Aquilani returns to the Olimpico as Sassuolo boss, with Matić in the side

Roma must put the sting of their Champions League defeat to Manchester United behind them and refocus on Serie A, when Sassuolo visit the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. Sassuolo are coached by Aquilani, a former Roma player, and are in serious difficulty, although they had impressed earlier in the season with their football and individual quality. It is a test that should not be taken lightly for Gian Piero Gasperini's side. Roma have closed the gap on Inter, moving to within one point of them, but they are four points behind league leaders Lazio. Roma remain without Svilar, Dybala and Koné, as well as Rensch and Pellegrini. Sassuolo will be missing Volpato, Koné, Boloca and Leysen. The match is available to watch on Sky and Dazn, with kickoff time and probable line-ups also confirmed in the build-up to the fixture.

Roma head into their next Serie A fixture against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and several radio pundits on Radio Radio have weighed in on the match, the squad and the aftermath of the Manchester defeat. Carina said Sassuolo are a side in difficulty, having conceded four goals per game recently, but warned that Roma arrive tired, including mentally, because the blow of Manchester was heavy. He said returning to the Olimpico helps, since the level in Serie A allows a little dip in form. "The aim is to string together a run of wins over the next four matches, so you reach the derby in a high position," Carina said. On the Inter–Como fixture, he added: "Any positive result is fine: it is a round Roma must know how to steer in the right direction." Carina also raised concerns about Paulo Dybala's fitness. "With Dybala you never really understand the recovery times: first they talk about muscle fatigue, then a small tear, then he disappears from the radar. He is a sublime, fantastic player, but now he becomes a problem: between Dybala and Pellegrini, if you have one, that is already a lot. So the squad becomes short: if you want to be a protagonist in the league, you are missing players." He also said he expected Santiago Castro to play more, adding: "He had given a signal with the wonderful goal against Genoa, but he must give continuity, despite the difficulties, because playing once in a while is complicated." Giuseppe Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, said: "After Manchester, we must restart immediately. Sassuolo in their last two matches have conceded ten goals; the worrying thing is that they show no signs and do not react. This allows Roma to manage the match and try to create danger up front." He added that Donyell Malen has the occasional lapse, and that Castro never plays, asking whether there would be room for him this time. Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, described Sassuolo as a side on a rollercoaster, capable of collapsing or producing a big performance. He said: "Roma, in my opinion, are not at their best moment. At Manchester I saw some errors in the game. I don't know if it is tiredness, which can happen, or some players below their level. If Sassuolo do not change gear, they will not leave the Olimpico in good shape. Roma can win." Orsi argued that Roma are too dependent on Malen and Dybala, noting that Malen scored a lot when the two played together but now struggles more, while Dybala may not score but always provides assists.

Gian Piero Gasperini is eagerly awaiting Mile Svilar's return from the international break. Roma have conceded 4 goals in 6 matches with Svilar in goal, an average of 0.66 per game. Without him, Pierluigi Gollini and Vásquez have let in 14 goals in 8 matches, pushing the average up to 1.75. After a difficult October, Roma's fixture list looks set to ease. Sassuolo, Parma and Monza will take them towards the end of November, with the Champions League clash against PSG in between. Roma have now gone 17 consecutive Serie A matches unbeaten, with 13 wins and 4 draws, and Gasperini can aim to reach 20 before the head-to-head clashes in December. The unbeaten runs of Ranieri (19) and Spalletti (20) remain ahead of them. The Olimpico is preparing to fill up once again. The Roma-Sassuolo match on Saturday evening is close to selling out, and the Distinto Nord-Ovest has been opened to meet the high demand. Fans are responding strongly after the European disappointment against Manchester United. After the break, Roma face Parma and PSG away, and will not return to the Olimpico until 29 November, when they host Monza. Roma arrive at the Sassuolo match after a punishing run of nine matches in 27 days, roughly one every three days. Gasperini had already stressed the strain: "In this period we have played eight matches on a knife's edge." Marten de Roon has been the most-used player, with 673 minutes in the last eight games, and could be rested for the Sassuolo fixture. Doubts remain over the recovery of Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Pierluigi Gollini.

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."

