Dybala on the mend: Gasperini's cure ends years of injury woes, but goals remain absent

Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley have chosen to remain at Trigoria rather than respond to call-ups from Italy, the Netherlands and Brazil respectively during the international break. The decision reflects the unity Gian Piero Gasperini has built at the club, with all three prioritizing recovery and preparation for a demanding stretch between 11 and 31 October, when Roma will play seven matches in 20 days. The move signals a sharp departure from recent history, when tension between the previous medical staff and coaching team had created friction. With the departure of Petrucci and the arrival of Del Vescovo in the medical department, coordination has improved markedly—each decision is now made with the common good and injury prevention in mind. Gasperini has emphasized that daily work serves as a "vaccine" that builds the squad's resilience. On the pitch, Roma have displayed strong athleticism, though some fatigue in the early stages of the second half suggests room for improvement remains. The cohesion at Trigoria reflects what Gasperini describes as a serene and unified atmosphere across squad, technical staff and the completely restructured medical area. This compactness will be tested during the international break, a window the club intends to use for recuperation and consolidation ahead of the congested fixture schedule.

Paulo Dybala has started all six of Roma's official matches so far this season—five in Serie A and one in the Champions League against Fenerbahce—without being substituted before the hour mark, accumulating nearly 500 minutes. Gian Piero Gasperini had promised: "If he is well, he always plays." For a player whose fitness has been compromised repeatedly in recent years by muscle injuries and two surgical procedures in the last two seasons (one for a tendon injury, the other on his meniscus), this consistency represents a significant shift. The last time Dybala enjoyed a comparable run of consecutive starts was under Claudio Ranieri between November 2024 and January 2025, when he started eleven times in a row. In the first five league matches alone, Dybala played 407 minutes of 450 available—90.4%—a level of continuity at the start of a season he has not achieved for ten years, since 2016–17. Gasperini's tactical approach appears to have uncovered a new dimension to Dybala's game. Against Inter, he covered 9.8 kilometres, outrunning Lautaro Martínez and Donyell Malen, and reached a top speed of 29 km/h—figures that show the coach is demanding far more than just his creative touch. Dybala has provided four official assists already, though the statistics understate his impact: his involvement preceded both of Manu Koné's goals against Inter and Malen's goal in Turin, passes the data does not fully credit. Across his last nine appearances spanning the end of last season and the current campaign, he has delivered eight assists, five of them to Malen, an understanding that is becoming one of Gasperini's principal weapons. The Dybala of a few years ago was primarily a finisher; now he increasingly functions as the team's offensive playmaker, coming deep, opening up space, spotting the striker's movement ahead of others, and accelerating play with a single touch. Gasperini expressed his confidence plainly: "Physically Dybala is a beast. He could often even do extra time." A statement that would have seemed paradoxical not long ago, when managing his physical condition was a recurring theme. What remains absent, however, is the goal. Dybala has not scored since Torino–Roma on 18 January. Eight months have passed on the calendar, though only thirteen appearances have occurred in between because of the meniscus injury and March's surgery. His drought has begun to weigh on a player accustomed throughout his career to making an impact in front of goal. Against Inter he shot four times and, encouragingly, attempted more aggressive finishing options, including a hard strike he has rarely attempted recently—not merely his customary left-footed curl, but renewed confidence in his strike and his body. This moment of returning to goalscoring is probably the final step Gasperini awaits. He has already recovered a Dybala capable of playing with continuity, running, supporting the team, and above all making those around him better. Now what remains is for him to resume doing what came most naturally for years: scoring.

Twelve Roma players have been called up to their respective national teams during the international break, leaving Trigoria semi-empty: Ghilardi, Mancini, Balerdi, Soulé, Castro, Mora, Pisilli, Lulli, De Marzi, Koné, N'Dicka and Koulierakis will join their countries. Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley will remain in Rome, though their physical problems are not causing concern and they are expected to be available for the return fixture against Como. The extended pause—roughly twenty days of useful preparation—will allow many players to recover and recharge before a demanding run of fixtures begins. Marten de Roon, who arrived at the club in the closing stages of the transfer window, stands to benefit significantly from the break. The midfielder is not yet at full fitness and has yet to start a match under Gasperini, partly due to the coach's reluctance to rotate and partly because he accumulated zero minutes in his first two appearances under Sarri at Bergamo over the summer. De Roon is an established Gasperini player who understands the manager's tactical demands, and he is gradually carving out space in the Roma squad. The upcoming international break will provide crucial recovery time before the club faces an intense fixture schedule after the Como match, when the depth of the full squad will be needed.

