Dybala and Malen reunite at Torino as Gasperini weighs attacking options

Niccolò Pisilli is set to make his first Serie A start of the season in Roma's trip to Torino, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini moving to deploy the midfielder alongside Bryan Cristante. The decision comes with Manu Koné sidelined by knee inflammation and training separately; Gasperini has chosen to preserve the French midfielder ahead of the Inter fixture. Pisilli, born in 2004 and a Roma academy product, has made 81 appearances for the club and has already contributed 71 minutes and a goal against Fiorentina this season. Gasperini's faith in the young midfielder reflects a wider commitment: in the summer transfer window, the coach blocked a potential sale to Porto worth approximately €25 million, convinced Pisilli could become an important rotation option. That conviction was reinforced during the Istanbul fixture when Koné was injured and Gasperini again chose Pisilli over Marten de Roon. Emanuele Lulli, born in 2007, offers a parallel story of academy development. The defender has started Roma's first three league matches and impressed against Fiorentina, Lecce, and Atalanta before being rested during the Champions League match against Fenerbahce. His availability for the Torino trip remains uncertain after a bout of influenza forced him to miss the latest training session. Should he recover, he will compete for the right-back spot where Nahuel Molina has not yet reached peak fitness and Devyne Rensch did not convince in Istanbul. Both players embody Roma's strategy of developing talent within the academy system. With a long season ahead across both Serie A and the Champions League, having two Trigoria-raised players capable of earning genuine first-team rotation represents far more than a feel-good story for the club.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is considering resting Paulo Dybala for the first time this season ahead of tomorrow's away match against Torino, which kicks off at 18:30 and is managed by Ignazio Abate. After starting four consecutive matches, the Argentine forward may spend at least part of the fixture on the bench as Roma's technical staff weigh his physical workload and the need to preserve his fitness. Rodrigo Mora is poised to replace him alongside Matías Soulé should Dybala not start. Gasperini would personally prefer to use Dybala in every game, but concerns about the player's injury history and the requirement to manage his muscles are pushing the coaching staff toward caution. Despite a complete pre-season that allowed him to build fitness, Dybala's management demands prudence. The situation echoes the build-up to Roma's match against Atalanta, when reports surfaced of minor physical discomfort; he played the full opening on that occasion and proved decisive, providing the assist for Soulé's goal in Roma's 2-1 success. The final decision rests with a direct conversation between Gasperini and the player. The coming hours at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino will settle any remaining doubts, with Mora ready to step up the striker hierarchy if required.

Emanuele Lulli missed Roma's training session on 12 September due to flu and faces a race against time to be fit for the match at Torino. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will assess the defender's condition in training today and when the squad list is released to determine whether Lulli can travel to Piedmont and feature at the Olimpico Grande Torino. Roma's medical staff will check if the young defender has recovered from fever before deciding on his availability. Should Lulli fail to recover, Devyne Rensch and Nahuel Molina would have increased chances of starting on the flanks for the away fixture.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is considering resting Paulo Dybala for the first time this season ahead of tomorrow's away match against Torino, which kicks off at 18:30 and is managed by Ignazio Abate. After starting four consecutive matches, the Argentine forward may spend at least part of the fixture on the bench as Roma's technical staff weigh his physical workload and the need to preserve his fitness. Rodrigo Mora is poised to replace him alongside Matías Soulé should Dybala not start. Gasperini would personally prefer to use Dybala in every game, but concerns about the player's injury history and the requirement to manage his muscles are pushing the coaching staff toward caution. Despite a complete pre-season that allowed him to build fitness, Dybala's management demands prudence. The situation echoes the build-up to Roma's match against Atalanta, when reports surfaced of minor physical discomfort; he played the full opening on that occasion and proved decisive, providing the assist for Soulé's goal in Roma's 2-1 success. The final decision rests with a direct conversation between Gasperini and the player. The coming hours at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino will settle any remaining doubts, with Mora ready to step up the striker hierarchy if required.

