Capello: Roma's title challenge comes as no surprise

Roma head into the international break with their whole squad available to Gian Piero Gasperini, and the fixture list is now working in their favour. The club have played nine matches in 27 days, and a run of more winnable games is set to follow. This Saturday Sassuolo visit the Stadio Olimpico, a side in serious crisis with coach Aquilani reportedly at risk of being dismissed despite a strong start to the season. The break comes at a crucial moment for Roma, allowing Gasperini to gradually bring back all of his injured players. Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala both hope to be available in two days' time, but after a month out both will certainly be ready for the trip to Parma. Mile Svilar returns in goal at the Tardini. Devyne Rensch, who is dealing with an adductor strain, undergoes instrumental tests today and has two weeks to return to full availability. The next league fixtures for Malen and his team are, on paper at least, easier: Sassuolo, Parma, Monza and Bologna in a row. That gives Roma the chance to build a winning run before the derby against Lazio. In between come the daunting trip to Paris and the Champions League clash with Sporting CP.

Roma are reflecting on a narrow defeat at Manchester United's Old Trafford, with Corriere della Sera highlighting both the individual progress within Gian Piero Gasperini's squad and the structural limits of a group that must compete on three fronts. Those limits, the report says, will require corrections in the January transfer window. Matías Soulé, now a key technical reference on the right side of the attack, is among the bright spots, along with the impact of Malen, who has produced important numbers in the giallorossi shirt, and the consistent form of Ndicka. However, a thin squad and an injury crisis have restricted Gasperini's rotations and exposed the gap with the top sides on Europe's biggest stages. The difficulties against the Red Devils were made worse by heavy absences in goal and in midfield. The club's management and Tony D'Amico, who is already working to identify the profiles needed in January, are reportedly targeting a midfielder and a left-sided winger to give Gasperini the alternatives he has asked for. The squad has returned to Trigoria to prepare for the Serie A clash with Sassuolo. The medical staff are monitoring Manu Koné, who is aiming for a rapid recovery, while the goalkeeping situation centres on Gollini, who is dealing with a back problem, with Colombian Devis Vásquez ready to step in again.

Roma returned to Trigoria on Wednesday evening after their Champions League trip to Manchester United and began preparing immediately for the Serie A match against Sassuolo, with little time to regroup. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping to recover several key players from the treatment room. Manu Koné is progressing well towards full recovery and is aiming to be in contention for a place in the side against the neroverdi. Paulo Dybala has been back training on the pitch for a few days, but the medical staff's caution means he is unlikely to risk excessive effort, making a return to the matchday squad after the international break more likely. In goal, the situation is being monitored closely after recent physical problems. Gasperini returned from England still doubtful over Pierluigi Gollini, who is struggling with back discomfort that will be assessed day by day up to the eve of the match. If Gollini is ruled out, Colombian Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, is ready to keep his place between the posts for the league fixture as well. Devyne Rensch has also joined the injury list, suffering a muscle strain in his right adductor, and will undergo instrumental tests to determine his recovery time precisely. Gasperini and his staff are weighing up alternatives to reshape the team for the home match against Sassuolo. The Italian report confirms that the Roma squad's fitness updates will continue to be assessed through the coming days, with the coach balancing the returns of Koné and Dybala against the continued uncertainty at goalkeeper and right-back.