Angelozzi reveals Cagliari were close to signing Pisilli and that Massara had refused to part with Romano

Roma are reportedly back in contact over Real Madrid forward Endrick and Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens as possible January reinforcements, while Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné are still absent from training ahead of Saturday's match against Sassuolo. According to Matteo Moretto, D'Amico continues to talk with the entourage of Endrick, who has been little used by Mourinho. Roma would be ready to take him on loan in January, but the Portuguese coach does not want to let him go. Milan and foreign clubs are also interested in the player. For Gittens, the Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Roma are targeting a quick attacking winger capable of beating his man, and that the Chelsea player is one of the main objectives. D'Amico is also tracking Leweling of Stuttgart and Kvernadze of Frosinone. The idea is to take advantage of a loan opportunity, without ruling out a move for a midfielder. Dybala and Koné did not appear in the images of Friday's training at Trigoria, and their recovery for Saturday remains difficult. Gasperini is considering starting Mora alongside Soulé, with Malen as the centre-forward. Ndicka is expected to return in defence, while Molina is the favourite on the right after Rensch's injury. Rensch is set to be out for about three weeks with a right adductor injury picked up at Manchester. Gollini is recovering from a back problem and could be available against Sassuolo; if not, Vásquez will continue in goal. Svilar has no chance of returning before the international break. Fabio Capello analysed the collapse at Old Trafford, where Roma dominated the first half before becoming unrecognisable. He pointed to a drop in concentration, fatigue and United's intensity as the main causes. His verdict on the squad is that it is competitive in Italy but still needs completing to face Europe's biggest sides. Elsewhere, Marten de Roon spoke about his arrival in the capital after Gasperini's call. Given his rivalry with Roma during his Atalanta days, he had expected a difficult dressing room, but his first impressions proved those fears wrong. On the sales side, Eintracht Frankfurt are following Sangaré, the young Spanish full-back who has been sold permanently to Elche for €4.5m. Moretto reports that the German club have begun initial contacts with his entourage. Roma retain 20% of any future sell-on fee and could therefore profit from a further transfer. No official offer has been made so far.

Roma are reportedly still considering a midfield signing when the January window opens, with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg of Marseille among the names being discussed. Journalist Eleonora Trotta reported the interest on social media. The squad is objectively short at the moment, Gian Piero Gasperini has acknowledged. The injury to Manu Koné has weighed heavily on rotation in midfield, which is the area where the giallorossi are looking to strengthen. Højbjerg had already been considered by Roma during the summer and could return to the conversation soon. The Danish midfielder currently plays for Marseille, a club that, as the report notes, is not swimming in money. That financial position may shape how any deal could be structured, and Roma's interest reflects the depth problems the squad faces while Koné is sidelined.

Roma have repeatedly let leads slip in recent matches, a problem that has exposed the thinness of their squad and led to worrying dips in energy, according to Corriere dello Sport. The most glaring examples came against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, while the Giallorossi also dropped points or momentum against Lecce, Torino, Cagliari and Udinese, though they still managed to win those games. The data back up the trend. Roma have taken 20 fewer shots in second halves than in first halves, and their xG, ball recoveries and touches in the opposition box also decline after the interval. Defensively the cost has been clear: they have conceded just 3 goals in the first 45 minutes, 15 after the interval and 9 in the final portion of games. Management is planning to be active in January, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, and the club will look to repeat the approach that brought Donyell Malen to the club in the winter window last year, targeting players unhappy with their minutes elsewhere. Roma have navigated the simultaneous absences of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné better than in the past, but the spell still left its mark. The capital club is interested in Jamie Gittens and Endrick, who are in that situation. Giorgi Kvernadze and Jamie Leweling, meanwhile, are fixtures for Frosinone and Stuttgart. Roma also intend to add a central midfielder. Overall, the club have done well outside their clashes with the very best sides, but a couple more options would help a coach who likes to make changes from the bench. A midfield powerhouse would be more useful than an extra attacker, assuming Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro keep developing.