Donyell Malen faces Torino on familiar ground on 15 September, the same stadium where his Roma career truly began in January when he scored within days of arriving in the capital. The Dutch forward has already netted five goals in Roma's first three league matches and can enter rare historical territory if he scores again: he would become only the third player in Roma's history to score more than five goals after the opening four Serie A fixtures, following Pedro Manfredini (seven in 1960–61) and Francesco Totti (six in 2001–02). Gasperini is expected to start Malen again, knowing the striker thrives when served in depth and attacking space behind the defensive line. The possible absence of Paulo Dybala from the opening lineup could shift Roma's approach, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé tasked with finding Malen in the final third. Behind him, Santiago Castro is pressing for opportunity after remaining on the bench throughout Roma's Champions League match against Fenerbahce. The Argentine, nicknamed "Torito", impressed against Atalanta with two shots that struck the woodwork but could not deliver his first Roma goal. Torino presents a chance for both attackers to make their mark in different ways. Malen seeks his first goal in two matches, while Castro chases his maiden Roma strike. Gasperini now has the luxury of rotating two centre-forwards with contrasting qualities, offering tactical flexibility as the season unfolds.

Gian Piero Gasperini is considering tactical adjustments for Roma's visit to Torino before the international break, with particular focus on his attacking setup. Paulo Dybala finished Roma's Istanbul fixture visibly exhausted and suffering from cramps after playing five consecutive matches as a starter, averaging 85 minutes per outing. The risk of fielding him from the start at Torino looms large, especially with the forthcoming derby against Inter at the Olimpico in mind. Matías Soulé is the only forward certain of a starting place, with Rodrigo Mora likely to feature from the opening minute to complete the forward line. A substitution swap between Donyell Malen and Santiago Castro is probable during the match, with Castro having rested during the Champions League game in Istanbul. The Torino fixture arrives at an opportune moment for Roma to restore the attacking potency displayed across their first three Serie A matches. In the league so far, Roma have scored 10 goals from 71 total shots—an average of 23.6 attempts per match. That output stands in sharp contrast to their Champions League performance in Istanbul, where they managed only one goal from eight shots. Gasperini's use of the five-substitution rule offers tactical flexibility both in the starting XI and during play, allowing the coach to manage load and seize attacking chances as the match develops.

Donyell Malen faces Torino on familiar ground on 15 September, the same stadium where his Roma career truly began in January when he scored within days of arriving in the capital. The Dutch forward has already netted five goals in Roma's first three league matches and can enter rare historical territory if he scores again: he would become only the third player in Roma's history to score more than five goals after the opening four Serie A fixtures, following Pedro Manfredini (seven in 1960–61) and Francesco Totti (six in 2001–02). Gasperini is expected to start Malen again, knowing the striker thrives when served in depth and attacking space behind the defensive line. The possible absence of Paulo Dybala from the opening lineup could shift Roma's approach, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé tasked with finding Malen in the final third. Behind him, Santiago Castro is pressing for opportunity after remaining on the bench throughout Roma's Champions League match against Fenerbahce. The Argentine, nicknamed "Torito", impressed against Atalanta with two shots that struck the woodwork but could not deliver his first Roma goal. Torino presents a chance for both attackers to make their mark in different ways. Malen seeks his first goal in two matches, while Castro chases his maiden Roma strike. Gasperini now has the luxury of rotating two centre-forwards with contrasting qualities, offering tactical flexibility as the season unfolds.

