Roma, founded in 1927 and based at the Stadio Olimpico di Roma, remain one of Italian football’s familiar reference points: substantial, demanding, and rarely short of consequence. For Celtic supporters, they sit in that category of continental opponent whose name carries weight before a ball is kicked.
Their 2026-27 season is being played with a relatively young squad of 31 players, averaging 24 years of age, and the recent league form is strong. Wins over Hellas Verona, Lazio, Parma, Fiorentina and Bologna have followed a draw with Atalanta, with Roma scoring freely while giving little away.
At home, the balance is especially clear. Roma are averaging 1.7 goals scored and just 0.5 conceded per match, a defensive record that suggests the Olimpico is not a venue for loose football. Away from home they have been slightly more open, averaging 1.4 scored and 1.1 conceded.
Donyell Malen has been their main source of goals with 15 this season, supported by Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matìas Soulé on seven each. Evan Ferguson and Gianluca Mancini have also contributed five apiece, giving Roma more than one route to a result.
They have struck first inside 20 minutes in six of 19 league matches, enough to make early control a relevant part of any scouting brief. Roma’s current standing is that of an established Italian side in good form, with a tight home defence and enough attacking spread to occupy Celtic’s full attention.
