El Aynaoui suspended at crucial moment as Roma face midfield crisis; Koné return urgently needed

Mario Hermoso is close to signing a contract extension at Roma, with negotiations underway and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pushing to finalise the agreement. According to La Repubblica, as reported by TeleRadioStereo, the deal would add two more years with an option. The centre-back's current contract expires at the end of the season. Hermoso has enjoyed a strong run in Rome, scoring 8 goals in 49 appearances for the club, three of them in the current campaign. Gasperini was influential in keeping him at the club in the first place. Hermoso joined as a free agent in 2024 after his time at Atlético Madrid, but he struggled to win regular minutes in his first few months. He was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen in January, and a shoulder injury prevented the German side from buying him outright, so he returned to Roma. Hermoso was reportedly on the chopping block in the summer of 2025, until Gasperini took a liking to him. The coach made him a linchpin of the side, as his skill set and dynamism suited his style well. The Real Madrid product also spent time at Espanyol earlier in his career and has five caps for Spain, although he has not been called up since 2019. Gasperini likes good ball handlers and sound athletes in every position, and especially in the 'braccetti' role. Hermoso's goalscoring is a bonus that has served the team well, as they can bring almost the whole side into the final third when they are firing. The extension is seen as a no-brainer, as the financial sums are not expected to be a problem.

Diego Tavano, agent of several players including Edoardo Bove, has spoken out about goalkeeper Slim Bouaskar, who has struggled to earn playing time with Roma this season, having made just two appearances for the Primavera side. Tavano spoke to journalist Eleonora Trotta. The goalkeeper, born in 2009, was included by The Guardian among the best emerging talents in world football, yet his season in Roma colours has so far failed to take off. Asked why Bouaskar is not finding the space everyone expected, Tavano said: "It's nice that so many people follow him and know him. They have certainly seen him also in the Tunisian national team, where he has worn the shirt of every age group. Now the call-up to the senior national team has also arrived. These are technical choices and we respect them. We have a year and a half left on his contract. It's a shame, because his path had been clean. He has always played in every championship. Last year, under age, he played in the Under-18s and helped the team of coach Scala achieve excellent results. We certainly expected that with Scala's promotion to the Primavera, there would be continuity. At the moment that is not the case, and we take note of it. The boy keeps training well and doing everything he has to do. Again, we have a year and a half left on the contract." Tavano acknowledged that a year and a half remaining on the deal is not a long time, yet several clubs are interested in the player. He said: "Certainly, also because The Guardian is one of the most important newspapers in Europe, but I don't think that is what makes the difference. I think that, if they are gathering information on him, it is above all because of what they have seen with Roma and with the national team. We start again from there. The contract is not long, but the opportunity to talk with Roma will not be missing. Again, I am certainly sorry, because today young players should have more space and there should be people with more courage. I always imagined him as a stable part of the first-team squad, and certainly playing in the Primavera." Asked whether Roma's recent situation had given the goalkeeper an important shop window, Tavano replied: "I have dealt with many goalkeepers, I have managed many of them. It is a rather particular role. At the moment, unfortunately, we are the anvil. We hope that one day we will be the hammer and that he can play for a important club. The dream is to play for Roma, since he grew up here."

Former Roma forward Antonio Cassano has heaped praise on Rodrigo Mora, comparing the Portuguese midfielder to the early version of Joao Felix from his Benfica days, before the forward moved to Atletico Madrid. Speaking on the programme Viva el Futbol, Cassano said: "He reminds me a lot of the first Joao Felix, the one from Benfica. A wonderful player, stratospheric, you see few like him now. Then Felix didn't deliver and dropped off, but at the start I liked him enormously." Cassano also turned his attention to Mora's game time, directing a question at head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Cassano said: "I really like Mora, he still has to grow. I'd like to ask Gasperini: why does he play him sometimes and not others?" The former playmaker said he would like to see Mora featuring more consistently, while acknowledging that the player still has to complete his development. What stands out to Cassano is not only the player's technical qualities but also his attitude in training every day. He said he had received information from the Trigoria environment about the player's work ethic. Cassano said: "At Trigoria they tell me he is a great worker, a workaholic. Mora is devastating, one-on-one he always beats his man. If he doesn't get messed up, I think he can make people talk about him for the next 15-16 years."

