Dybala in line for Verona start as Roma contract talks continue

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pressing the club's management and ownership for at least two signings in the January transfer window, as a thin squad struggles under the weight of congested fixtures. Corriere della Sera reported the coach's push ahead of the winter session. The most pressing issue is the attack, where resources have become very limited. Gasperini continues to rely mainly on Soulé and Malen, and Rodrigo Mora is likely to complete the front three again tonight against Sassuolo, having started both in Udine and at Old Trafford. Alternatives exist, but the options for genuinely changing the look of the department are limited. The absences of Dybala and Pellegrini weigh heavily. Dybala could return after the international break, but his physical condition remains a question mark. Pellegrini's situation is more complicated, with his return appearing further away. In recent weeks there had even been talk of possible surgery, a hypothesis on which no definitive clarification has yet emerged. The difficulties extend beyond the front line. Midfield rotation has been reduced to a minimum, with Cristante and De Roon forced to shoulder a particularly heavy workload during the Koné emergency. Over the summer Gasperini had chosen to rely on just four central midfielders, to guarantee continuity and give everyone space. The recent struggles may now lead him to reconsider that decision. Hence the request for at least two additions to increase selection options and handle the double commitment of Serie A and the Champions League. They do not necessarily have to be two strikers: the discussion with the club will define where to intervene, taking into account technical priorities and market opportunities. Sporting director Tony D'Amico is already working to identify the right profiles and economically sustainable formulas. Gasperini has stressed what he considers necessary: to stay competitive across several fronts, a quality starting XI is not enough. Quality alternatives are also needed, especially when injuries concentrate in the same areas. January, this time, must deliver concrete answers.

Manu Koné could be a surprise inclusion for Roma against Sassuolo, with Il Romanista reporting this morning that the French midfielder may not only return to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad but could even start alongside Bryan Cristante. Until recently, Koné looked set to miss the final match before the international break. The situation has changed sharply after Zinedine Zidane left the midfielder out of France's squad for their matches against Italy and Turkey. That decision appeared to confirm that Koné needed more time to recover from the muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid. Instead, Gasperini is reportedly considering handing him a starting place straight away. Koné has gradually recovered from the thigh problem, and his return would be important for a Roma midfield that has been asked to work overtime in recent weeks. Because France did not call him up, he will stay at Trigoria during the break with no further international commitments. Two steps will confirm whether the plan becomes reality. The first comes this morning, when Roma publish their list of players called up, which will show whether Koné is available. The second is this evening, when the official line-ups for the match against Sassuolo are announced. The fixture is scheduled for 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Until then caution is needed, but a return to the starting XI for Koné after the latest news would be a real surprise for Gasperini and Roma.

Gasperini has already entered pressing mode with the club, demanding two reinforcements to lengthen the squad before the January transfer window, with sporting director D'Amico reportedly working on the request. The push comes ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a fixture that the coach has learned not to take for granted after a difficult week that included a 2-1 defeat...

Roma face Sassuolo with pundits on Radio Radio agreeing that three points are essential for the squad's morale after a demanding Champions League trip. Matera said the game would be important for morale because it comes after a Champions League away fixture that has brought with it all the problems Roma have been facing. Carina said Roma are playing very well and that the match must be won "senza se e senza ma" (without ifs or buts). He pointed out that Sassuolo are in free fall, have conceded 16 goals in their last four matches and have the worst defence in the league. Carina also said Gollini appears unlikely to play tonight because of back pain, which he described as serious for a goalkeeper, and that Vásquez should therefore get the start. He added: "We hope Dybala returns after the break: if Roma did not go well, Dybala would become a front-page case. Whatever happens, Inter-Como will be a success, provided Roma take the three points." Pruzzo said it is difficult to see any danger for Roma because Sassuolo have no energy left. He noted that Aquilani, who had been linked with Como, has experienced the exact opposite, and said: "I don't know if he will be able to keep his job." Pruzzo added: "Roma must take advantage of this: they are not struggling to win these matches. After the cup game there is a need to play a match that allows you to win." Orsi said the game looked like a stroll and represented an opportunity to confirm what Roma have been doing. He said Sassuolo, against Udinese, looked like a weak side that always concedes. "Today I cannot think that Roma will not come home with the three points. If Roma play like Roma for 60 minutes, score three goals and then manage the game." Orsi said he would have picked N'Dicka against Manchester rather than against Sassuolo, but that the changes are forced and it is difficult to choose. He added: "The only thing asked of Roma is to be more consistent in performances over 90 minutes: it is difficult to maintain those rhythms, but you have to pace them."

Roma face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico tonight in the final match before the international break, and Gasperini wants an immediate reaction to put the Manchester defeat behind them. The Giallorossi host Sassuolo as they look to leave their recent European loss in the past and consolidate their Serie A ambitions. According to Il Tempo, the few days of training at Trigoria, slowed in part by travel problems returning from England, saw Gasperini focus above all on the players' mindset. There was no tactical overhaul and no public criticism; the aim was to lift pressure and restore the confidence Roma showed after the defeat to Real Madrid. That confidence has produced a Serie A run of seven wins, three draws and no defeats. Gasperini has skipped the pre-match press conference, but he expects an immediate response on the pitch, asking for greater focus in the second halves and the team's usual identity of play. A win over Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Aquilani, would mean not only putting the Champions League behind them but also taking advantage of other results, such as Como-Inter, to reach the break in a strong league position. Selection remains affected by injuries. In goal, Gollini's back pain and Svilar's knock mean Vásquez will once again protect the posts. In defence, Ghilardi may take the place of Mancini or N'Dicka, both not fully fit. Dybala will not be called up because of his recurring muscle problems. Up front, quality takes centre stage: Soulé and Mora will operate behind Donyell Malen, ready to add creativity and tempo to the attack.