Paulo Dybala has started all six of Roma's official matches so far this season—five in Serie A and one in the Champions League against Fenerbahce—without being substituted before the hour mark, accumulating nearly 500 minutes. Gian Piero Gasperini had promised: "If he is well, he always plays." For a player whose fitness has been compromised repeatedly in recent years by muscle injuries and two surgical procedures in the last two seasons (one for a tendon injury, the other on his meniscus), this consistency represents a significant shift. The last time Dybala enjoyed a comparable run of consecutive starts was under Claudio Ranieri between November 2024 and January 2025, when he started eleven times in a row. In the first five league matches alone, Dybala played 407 minutes of 450 available—90.4%—a level of continuity at the start of a season he has not achieved for ten years, since 2016–17. Gasperini's tactical approach appears to have uncovered a new dimension to Dybala's game. Against Inter, he covered 9.8 kilometres, outrunning Lautaro Martínez and Donyell Malen, and reached a top speed of 29 km/h—figures that show the coach is demanding far more than just his creative touch. Dybala has provided four official assists already, though the statistics understate his impact: his involvement preceded both of Manu Koné's goals against Inter and Malen's goal in Turin, passes the data does not fully credit. Across his last nine appearances spanning the end of last season and the current campaign, he has delivered eight assists, five of them to Malen, an understanding that is becoming one of Gasperini's principal weapons. The Dybala of a few years ago was primarily a finisher; now he increasingly functions as the team's offensive playmaker, coming deep, opening up space, spotting the striker's movement ahead of others, and accelerating play with a single touch. Gasperini expressed his confidence plainly: "Physically Dybala is a beast. He could often even do extra time." A statement that would have seemed paradoxical not long ago, when managing his physical condition was a recurring theme. What remains absent, however, is the goal. Dybala has not scored since Torino–Roma on 18 January. Eight months have passed on the calendar, though only thirteen appearances have occurred in between because of the meniscus injury and March's surgery. His drought has begun to weigh on a player accustomed throughout his career to making an impact in front of goal. Against Inter he shot four times and, encouragingly, attempted more aggressive finishing options, including a hard strike he has rarely attempted recently—not merely his customary left-footed curl, but renewed confidence in his strike and his body. This moment of returning to goalscoring is probably the final step Gasperini awaits. He has already recovered a Dybala capable of playing with continuity, running, supporting the team, and above all making those around him better. Now what remains is for him to resume doing what came most naturally for years: scoring.

Paulo Dybala has reached a career high in playing time at Roma, appearing for 407 of 450 available minutes—90.4%—across the first five Serie A matches and the Champions League fixture against Fenerbahçe. The last time he enjoyed this level of continuity was the 2016–17 season, when he won the Scudetto. His display in Roma's recent match against Inter typified the form: he flew down the flank despite close marking from Bastoni, pursued Dimarco across the pitch and delivered crosses into the area. Although Dybala has not scored for eight months, his role has shifted toward creating for teammates; he has been instrumental in setting up Donyell Malen. A moment in the first half against Inter caught observers' attention: a struck effort with the outside of his boot, a technique he had shelved in favour of his comfort zone of the inside pass. It signals a willingness to expand his toolbox and add unpredictability to Roma's attack.

