Gasperini back to full strength as Roma's fixture list eases during the international break

Lorenzo Pisilli's strong start to the season has earned him a place in the Italy squad, with Italy coach Roberto Mancini reportedly set to call him up for the Nations League fixtures against France and Belgium, according to Il Messaggero. Pisilli has also won the trust of Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, despite a poor display in Manchester. Gianluca Mancini and Daniele Ghilardi are also possible call-ups from Roma, according to the report. Bryan Cristante's involvement is in doubt. The squad list for the double header, which decides qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals, is expected to be announced today. The Manchester performance did not overshadow what the report describes as a season started at a high level by Pisilli. The Italian daily says the 2026-27 campaign has been a strong one for the midfielder, who has earned the confidence of both his club boss and the national team coach.

Roma are reflecting on a narrow defeat at Manchester United's Old Trafford, with Corriere della Sera highlighting both the individual progress within Gian Piero Gasperini's squad and the structural limits of a group that must compete on three fronts. Those limits, the report says, will require corrections in the January transfer window. Matías Soulé, now a key technical reference on the right side of the attack, is among the bright spots, along with the impact of Malen, who has produced important numbers in the giallorossi shirt, and the consistent form of Ndicka. However, a thin squad and an injury crisis have restricted Gasperini's rotations and exposed the gap with the top sides on Europe's biggest stages. The difficulties against the Red Devils were made worse by heavy absences in goal and in midfield. The club's management and Tony D'Amico, who is already working to identify the profiles needed in January, are reportedly targeting a midfielder and a left-sided winger to give Gasperini the alternatives he has asked for. The squad has returned to Trigoria to prepare for the Serie A clash with Sassuolo. The medical staff are monitoring Manu Koné, who is aiming for a rapid recovery, while the goalkeeping situation centres on Gollini, who is dealing with a back problem, with Colombian Devis Vásquez ready to step in again.

Roma's run of nine matches in 27 days ends at the Stadio Olimpico the day after next, bringing a demanding spell that has tested the squad on three fronts. The sequence began with Como and Sassuolo, with Champions League fixtures in between, and the last of them is the trip to Manchester United, who could overturn Roma's initial two-goal advantage. The working assumption, noted since late August, is that Roma have improved on last season's third-place finish. Simone Valdarchi, writing in Il Tempo, credits the greater understanding between coach and squad, with the club's transfer business also playing a part. A second, fairly obvious view is that the squad is short in depth. Even if it is not inadequate, it is thin enough to be stretched across three competitions. That is the stress test, and some players have passed it. Soulé's form over this period has stood out, and he has become a key technical reference in the trequarti. Still, the article argues that the team needs something more to keep progressing. D'Amico knows this well.

Matías Soulé has been the standout Roma performer in a grey night at Old Trafford, scoring his first Champions League goal and winning the penalty that Donyell Malen converted, in a game Roma ultimately lost. According to Daniele Aloisi in Il Messaggero, the Argentine is enjoying his best form yet, and the attacking hub for Roma's offence has been Soulé rather than Paulo Dybala, who is currently absent. Soulé has already scored four goals this season, against Lecce, Atalanta, Napoli and Manchester United, and has provided five assists, with his assists coming against Atalanta, Real Madrid (two) and Udinese (two). Last season, at the same stage, he had also scored the same number of goals but only two assists. He is playing a more decisive role than before, and for the first time since joining the club he is not leaving a noticeable gap without Dybala. The article describes Dybala as having become a technical leader, having put behind him the groin problem and, above all, a complicated summer. Soulé had been in the shadows during big matches last season, when his goals came against Pisa, Verona, Fiorentina, Rangers, Cremonese, Genoa and Sassuolo. Soulé has also been recalled to the Argentina squad by coach Scaloni, alongside Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro, and he is set to be the focus of the two friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Roma returned to Trigoria on Wednesday evening after their Champions League trip to Manchester United and began preparing immediately for the Serie A match against Sassuolo, with little time to regroup. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping to recover several key players from the treatment room. Manu Koné is progressing well towards full recovery and is aiming to be in contention for a place in the side against the neroverdi. Paulo Dybala has been back training on the pitch for a few days, but the medical staff's caution means he is unlikely to risk excessive effort, making a return to the matchday squad after the international break more likely. In goal, the situation is being monitored closely after recent physical problems. Gasperini returned from England still doubtful over Pierluigi Gollini, who is struggling with back discomfort that will be assessed day by day up to the eve of the match. If Gollini is ruled out, Colombian Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, is ready to keep his place between the posts for the league fixture as well. Devyne Rensch has also joined the injury list, suffering a muscle strain in his right adductor, and will undergo instrumental tests to determine his recovery time precisely. Gasperini and his staff are weighing up alternatives to reshape the team for the home match against Sassuolo. The Italian report confirms that the Roma squad's fitness updates will continue to be assessed through the coming days, with the coach balancing the returns of Koné and Dybala against the continued uncertainty at goalkeeper and right-back.

