Dortmund friendly squad named: Molina included, Wesley sidelined with ankle injury

Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala are edging back towards the starting XI, with the goalkeeper's medical giving a positive result during the international break. Svilar had been sidelined by a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot, picked up in training just over a month ago. He opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery, which allowed the bone callus to form correctly. The Belgian has already trained on the pitch, albeit in a differentiated programme alongside Pierluigi Gollini. The club's aim is to have him back as a regular starter for the trip to Parma when the league resumes. Dybala, who has also returned to group work, could also start from the first minute. Roma are also linked with Atalanta left-back Lorenzo Bernasconi, born in 2003, whose name is picking up transfer speculation ahead of the January window. The left-back, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, has attracted interest from several major clubs including Roma, Milan and Newcastle. His consistency and constant forward runs down the flank have fuelled international interest in a player considered one of the most promising young players in his position in the league. Atalanta, who value their talents highly, are reportedly valuing his contract at between 20 and 25 million euros. Artem Dovbyk, currently on loan from Roma, left the capital last summer in search of more regular football, but his spell at Bologna has not gone as hoped. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his opportunities, and his situation could change during the January window, as Bologna are reportedly considering ending the loan early in the winter session. The two clubs will discuss the matter in the coming weeks. The Ukrainian striker is not part of Gasperini's plans. On Roman radio, the return of Svilar and Dybala was debated. Alessandro Vocalelli told Radio Radio: "Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's. Gollini did very well, although he conceded a few goals he perhaps could have avoided. Vasquez, on the other hand, did his job: he saved a penalty, then had it retaken, and on the goals conceded he had little responsibility." Luigi Ferrajolo added: "Vasquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but the calmness Svilar brings is something else. Gollini was unlucky because he was playing a good game before his injury. I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the match, because I don't think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing."

Roma are using the international break to take stock of the transfer market and the club's finances, with the UEFA verdict on financial fair play now postponed to May. The decision on the settlement agreement will arrive in spring 2027 rather than November, but the delay does not free Roma from their economic constraints: the club must continue to respect UEFA parameters in the winter window too. Gasperini and D'Amico are waiting for direction from the ownership. In attack, Paulo Dybala is nearing a return from injury, reopening the Dovbyk question. Gasperini faces a delicate choice: during Dybala's absence, Matías Soulé has become increasingly influential playing on the right, the position Dybala prefers. Among the possible solutions is moving the number 21 to the opposite flank, a tactical dilemma ahead of the match against Parma. Meanwhile, Bologna are reportedly considering terminating Artem Dovbyk's loan early in January, after just five appearances and one league goal. According to Moretto, a return to Trigoria would not be automatic and would require agreement between the clubs and the player, unless specific clauses apply. The summit to plan January is approaching, but according to Il Tempo, the American ownership is not expected to travel to the Capital. The talks could therefore involve chief executive John Galantic above all. The key issue remains the budget available for reinforcements, with Gasperini and D'Amico awaiting answers. On other targets, Endrick is a Real Madrid player whom Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil's head coach, wants to see in more regular action, while Mourinho continues to oppose his departure. The player's entourage has denied a reported Milan refusal on religious grounds. Roma remain interested in a loan, but the deal cannot progress without Real Madrid's approval. Roma continue to monitor Lookman, who has been used less and less at Atlético Madrid. According to Mundo Deportivo, Simeone is unlikely to accept a sale without a worthy replacement, and the move remains complicated. Gasperini would gladly reunite with the Nigerian, a key figure in the 2024 Europa League triumph. Gasperini is also pushing for Frosinone winger Kvernadze, who has scored three goals and provided four assists in the first eleven matchdays. According to La Gazzetta, Roma could move as early as January rather than waiting for the summer, but Frosinone are preparing a significant salary increase to keep the Georgian. Elsewhere, Jorge Mendes is reportedly seeking a formula to facilitate a move for Barcelona full-back Balde, a Roma target, according to Sport. Roma would prefer a loan, while Barcelona want to recoup a fee, and the possible breakthrough could come in the final days of January. Off the pitch, Roma are accelerating plans for the new stadium. The club aims to deliver the executive project before Christmas, as announced by Lucia Bernabé, the club's head of institutional relations, speaking at the Social Football Summit. The goal is to advance through the process for the new venue following its recognition of public utility.

