Dybala in brilliant form and Gasperini will not drop him; now seeking that elusive first goal

Torino head coach Ignazio Abate has praised Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical innovations ahead of tomorrow's 18:30 kickoff against Roma, while confirming two injury concerns for his own squad. Adams is unavailable with an adductor problem, and Simeone is doubtful with a back issue. Abate used his pre-match press conference to frame the fixture as a significant test of Torino's progress this season. He noted that Roma, buoyed by their victory at Florence, present a formidable challenge. "They are a strong team living a brilliant moment with great individual players, and we are ready," he said. Torino's recent integration of new players is progressing well, he added, with the group two weeks into their work together and improving in tactical understanding and physical condition. Coco has recovered from injury and is available. On his opposite number, Abate said: "He has revolutionised modern football with his man-to-man approach. It is very vertical, he invades the box with many players, he has revolutionised modern football—his career speaks for itself." Abate rejected the notion of the match as an examination of his team's maturity. "For us it is not a test of maturity, it is a step, a journey started a few months ago. We also have our weapons and we must try to deploy them on the pitch."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Paulo Dybala's availability and playing time, stating that the forward will always play when fit. Gasperini said: "The important thing is to try to make the most of each player's favourable moment. All matches are tough." He also noted that injuries cannot be foreseen, addressing questions around squad rotation and selection decisions. Gasperini's comments came as Roma prepare for fixtures ahead, with Dybala's fitness status a point of focus for the campaign. The coach dismissed any suggestion of artificial hierarchies in the squad, emphasizing a performance-based approach to team selection.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has publicly defended midfielder Marten de Roon, emphasizing the player's value to the club. Gasperini said: "De Roon was for many years a player who brought honour to the name of Atalanta and the city of Bergamo." The coach's comments underline de Roon's standing within the Roma squad, rejecting any suggestion that the midfielder might be sidelined. Gasperini framed the signing as a coup for the club, stating: "He could not have ended up on the shelf. It is a fortune to have him at Roma." De Roon, who joined Roma this summer, represents an experienced midfield addition as the club pursues their Champions League campaign this season.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Paulo Dybala's availability and playing time, stating that the forward will always play when fit. Gasperini said: "The important thing is to try to make the most of each player's favourable moment. All matches are tough." He also noted that injuries cannot be foreseen, addressing questions around squad rotation and selection decisions. Gasperini's comments came as Roma prepare for fixtures ahead, with Dybala's fitness status a point of focus for the campaign. The coach dismissed any suggestion of artificial hierarchies in the squad, emphasizing a performance-based approach to team selection.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria on 13 September ahead of Torino–Roma on Monday 14 September at 18:30, addressing squad fitness after the Champions League fixture in Istanbul. The coach confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini's return to the squad and left open the possibility of Manu Koné featuring after a knee problem. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini was unambiguous: "If he is well he always plays. There is no doubt about it. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict injury; we do not have a crystal ball. Tomorrow we have to play a great match to win at Torino, because it will be a difficult game and we need a squad at full strength." Pellegrini, he announced, would be included in the squad. "Perhaps for the first time, fingers crossed, we have everyone," Gasperini said. "We will see how Lulli is; he seems better today." Koné would test his fitness on 13 September: "He tries today; he could be there too." Wesley took a heavy blow to the knee late in the Istanbul match but Gasperini expressed confidence: "These are very strong athletes physically who recover in two days, let alone four." Molina, who arrived around 30 August, was described as "growing. Like De Roon and the latest arrivals, he needs to recover. On the value of the players there is no doubt." On Donyell Malen's form, Gasperini said: "The numbers are extraordinary. He has had excellent continuity. Taking Malen, I knew he was an important player for us, but we have certainly gone beyond expectations." He praised Rodrigo Mora as a player of "great talent" who "must complete himself both physically and tactically," adding: "I do not think there is a boy in the world who can be more of a protagonist than him at this moment." On Leonardo Balerdi's arrival strengthening the defence, Gasperini deflected comparisons of hierarchy: "Stop with the hierarchy talk; it is not fair to the players giving their maximum. Ghilardi has grown, Koulierakis is an important alternative, and at Marseille Balerdi did something remarkable. In Champions teams there are more first-choice players."

