Gasperini backs Dybala to play if fit, confirms Pellegrini return and Koné test ahead of Torino clash

Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed Paulo Dybala will start tomorrow's match in Turin, dismissing any doubt about the forward's availability. Speaking at his press conference, the coach stated simply: "If he is well, he plays." Dybala has been in outstanding form across the opening four Serie A matches, starting all of them and accumulating 343 minutes on the pitch—an average of 85 per game. Those figures demand a return to his time at Palermo (318 minutes in 2014) and Juventus (345 minutes in 2015) to find comparable workload numbers. Gasperini elaborated on his selection philosophy, saying: "One rests when tired. If he is well do you want to put him to sleep? You cannot know when someone will get injured, but if he is well, he plays. If someone needs to rest, it is right that he rests. We will decide match by match. The important thing is to try to make the most of each player's favourable moment." The message is unambiguous: Dybala is the strongest player in the league and Gasperini will not be parted from him lightly. The Juventus academy graduate is chasing his first goal of the season after his last strike came in Turin in January; he has since endured a lengthy injury lay-off but has been prolific in providing assists. Dybala has registered four assists across the opening three league matches. No player has recorded more than four assists in a club's opening four Serie A games since data became available in 2004–05. He joins Antonio Cassano (2009–10), Ignazio Abate (2014–15), Lorenzo Insigne (2017–18) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (2019–20) in that exclusive company.

Torino head coach Ignazio Abate has praised Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical innovations ahead of tomorrow's 18:30 kickoff against Roma, while confirming two injury concerns for his own squad. Adams is unavailable with an adductor problem, and Simeone is doubtful with a back issue. Abate used his pre-match press conference to frame the fixture as a significant test of Torino's progress this season. He noted that Roma, buoyed by their victory at Florence, present a formidable challenge. "They are a strong team living a brilliant moment with great individual players, and we are ready," he said. Torino's recent integration of new players is progressing well, he added, with the group two weeks into their work together and improving in tactical understanding and physical condition. Coco has recovered from injury and is available. On his opposite number, Abate said: "He has revolutionised modern football with his man-to-man approach. It is very vertical, he invades the box with many players, he has revolutionised modern football—his career speaks for itself." Abate rejected the notion of the match as an examination of his team's maturity. "For us it is not a test of maturity, it is a step, a journey started a few months ago. We also have our weapons and we must try to deploy them on the pitch."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Paulo Dybala's availability and playing time, stating that the forward will always play when fit. Gasperini said: "The important thing is to try to make the most of each player's favourable moment. All matches are tough." He also noted that injuries cannot be foreseen, addressing questions around squad rotation and selection decisions. Gasperini's comments came as Roma prepare for fixtures ahead, with Dybala's fitness status a point of focus for the campaign. The coach dismissed any suggestion of artificial hierarchies in the squad, emphasizing a performance-based approach to team selection.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria on 13 September ahead of Torino–Roma on Monday 14 September at 18:30, addressing squad fitness after the Champions League fixture in Istanbul. The coach confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini's return to the squad and left open the possibility of Manu Koné featuring after a knee problem. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini was unambiguous: "If he is well he always plays. There is no doubt about it. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict injury; we do not have a crystal ball. Tomorrow we have to play a great match to win at Torino, because it will be a difficult game and we need a squad at full strength." Pellegrini, he announced, would be included in the squad. "Perhaps for the first time, fingers crossed, we have everyone," Gasperini said. "We will see how Lulli is; he seems better today." Koné would test his fitness on 13 September: "He tries today; he could be there too." Wesley took a heavy blow to the knee late in the Istanbul match but Gasperini expressed confidence: "These are very strong athletes physically who recover in two days, let alone four." Molina, who arrived around 30 August, was described as "growing. Like De Roon and the latest arrivals, he needs to recover. On the value of the players there is no doubt." On Donyell Malen's form, Gasperini said: "The numbers are extraordinary. He has had excellent continuity. Taking Malen, I knew he was an important player for us, but we have certainly gone beyond expectations." He praised Rodrigo Mora as a player of "great talent" who "must complete himself both physically and tactically," adding: "I do not think there is a boy in the world who can be more of a protagonist than him at this moment." On Leonardo Balerdi's arrival strengthening the defence, Gasperini deflected comparisons of hierarchy: "Stop with the hierarchy talk; it is not fair to the players giving their maximum. Ghilardi has grown, Koulierakis is an important alternative, and at Marseille Balerdi did something remarkable. In Champions teams there are more first-choice players."