Gian Piero Gasperini is considering tactical adjustments for Roma's visit to Torino before the international break, with particular focus on his attacking setup. Paulo Dybala finished Roma's Istanbul fixture visibly exhausted and suffering from cramps after playing five consecutive matches as a starter, averaging 85 minutes per outing. The risk of fielding him from the start at Torino looms large, especially with the forthcoming derby against Inter at the Olimpico in mind. Matías Soulé is the only forward certain of a starting place, with Rodrigo Mora likely to feature from the opening minute to complete the forward line. A substitution swap between Donyell Malen and Santiago Castro is probable during the match, with Castro having rested during the Champions League game in Istanbul. The Torino fixture arrives at an opportune moment for Roma to restore the attacking potency displayed across their first three Serie A matches. In the league so far, Roma have scored 10 goals from 71 total shots—an average of 23.6 attempts per match. That output stands in sharp contrast to their Champions League performance in Istanbul, where they managed only one goal from eight shots. Gasperini's use of the five-substitution rule offers tactical flexibility both in the starting XI and during play, allowing the coach to manage load and seize attacking chances as the match develops.

Niccolò Pisilli is set to start for Roma against Torino on 13 September, filling the midfield slot alongside Bryan Cristante after Manu Koné suffered a slight knee injury during the Champions League visit to Fenerbahçe. The class of 2004 midfielder will make his first Serie A start of the season after three substitute appearances, stepping in as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini manages the squad across a packed fixture schedule. Gasperini opted to deploy Pisilli over Marten de Roon in Turkey, a signal of the hierarchy in midfield. Koné is likely to be rested to avoid compounding the injury ahead of the Inter fixture. Gasperini trusts Pisilli and values his offensive contribution and application without the ball, according to reports in Il Tempo. The coach is expected to make other changes across the defence and attack but will not drastically overhaul the team despite the rapid fixture congestion. Elsewhere, Leonardo Balerdi is pressing for minutes after two decent cameos in earlier games. Devyne Rensch struggled in Istanbul, leaving the right-back position uncertain, with Nahuel Molina still without a league start this season and Emanuele Lulli dealing with flu that prevented him training on 12 September, though he hopes to travel with the squad. Donyell Malen holds a clear advantage over Santiago Castro in attack. The choice among Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora remains fluid; Gasperini has difficulty leaving any of them out and may ask for an effort from one until the international break.

Roma are preparing for their match against Torino on 14 September with several changes across midfield, defence and attack as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini manages the squad's physical demands. Manu Koné will miss the opening in favour of Niccolò Pisilli, who is set to make his first league start of the 2026-27 season after the French midfielder completed a separate training session on 12 September as a precautionary measure. Lorenzo Pellegrini is available again after his absence and will be included in the squad. The defensive line will see Leonardo Balerdi come into contention to replace Gianluca Mancini, who has appeared below his best in recent outings, with Ghilardi also in the frame. Emanuele Lulli is expected to return to the starting XI on the right flank. In attack, Gasperini plans a managed rotation between Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé to control the demands on his forward resources as Roma push forward in their league campaign.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will return to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino tomorrow as Roma's goal-scoring twin act, 238 days after their first meeting on 18 January. Malen made his Roma debut that afternoon in a 2–0 win, partnering Dybala from the start. In just 26 minutes, Dybala set up Malen twice; the first finish was disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside. The chemistry was instant, though Dybala's meniscus injury soon disrupted the partnership's early momentum. Since that January fixture, Malen has made 24 consecutive starts, scoring 20 goals and providing 4 assists. Dybala required surgery on his meniscus but has returned as the focal point of Roma's attack this season. The two have lit up Roma's opening fixtures as the team maintains a perfect start to 2026-27, with Dybala providing multiple assists for Malen across the two seasons. Malen's last goal came at Torino in January; he will have the chance to add to his tally in tomorrow's afternoon kick-off, possibly as a substitute. For Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini, this morning's final training session at Trigoria will prove decisive for their inclusion in Roma's squad for the trip.

Roma face Torino on 14 September with midfielder Manu Koné likely to miss the match or at least the starting lineup. The French midfielder trained separately on 12 September and is in line for rest, clearing the way for Niccolò Pisilli to make his first start. Lorenzo Pellegrini is also available and could return to the squad. In defence, Leonardo Balerdi has the edge over Daniele Ghilardi to replace Gianluca Mancini, who has been below par. Emanuele Lulli is expected to return at right-back. In attack, Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé will share the workload in a rotation arrangement.