Roma are preparing their January transfer strategy, with the aim of signing two forwards on loan, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is eager to strengthen the squad. The directions come from Trigoria and combine the ambition of Gasperini with the caution and realism of the ownership. They are simple but not final, and will be updated and shared in the coming weeks. The people handling the negotiations have been at work since early September, but every move must be assessed and approved, or rejected, by the Friedkin family. Sporting director D'Amico knows this well, having been through the same process over the summer. Gasperini said after the win over Sassuolo at the Olimpico, and before the international break: "La Roma è competitiva, ma non numericamente." The sporting director spoke in much the same way that evening, also making clear the type of player Roma want: a high, attacking winger. Roma have 23 players in the squad, which, counting three goalkeepers, leaves just 20 outfield players. Lulli nearly left at the last minute to gain experience, as often happens to players of his age. D'Amico has already understood how he must operate, even without official communication. The plan is loan deals, both of them, while avoiding exceeding the wage bill ceiling. The next step is identifying suitable players. Those considered in the summer are viable options: Luiz Henrique, Leweling and Gittens. Endrick is an obvious target. However, closing deals in the style of Malen, a loan with an obligation (or right) to buy, is too early. Roma need players who are well coached but at odds with their manager or club, ready and willing to change teams. The club are targeting unhappy players, as happened with the Dutchman under Emery at Aston Villa. Waiting is necessary, as injuries and suspensions often cause managers and directors to change their minds about discarded players. Beyond the summer attempts, the agent of Lookman has made clear that his client, little used by Simeone, is pushing to leave Atlético Madrid. Endrick's position is not new; he was close to Roma in the summer. The Brazilian wants to play more. He has no space at Real Madrid, but Mourinho is holding on to him and has already said he will not help the Friedkins. Gasperini is waiting to learn whether and how he will be satisfied. Nobody has spoken with him, not Dan, Ryan or Corbin, and Galantic cannot comment. No meeting is scheduled at present. Endrick would be ideal for Gasperini, who also needs a winger with pace and power, something the squad currently lacks. It is a promise not kept from last year.

Roma midfielder Marten de Roon has criticised the Netherlands, saying the Dutch national side lacks the fierce conviction Argentine players show to push beyond their limits, and he drew the comparison with his own club. Speaking to Ziggo Sport, the Dutch international, who has been called up again by his national team, said the Oranje have quality but are missing that edge. De Roon has quickly become an important figure in the Roma squad, praised for his leadership, his hundreds of recovered balls and a well-established working relationship with Gasperini. He has watched two of the Netherlands' four matches under new head coach Xavi and said the side had performed well, pointing to a positive display against Germany and an excellent second half in the away fixture against Greece. "I saw two of the four matches and we did well. Against Germany the performance was positive and the second half away to Greece was excellent. I glimpsed Xavi's imprint, we have to be positive. The quality is there. What we lack is that fierce conviction the Argentines have to go beyond the limit. I see it here at Roma too: we have several Argentines in the squad, like Molina, Dybala, Castro. Off the pitch they are sociable, but when they play they transform themselves to win. If we developed a bit more cohesion combined with the talent we have, sooner or later we will win."

Marten de Roon has said that Paulo Dybala, Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro have a winning mentality that the Netherlands need to learn, in a long interview with Ziggo Sport. The Roma midfielder spoke about his surprise recall to the Netherlands squad for last summer's World Cup and the national team's progress under head coach Xavi Hernández. De Roon recalled a brief conversation with Ronald Koeman in March, when the then coach told him he was not part of his plans at that time but that something could change ahead of the World Cup. He was given no guarantees. He said he occasionally saw his name in the newspapers when there were injuries, but tried not to get his hopes up. Playing regularly at Atalanta gave him confidence, and he told Koeman simply to focus on his work and that he would be available if needed. He said he had never said goodbye to the national team. When Koeman phoned him at the end of the season, De Roon said he immediately sensed good news. He recalled being asked how he was and whether he was in form, before hearing: "For me there are no doubts, come with us". "From that moment I think I had a smile on my face until the end of the World Cup." De Roon said his mindset at this World Cup was different from 2022, when he set out aiming to play as much as possible. "Compared to 2022, when I left with the aim of playing as much as possible, this time I had a different mindset. If I could have helped the team on the pitch it would have been fantastic, but I was ready to do it off the pitch too. I had been told I was important to the group, for my attitude and the experience I could pass on. I tried to bring positive energy and always make myself available. I knew exactly what my role was and tried to live every moment to the full. Unfortunately we did not achieve the result we hoped for, but I enjoyed every single moment." He also praised the tournament's organisation in the United States: "There was some scepticism before the tournament started, but I have to say everything was organised excellently. The atmosphere was fantastic, as were the facilities. We had everything a national team could need. We trained at an extraordinary sports centre and people were happy to meet us in the street. We lacked nothing, and the mood within the group was exceptional." Looking ahead under Xavi, De Roon said he had watched two of the national team's last four matches and felt the signs were positive. "The performance against Germany pleased me, and the second half against Greece was very good. Xavi's influence is already visible, and we must look to the future with optimism. The quality is there. Perhaps what we need is a little more competitive aggression, that fierce mentality that allows the Argentinians to go beyond their limits. I see it here at Roma too with players like Molina, Dybala and Castro: off the pitch they are calm people, but when they step on to the pitch they completely transform themselves in order to win. If we manage to combine our talent with greater cohesion and mentality, sooner or later we will win again."

