Friedkin and Gasperini ready to work together on transfers from Monday

FIFA's Appeals Committee has reduced Roma full-back Nahuel Molina's suspension from seven matches to four, following the brawl that broke out after the World Cup final won by Spain. The Argentina defender had been punished for punching Rodri during the post-match celebrations. His fine of 60,000 dollars remains unchanged. The ruling was a partial success for the Argentine football federation (AFA), which had lodged the appeal. The outcome is different for former Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes, whose appeal was rejected. FIFA has confirmed his ten-match suspension and his fine of 90,000 dollars. Paredes had pushed and struck Eric García and clashed heavily with Gavi during the same melee, and the sanctions reflect the seriousness of those incidents. The AFA also faces a heavy penalty of 321,000 dollars for discriminatory chants sung during the celebrations of the World Cup title. The verdicts mark the final word on the disciplinary cases linked to the confrontation between the Argentina and Spain players, with some sanctions eased and others left unchanged.

FIFA has reduced Roma right-back Nahuel Molina's suspension from seven matches to four after Argentina's appeal, while confirming a ten-match ban for Leandro Paredes. The decisions follow incidents at the end of the World Cup final against Spain, as communicated by the AFA after the FIFA Appeals Committee ruling. Molina was initially sanctioned with seven matches for punching Rodri during the Spanish celebrations. The fine of 60,000 dollars imposed on him has been confirmed. Paredes, a Boca Juniors midfielder, must serve the ten-match suspension already set at first instance and pay a fine of 90,000 dollars. The sanction concerns his conduct towards Eric García, whom he pushed and struck during the Spanish celebrations, and the subsequent heated confrontation with Gavi. The 321,000-dollar fine imposed on the AFA by the Disciplinary Committee for discriminatory chants remains unchanged. The AFA has announced its intention to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), contesting both Paredes's suspension and the sanction linked to the chants. Before proceeding, the federation will request the official reasons for the decisions, stating it has "sufficient factual and legal arguments to proceed with the appeal." The FIFA ruling also affects other members of the Argentina delegation. Thiago Almada has already served a one-match suspension and received a 30,000-dollar fine during the previous international window. "Ratón" Ayala received three matches and another 30,000-dollar fine for punching Dani Olmo.

Alberto Aquilani is the latest former Roma player to return to the Olimpico, joining a list of ex-players who have already appeared there this season, including Mourinho and De Rossi, with Juric and Fonseca set to follow him. Aquilani was the first of the so-called sons of Roma to be sacrificed for economic reasons, on the eve of a trip to Gent. The sacrifice was painful but necessary for Rosella Sensi, and it paved the way for the handover to the new American ownership. Yet his youth-team career at Roma and his 147 appearances and 15 goals in Serie A over five seasons cannot easily be forgotten. Hampered by a long run of injuries, Aquilani won two Coppa Italia titles and one Supercoppa Italiana with Roma, and came close to a Serie A title that might have changed his personal story at the club. Nicknamed the 'Principino' for his quality and a haircut that vaguely recalled Giannini, he has since grown up. He never became a king, but he is remembered with affection by those who have not forgotten his derby goal, complete with a run under the Curva Sud and an embrace with Totti, or the extraordinary win at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the round of 16.

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.

Emanuele Lulli has been one of the surprises of the season, and Gian Piero Gasperini is the coach who insisted on keeping him at Roma and turning him into one of the most interesting wingers in Serie A. After just seven matches in the giallorossi shirt, Lulli has already shown he has what it takes to establish himself: he runs, he fights, he scores and he creates goals for team-mates. He is a complete winger who makes an impact in both phases of play, giving Gasperini exactly what he was looking for. For the coach, it is a return to familiar ground. At Roma he has found the wide players he likes, the same kind that allowed him to build a side capable of making the difference at Bergamo. The greatest credit, though, goes to Gasperini for believing in Lulli when others might have let him go. Looking back shows how much has changed. Turkish full-back Zeki Çelik, who played in that role, collected two goals in 151 appearances for Roma. Lulli needed just seven matches to match that tally. The article describes that gap as enormous, and it says it reflects the weight of this new bet on the young player. Çelik's departure to Juventus, which initially looked hard to swallow, now takes on a different meaning, described as a genuine sliding door moment for the giallorossi season. Roma have found a new protagonist, Gasperini has another winger to back, and the fans have a young player to cherish. Lulli comes from Palestrina, is a 2007-born player and has a world of opportunity ahead of him. Above all, the article concludes, he has already found his place: at Roma, his team.