Rodrigo Mora is set to lead Roma's attack again in the crucial Serie A clash with Sassuolo, as the 19-year-old Portuguese looks to extend his scoring run. Having handled the toughest tests in Europe and Serie A, Mora is silencing doubts about his value and the price of his transfer fee. He has become a key figure for Gian Piero Gasperini, particularly with Roma missing several heavy hitters in attack. The Messaggero reports that Mora's development is delighting the whole Giallorossi camp. His performances, both in the league and against top-level opponents such as Real Madrid and Manchester United, have shown surprising maturity. He has two goals and two assists in his last three matches, and the teenager has shown personality, quality and an ability to make the difference in decisive moments. With Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined for a long time, and the captain not expected back until 2027, Gasperini has handed Mora the keys to the midfield-attack area. Sassuolo have the worst defence in the division and are likely to sit deep to limit the damage, giving Mora the chance to set a new personal record by scoring in a third consecutive match. The run has also brought a call-up to the Portugal senior squad from Jorge Jesus, arriving in the same week that Cristiano Ronaldo bid farewell to the Seleção. The selection places Mora on course for Nations League fixtures against Wales and Denmark. First, though, comes the test against Sassuolo, and a chance to confirm once again that he is a fixed point in the Roma side.

Pierluigi Gollini will not be available for tonight's match against Sassuolo, as the back pain he suffered before the Manchester United game has not yet cleared. Devis Vásquez will therefore keep his place in goal. For the Colombian it will be a return to Serie A after 16 months; his last appearance came on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Roma are looking to bounce back against Sassuolo after their defeat at Manchester United. Vásquez is set to be confirmed in goal, with Gollini still doubtful. In defence, the real battle for a place is between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Ndicka and Hermoso are favoured to complete the back line. Cristante and De Roon are expected to continue in midfield, with Molina and Wesley on the flanks. Up front, the newspapers agree on a trio of Soulé, Mora and Malen. Il Tempo, Il Messaggero, Corriere dello Sport, Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera all report the line-up picture. Separately, Koné has been in the news after France's decision, and he could even start against Sassuolo. Gasperini is also reported to be pushing the club to bring in two reinforcements in the transfer market, with the problem extending beyond the attack.

Roma host Sassuolo, coached by former Roma midfielder Aquilani, in their Serie A matchday 11 fixture at the Stadio Olimpico, with kickoff at 20:45. Gasperini wants a response from his players after the defeat in Manchester, aiming to continue an excellent start to the season and take advantage of the day's other results, Inter v Como and Napoli v Lazio, which could help Roma in the table. Gollini will not be available for the match, so Devis Vásquez is confirmed in goal. The central defensive places remain open, with Ghilardi or Mancini competing for one spot and Balerdi or N'Dicka for another. Up front, the trio of Soulé, Mora and Malen is confirmed. The Italian newspapers largely agree on the starting line-up. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica all name Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso at the back; Molina, Cristante, De Roon and Wesley in midfield; and Soulé, Mora and Malen in attack. Il Romanista instead picks Balerdi alongside N'Dicka and Hermoso and gives Koné a place in midfield. Il Messaggero also selects Balerdi, with De Roon and Cristante in the middle. Tuttosport goes with Gollini in goal, Pisilli in the midfield and Malen as the lone striker, and it lists Gasperini as the coach. Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera's Italian sources differ on the defence, with Mancini in place of Ghilardi or Balerdi in some lineups. The lineups as published by the newspapers are as follows. La Gazzetta dello Sport: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Corriere dello Sport: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Romanista: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. La Repubblica: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Tuttosport: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Pisilli; Malen. Il Messaggero: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Tempo: Vásquez; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Mora, Soulé; Malen.

Roma return to Serie A with an important chance to secure a result before the international break, when they host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico. Manu Koné, the French midfielder, is a possible returnee and could be available at least in the matchday squad, which would add options in midfield. Several key players remain absent. Newspapers broadly agree that Vásquez will return in goal, with Gollini the choice in one newspaper's projection. Daniele Ghilardi is expected to start, and Leonardo Balerdi also hopes to be included, though the question is who will be rested. Nahuel Molina is pencilled in on the right, with Rodrigo Mora playing alongside Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen up front. The lineups published by the national papers show differing shapes. La Gazzetta dello Sport goes with a 3-4-2-1 featuring Vásquez; Ghilardi, Ndicka and Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, de Roon and Wesley; Soulé and Mora behind Malen. Il Messaggero opts for a 3-4-1-2 with Balerdi in defence, Mora in the number ten role and Soulé and Malen up front. Corriere della Sera also uses a 3-4-1-2, with Ghilardi and Balerdi both in the back three alongside Ndicka. Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo both use a 3-4-2-1, though Il Tempo selects Mancini in place of Ghilardi. Tuttosport is the outlier, naming Gollini in goal and Pisilli in midfield alongside Soulé, with Malen leading the line. For the full picture of the probable lineups, the candidates for the back three and the role behind the striker remain the main points of debate among the papers. The varying picks reflect uncertainty over rotation, with Ghilardi the most consistently named starter across the newspapers. Koné's possible return would be a significant boost for coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the side seeks a result against Sassuolo.