Roma arrive at Sunday’s showdown with Napoli as the unexpected pacesetters of Serie A, a twist in the early-season tale that will reveal much about whether Gian Piero Gasperini’s team are genuine title contenders or simply enjoying a fleeting burst of momentum.

Not since 2001 have the Giallorossi worn Italy’s crown, yet they sit two points clear of both the reigning champions and AC Milan in a tightly packed race for the Scudetto.

Their presence at the summit defies recent history. Roma haven’t reached the Champions League since 2018 and have delivered just one trophy across the last 17 campaigns. But the numbers from 2025 tell a different story: 76 points from 32 league matches—10 more than Napoli over the same span—and a mere 17 goals conceded, the stingiest record in the division during that run.

Last weekend’s victory at Cremonese suggested their longstanding scoring drought may finally be lifting, as precise finishing nudged them into first place.

Gasperini won’t be on the touchline for the Napoli clash, having been sent off at the Stadio Giovanni Zini, where cameras caught him celebrating Evan Ferguson’s long-awaited goal with solitary, unfiltered delight. Even from the stands, though, his imprint on the squad—and on supporters known for their volatility—has been unmistakable.

Fans in Rome recently plastered the city with a mural casting Gasperini as a wizard brewing triumph from grit, heart, and sweat. “Those are the ingredients we need,” he quipped, “and we can sprinkle in a little seasoning too.”

Roma reinforced their momentum on Thursday by ending Midtjylland’s perfect Europa League start, with Gasperini guiding the side effectively despite injuries to key attackers Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala.

Napoli, meanwhile, seem to have righted themselves. A 2–0 win over Qarabag on Tuesday boosted Antonio Conte’s Champions League campaign and followed a commanding league victory over Atalanta. The tone is far removed from his bleak remarks after the pre-break collapse at Bologna. Though injuries still weigh on Napoli, Rasmus Højlund’s return—especially with Romelu Lukaku sidelined—offers timely reinforcements.

Bologna remain close behind, unbeaten in two months and three points off the top ahead of Cremonese’s visit. Como, too, have muscled unexpectedly into the conversation. Their 5–1 dismantling of Torino lifted them into a European position ahead of Juventus, and a win over Sassuolo on Friday would temporarily place Cesc Fàbregas’s side level with Bologna and Inter on 24 points.

Player to watch: Matías Soulé
Dybala’s continued fragility has been softened by the rise of fellow Argentine Matías Soulé, who has flourished under Gasperini. His sharp opener at Cremonese was his fifth goal of the campaign, already matching last season’s output. Alongside captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, Soulé’s creativity will be central to Roma’s attempt to stay on top and fend off Napoli.

Key numbers
3 – Points separating the top five teams in Serie A.
24 – The years since Roma last captured the league title.