Filippo Reale endured a difficult afternoon as Carrarese were beaten 3-0 by Verona at the Bentegodi, with the Roma loanee's mistake directly leading to the second goal. Neil El Aynaoui continued to earn important minutes for RB Leipzig, starting in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, while Robinio Vaz was left out of the Hull City squad. Mohamed Seck impressed again for Foggia, and Anass Salah-Eddine won the Greek derby but remained out of the following European fixture. Here is the full roundup of Roma's players on loan away from the capital. Reale, a defender born in 2006, was already under pressure after a penalty he conceded against Arezzo. He was named in the starting line-up for the trip to Verona, where Carrarese were overwhelmed 3-0. Harroui gave Verona the lead in the 10th minute, before the decisive moment for Reale in the 22nd minute. He anticipated Mosquera on a long ball from goalkeeper Perilli but misplayed a backpass towards Pizzignacco. Colombian forward Mosquera stole the ball, rounded the keeper and made it 2-0. Sarr sealed the result in the 38th minute. Reale played all 90 minutes but could not recover. Tuttomercatoweb gave him a 4.5, highlighting the mistake for the second goal. He was not booked, but two decisive errors in a few days represent a sharp step back after his good performances in previous weeks. (Loan with an option and counter-option to buy) El Aynaoui, the Moroccan midfielder, continued to find playing time in Bundesliga and Champions League matches. On Saturday he started the 2-0 win at Schalke 04, with goals from Nusa, from the penalty spot, and Rômulo. He played the full 90 minutes and contributed to the management of the midfield. A tougher test followed on Wednesday, when he was again picked from the start against Manchester City in the Champions League. Leipzig lost 3-2 after a competitive game in which they twice came back from behind before conceding the decisive goal from Haaland in the 78th minute. El Aynaoui was booked in the 48th minute and played until the 74th, when Demichelis replaced him with Seiwald. He had no goals or assists across the two games, but his 164 combined minutes confirm he is now an important presence in the German side's rotation. (Loan with an option to buy) Vaz, the French forward, had a particular week. Having recovered from injury, he continues to struggle for a place in the Premier League. On Saturday he was left out of the Hull City squad for the 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town. Head coach Sergej Jakirovic said the young player must improve his physical condition and increase the intensity of his training, partly because of an incomplete summer preparation. That decision led to him playing for the Under-21 side. On Monday Vaz featured against Derby County in the Premier League Cup, helping the Tigers to a 1-0 win. He came close in the 23rd minute with a shot on target, saved by goalkeeper Djedje. The winner arrived only in stoppage time, from Kieran Wilson. Vaz had no goals or assists, but the match helped him regain rhythm and fitness. It remains to be seen when he will return to the first-team squad. (Loan with an option to buy) Seck continues to earn the trust of Gaetano Auteri. On Monday he was confirmed as a starter in the trip to Casarano, which ended in a spectacular 2-2 draw. Foggia led in the 24th minute through Ravasio, were levelled by Mercadante in stoppage time of the first half and, despite a numerical advantage after Negro was sent off in the 54th minute, conceded the lead to Ciotti in the 84th. Luciani equalised in the 95th minute. Seck played all 90 minutes without a booking, offering an attentive display and limiting individual errors. Foggiacalciomania rated him a positive 6.6, highlighting the progress of the young defender. (Loan) Salah-Eddine, the Moroccan full-back, had a week of highs and spells on the bench. On Sunday he came on in the 71st minute of the derby against AEK Athens, which Panathinaikos won 2-0 with goals from Tetteh and Andino. Neestrup brought him on for Kyriakopoulos to manage the lead, with the hosts two goals ahead and a numerical advantage after Kangwa was sent off in the 70th minute. The Roma loanee played the final 19 minutes plus stoppage time and was booked in the 92nd minute, without a goal or assist. On Thursday Panathinaikos beat CSKA Sofia 2-1 in the Conference League, with goals from Calabria and Taborda, but Salah-Eddine was not in the matchday squad. He was therefore a bench appearance in the league and did not play in the European match. Competition on the left flank remains high despite his progress in recent weeks. (Loan with an option to buy) Federico Nardin, a defender born in 2007, continues to develop and is increasingly selected by Antonio Buscè. On Saturday he started the 0-0 draw with Torres at the Adriatico and played the full 90 minutes, helping to keep a clean sheet. His most notable moment came in the 64th minute, when he came close to his first professional goal. Served by Meazzi, he found a good position but shot over the bar. Pescara created several chances without converting them.

