From De Zerbi's criticism to Roma favourite: the rise of Leonardo Balerdi

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico, speaking to reporters at the Stadio Olimpico before the Serie A clash with Sassuolo, the club's eleventh league matchday, said the squad lacks a fast, direct wide player and that the club will try to address it in January. Asked whether an extra wide attacker would help solve the problem of coming back from behind, D'Amico said: "This is the problem we understood at the end of the transfer window. We are missing a winger with pace, for counterattacks. We will try to do it in January, evaluating the opportunities. We will try to give these characteristics to the coach." On Manu Koné, D'Amico said Roma are in contact with all national teams, and confirmed the Frenchman was back available after a good week. "Today Manu is back, he has had a good week. The coach has decided to play him and we are happy. It is his ninth match in 28 days, and with him in the side we can let others who have spent a lot in these games recover." D'Amico was also asked whether Roma lacked experience in Manchester. He said: "Environments like Manchester's you know. The stadium pushed hard, but I think it was there, and against Real, that they showed us a great Roma that imposes its own game. Against these teams there are moments of difficulty. The penalty I think was more than generous. It was a difficult moment, but that does not mean a penalty like that should be conceded. These experiences are still important for a Roma that, after 7 years, is back in the Champions League. It helps all of us, including the club."

Tony D'Amico has said Roma need a winger with pace and counter-attacking quality, and the club will try to sign one in January. Speaking to SkySport before the match against Sassuolo, he said the need became clear at the end of the transfer window. "This is the problem we realised at the end of the transfer window. We lack a winger with pace, for counter-attacks. We will try to get one in January, weighing up the opportunities. We will try to give these qualities to the coach." Asked whether an extra attacking winger would help solve Roma's problem of coming back from behind, D'Amico agreed it was a key issue. He also addressed the club's dealings with national teams over Manu Koné, saying Roma talk to all national teams. Koné returns today after a good week of training, and the coach has decided to play him, which D'Amico said pleased the club. This is the ninth match in 28 days, and with Koné in the side, the club can rest others who have played a lot in these games. On the atmosphere in Manchester, D'Amico said: "You know environments like Manchester's. The stadium pushed hard, but I think it was there, and against Real, that they showed us a great Roma imposing its game. Against these teams there are moments of difficulty. The penalty, I think, was more than generous. It was a difficult moment, but that does not mean a penalty like that should be given. These experiences are still important for a Roma that, after seven years, is back in the Champions League. It serves all of us, including the club."

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico looking to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester United and to secure a third straight win. Gian Piero Gasperini has named Leonardo Balerdi in defence in place of the injured Gianluca Mancini. Manu Koné returns to the starting midfield after almost a month out with injury, and the Champions League front three of Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen is retained. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Sassuolo, coached by Aquilani, play a 4-4-2: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Caleta-Car, Cinquegrano; Sulemana, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Laurienté, Esposito. The Roma substitutes are De Marzi, Kilvinger, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Castro, Maccaroni and Arena. Sassuolo's bench includes Turati, Satalino, Candé, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Obrador, Adzic, Bakola, Lipani, Ghion, Berardi, Bowie, Skjellerup and Pierini. The referee is Di Bello, with assistants Peretti and Scatragli. The fourth official is Abisso, the VAR is Pezzuto and the AVAR is Guida.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico looking to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester United and to secure a third straight win. Gian Piero Gasperini has named Leonardo Balerdi in defence in place of the injured Gianluca Mancini. Manu Koné returns to the starting midfield after almost a month out with injury, and the Champions League front three of Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen is retained. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Sassuolo, coached by Aquilani, play a 4-4-2: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Caleta-Car, Cinquegrano; Sulemana, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Laurienté, Esposito. The Roma substitutes are De Marzi, Kilvinger, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Castro, Maccaroni and Arena. Sassuolo's bench includes Turati, Satalino, Candé, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Obrador, Adzic, Bakola, Lipani, Ghion, Berardi, Bowie, Skjellerup and Pierini. The referee is Di Bello, with assistants Peretti and Scatragli. The fourth official is Abisso, the VAR is Pezzuto and the AVAR is Guida.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A's eleventh matchday, looking to bounce back quickly from the painful comeback they suffered against Manchester United in the Champions League and to stay in the top reaches of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Mile Svilar, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, while Pierluigi Gollini is not yet fully fit and is expected to give way again to Devis Vásquez. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrive without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Gasperini is expected to keep Vásquez in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence. Nahuel Molina is favoured on the right flank, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen up front. Manu Koné is back available and is expected to start. The probable Roma formation is a 3-4-2-1: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. The Roma bench lists De Marzi, Kilvinger, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio, Castro, Arena and Maccaroni. Sassuolo line up in a 3-4-2-1 as well: Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé; Cinquegrano, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Esposito, Laurienté; Bowie. Their bench includes Muric, Satalino, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Caleta-Car, Obrador, Ghion, Sulemana, Adzic, Lipani, Dominguez, Pierini and Skjellerup. The match is refereed by Di Bello of Brindisi, with Peretti and Scatragli as assistant referees, Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as assistant VAR.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to start Manu Koné in midfield for Roma's home match against Sassuolo, after the French midfielder overcame recent muscular problems. The game comes as the club's last outing before the international break. Koné's return is a key boost for a midfield that has been under heavy energy demands during a recent run of fixtures across Serie A and the cups. According to Sky Sport, Gasperini will also rely on the physicality and structure of Leonardo Balerdi and Evan Ndicka at the back, as the defence looks to regain solidity after recent outings. With Ndicka back to full training after his workload was managed over the last few matchdays, the Giallorossi defence regains a key pillar to provide cover and build-up play from the back. The simultaneous inclusion of Balerdi and Ndicka allows Gasperini to keep a three-man defensive setup with advanced wing-backs, balancing the push of the flanks while offering protection both on the counterattack and on set pieces and in dealing with opponents' aerial threat.