats for Roma vs Fiorentina
Why it matters
For Roma, this is a chance to build on a strong run and keep their late-season push moving in the right direction. A home game against a direct rival offers a useful marker of where they stand after a mixed but generally encouraging spell.
Fiorentina arrive with a different kind of pressure. Their recent league form has been steady rather than spectacular, and with the campaign entering its decisive phase, they need a result that reinforces their progress and prevents momentum from slipping away.
Form picture
Roma’s league form has been broadly positive, with three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five. The 2-0 win at Bologna followed a 1-1 draw with Atalanta and a 3-0 home victory over Pisa, showing a side capable of controlling games and finishing chances when in rhythm.
That run was interrupted by a heavy 5-2 loss at Inter, but Roma responded well by beating Lecce 1-0. The pattern suggests resilience, with the team generally recovering quickly after setbacks and looking more settled at home.
Fiorentina’s recent league results have been more cautious, but also difficult to break down. They have drawn with Sassuolo and Lecce, while beating Lazio and Hellas Verona 1-0, before holding Inter to a 1-1 draw.
That sequence points to a side that is competitive and organised, even if not always fluent in attack. Their European results against Crystal Palace also show a team balancing domestic and continental demands, which may have an impact on freshness and selection.
Key storyline
The main tactical story is likely to be Roma’s attacking structure against Fiorentina’s compact, disciplined shape. Roma have recently used a 3-4-2-1, with Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé supporting the forward line, and that setup has given them enough width and movement to unsettle opponents.
Fiorentina’s 4-3-3 has looked more conservative in recent matches, with Albert Gudmundsson, Jack Harrison and Manor Solomon providing the main attacking outlets. The key question is whether they can keep Roma quiet long enough to create their own moments in transition.
Team news
Roma have only one listed injury concern, with Bryan Zaragoza sidelined by inflammation in the knee. That leaves them with a largely stable group, and the recent lineups suggest continuity rather than major disruption.
Their expected shape remains the 3-4-2-1, with Mile Svilar behind Evan Ndicka, Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso. Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, Wesley and Zeki Çelik are likely to form the midfield platform, while Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli provide the attacking support.
Fiorentina are without Roberto Piccoli, which narrows their forward options and may encourage another front three built around Gudmundsson, Harrison and Solomon. David de Gea is expected to start in goal, with the back line likely to include Daniele Rugani, Dodô, Luca Ranieri and Luís Balbo.
Their midfield trio of Cher Ndour, Nicolò Fagioli and Rolando Mandragora has been a consistent feature, and that continuity should help them stay compact. The shape looks set to remain a 4-3-3, with Fiorentina aiming to keep the game controlled and deny Roma space between the lines.
Tactical battle
The decisive area may be the space behind Fiorentina’s midfield three, where Roma’s two advanced attackers will look to receive and turn. If Roma can move the ball quickly into those pockets, they should be able to force Fiorentina deeper than they would like.
At the other end, Fiorentina will try to stretch Roma’s back three and create isolated moments for their wide forwards. If they can draw the hosts out and keep the game narrow, they have the structure to make this a frustrating evening for the home side.
Recent meetings
Roma have had the better of the recent head-to-head, winning 2-1 away in October 2025 and 1-0 at home in May 2025, although Fiorentina’s 5-1 victory in October 2024 remains a reminder that this fixture can swing sharply.
Reporter’s view
This feels like a match where Roma’s home advantage and stronger recent rhythm give them the edge, but only if they avoid the kind of defensive collapse that hurt them against Inter. Their recent results suggest a side with more attacking punch and a clearer structure in possession.
Fiorentina are well placed to make the game awkward, especially if they keep their shape and slow Roma’s tempo. Still, with the hosts looking more settled and the visitors carrying the added load of European commitments, the balance of the contest appears to lean towards a narrow Roma success.
Prediction
Roma to edge a tight contest, with their home form and sharper recent attacking play likely to make the difference.