Source: Get Italian Football News
Roma face a significant fitness concern ahead of tomorrow's Derby della Capitale against SS Lazio, with midfielder Manu Kone suffering a muscle problem sustained during training. The French midfielder stopped training immediately after the injury and is now a major doubt for the match. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is awaiting updates from Roma's medical team to determine his availability, though the expectation is that Kone will not feature in the derby.
Kone has been one of Roma's standout performers this season and his potential absence represents a considerable blow to the team's prospects. The midfielder's value lies in his ability to carry the ball out of defensive situations, control play, and drive forward cleanly. Without him, Roma tend to adopt a more cautious approach and appear slower in their rhythm compared to matches where he plays. In high-pressure encounters such as a derby, his presence offers tangible benefits that are difficult to replace from the current squad. Roma cannot risk aggravating the injury with the upcoming World Cup break, making careful management of his fitness a priority.
Edoardo Motta has already been ruled out for the fixture, meaning Roma will be without key personnel for the fixture. The medical team's assessment over the coming hours will determine the final decision on Kone's participation.
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2 Serie A will witness a much-awaited Rome derby tomorrow but it seems like Roma have been dealt a blow – like their rivals, ahead of the tie. Edoardo Motta has already been ruled out for the game. Now, it is the Giallorossi’s Manu Kone who is a huge doubt for the tie. Tuttomercatoweb note that he picked up a muscle problem in training today and stopped short instantly. His fitness will be monitored in the next few hours but the likelihood is that he will not play tomorrow. Gian Piero Gasperini is currently awaiting updates from the medical team about the Frenchman, who has been a standout player in the campaign. Kone’s absence will be massive Roma don’t really have a player in the squad who mirrors Kone’s playing style or general quality. He can bring the ball out of difficult positions, dictate play and often carry the ball forward quite cleanly. Without him, Roma often look overly cautious and slower than usual. When the tensions are high, a player like Kone offers value which can’t be underestimated. Sadly with the World Cup coming up, the Giallorossi can’t even risk him with the muscle issue. Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
Wesley is close to returning to full training at Roma's Trigoria facility, bringing positive news for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of the summer preparation period. The midfielder's recovery is progressing well through its staged phases. Details of his specific injury timeline and expected availability remain unclear from the available information.
The World Cup Round of 16 stage begins today with Morocco playing Canada at 19:00, followed by France versus Paraguay at 23:00. Morocco, fresh from eliminating the Netherlands, will field El Aynaoui and Bouaddi in midfield, with a possible opportunity for Salah-Eddine on the left wing. France remain undefeated and face Paraguay seeking to advance to the quarter-finals. The winner of the Morocco-Canada match will meet France or Paraguay in the next round, potentially creating an all-Roma derby scenario. Meanwhile, AS Roma has three players still in World Cup contention: Koné, El Aynaoui, and Salah-Eddine. Koné will start for France in place of Aurélien Tchouameni, the Real Madrid midfielder who is sidelined by a thigh injury but is expected to recover for the quarter-finals if France progresses. Three other Roma players—Çelik, Ndicka, and Malen—have been eliminated from the tournament in recent days.
Paulo Dybala is close to signing a contract renewal with AS Roma, with an agreement reportedly within hours. The Argentine playmaker has impressed Roma in recent matches, convincing the club to extend his stay for another season. Final details surrounding a bonus from the previous season are being resolved. Dybala underwent surgery in March under Professor Pier Paolo Mariani, who addressed questions about the player's future durability. Mariani dismissed concerns that Dybala cannot sustain peak performance over a full campaign, attributing his past absences to muscular injuries and functional overload rather than structural weakness or fragility. He stated: "According to me there are a few prejudices linked to his ability to be competitive for the entire season. Knowing human physiology well, I believe Dybala is an absolute world-class player. In the past his problems were mainly linked to muscle injuries or functional overloads, not a problem concerning his durability or the supposed fragility of the player. With expertise linked especially to preparation and with personalized training he can be managed, because it is better to prevent than to cure. With these attentions he can have total durability and can play at high levels until he is 40 years old." Mariani confirmed Dybala made excellent progress in his recovery, working with great consistency during rehabilitation. The surgeon emphasized that differentiated programming and tailored training regimens can prevent recurring issues.