Roma return to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to host Sassuolo, coached by Aquilani, and face the chance to bounce back straight after their defeat at Old Trafford. Referee Di Bello will take charge of the match, assisted by linesmen Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official. Pezzuto is the VAR, with Guida working as AVAR. The head-to-head record with Di Bello is encouraging for Roma. They have met him 34 times, winning 21, drawing 6 and losing 7. More striking are the recent results: Roma have won all of their last eight matches refereed by Di Bello and have been unbeaten in ten games. Their last defeat under him came on 8 February 2022, when Inter won 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. The most recent meeting was on 25 April, when Roma beat Bologna 2-0 at the Dall'Ara, with goals from Malen and El Aynaoui. The focus now is on moving on from the Old Trafford result. Roma have to look ahead and go again, with the future the only thing that counts from here on.

Roma's loan players had a busy week across the Champions League, the Bundesliga, the German Cup, La Liga, Serie C and the Europa Conference League. Neil El Aynaoui was involved in three matches for RB Leipzig, while Luigi Cherubini was back in the Benevento starting line-up and came close to scoring twice. Robinio Vaz has returned to action after a physical problem he suffered against Fulham, and Mohamed Seck helped Foggia to a win. El Aynaoui, a Moroccan midfielder on a loan deal with a buy option, started Leipzig's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, a 4-1 loss, and played until the 63rd minute. On Saturday he played the full 90 minutes of a 4-0 win over Elversberg. His most eventful match came on Tuesday against Rot-Weiss Essen in the German Cup last 16. He began on the bench, but came on at half-time with Leipzig trailing 1-0 and reduced to ten men after Seiwald was sent off in the 44th minute. Baumgartner scored twice, in the 78th and 82nd minutes, to complete the comeback and send Leipzig through 2-1. El Aynaoui was booked in the 76th minute and played 45 minutes without a goal or assist. The win came after heavy defeats to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Cherubini, a winger born in 2004, returned to the starting line-up on Saturday in a 3-0 win at Arezzo. He played 74 minutes and twice came close to scoring, first with a spectacular scissor kick that was saved by goalkeeper Nunziante, then with a shot that hit the post. He started again on Tuesday in a 1-1 home draw with Catanzaro. He won the decisive penalty early in the second half, which Salvemini converted in the 51st minute after Candela fouled him, a decision confirmed by VAR. He was substituted for Saio in the 86th minute. Buso equalised for Catanzaro in added time, in the 92nd minute. Cherubini did not score or assist, but BeneventoNews24 and CalcioBenevento both gave him a 6.5. Mattia Mannini, a midfielder born in 2006, was an unused substitute for both matches, with Floro Flores opting for other players during the second-half changes. Mannini had played for Italy's Under-20 side during the previous international break. Mohamed Seck started at centre-back in Auteri's three-man defence as Foggia beat Cavese 1-0 at the Zaccheria, ending two straight defeats to Potenza and Giugliano. Foggiacalciomania gave him a 6 for a solid performance, noting his willingness to move forward from the defensive line. Goalkeeper Saro saved a penalty from Orlando, and Ravasio scored the winner in the 87th minute. Federico Nardin, a defender born in 2007, started for Pescara in a 2-1 win at Perugia, playing all 90 minutes without a booking. Merola scored twice for Pescara, first from open play and then from a penalty, after Carriero had given Perugia a lead inside the first minute. Radoslaw Zelezny, the Polish goalkeeper for Perugia, played the full match but conceded both Pescara goals, with Merola scoring in the 47th and 51st minutes. Marash Kumbulla, an Albanian defender on loan with a buy option, started for Rayo Vallecano in a 3-2 extra-time win over Recreativo Huelva in the first round of the Copa del Rey. He played 80 minutes after being on the bench for the 3-0 home defeat to Elche. Alemão scored Rayo's equaliser from the penalty spot and then the winner in extra time, with De Frutos also scoring. Anass Salah-Eddine, a Moroccan left-back playing for Panathinaikos, was not used in the 5-1 Conference League win over Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan on Thursday. He started on Sunday in a 1-0 league win at Volos.