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to start Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen together in attack for Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow evening. Roma have been hit by a long run of absences, with Svilar, Gollini, Rensch, Koné, Cristante, Dybala and Pellegrini all missing at least one match across Serie A and the Champions League since the international break at the end of September and beginning of October. The fixture is the ninth game in 27 days for Roma. In midfield, Marten de Roon has stood out, and he is set to start his ninth match in a row tomorrow night. The attack has been the most reshuffled part of the side, but beyond Malen's consistency, Gasperini has been encouraged by the rapid growth of Soulé and the flashes of quality from the young Mora. The trio are starting for the third game in a row in the space of a week. Roma's latest run has been mixed. In Udine, Roma won with a fiery performance at the Bluenergy Stadium, and they had the game wrapped up by the 37th minute before fading after the break. In the first half, Soulé, Mora and Malen dominated. Soulé provided assists for Malen and for a header by N'Dicka, while Mora scored the goal that made it 2-0 after Cristante's pass. Malen, with his eighth league goal of the season, continued his record-breaking form in the Roma shirt. At Old Trafford, the pattern repeated itself in the opening 45 minutes. Mora's fantastic pass set up Soulé for the 1-0, and Soulé then won a penalty that Malen converted for 2-0. At half-time Mora was substituted, Roma dropped deeper, and Manchester United staged a stunning and painful comeback. Sassuolo arrive with the worst defence in Serie A, having conceded 26 goals in 10 matches, including 12 in their last three games, played between Saturday 24 October and Monday 2 November. Mati, Rodrigo and Donyell are ready to shine again against them, with the aim of finishing this part of the season well. The article's author sums up the mood: the appetite comes with eating, and tomorrow night Roma have every condition to serve up a good dish.

Roma must put the sting of their Champions League defeat to Manchester United behind them and refocus on Serie A, when Sassuolo visit the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. Sassuolo are coached by Aquilani, a former Roma player, and are in serious difficulty, although they had impressed earlier in the season with their football and individual quality. It is a test that should not be taken lightly for Gian Piero Gasperini's side. Roma have closed the gap on Inter, moving to within one point of them, but they are four points behind league leaders Lazio. Roma remain without Svilar, Dybala and Koné, as well as Rensch and Pellegrini. Sassuolo will be missing Volpato, Koné, Boloca and Leysen. The match is available to watch on Sky and Dazn, with kickoff time and probable line-ups also confirmed in the build-up to the fixture.

Roma head into their next Serie A fixture against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and several radio pundits on Radio Radio have weighed in on the match, the squad and the aftermath of the Manchester defeat. Carina said Sassuolo are a side in difficulty, having conceded four goals per game recently, but warned that Roma arrive tired, including mentally, because the blow of Manchester was heavy. He said returning to the Olimpico helps, since the level in Serie A allows a little dip in form. "The aim is to string together a run of wins over the next four matches, so you reach the derby in a high position," Carina said. On the Inter–Como fixture, he added: "Any positive result is fine: it is a round Roma must know how to steer in the right direction." Carina also raised concerns about Paulo Dybala's fitness. "With Dybala you never really understand the recovery times: first they talk about muscle fatigue, then a small tear, then he disappears from the radar. He is a sublime, fantastic player, but now he becomes a problem: between Dybala and Pellegrini, if you have one, that is already a lot. So the squad becomes short: if you want to be a protagonist in the league, you are missing players." He also said he expected Santiago Castro to play more, adding: "He had given a signal with the wonderful goal against Genoa, but he must give continuity, despite the difficulties, because playing once in a while is complicated." Giuseppe Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, said: "After Manchester, we must restart immediately. Sassuolo in their last two matches have conceded ten goals; the worrying thing is that they show no signs and do not react. This allows Roma to manage the match and try to create danger up front." He added that Donyell Malen has the occasional lapse, and that Castro never plays, asking whether there would be room for him this time. Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, described Sassuolo as a side on a rollercoaster, capable of collapsing or producing a big performance. He said: "Roma, in my opinion, are not at their best moment. At Manchester I saw some errors in the game. I don't know if it is tiredness, which can happen, or some players below their level. If Sassuolo do not change gear, they will not leave the Olimpico in good shape. Roma can win." Orsi argued that Roma are too dependent on Malen and Dybala, noting that Malen scored a lot when the two played together but now struggles more, while Dybala may not score but always provides assists.