Roma's priorities have shifted: a backup for Wesley is no longer a priority, and the club are now focused on strengthening their attack ahead of the winter window. The January market opens early this year, on 28 December, between Christmas and New Year, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly hoping for at least two signings, both in attacking roles. The forward line is short of numbers, and reinforcing it is the absolute priority. Lorenzo Pellegrini will not return until 2027, while Paulo Dybala remains a question mark over his physical condition. Gasperini wants two attacking players. Compared with the summer, the priorities have changed. In the final days of the summer window Roma had also looked at a backup for Wesley, but that is no longer a priority. The coach is willing to keep his group of four wide players, largely thanks to the emergence of Lulli. The 2007-born player has quickly become a fixed point for the Giallorossi and sits ahead of Rensch in the pecking order on the right, often putting pressure on Molina. Balde was recently offered for that role, with his agent the same as Mora's, but all talks are currently frozen. Part of the reason is that a proper transfer summit has yet to take place, and part is that Roma will hunt for forwards to strengthen the attacking unit. Endrick is at the top of the list, but Gittens, van Bommel and Leweling are also under close watch. Kvernadze is considered more difficult to land.

Italy face France tonight in the Nations League, kicking off at 20:45, and coach Roberto Mancini has named his squad, leaving out Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli. Pisilli will watch the match from the stands alongside Cissé, Liberali, Cassano, Palma, Lontani, Ahanor and Gatti. Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi is among the players available to the Italy boss. The Italy squad is made up of three goalkeepers: Donnarumma, Carnesecchi and Vicario. The defenders are Kayode, Scalvini, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco, Palestra and Ghilardi. The midfield options are Ricci, Tonali, Fagioli, Doumbia, Frattesi, Romano, Barella and Vergara. The forwards are S. Esposito, P. Esposito, Scamacca, Cambiaghi and Koleosho. For Roma, Ghilardi's call-up is the main point of interest, while Pisilli's omission means he will not be involved in the national side's fixture against France.

Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli will watch Italy's match against France from the stands, after Italy coach Mancini chose not to include him in the squad for today's fixture. The exclusion halts the midfielder's return to the senior national team. Pisilli had returned to the Italy senior setup after helping the Under-21 side qualify for the next European Championship. This time, however, he will only be a spectator. Cissé and Liberali will also be in the stands. Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi, who was called up during the previous international break, has been retained by Mancini and could feature against France, coached by Zidane. The article notes it is hard to imagine him starting, but Ghilardi is viewed as an extra option to bring on once the match is underway.

Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli will not be available to Italy for the match against France, with Roberto Mancini naming him among the players who will be in the stands just hours before kickoff. Reporting by TMW, which the Italian source relays through TeleRadioStereo, says Pisilli will be joined on the sidelines by Honest Ahanor, Matteo Palma, Federico Gatti, Alphadjo Cisse and Mattia Liberali. Pisilli will not be able to add to his tally with the senior national team against France. The Roma midfielder has already made 4 appearances and scored one goal for Italy, but Mancini has decided not to include him in the list of players available for tonight's game. He remains with the Azzurri squad for this international break. Pisilli's selection snub comes after a strong start to the season with Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini, where he is finding consistency and a growing influence, including in front of goal. Born in 2004, he has been one of the more prominent young Italians in the Giallorossi midfield this campaign.

Roma have reportedly put the brakes on their pursuit of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to Spanish daily SPORT, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly identifying other priorities for the squad. The update, dated 11 November, comes after Roma had been linked with the Spaniard as they look to strengthen ahead of the January transfer window. Sporting director Tony D'Amico had reportedly been weighing up Balde, a left-back who could leave Barcelona as early as January. The deal was first proposed by agent Jorge Mendes, and D'Amico reportedly rated the player's qualities positively. However, Balde's high wage demands and Roma's current market needs have reportedly cooled negotiations. Gasperini has reportedly asked the club to focus on two offensive reinforcements with very specific characteristics, and is willing to drop the Balde option to concentrate resources on other targets he considers more functional to the technical project. For now, the Spaniard has reportedly fallen off Roma's list of priorities. Earlier, on 7 November, SPORT had reported that D'Amico had already made a first contact with Balde's agent to test whether the operation was feasible. At Barcelona, the need to raise funds is reportedly colliding with head coach Hansi Flick's wish to invest in a new centre-back. With only 124 minutes played so far this season, Balde has reportedly become one of the main candidates for sale. Barcelona's valuation is said to be around €40 million, though a loan with a conditional obligation to buy could reportedly suit both sides. The background is a difficult spell for Roma. Earlier, on 23 October, Il Messaggero reported that a growing injury list, including Pellegrini, Dybala, Svilar and Koné, had left Gasperini forced to rethink his attacking midfield, with only Mora and Soulé behind Malen and Cristante even considered further forward. The club was reportedly expected to invest in at least two reinforcements between attack and the flanks in January, with Gittens and Leweling on the notebook and Endrick as a complicated option. Oosterwolde was also mentioned as a left-sided target alongside Balde.