Several Roma-focused radio pundits discussed the club's January transfer options, the Endrick situation and the form of Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in the latest edition of the On Air roundup from Rome's radio stations. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport suggested that Endrick would not join Roma permanently, because he hopes to establish himself at Real Madrid, but that a loan of 18 months could be a good solution. He said Roma could then invest in Kvernadze, who is already performing well in Italy and costs relatively little, as he has a 4 million euro release clause. Piacentini said Frosinone would like to renew his contract, but if he already has an agreement with another club he will not renew. "If it were Roma, you turn up with 10-12 million in January and you take both of them," Piacentini said. He added: "On Pellegrini, and perhaps also on Dybala, you cannot rely, and that is why you need two." Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista said Endrick could arrive on loan, and that Roma could keep control of the player unless that control were well paid for and taken back by Real Madrid, as happened with Nico Paz. He gave an example in which Roma would take him on loan and buy him at 60 million if they valued him, with Real Madrid having to pay 80 million to take him back. Asked whether such a deal was feasible, Lo Monaco said: "At this moment there is nothing." He stated that Endrick's agents know Roma's intentions perfectly well, that there were contacts before the Roma-Real match, and that the giallorossi had reiterated their interest. He said he understood the player would not go to Milan. "If he leaves Real, I can give a percentage: 60-70% that he ends up at Roma," Lo Monaco said. Sandro Sabatini of Radio Radio named Malen, Cristante and, as a surprise, Dybala as the three most important players at Roma, saying Dybala had been phenomenal in the matches he played even though he is currently injured. He said he had thought Soulé was not on Dybala's level, but that Soulé had taken advantage of Dybala's absence and grown enormously. "The club tried to sell him all summer without succeeding, first because Soulé and Dybala cannot play together," Sabatini said. He added: "When Dybala is there, Soulé suffers a psychological inferiority. Soulé plays very well when Dybala is unavailable." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio named Hermoso, Soulé and Malen as the three most important players so far, and said Marten de Roon had been a fundamental signing, while noting that Rodrigo Mora is showing he deserves a starting place in certain matches. He said he did not know whether the club had a trick up its sleeve to sign a striker who could start. "With these players you can go all the way, but avoiding injuries will be decisive," Pruzzo said. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio said that with Malen Roma had made one of the best deals of the last 30 years, having paid 25 million, a figure that now looks ridiculous. He said Malen had become the most decisive striker, more so than Lautaro, and that Roma had made an extraordinary signing. David Rossi of Rete Sport and Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo discussed the club's situation off the pitch. Pes said Gasperini had had no contact with the Friedkins in recent months, but that Galantic had been named CEO for precisely this purpose. He said Roma would face the consequences of the UEFA ruling and the settlement agreement, and that by the end of November the club would know what it faced, which would shape the January market. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said it was not known how much the Friedkins would allow the club to invest and that January was usually a month for loans. He added that the January market must be attacked with clear ideas about what the squad needs to challenge Inter, "until the last matchday of the league."

Roma's radio pundits have focused on the club's transfer plans, the expected UEFA fine and the Dybala-Soulé pairing. Francesco Balzani of Teleradiostereo said Endrick is the club's main target, ahead of Gittens and others. "Right now all the attention is on Endrick, who is the player who most convinces Gasperini. Roma are trying again and will try again. I hope they succeed, because Endrick inserted into this squad can be the extra turbo to reach the Scudetto." Balzani also addressed the UEFA case. He said UEFA sources had indicated a decision was expected by November, and that Roma would learn the outcome unofficially at the end of the hearing. "I think they have more or less understood what the amount will be. They will probably know a strong fine is coming, between 10 and 15 million." Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Gasperini has had no contact with the Friedkins in recent months, but that Galantic was named CEO precisely for that purpose. He said D'Amico has not been idle and that there is likely a list or an investment plan, but that operational detail is still missing. The UEFA ruling, he added, adds an asterisk: Roma will have to deal with the settlement agreement. "By the end of November Roma will know what they are going to face, and this will shift the focus to the January market." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino said: "De Roon has been a fundamental acquisition in midfield. I can't say whether Roma have an ace up their sleeve for a signing who could become a starter at certain moments. If they don't, they will try to go all the way with this squad." He added: "At some point in the season the injury situation will be decisive, especially if Roma are still in the hunt in the Champions League." Sandro Sabatini, also of Radio Radio Mattino, was critical of the forward pairing. "In my view Dybala and Soulé cannot play together. The impression is that they need two balls. When Dybala is available, Soulé still seems psychologically subservient. Roma tried to sell him all summer without succeeding, first because Soulé and Dybala cannot play together." Balzani also handed out his awards for the first part of the season. He chose Hermoso as the player of the season so far, describing him as fundamental to Gasperini, and named Soulé and Malen as the other two candidates. Cristante won his award as best supporting player. Balzani said Mora could become a star in Serie A, but said he expects more from Castro.