Roma's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini faces a growing problem as fatigue, injuries and a squad with limited numbers strain the club's challenge on two fronts: Serie A, where Roma are dreaming of the Scudetto, and the Champions League, where they want to make progress. The problem is that so many players are injured at once, and as the matches pile up and the season accelerates, the physical and mental demands become harder to meet. According to Alessandro Angeloni writing in Il Messaggero, Gasperini has had to deal with a series of significant absences this season. Losing Koné and Dybala in the same period has made things difficult. Covering absences at the back is easier, and while Svilar is missing, the coach has a group of reliable defenders behind him. The midfield is a different proposition: the solutions available are effective, but they depend on the form of those who are fit, and if de Roon begins to pay the price for the workload, it becomes a serious problem. The attack is the most critical area. As is well known, Roma lack a winger with very specific characteristics. Sporting director D'Amico himself has described this as the gap that should be filled in January. Roma need another player who can replace Dybala or Soulé up front, with Endrick cited as an example. Gasperini would like two more forwards in that area to feel comfortable.

Roma's excellent run of results and defensive balance in Serie A has not carried over to the Champions League, where the club continues to suffer lapses in the big European fixtures, according to Il Messaggero. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have conceded 10 goals in Serie A while scoring 28, but in their seven continental matches, including the qualifiers and group stage, they have scored just 8 and conceded 10. The negative trend is compounded by 14 goals conceded across their last seven official games in all competitions. A key factor identified in the analysis is the enforced absence of Mile Svilar in goal. The Belgian keeper's injury has deprived the team of a charismatic figure and a fundamental reference point for the Giallorossi backline. Despite the efforts of Gollini beforehand, and the recent emergency debut of Devis Vásquez at Old Trafford, the absence of the first-choice keeper continues to be felt in decisive moments. The analysis also points to rotation and mentality under maximum pressure. Difficulties in managing a two-goal lead or in facing late comebacks by opponents reflect, the piece argues, the need to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini. The January transfer window could offer the chance to add experienced players capable of bringing weight and balance to support the club's European ambitions.

Roma's defensive troubles cannot be blamed solely on the absence of goalkeeper Mile Svilar, though the Belgian's impact was clear when he was fit and his absence has been felt since he was sidelined by a finger injury. Before Svilar stepped aside, Roma had conceded four goals: one against Atalanta (Krstovic), one against Fenerbahce (Brown) and two against Inter (a brace from Lautaro). Since then, Roma have shown problems at the back, despite the far from ordinary performances of Gollini. The real imbalance has come in the Champions League, where Roma have conceded eight and scored ten. In Serie A they have conceded 28 and scored 10. The problem Roma continue to struggle with is most evident against the strongest and most prestigious opponents. Gasperini believes the cause is probably a lack of concentration, linked to a missing mentality. The side often gives up control of matches at the first difficulty, a trend present since the start of the season in both league and cup. Roma have suffered comebacks and goals conceded shortly after half-time, and the side has been unable to change the rhythm of games when things go wrong. The group loses its bearings at the first setback and, knowing only one way to play, struggles to create a different tempo or new momentum, Como aside. Finally, the article points to a problem that investment can solve. Roma's squad is very good for the league, but not yet for the demanding double commitment of playing in both Serie A and the Champions League.

