Aquilani on returning to the Stadio Olimpico as Sassuolo coach and Roma's need for a response

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico, speaking to reporters at the Stadio Olimpico before the Serie A clash with Sassuolo, the club's eleventh league matchday, said the squad lacks a fast, direct wide player and that the club will try to address it in January. Asked whether an extra wide attacker would help solve the problem of coming back from behind, D'Amico said: "This is the problem we understood at the end of the transfer window. We are missing a winger with pace, for counterattacks. We will try to do it in January, evaluating the opportunities. We will try to give these characteristics to the coach." On Manu Koné, D'Amico said Roma are in contact with all national teams, and confirmed the Frenchman was back available after a good week. "Today Manu is back, he has had a good week. The coach has decided to play him and we are happy. It is his ninth match in 28 days, and with him in the side we can let others who have spent a lot in these games recover." D'Amico was also asked whether Roma lacked experience in Manchester. He said: "Environments like Manchester's you know. The stadium pushed hard, but I think it was there, and against Real, that they showed us a great Roma that imposes its own game. Against these teams there are moments of difficulty. The penalty I think was more than generous. It was a difficult moment, but that does not mean a penalty like that should be conceded. These experiences are still important for a Roma that, after 7 years, is back in the Champions League. It helps all of us, including the club."

Roma defender D'Amico has said the club must add a pacy external attacker, with the January transfer window the next opportunity to bring in that profile. Speaking ahead of Roma-Sassuolo, a Serie A match for matchday 11, he said the issue had become clear by the end of the summer transfer window. "Sicuramente questa è una problematica che a fine mercato abbiamo capito. Per caratteristiche manca un attaccante esterno di gamba di ripartenza, quindi certamente valuteremo le opportunità nel mercato di gennaio per portare questa nuova caratteristica al mister." The question of whether another wide attacker and further signings could fix Roma's problem with late comebacks was put to him directly. D'Amico's answer makes clear that the club sees a specific gap in its attacking options, one that the squad as it stands does not fill. On Manu Koné, D'Amico was asked whether the club had been in direct contact with the French national team. He replied: "Noi ci confrontiamo un po' con tutte le nazionali. Manu oggi rientra, ha fatto una settimana di allenamenti, il mister ha deciso di schierarlo perchè lo ha visto bene. Questa è la nona partita in 28 giorni e con Manu abbiamo la possibilità di far rifiatare i ragazzi che hanno speso tanto in queste partite." He said Koné returns today after a week of training, that the coach chose to field him because he had seen him in good shape, and that this is the club's ninth match in 28 days, with Koné giving tired players a chance to rest.

Evan N'Dicka says Roma are determined to close out this run of fixtures well, with three points the aim against Sassuolo in Serie A matchday 11. The defender described the game as important for the club as it looks to end a demanding spell of matches. Asked about the reasons behind the dip in form, including the defeat in Manchester, N'Dicka said the upcoming game is open and difficult, but that Roma are there to take the three points. He acknowledged that the side has been through a period of many matches in quick succession. When asked which aspect needs improving, N'Dicka said: "It can happen when you reach a point where you have many matches, you cannot control everything." His comments were made ahead of Roma against Sassuolo, a Serie A fixture on 7 November 2026.