Roma radio pundits used the latest edition of the On Air roundup to debate the club's January transfer plans, with Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista claiming that Roma would win the Scudetto if they could sign Gittens and Endrick. He added: "If I could have Gittens and Endrick today, Roma would win the Scudetto. Or at least they would fight it out until the last matchday with Inter." The Italian headline also carries comments from Lorenzo Pes and Checco Oddo Casano on the UEFA financial verdict and its effect on the market. The main backdrop is the Financial Fair Play case. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport said the UEFA ruling will come in May, and that the parameters had already been reported: the reduction of the squad cost and Roma's virtuous process, helped by Champions League money. He said: "I take it as good news, Roma are on a virtuous path." Casano disagreed on the market impact, saying: "Nobody has ever talked about a blocked market. Nobody at Trigoria is certain of a budget to spend in January, regardless of the UEFA matter." He added: "Not knowing what kind of verdict you will get, you cannot go to Real in January and say: 'Here are 70 million for Endrick'. You would risk worsening your position in the eyes of your judge." On the squad, Roberto Pruzzo said: "Roma have reacted well to the absences: Soulè has played very well and has at times taken the team in hand, while the striker up front has dropped off a little, but it seems to me you have absorbed the injuries well. Now you can restart with more certainties." Lo Monaco argued that Castro and Malen struggle to play together, as they do more or less the same things, and that Endrick could be the alternative to Dybala with Mora as a trequartista. Andrea Pugliese said Soulè and Dybala do their best work on the right and asked where Soulè would play once Dybala returns to the starting line-up, adding that Dybala would be almost certain to start in Parma. Petruzzi said Mora has scored 4 goals and Soulè has also scored, and that Dybala will play whenever he is at 100%. On Lookman, Mario Corsi said: "With Gasperini I would take Lookman. He has scored only one goal at Atletico Madrid, and maybe that is why they are ready to sell him." Pes said: "If I had to sign someone who can really help you, it would be Lookman. If there were the chance to work together again, the old grudges would be smoothed over." He also said that Gasperini does not want a Greenwood-type player but someone who can help, and that a midfield reinforcement may be needed given Koné's injury record and Pellegrini's absence. Pes added that a major sale is hard to see at this point of the season. Pes said the official FPF sanction will arrive in the spring, but that Roma will probably know something in the coming weeks. On the January window, he said: "We cannot take anything for granted, but something will be done." Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio, defended Svilar, arguing that his absence has not cost Roma points in Serie A or the Champions League, and that the only goalkeeper without blame against Real was the goalkeeper himself.

Roma's January transfer planning is waiting on concrete signals from the Friedkin family in Houston, with the club's strategy expected to be defined this week. The break for international fixtures is seen as a crucial moment to plan the winter window, while Roma's aim remains to stay close to the top of the Serie A table. Il Tempo reports that, barring surprises, no members of the Friedkin family are expected to arrive in Rome. The club is also waiting to learn the outcome of its settlement agreement with UEFA, which will determine the room available for investment. Gian Piero Gasperini's direct contact for market matters and corporate affairs remains CEO John Galantic, with a meeting expected in the coming days. The technical area and sporting director Tony D'Amico have already set the priorities: a striker and a winger, ideally with the qualities of Moreira, who was pursued months ago. Endrick remains at the top of the wish list, although the deal is considered complex in several respects. Kvernadze's stock among the other profiles studied by the club has fallen, as he does not fully convince. Unlike the situation last summer, Gasperini's plans also include the possibility of signing a new midfielder, should the budget granted by the ownership allow it. Although satisfied with the performance of the department, the coach has begun to reflect on the difficulties of the season so far. Koné tends to stop from time to time, De Roon, while still reliable, is of significant age, and Pellegrini is getting less and less playing time. For these reasons, if there is room to manoeuvre, Roma will consider a addition in midfield.