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 September as Roma prepare to face Torino at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday 14 September at 18:30 for Serie A matchday four, just days after drawing with Fenerbahce in the Champions League. The coach dismissed repeated questions about player hierarchies, saying: "I beg you to stop with this talk of hierarchies, it's not good towards the players who are giving their all, it makes no sense and has no effect on the squad. Everyone gives an important contribution." He also defended recent signings Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon, emphasizing that strong squads in European competition operate with multiple starter-quality players rather than a fixed pecking order. Gasperini paid special tribute to Donyell Malen's early form, describing his Serie A record as extraordinary. "These are extraordinary numbers, out of the ordinary," he said. "This player did something special, above all with consistency. These are extraordinary even for the characteristics and quality of the goals. When we signed Malen I knew he would be an important player, but here we have gone beyond that." The coach also spoke positively of young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, calling him "a boy of great talent, very young, and that is not considered. He needs to complete himself, especially on the physical side, and then the tactical. He arrived recently, but what he has shown is that of a young player of great level." Gasperini addressed the physical demands facing Roma after consecutive heavy fixtures, saying his approach is simple: "When I see a player is well he continues, when I see him fatigued I substitute him. Players live in cycles, you must try to take the best from each one, but they are all reliable and there are no dismissals if once one plays and another time another does." On Paulo Dybala's potential involvement, he said: "If he is well he plays always. There is no doubt. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict an injury, we don't have a crystal ball; if he is well he plays." He confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini, recently recovered, will travel to Turin, and noted that Emanuele Lulli, who was suffering from flu, appeared better on the day of the conference. He also indicated Manu Koné's availability would be assessed on the day itself. Gasperini highlighted the depth of his attacking options. "There is him [Castro], there is Malen, there is Dybala, Mora, Soulé…tell me who is playing badly…Tomorrow we also recover Pellegrini and I'm taking him to Turin: perhaps for the first time we have everyone," he said. On Konstantinos Koulierakis and defensive options, he added: "Who doesn't want to see? N'Dicka? Hermoso? I assure you that tomorrow 16 will play as well. Unfortunately another 4 will not play, but perhaps they will the following match." Nahuel Molina, signed on 31 August, has been at the club for 14 days; Gasperini confirmed Wesley recovered from a knock sustained in recent action.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fourth league fixture against Torino on 14 September at the Stadio Olimpico-Grande Torino, kickoff 18:30. The head coach addressed squad rotation, player form and Roma's readiness for a fixture he described as difficult as any other. Gasperini praised Donyell Malen's contribution since his arrival, saying: "The numbers are extraordinary and special. This player has made them with continuity and they are significant, they are great numbers also for how they were made, for the characteristics. Taking Malen I knew he would be important but we went beyond that." On Rodrigo Mora, he noted the young forward's level despite his age: "He has talent but it is not considered that he is young. He must complete himself from a physical and tactical point of view but what he has shown in the first matches, either from the start or coming in during the game, is that he is a young player of level. I do not believe there are young players more protagonists than he is at this moment." Gasperini rejected talk of a defensive pecking order, stating: "Please stop with the hierarchy discussion, it is not right towards the players who are giving their maximum. It does not make sense for these players, they are all giving an important contribution." He acknowledged Daniele Ghilardi's progress, Konstantinos Koulierakis' form and Leonardo Balerdi's arrival as a player of substance. On Paulo Dybala's workload, he said: "If he is well he plays always. You cannot predict injuries, we do not have a crystal ball. If one is well he plays, if he needs to rest then it is right that he has a week or two to rest." Gasperini confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini would be available after his absence, adding: "We are in a position to be complete." Emanuele Lulli had a fever the previous day but was improving. Manu Koné was expected to train that day, with his status to be assessed. On the defensive lapses—Roma having conceded twice early in the second half in recent matches—Gasperini said: "We are trying to avoid taking these goals. It has happened twice but they were two well-played matches. We will be more careful, the important thing is not to take goals." Wesley took a knock to the knee in his last match but was expected to recover within two days. Molina arrived around 30 August and had been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season but was growing into the group.