Roma's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini faces a growing problem as fatigue, injuries and a squad with limited numbers strain the club's challenge on two fronts: Serie A, where Roma are dreaming of the Scudetto, and the Champions League, where they want to make progress. The problem is that so many players are injured at once, and as the matches pile up and the season accelerates, the physical and mental demands become harder to meet. According to Alessandro Angeloni writing in Il Messaggero, Gasperini has had to deal with a series of significant absences this season. Losing Koné and Dybala in the same period has made things difficult. Covering absences at the back is easier, and while Svilar is missing, the coach has a group of reliable defenders behind him. The midfield is a different proposition: the solutions available are effective, but they depend on the form of those who are fit, and if de Roon begins to pay the price for the workload, it becomes a serious problem. The attack is the most critical area. As is well known, Roma lack a winger with very specific characteristics. Sporting director D'Amico himself has described this as the gap that should be filled in January. Roma need another player who can replace Dybala or Soulé up front, with Endrick cited as an example. Gasperini would like two more forwards in that area to feel comfortable.

Roma returned to Trigoria on Wednesday evening after their Champions League trip to Manchester United and began preparing immediately for the Serie A match against Sassuolo, with little time to regroup. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping to recover several key players from the treatment room. Manu Koné is progressing well towards full recovery and is aiming to be in contention for a place in the side against the neroverdi. Paulo Dybala has been back training on the pitch for a few days, but the medical staff's caution means he is unlikely to risk excessive effort, making a return to the matchday squad after the international break more likely. In goal, the situation is being monitored closely after recent physical problems. Gasperini returned from England still doubtful over Pierluigi Gollini, who is struggling with back discomfort that will be assessed day by day up to the eve of the match. If Gollini is ruled out, Colombian Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, is ready to keep his place between the posts for the league fixture as well. Devyne Rensch has also joined the injury list, suffering a muscle strain in his right adductor, and will undergo instrumental tests to determine his recovery time precisely. Gasperini and his staff are weighing up alternatives to reshape the team for the home match against Sassuolo. The Italian report confirms that the Roma squad's fitness updates will continue to be assessed through the coming days, with the coach balancing the returns of Koné and Dybala against the continued uncertainty at goalkeeper and right-back.

Paulo Dybala will undergo a decisive fitness test today to determine whether a calf problem has fully cleared, which will decide whether he can be included in the squad for Saturday evening's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping to recover at least one player from a long list of injuries that has hit the club over the past month. Sassuolo are coached by former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, and they arrive in crisis after defeats to Udinese and Manchester United. Roma are also battling their own run of setbacks, with Gasperini looking for positive news ahead of the weekend. Manu Koné appears to have put his thigh muscle problem behind him, but maximum precaution will be taken with him because of the midfielder's upcoming commitments with France. Gollini is reported to be optimistic about his recovery after a back strain suffered against Manchester United, and he was already feeling less pain yesterday. Devyne Rensch will undergo instrumental tests today after reporting a muscle problem in his right adductor. There are fears of a tear.

Roma are preparing for Saturday evening's trip to Sassuolo, where former player Alberto Aquilani is in charge, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini hoping to have some key players back before the international break. The club is still reeling from its defeat to Manchester United, and the injury news from the treatment room is mixed. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Paulo Dybala faces a decisive fitness test today to check whether the calf problem that has troubled him is fully resolved. The Argentine hopes to earn at least a place in the squad, but the medical staff are not willing to take risks. Sky Sport's latest information is more pessimistic, pointing towards a return after the break. Manu Koné appears to have put his thigh muscle problem behind him and is completing his recovery. The Frenchman's involvement against Sassuolo remains difficult, particularly given his upcoming commitments with the national team, and caution prevails. There is more hope surrounding Pierluigi Gollini, who is out with a back problem but is improving. The goalkeeper could be available again on Saturday; otherwise, Vásquez will once again be tasked with defending the Giallorossi goal. Mile Svilar has no chance of returning before the break. Devyne Rensch's absence is already certain: tests carried out yesterday revealed a slight tear to his right adductor, sustained during the match against Manchester United. The Dutchman is expected to be sidelined for about three weeks.