Dybala closes in on Cagliari return after partial training with the group

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his usual eve-of-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30 ahead of Roma's Serie A ninth-round clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening. The coach is expected to address the team's condition, the threats posed by the opponents and the recovery progress of injured players Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala, with Dybala potentially back in the matchday squad. The build-up follows a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Napoli, in which Roma twice rescued a point after falling behind. Having drawn level twice, the Giallorossi now turn their attention straight to the home fixture against Cagliari, a game that carries significant weight as the team looks to build on that resilient display. Gasperini's briefing will give supporters a first official update on the squad's fitness ahead of the midweek fixture. Dybala's possible return would be a boost for Roma's attack, while the availability of Svilar and Koné will also be closely watched as the coach finalises his selection for the match at the Olimpico.

Paulo Dybala is ready to return to the squad for Gian Piero Gasperini, with fresh positive tests on the pitch at Trigoria today confirming his progress in recovering from a problem to his right calf. The Argentine forward, according to Filippo Biafora, took part partially in group training today. According to Angelo Mangiante of Sky Sport, La Joya will be called up for Roma-Cagliari, scheduled for Tuesday 27 October at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. He will initially start on the bench, with Gasperini potentially giving him a few minutes during the second half. This is an important recovery, and faster than initially expected. After the muscle problem he suffered against Real Madrid, follow-up checks had revealed a small injury to the gastrocnemius (calf muscle), raising fears of a longer layoff. The improvement in his physical condition has instead allowed Dybala to speed up his recovery. Barring setbacks, he will finally return on Tuesday among the attacking options available to the Giallorossi boss. The news is a welcome boost for Gasperini ahead of the Cagliari fixture, as Dybala's return adds another attacking option to the coach's selection. Mangiante's report is the source of the Sky Sport information on his availability.

Paulo Dybala has taken part in part of a training session with the squad at Trigoria, and the test on the pitch gave positive answers, raising the chances of the Argentine being named in the squad for Tuesday's match against Cagliari. Filippo Biafora reported that Dybala is recovering from a slight calf muscle injury, and whether he returns to the bench will depend on how he feels over the coming hours. For Gasperini, Dybala would be a valuable option in an attack with few alternatives. Meanwhile, Svilar's recovery continues, but the timeframe for the goalkeeper remains to be assessed. The Cagliari fixture is two days away, and Dybala's availability would give the head coach more options up front at a time when the attacking department is thin.

Matías Soulé was the standout performer as Roma beat Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, scoring his third Serie A goal of the season. The Argentine forward carried the side on his shoulders, and the strike is considered one of the finest he has scored since joining the club. Soulé scored the same number of league goals at this stage last season, but this season he looks like a different player: more of a leader, and not missing Paulo Dybala's absence. Sofascore's data underline his all-round display: four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, eight duels won, four successful dribbles and the same number of ball recoveries. He was valuable both in attack and in defensive work. This summer Soulé came close to leaving the club. Arab clubs knocked on the door, but he never wanted to leave Roma and chose to stay in football's biggest arena. It is an understandable decision for a 23-year-old. Next up is Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is again expected to lead the line. Dybala is improving and will be called up, but he is expected to return from the first minute against Udinese. Soulé is ready to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. The groin problem (pubalgia) that held him back last year is no longer an issue, and he has also earned a place in the Argentina national team.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his usual eve-of-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30 ahead of Roma's Serie A ninth-round clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening. The coach is expected to address the team's condition, the threats posed by the opponents and the recovery progress of injured players Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala, with Dybala potentially back in the matchday squad. The build-up follows a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Napoli, in which Roma twice rescued a point after falling behind. Having drawn level twice, the Giallorossi now turn their attention straight to the home fixture against Cagliari, a game that carries significant weight as the team looks to build on that resilient display. Gasperini's briefing will give supporters a first official update on the squad's fitness ahead of the midweek fixture. Dybala's possible return would be a boost for Roma's attack, while the availability of Svilar and Koné will also be closely watched as the coach finalises his selection for the match at the Olimpico.

Gian Piero Gasperini will face the media on Tuesday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's home match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. The head coach is returning to press conferences after missing the one held on the eve of the trip to Maradona, where Roma drew with Napoli. Roma are back in action straight after that draw with Napoli, and the Cagliari fixture comes quickly. Paulo Dybala is in good spirits after training partially with the group today. Manu Koné, Mile Svilar and Lorenzo Pellegrini are ruled out. Rodrigo Mora could be handed a place in the starting line-up, expected to play behind Donyell Malen in a partnership with Matías Soulé.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his usual eve-of-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30 ahead of Roma's Serie A ninth-round clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening. The coach is expected to address the team's condition, the threats posed by the opponents and the recovery progress of injured players Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala, with Dybala potentially back in the matchday squad. The build-up follows a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Napoli, in which Roma twice rescued a point after falling behind. Having drawn level twice, the Giallorossi now turn their attention straight to the home fixture against Cagliari, a game that carries significant weight as the team looks to build on that resilient display. Gasperini's briefing will give supporters a first official update on the squad's fitness ahead of the midweek fixture. Dybala's possible return would be a boost for Roma's attack, while the availability of Svilar and Koné will also be closely watched as the coach finalises his selection for the match at the Olimpico.

Gian Piero Gasperini will face the media on Tuesday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's home match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. The head coach is returning to press conferences after missing the one held on the eve of the trip to Maradona, where Roma drew with Napoli. Roma are back in action straight after that draw with Napoli, and the Cagliari fixture comes quickly. Paulo Dybala is in good spirits after training partially with the group today. Manu Koné, Mile Svilar and Lorenzo Pellegrini are ruled out. Rodrigo Mora could be handed a place in the starting line-up, expected to play behind Donyell Malen in a partnership with Matías Soulé.

Paulo Dybala has taken part in part of a training session with the squad at Trigoria, and the test on the pitch gave positive answers, raising the chances of the Argentine being named in the squad for Tuesday's match against Cagliari. Filippo Biafora reported that Dybala is recovering from a slight calf muscle injury, and whether he returns to the bench will depend on how he feels over the coming hours. For Gasperini, Dybala would be a valuable option in an attack with few alternatives. Meanwhile, Svilar's recovery continues, but the timeframe for the goalkeeper remains to be assessed. The Cagliari fixture is two days away, and Dybala's availability would give the head coach more options up front at a time when the attacking department is thin.