Roma lost Celik in the transfer market, a departure that many considered painful, but the positive side has been the emergence of Pierluigi Lulli, who has moved from the Primavera to scoring his first Serie A goal. The development has been described as the defining 'sliding door' of the window. The Italian coverage frames Lulli's breakthrough as the positive counterweight to losing Zeki Çelik, whose exit was widely viewed as a painful one for the club. Lulli's first league goal marks a significant step for a player who has come through the youth ranks to the first team. The report was published on 19 October 2026 and is headlined around the idea that Lulli is the key figure to emerge from the market, as Roma look to build on his progress.

Roma's full-backs have become a cornerstone of Gian Piero Gasperini's push to the top of Serie A, a marked shift from last season when they proved problematic. Wesley and Nahuel Molina are now among the club's key strengths, and both will start when Roma resume the league campaign against Como, where they will face manager Fabregas. The turnaround reflects Gasperini's tactical evolution since arriving at the club: in his first season, Wesley was the only defender fully convincing on the flanks, while Zeki Çelik had to make do elsewhere. Now the picture is entirely different. Gasperini has uncovered Emanuele Lulli in the course of the season, and Molina has gradually built his fitness, delivering quality and assists to Roma's attacking phase. For the Como fixture, Gasperini plans to deploy Molina on the right and Wesley on the left. The selection reflects not just Roma's attacking ambitions but also Gasperini's defensive strategy: by using two attacking full-backs, he aims to stretch Como's wide players—Baturina on one flank and Diao on the other—and occupy them throughout the match. Wesley, the more naturally offensive of the pair, will be tasked with driving forward and supporting the build-up play. Molina is likely to carry greater defensive responsibility, balancing his own contributions with the need to contain Como's threats on the wing.

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.

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.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off at 20:45, in the eleventh round of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League, a result that followed a first half in which Roma dominated and led by two goals. In the league, however, their form is excellent: they have 24 points from ten matchdays and sit third, after a convincing 5-2 win at Udinese in their last outing. Sassuolo, by contrast, are 17th on 8 points and have lost four consecutive matches. It will also be Alberto Aquilani's first game at the Olimpico as an opposing coach. Roma are without Mile Svilar, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala and Devyne Rensch. Pierluigi Gollini has not fully recovered from a back problem, so Devis Vásquez is expected to start in goal. Manu Koné is doubtful and is unlikely to start. Daniele Ghilardi is pushing Gianluca Mancini for a place in defence, while Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli are expected in midfield. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are favoured on the flanks, and Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen. Aquilani has announced that Domenico Berardi and Volpato are absent, while the rest of the squad is available. He is expected to set out in a 4-3-3 with Turati in goal, Walukiewicz, Caleta-Car, Idzes and Doig in defence, and Thorstvedt back in midfield alongside Matic and Bakola. Up front, with Berardi out, Dominguez, Sebastiano Esposito and Laurienté are likely to start. Marco Di Bello of Brindisi referees, assisted by Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto on VAR and Guida as AVAR. The match will be broadcast live on both DAZN and Sky. On Sky it can be watched on Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Sport 251 and Sky Sport 4K, while streaming is available on DAZN, Sky Go and NOW. Riccardo Gentile will provide the Sky commentary, with technical analysis from Alessio Scarchilli. Bookmakers make Roma clear favourites, with a win priced on average between 1.28 and 1.32, a draw around 6.00-6.50 and a Sassuolo win between 9.00 and 9.75. Over 2.5 goals is priced at around 1.35-1.37. Sassuolo have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four defeats, and Roma scored five in their last league game. The 2-0 scoreline to Roma is the most widely projected correct score, ahead of 2-1 and 3-0.