Gian Piero Gasperini has now taken charge of 600 Serie A games, but Saturday’s victorious debut as Roma coach must have been one of the sweetest.

All eyes were on the Stadio Olimpico as Coppa Italia champions Bologna looked to crash the opening-day party in the capital.

After a frenetic build-up, with questions around how long the Atalanta legend will need to instil his style and Gasp himself left frustrated at a slow-paced transfer window, Roma delivered.

Their 1-0 victory was more comfortable than the score suggests, and the intensity of Roma’s pressing and attacking play, particularly in a breathless first half, had Gasperini’s fingerprints all over it.

However, the 2025-26 season curtain-raiser will also live long in the memory for the performances of two summer signings: match-winner Wesley and striker Evan Ferguson.

Although the Brazilian scooped the official man of the match award after scoring the winning goal in the second half, Ferguson’s impact made a big mark on the home fans, who voted him as their player of the match.

Ferguson, who Roma signed from Brighton on loan with a €35million option to buy, was hailed in Roman newspaper Corriere dello Sport as “having everything needed to become the new idol of the Romanisti.” So, what earned him such high praise?

‘No centre-forward in Italy’ like Ferguson

It was the 20-year-old who set the intensity standards from the front as Roma came flying out of the blocks with an aggression and attacking intent this crowd has not seen for many a year.  

His enthusiasm showed as the bullish, well-built front man knocked over an opponent with a shoulder charge to concede a foul within a minute, but he soon turned that physical prowess into a weapon.

Ferguson skipped past Lorenzo De Silvestri to find shooting space, but his finish was weak. He then found space at the edge of the box and shot with power this time, but Lukasz Skorupski was equal to it. Soon after, an inviting Angelino cross was met by the Irishman, but Ferguson’s bullet header flew just wide. All of that occurred within the opening 15 minutes.  

 “He’s not bad, this big lad from Ireland, oozing power and moving astutely,” Gazzetta dello Sport wrote on Sunday.

Although Ferguson didn’t find the net, he displayed a well-rounded game. His hold-up play, movement and link play delighted the home crowd after a year spent tearing their hair out at Artem Dovbyk’s struggles to do just that. One such moment triggered the move that led to the goal.

Ferguson really should have had an assist as a reward for his performance, too. He spun off a defender, played a one-two with Wesley, shot off down the wing and put a perfect cross on Manu Kone’s toes at the back post – only for the midfielder to somehow shank his finish wide from eight yards.

That moment alone earned him some very high praise from Corriere dello Sport on Monday.

“No centre-forward in Italy has that precision, power and vision. Maybe only Lautaro Martinez,” they wrote.  

The paper added: “The goal didn’t come but that is just a minor detail, because there seem to be no limits to the potential of the Irishman…in little over 70 minutes, Ferguson showed everything that Dovbyk, at least for now, has not managed to offer; participating in team play, the ability to defend the ball with his back to goal, runs and shots (with feet and head), fast sprints and a knack for decisive passes.”

Along with his club man of the match award, Ferguson was given ratings of 7 and 7.5 by the two national sports papers.

A good first impression, then. It was little wonder that by the time the youngster had used up all his energy and was replaced by Dovbyk, the Olimpico crowd rose to its feet for a huge ovation to mark a memorable debut.

Gasperini promises more to come

It wasn’t just the media and supporters who were impressed with the big Irishman, either.

“Ferguson had a great game,” Gasperini said at full-time. “He is improving his condition after not playing a lot last year, so it’s normal to need a settling-in period. He showed his quality and has room for improvement.”

With Brazilian wing-back Wesley also impressing in his match-winning debut following his summer move from Flamengo, and Neil El Aynaoui making an assured debut from the bench, there were plenty of reasons for Gasp to smile after his first game in the Eternal City.

Asked about Wesley and Ferguson’s impact, the new Roma boss said: “We’re talking about two very young guys who have great potential. They already showed their value tonight. I saw good things in pre-season, but today they showed great personality against a Bologna side that brought a lot of good things to the pitch. The fact that the fans appreciated that is important for us.”

“Ferguson and Wesley have already both got experience,” he added.

“Wesley was playing in the Maracana and for the Brazilian national team despite being just 21. Ferguson is even younger (20). They are talented guys who will keep improving and above all they are very happy to have come to Roma with the desire to do well. When you have that as a foundation, you have a good chance of improving.”

Roma’s build-up to the opening night of the season was dominated by a Jadon Sancho saga and the unfortunate news of Leon Bailey picking up an injury almost as soon as he arrived.

Gasperini admitted he had “expected more” signings to have arrived by this stage of the summer, and his wish may still be granted in the final week of the window.  

Former captain Lorenzo Pellegrini has been put up for sale with just one year left on his deal and no plans for the club to renew it, while the unpopular Dovbyk’s future is still up in the air, with Gasperini saying he “doesn’t have a crystal ball” when asked about it.

Their potential exits could lead to more incomings before the window closes, and the club may well feel more confident about selling the Ukrainian after witnessing Ferguson’s impact.

Whatever happens, Roma’s coach and fans will sleep easier knowing that they already have at least two youngsters through the door who are ready and able to make an instant impact.