Rodrigo Mora and Emanuele Lulli made fearless debuts in AS Roma's 4-0 win over Fiorentina this week. As reported by Il Messaggero, the two 2007-born youngsters were key figures in the match at the Stadio Olimpico.
Portuguese forward Mora, signed from Porto, played 54 minutes of quality football, coming close to scoring with a shot saved by David De Gea and immediately showing a good understanding with Paulo Dybala. Homegrown defender Lulli started on the right flank due to injuries and responded with courage and few mistakes, also contributing to the build-up for Donyell Malen's third goal with a ball recovery on Luca Ranieri.
Who are Rodrigo Mora and Emanuele Lulli
Rodrigo Mora is a 19-year-old Portuguese forward who arrived in the summer from Porto. His transfer was a significant investment for the club, as described by the source. Emanuele Lulli, also 19, is a Roma-born defender who came through the ranks at Palestrina, Tor Tre Teste and the AS Roma youth academy. He was close to a loan move to Avellino a few weeks ago, but manager Gian Piero Gasperini blocked the deal to keep him with the first team.
How they fit into Gasperini's system
The decision to start them both came at a time of necessity for the squad. The injury to Devyne Rensch and the less-than-optimal condition of Nahuel Molina opened the door for Lulli. The manager had described Mora as a talent to be nurtured without immediately burdening him with too much responsibility, but the Portuguese player's debut showed he already has the quality. Lulli effectively contained Joao Mario and Emmanuel Atta on his flank, demonstrating maturity beyond his years.
What the data says about the squad
The 4-0 win consolidates a good start to the season for the Giallorossi. Gasperini's squad can count on a young but already competitive roster, as shown by the presence of several under-21 players in the squad. The next league fixture, which you can see in detail on our fixtures page, is scheduled for the weekend against Bologna. The updated league table is always available on our standings page.
The trust placed in youth appears to be bearing its first fruits. Gasperini stated at the start of the season that he wanted to rely on the academy, and the performances of Mora and Lulli align with that vision. Both players have contracts with AS Roma until June 2029.