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fixture against Torino, addressing squad rotation, injury concerns and the demands of competing in European football alongside a packed domestic schedule. Gasperini rejected questions about defensive hierarchies, insisting the concept was counterproductive to team morale. "Please stop talking about hierarchies," he said. "It makes no sense and has no effect on the squad. Everyone is giving an important contribution. Ghilardi has improved, Koulierakis is an important alternative. We knew about Balerdi — he did something remarkable at Marseille, he's not a youngster. When you're in the Champions League there are multiple starters, otherwise it always becomes something controversial." He praised Daniele Ghilardi's development and highlighted the quality of defenders including Leonardo Balerdi, who arrived from Marseille. The coach also defended Marten de Roon following a banner displayed at Atalanta's Bergamo stadium, saying: "He's been a player who raised the name of Bergamo for many years. It's our good fortune to have him here. As soon as he finds his condition he'll be a player of great quality." On Paulo Dybala's availability, Gasperini was categorical: "If he's well he always plays. There's no doubt. A player rests when he's tired. You can't predict an injury, we don't have a crystal ball — if he's well he plays." Regarding Manu Koné, the coach confirmed: "Koné tests today, he could be there." Gasperini also announced the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini: "Tomorrow we recover Pellegrini too, he'll travel with us. Perhaps for the first time we really have everyone." He noted that Emanuele Lulli had a slight fever but was improving. On young forward Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini said: "I see a young player with enormous talent. He needs to complete himself physically and tactically, he arrived not long ago but what he's shown from the start or coming on mid-match is that of a youngster of great level. I don't believe there's a young player in the world capable of being the protagonist more than him right now." Wesley suffered a heavy blow to the knee on Thursday that affected him, though Gasperini expects him to recover. Nahuel Molina arrived on 30 August and has been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season preparation, but is improving. Gasperini stressed the challenge of managing fixture congestion with European competition, noting that Roma must now navigate an even more demanding schedule. He emphasised that all 20 outfield players plus goalkeepers were capable of contributing to the club's opportunity in the Champions League, where squad depth would be critical.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria on 13 September ahead of Torino–Roma on Monday 14 September at 18:30, addressing squad fitness after the Champions League fixture in Istanbul. The coach confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini's return to the squad and left open the possibility of Manu Koné featuring after a knee problem. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini was unambiguous: "If he is well he always plays. There is no doubt about it. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict injury; we do not have a crystal ball. Tomorrow we have to play a great match to win at Torino, because it will be a difficult game and we need a squad at full strength." Pellegrini, he announced, would be included in the squad. "Perhaps for the first time, fingers crossed, we have everyone," Gasperini said. "We will see how Lulli is; he seems better today." Koné would test his fitness on 13 September: "He tries today; he could be there too." Wesley took a heavy blow to the knee late in the Istanbul match but Gasperini expressed confidence: "These are very strong athletes physically who recover in two days, let alone four." Molina, who arrived around 30 August, was described as "growing. Like De Roon and the latest arrivals, he needs to recover. On the value of the players there is no doubt." On Donyell Malen's form, Gasperini said: "The numbers are extraordinary. He has had excellent continuity. Taking Malen, I knew he was an important player for us, but we have certainly gone beyond expectations." He praised Rodrigo Mora as a player of "great talent" who "must complete himself both physically and tactically," adding: "I do not think there is a boy in the world who can be more of a protagonist than him at this moment." On Leonardo Balerdi's arrival strengthening the defence, Gasperini deflected comparisons of hierarchy: "Stop with the hierarchy talk; it is not fair to the players giving their maximum. Ghilardi has grown, Koulierakis is an important alternative, and at Marseille Balerdi did something remarkable. In Champions teams there are more first-choice players."

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fixture against Torino, addressing squad rotation, injury concerns and the demands of competing in European football alongside a packed domestic schedule. Gasperini rejected questions about defensive hierarchies, insisting the concept was counterproductive to team morale. "Please stop talking about hierarchies," he said. "It makes no sense and has no effect on the squad. Everyone is giving an important contribution. Ghilardi has improved, Koulierakis is an important alternative. We knew about Balerdi — he did something remarkable at Marseille, he's not a youngster. When you're in the Champions League there are multiple starters, otherwise it always becomes something controversial." He praised Daniele Ghilardi's development and highlighted the quality of defenders including Leonardo Balerdi, who arrived from Marseille. The coach also defended Marten de Roon following a banner displayed at Atalanta's Bergamo stadium, saying: "He's been a player who raised the name of Bergamo for many years. It's our good fortune to have him here. As soon as he finds his condition he'll be a player of great quality." On Paulo Dybala's availability, Gasperini was categorical: "If he's well he always plays. There's no doubt. A player rests when he's tired. You can't predict an injury, we don't have a crystal ball — if he's well he plays." Regarding Manu Koné, the coach confirmed: "Koné tests today, he could be there." Gasperini also announced the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini: "Tomorrow we recover Pellegrini too, he'll travel with us. Perhaps for the first time we really have everyone." He noted that Emanuele Lulli had a slight fever but was improving. On young forward Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini said: "I see a young player with enormous talent. He needs to complete himself physically and tactically, he arrived not long ago but what he's shown from the start or coming on mid-match is that of a youngster of great level. I don't believe there's a young player in the world capable of being the protagonist more than him right now." Wesley suffered a heavy blow to the knee on Thursday that affected him, though Gasperini expects him to recover. Nahuel Molina arrived on 30 August and has been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season preparation, but is improving. Gasperini stressed the challenge of managing fixture congestion with European competition, noting that Roma must now navigate an even more demanding schedule. He emphasised that all 20 outfield players plus goalkeepers were capable of contributing to the club's opportunity in the Champions League, where squad depth would be critical.

Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury update during his pre-match press conference ahead of Roma's fixture against Torino, confirming progress on several fronts while flagging concerns over others. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Emanuele Lulli are the most encouraging cases, with both expected to return imminently, though Manu Koné faced a decisive fitness test on 13 September to determine his availability. Wesley suffered a knock to the knee during Roma's last match that affected his performance in the closing stages and remains under observation. Gasperini addressed each player's status directly. On Wesley, he said: "Wesley took a knock on the knee the other evening that hampered him a bit in the final stages." Pellegrini will be available for selection tomorrow, the coach confirmed, while Lulli's recent fever has cleared. The key unknown centres on Koné, the midfielder who picked up a knee complaint and underwent a session on 13 September to establish his fitness level and provide clearer guidance on his condition. The injury news arrives as Roma prepare for their next league match, with the fitness of these squad members likely to shape Gasperini's team selection. Pellegrini's imminent return bolsters Roma's midfield options, and Lulli's recovery from fever means the defensive depth improves. Koné's test result will be pivotal to how many options Gasperini can deploy in the centre of the park for the fixture ahead.