Radio Radio Mattino pundit Carina has named Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé as Roma's three most important players at present, while adding that Lulli has been a very pleasant surprise so far this season. Speaking on the same station, Giuseppe Pruzzo said Marten de Roon has been a fundamental signing in midfield. Carina said: "At this moment the three most important players at Roma are Cristante, Malen and Soulé, although Lulli has been a very pleasant surprise at the start of this season. With Dybala's return there will be a switch back of Soulé to the left, which is the side where he performs a little less well." He added: "I still think it is always better to have many players available, because after the international break there will again be a cycle with many closely spaced fixtures." Pruzzo said: "De Roon has been a fundamental signing in midfield. I cannot say whether Roma have an ace up their sleeve regarding a signing who could start in this team at certain moments. If they don't, we will try to go all the way with this squad. At some point in the season, the injury situation will be decisive, especially if Roma are still in the running in the Champions League." The comments come as Roma prepare for a demanding run of fixtures, with Champions League football in the mix this season. Pruzzo's remarks point to the importance of squad depth as the campaign develops.

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has written a letter to Il Messaggero backing Gian Piero Gasperini's message that the club must not be satisfied, and argues the side can still push for the title. Candela, a Serie A champion with Roma in 2001, says the team has every reason to believe it can compete until the end of the season, even though Inter have the strongest squad on paper and may win the league. Candela praised the way Roma play, writing: "Watching them play is a spectacle: they score, they entertain, and they show an intensity and quality that is not common, especially in Serie A." He credited Gasperini directly: "The credit goes to Gian Piero: his work is a guarantee." He also highlighted the coach's relationship with the city, saying he had approached it quietly and had already built a strong sense of belonging. Candela went through the squad in detail. He said the attack is firing on all cylinders, that Soulé has returned to making the difference, and that Cristante, de Roon and Koné are a guarantee in midfield. He added that Lulli and Pisilli bring freshness, and that the defence offers many guarantees. He also pointed to the start to the season with Malen as something that can make a difference. Candela concluded: "If you have clear ideas and give a couple of the pieces this squad is missing, you can enjoy yourselves even more. I am certain the club will do it."

Former Roma player Vincent Candela has written in a letter published by Il Messaggero that Roma should believe they can contend for the Serie A title until the end of the season, backing Gian Piero Gasperini's approach that the club should not settle for less. Candela wrote that Inter may win the league given they have the strongest squad, but that Roma have all the qualities to fight for it to the final day. Candela praised the way Roma play, saying watching them is a spectacle: they score, entertain and show an intensity and quality that is not common, especially in Serie A. He credited Gasperini for the team's progress, describing his work as a guarantee. He also praised the coach's relationship with the city, saying he approached it humbly and has already built a strong sense of belonging. Candela highlighted several players. He said the attack is firing on all cylinders, that Soulé has returned to making the difference, and that Cristante, de Roon and Koné in midfield are a guarantee. He added that Lulli and Pisilli bring freshness, and that the defence offers many guarantees. Starting the year with Malen, he said, can make the difference. He concluded that if the club keeps its ideas clear and adds a couple of pieces the squad is missing, the team can enjoy itself even more. He said: "I am certain the club will do it."

Roma have 13 players called up by their national teams for the November break, a total that places them level with AC Milan and Como in the chasing pack behind Inter, Torino and Frosinone, who lead on 14. The squad list was drawn from the official call-ups for the November fixtures and is subject to changes before the matches. The Roma contingent includes goalkeepers Devis Vásquez and Giorgio De Marzi; forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; defenders Leonardo Balerdi, Daniele Ghilardi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Emanuele Lulli, Evan N'Dicka and Wesley; and midfielder Niccolò Pisilli. Behind the leaders, Atalanta and Udinese are on 12, Juventus have 11, and Napoli and Lazio have eight, with the two Lazio absentees excluded from that count. The total could have been higher, potentially reaching or exceeding 17, had several physical issues or technical decisions by the national coaches gone differently. Gianluca Mancini was initially called up by Italy but had to withdraw with a muscle problem that has also kept him out of the recent match against Sassuolo. Italy coach also left Bryan Cristante out of the squad, although the coach explained he had no need to test him at this stage. Manu Koné, who returned and started against Sassuolo, was left out of France's squad by coach Zidane to avoid a possible physical setback. Nahuel Molina had been called up late by Argentina, but a one-match suspension still to be served, together with opposition from Roma and Gian Piero Gasperini, blocked his departure.