Roma have shifted from constant squad overhauls to a philosophy of retaining and building around proven players while adding quality reinforcements—a strategic departure that appears to be delivering real strength. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who took charge in 2025, sought stability rather than permanent revolution: a squad with a solid foundation onto which he could make surgical additions of two to four players at a time, ideally already proven and capable of becoming new cornerstones themselves. The article argues this represents the defining difference between the current Roma and many predecessors, which often leaned too heavily on a handful of elite performers and collapsed when one or two were absent. Mile Svilar has become an absolute certainty in goal. Evan N'Dicka is now a defensive reference point. Gianluca Mancini, despite some early-season errors, remains a squad leader through experience and personality. Wesley has made clear progress. Manu Koné is a player on whom present and future can be built. Paulo Dybala retains the talent to change a match with one moment. Donyell Malen has finally delivered what Roma lacked: a striker who consistently converts offensive output into goals. Alongside these established figures stand young talents with assured ability, to be developed without excessive pressure under Gasperini's direction. The genuine novelty is that Roma are adding fresh certainties to this foundation. Leonardo Balerdi arrived in the final hours of the transfer window and needed little time to explain why Gasperini wanted him: he defends aggressively, works hard off the ball, accepts physical duels, and shows personality in possession. The article cautions that three appearances make no verdict, but the sense is that Roma may have found not simply an alternative but another potential pillar. Nahuel Molina carries the same philosophy from a different angle—not a numerical placeholder but a World Cup winner accustomed to major stages who, after weeks regaining fitness, is demonstrating he can start without being considered an emergency solution. Gasperini has even deployed him on the opposite flank, and he provided an assist for Manu Koné's opening goal against Inter. Marten de Roon similarly represents no attention-grabbing summer window signing, yet he was captain and fundamental leader at Gasperini's Atalanta, understands what the coach demands before explanation, and in a fifty-match season offers another certainty to lean on during fatigue, injury and rotation. The summer transfer window was not flawless. Roma lacked precisely the offensive coup Gasperini pursued for months: a player capable of starting from the left, cutting onto his right foot, creating superiority and adding unpredictability to the attacking third. The club tried until the final moments without closing the deal. That piece remains missing and will likely return as a priority. Yet this itself signals how perspective has changed. There is no longer a squad to rebuild—there is a squad to complete. Future recruitment should consolidate those giving Roma identity, verify whether Balerdi and Molina can sustain that level, and add one or two more of similar calibre: an attacking winger, perhaps later a midfielder, then what the squad's evolution demands. One piece at a time, without dismantling what already holds the structure.

Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley have chosen to remain at Trigoria rather than respond to call-ups from Italy, the Netherlands and Brazil respectively during the international break. The decision reflects the unity Gian Piero Gasperini has built at the club, with all three prioritizing recovery and preparation for a demanding stretch between 11 and 31 October, when Roma will play seven matches in 20 days. The move signals a sharp departure from recent history, when tension between the previous medical staff and coaching team had created friction. With the departure of Petrucci and the arrival of Del Vescovo in the medical department, coordination has improved markedly—each decision is now made with the common good and injury prevention in mind. Gasperini has emphasized that daily work serves as a "vaccine" that builds the squad's resilience. On the pitch, Roma have displayed strong athleticism, though some fatigue in the early stages of the second half suggests room for improvement remains. The cohesion at Trigoria reflects what Gasperini describes as a serene and unified atmosphere across squad, technical staff and the completely restructured medical area. This compactness will be tested during the international break, a window the club intends to use for recuperation and consolidation ahead of the congested fixture schedule.

Twelve Roma players have been called up to their respective national teams during the international break, leaving Trigoria semi-empty: Ghilardi, Mancini, Balerdi, Soulé, Castro, Mora, Pisilli, Lulli, De Marzi, Koné, N'Dicka and Koulierakis will join their countries. Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley will remain in Rome, though their physical problems are not causing concern and they are expected to be available for the return fixture against Como. The extended pause—roughly twenty days of useful preparation—will allow many players to recover and recharge before a demanding run of fixtures begins. Marten de Roon, who arrived at the club in the closing stages of the transfer window, stands to benefit significantly from the break. The midfielder is not yet at full fitness and has yet to start a match under Gasperini, partly due to the coach's reluctance to rotate and partly because he accumulated zero minutes in his first two appearances under Sarri at Bergamo over the summer. De Roon is an established Gasperini player who understands the manager's tactical demands, and he is gradually carving out space in the Roma squad. The upcoming international break will provide crucial recovery time before the club faces an intense fixture schedule after the Como match, when the depth of the full squad will be needed.

Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante will remain at Trigoria during the international break after withdrawing from their national team commitments due to minor injuries, with no serious alarm felt over their condition. Malen has been ruled out of the Netherlands squad with a physical problem that emerged in recent days, Wesley has suffered a right thigh muscle strain that forced him to withdraw from Brazil's call-up, and Cristante is unavailable for Italy's fixtures. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini aims to have all three available again when the league resumes. Roma have released twelve players to their respective national teams following the 2–2 draw against Inter. The departing squad members, including youth representatives, are Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Evan N'Dicka, Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli, Manu Koné, Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora and Giorgio De Marzi. A fixture to watch closely is France versus Italy in the Nations League on 2 October, which will pit Koné against squad-mates Mancini and Ghilardi. Off the pitch, Jason Morrow has departed his position as Chief Financial Officer of AS Roma to return to the United States within the Friedkin Group, as previously agreed with the ownership. The club has decided not to appoint an immediate replacement, with a successor arriving later. John Galantic will consolidate his role as a point of reference for both the administrative and technical spheres, maintaining the strong working relationship he has built with Gasperini and D'Amico.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter in a Serie A match on which pundit Daniele Adani offered detailed analysis. Adani highlighted Roma's attacking aggression in the opening period, noting how Molina won the ball back and provided an assist for Koné, and how Hermoso and Balerdi pushed forward into the opponent's penalty area. However, he identified defensive lapses, particularly Soulé being caught out of position against Bisseck on a throw-in, and singled out Gianluca Mancini for a lapse on Lautaro Martinez's first goal. "Mancini is a bit superficial and Roma concede in numerical superiority in the area," Adani said. Adani suggested Roma would have held their advantage had they resisted another 15–20 minutes without allowing Inter back into the contest. He emphasised the tactical toll of Gasperini's system, noting that Roma defended one-on-one eighty metres from goal and allowed themselves to be beaten despite playing well. He remarked that Paulo Dybala closed down on the second post against Lautaro Martinez during the match. On Inter's comeback, Adani observed that while Inter made two substitutions at the 90-minute mark, it was Inter who rose to the occasion rather than Roma's performance dropping. "The first hour of Roma is sensational," he said. "Inter feel in control, so the blows come. Even if you are the strongest team, if you don't show it you go down to everyone. Against Real Madrid like against Udinese. They also believe they are the strongest because they are the architects and feel in control."

Manu Koné's brace against Inter has silenced doubts about the French midfielder and lifted Roma to seven different goalscorers across league and Champions League action so far this season. Donyell Malen leads the charge with six of Roma's 14 total goals, but the attacking depth runs wide: Koné, Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli have all found the net. Among Serie A clubs including cup competition, only Inter have done better with nine different scorers; Como, Juventus and Sassuolo also stand at seven. Paulo Dybala remains goalless but has been instrumental in Roma's attacking play, either scoring or assisting more than half the team's goals through direct and indirect involvement. The spread of scoring responsibility represents a significant strength as Roma press forward in both domestic and European competition.

Roma go into the international break as league leaders following a draw with Inter, but with several players nursing injuries that Gasperini will have time to manage. Wesley remained in Rome with a right thigh muscle strain and should need about a week to recover fully before the trip to Como. Bryan Cristante stayed behind as well, sidelined by lower back pain that prevented him from joining Italy's national team camp. Donyell Malen was forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad due to muscle fatigue, while Manu Koné's condition is being assessed after an demanding performance against Inter. Gasperini has an interesting group available for work at Trigoria during the break. Goalkeepers, Mario Hermoso, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala will all remain in the capital, excluded from their respective national team duties for various reasons. Pellegrini warrants particular attention: the number 7 has only recently returned from a long layoff and still needs to build match minutes, rhythm and match fitness. Gasperini is reportedly considering organising friendlies during the break to maintain match sharpness for players staying at Trigoria and accelerate recovery for those needing competitive action. The three-week break is crucial preparation for what follows. When the season resumes, Roma face nine matches across twenty-eight days, spanning Serie A fixtures from Como to Sassuolo and Champions League ties against Real Madrid, Slovan Bratislava and Manchester United. The depth of the squad will need to deliver more than theory—rotations, quick recoveries and an expanding pool of players capable of matching the standards of the regulars will be essential. Roma arrive at the break top of the league with renewed confidence, and Gasperini has the time to rebuild before the relentless stretch begins.