Pisa vs. AS Roma
After a 34-year absence, Pisa welcomes a top Serie A team back to the Arena Garibaldi on Saturday evening, and the hosts put in a respectable performance in their season opener at Atalanta, drawing 1-1. Meanwhile, AS Roma got off to a successful start to the new season under Gian Piero Gasperini with a narrow 1-0 win over Bologna. For the newly promoted team from Tuscany, this match will be a real test of their capabilities. Alberto Gilardino’s team fought courageously in Bergamo and even took the lead through an own goal by Hien, showing great courage against established opponents. Roma, on the other hand, still seemed a little inhibited in their build-up play. Wesley scored the winner, but the offense around Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala obviously still needs time for tactical fine-tuning. The absence of Lorenzo Pellegrini further weakens the creativity, while Leon Bailey will be out for months. Interestingly, the bookmakers see the Romans as clear favorites, even though both teams are starting with one point from their first game. The individual class speaks in favor of the visitors, but Pisa could benefit from the special dynamic and euphoria of their return to the top flight.
- Venue: Arena Garibaldi – Stadio Romeo Anconetani, Pisa
- Date and time: 08/30/2025, 8:45 p.m.
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 2)
Pisa form & record check
Pisa has made a respectable return to Serie A after a 34-year absence. The 1-1 draw against Atalanta was more than just a respectable result, even if the Bergamaschi fell behind due to an own goal by Hien. Gilardino’s team played courageously up front and almost scored the 2-1 through Moreo. The Nerazzurri were compact defensively and allowed few clear chances. Their current 7th place in the table with one point does not reflect much yet, but the fact that they are level on points with Udinese suggests that the competition in the relegation battle is well within reach.
Gilardino has a few personnel worries. Lind is out with the flu, while Esteves and Vural are out for the long term. Vural’s absence is particularly significant, as the young player was considered an important building block. Coppola is not expected back until September after his ankle surgery. At least the transfer activity does not seem to be over yet, with Stengs from Feyenoord and the experienced Albiol being touted as possible reinforcements.
Pisa are likely to line up in their usual 3-4-2-1 formation under Alberto Gilardino. Semper will be in goal, while Denoon, Caracciolo, and Canestrelli are likely to feature in the back three. In midfield, Touré and Angori could occupy the wide positions, with Marin and Aebischer in the center. Several key absences weaken the options: Lind is out with the flu, which could give Meister a chance up front. Vural is unavailable with an inflammation, while Esteves continues to work on his fitness. Tramoni and Moreo are likely to provide creativity in the attacking zone behind the striker. This is a probable line-up, with Gilardino making the final decision shortly before kick-off.
AS Roma form & record check
AS Roma are starting the new season with a fresh breeze. The 1-0 win against Bologna was a successful start for Gian Piero Gasperini, who has already made his mark. Wesley scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, while new signing Evan Ferguson made an impressive debut. Ferguson showed his hunger from the start and put Bologna keeper Skorupski under pressure in the opening minutes. His dynamism and “bulldog physique,” as the Italian press described it, impressed both fans and journalists alike. The Irishman fits perfectly into Gasperini’s system and could be the solution to Roma’s goal-scoring problems.
The Giallorossi are in sixth place in the table with three points and are already one point ahead of Cremonese, who are level on points. They are only two points behind the league leaders. Rome has won four of its last five league games, scoring in each of them. Gasperini’s influence is particularly evident in the first half, where the team is much more active. The tactical change seems to be working, even if Dovbyk still has to fight for his position. With Bailey injured and Pellegrini struggling, the coach faces personnel challenges that he must solve cleverly.
The Giallorossi are likely to line up in their usual 3-4-2-1 formation, which Gasperini prefers. Interestingly, Ferguson could be preferred to Dovbyk in the center of the attack after the Irishman impressed on his debut against Bologna. Hermoso, Mancini, and Ndicka are set to start in the three-man defense. Cristante and Koné are expected to form the midfield, while Wesley and Angeliño could occupy the wide positions. Behind them, Soulé and El Shaarawy are likely to act as creative forces behind Ferguson. Gasperini is still unable to count on Pellegrini, who is still struggling with thigh problems.
H2H Pisa – AS Roma Head-to-head comparison & statistics
As Pisa and AS Roma have never played each other before, there is no statistical basis for a head-to-head analysis. The two teams are meeting for the first time in an official competitive match. This premiere makes the duel particularly unpredictable, as neither the coaches nor the players can draw on historical patterns. Both teams have the chance to play without any psychological baggage from the past. For Gilardino and Gasperini, preparation will therefore have to be based solely on the current form and tactical characteristics of their opponents. Without any established rivalry or established patterns of play, this first duel could well take some surprising turns.
Tip 1: Under 1.5 goals in the first half. Pisa has stayed below this mark in 80% of its last five games, while Roma has been defensively solid and has not lost in the first half of any of its last five games. Pisa’s offensive problems due to Lind’s absence with the flu and Esteves’ fitness issues support this trend. Although the market clearly favors Roma at around 1.7, the defensive stability of both teams at the start could be underestimated.
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals in the game. Roma have scored in 100% of their last games, while Pisa have conceded in four of their last five. Wesley is in scoring form and Ferguson made an energetic debut against Bologna, which promises offensive momentum.
Tip 3 (risky): Pisa wins the second half. Roma tends to fade after the break, and the absences of Pellegrini and Bailey limit Gasperini’s rotation options. Although the bookmakers clearly favor Roma, there could be value in the second half, especially thanks to Pisa’s combative mentality under Gilardino.