Roma midfielder Emanuele Lulli has been named in Italy Under-21 coach Carlo Baldini's squad for two friendlies against France and Belgium. The call-up comes during the international break, which has also brought recognition for Daniele Ghilardi and Niccolò Pisilli, who have been called up to the senior Italy squad by head coach Roberto Mancini. The Under-21 fixtures are high-profile international tests against peers from France and Belgium, and will help the young side continue its development after qualifying for the European Under-21 Championship finals, to be held in 2027 in Albania and Serbia. Lulli's inclusion is a further sign of the progress of the club's young players, with Lulli representing Roma in the Azzurrini squad. Baldini's provisional squad lists the following players. Goalkeepers: Giovanni Daffara (Parma), Diego Mascardi (Torino), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone), Massimo Pessina (Bologna). Defenders: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Gabriele Calvani (Frosinone), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia M'Gladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (Torino), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Emanuele Lulli (Roma), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Brando Moruzzi (Avellino). Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Deportivo La Coruna), Tommaso Berti (Cremonese), Matteo Cichella (Frosinone), Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), Giacomo Faticanti (Avellino), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina). Forwards: Alessio Cacciamani (Torino), Francesco Camarda (Milan), Luigi Cherubini (Benevento), Jeff Ekhator (Juventus), Seydou Fini (Frosinone), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Dominic Vavassori (Palermo).

Roma defender Emanuele Lulli has been called up by Italy Under-21 coach Baldini for two prestigious friendlies against France and Belgium, after Italy qualified for the 2027 European Championship in Albania and Serbia. While Ghilardi and Pisilli have been summoned by Roberto Mancini to the senior national team, Lulli is the only Roma player in the Under-21 group. Baldini's squad includes three players making their first Under-21 appearance: Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina, Monza defender Eddy Kouadio and Borussia Dortmund striker Samuele Inacio, all of whom came through the senior Italy set-up last October. Filippo Mane of Borussia Dortmund returns in defence, while Lorenzo Amatucci returns in midfield. Three players return in attack: Alessio Cacciamani of Torino, who has been absent since March 2026, Jeff Ekhator and Dominic Vavassori. The full squad is as follows. Goalkeepers: Giovanni Daffara (Parma), Diego Mascardi (Torino), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone), Massimo Pessina (Bologna). Defenders: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Gabriele Calvani (Frosinone), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (Torino), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Emanuele Lulli (Roma), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Brando Moruzzi (Avellino). Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Deportivo La Coruña), Tommaso Berti (Cremonese), Matteo Cichella (Frosinone), Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), Giacomo Faticanti (Avellino), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina). Forwards: Alessio Cacciamani (Torino), Francesco Camarda (Milan), Luigi Cherubini (Benevento), Jeff Ekhator (Juventus), Seydou Fini (Frosinone), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Dominic Vavassori (Palermo).

Manu Koné is on course to return for Roma's Saturday evening clash with Sassuolo at the Olimpico, while Devyne Rensch has been ruled out with a first-degree tear of the right adductor longus. Roma are preparing for the match against Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, with the aim of putting behind them the setback of their latest slip in the Champions League. Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping for positive news from the treatment room to widen his rotation options, after a squad that has been put under severe strain over the past month by numerous physical setbacks. Paulo Dybala's situation is still in doubt, but there is more optimism over Koné, who has overcome a muscle problem in his thigh and could be included in the squad. The medical staff will, however, proceed with caution, also with an eye on his call-up for the French national team. Gollini's condition is improving after he missed the game at Manchester for a back problem. Rensch was forced off after just 20 minutes of the match against Manchester United because of a muscle problem. Tests revealed a first-degree tear of the right adductor longus. The Dutchman will therefore not be available against Sassuolo. The aim is for him to be back available immediately after the international break. Italy coach Roberto Mancini has named his squad for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium, scheduled for Thursday 12 November at San Siro and Sunday 15 November at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels respectively. Three Roma players have been called up: Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi and Niccolò Pisilli. Evan Ndicka will also depart, called up by Ivory Coast for their African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Marten de Roon is the subject of a new interview conducted by Idealista in collaboration with Roma. The midfielder spoke about his arrival at the club, how he lives football day to day and his relationship with the dressing room. "When the coach called me I already knew it would be a difficult move, partly because of the history between Roma and Atalanta, partly because of what was said on social media about Roma; but at a certain point we had decided, and I had no doubts," the Dutchman said. "In the dressing room I am still looking for my role, so I don't joke around much, but the atmosphere is healthy, it seems like an 'easy' dressing room. Years ago I thought it was very difficult, even playing against it; now that I've come in, I've seen that it is healthy, warm, welcoming." Roma's many injuries have also been a talking point on Rome's airwaves. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio: "Sassuolo are probably the right opponent for a Roma side that needs to get back up and reach the break without forcing the return of those who have been sidelined for a long time. Injuries, unfortunately, are now part of an increasingly frenetic game." Piero Torri added on Radio Manà Manà Sport: "Roma's squad is short and will stay that way for a couple of months yet, because the market only reopens in January. Serie A and the Champions League demand a lot, and this inevitably takes its toll. If we add the problem of injuries, the weight on the team becomes even more evident."