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria on 13 September ahead of Torino–Roma on Monday 14 September at 18:30, addressing squad fitness after the Champions League fixture in Istanbul. The coach confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini's return to the squad and left open the possibility of Manu Koné featuring after a knee problem. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini was unambiguous: "If he is well he always plays. There is no doubt about it. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict injury; we do not have a crystal ball. Tomorrow we have to play a great match to win at Torino, because it will be a difficult game and we need a squad at full strength." Pellegrini, he announced, would be included in the squad. "Perhaps for the first time, fingers crossed, we have everyone," Gasperini said. "We will see how Lulli is; he seems better today." Koné would test his fitness on 13 September: "He tries today; he could be there too." Wesley took a heavy blow to the knee late in the Istanbul match but Gasperini expressed confidence: "These are very strong athletes physically who recover in two days, let alone four." Molina, who arrived around 30 August, was described as "growing. Like De Roon and the latest arrivals, he needs to recover. On the value of the players there is no doubt." On Donyell Malen's form, Gasperini said: "The numbers are extraordinary. He has had excellent continuity. Taking Malen, I knew he was an important player for us, but we have certainly gone beyond expectations." He praised Rodrigo Mora as a player of "great talent" who "must complete himself both physically and tactically," adding: "I do not think there is a boy in the world who can be more of a protagonist than him at this moment." On Leonardo Balerdi's arrival strengthening the defence, Gasperini deflected comparisons of hierarchy: "Stop with the hierarchy talk; it is not fair to the players giving their maximum. Ghilardi has grown, Koulierakis is an important alternative, and at Marseille Balerdi did something remarkable. In Champions teams there are more first-choice players."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fourth league fixture against Torino on 14 September at the Stadio Olimpico-Grande Torino, kickoff 18:30. The head coach addressed squad rotation, player form and Roma's readiness for a fixture he described as difficult as any other. Gasperini praised Donyell Malen's contribution since his arrival, saying: "The numbers are extraordinary and special. This player has made them with continuity and they are significant, they are great numbers also for how they were made, for the characteristics. Taking Malen I knew he would be important but we went beyond that." On Rodrigo Mora, he noted the young forward's level despite his age: "He has talent but it is not considered that he is young. He must complete himself from a physical and tactical point of view but what he has shown in the first matches, either from the start or coming in during the game, is that he is a young player of level. I do not believe there are young players more protagonists than he is at this moment." Gasperini rejected talk of a defensive pecking order, stating: "Please stop with the hierarchy discussion, it is not right towards the players who are giving their maximum. It does not make sense for these players, they are all giving an important contribution." He acknowledged Daniele Ghilardi's progress, Konstantinos Koulierakis' form and Leonardo Balerdi's arrival as a player of substance. On Paulo Dybala's workload, he said: "If he is well he plays always. You cannot predict injuries, we do not have a crystal ball. If one is well he plays, if he needs to rest then it is right that he has a week or two to rest." Gasperini confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini would be available after his absence, adding: "We are in a position to be complete." Emanuele Lulli had a fever the previous day but was improving. Manu Koné was expected to train that day, with his status to be assessed. On the defensive lapses—Roma having conceded twice early in the second half in recent matches—Gasperini said: "We are trying to avoid taking these goals. It has happened twice but they were two well-played matches. We will be more careful, the important thing is not to take goals." Wesley took a knock to the knee in his last match but was expected to recover within two days. Molina arrived around 30 August and had been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season but was growing into the group.

Roma are preparing for their match against Torino on 14 September with several changes across midfield, defence and attack as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini manages the squad's physical demands. Manu Koné will miss the opening in favour of Niccolò Pisilli, who is set to make his first league start of the 2026-27 season after the French midfielder completed a separate training session on 12 September as a precautionary measure. Lorenzo Pellegrini is available again after his absence and will be included in the squad. The defensive line will see Leonardo Balerdi come into contention to replace Gianluca Mancini, who has appeared below his best in recent outings, with Ghilardi also in the frame. Emanuele Lulli is expected to return to the starting XI on the right flank. In attack, Gasperini plans a managed rotation between Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé to control the demands on his forward resources as Roma push forward in their league campaign.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria on 13 September ahead of Torino–Roma on Monday 14 September at 18:30, addressing squad fitness after the Champions League fixture in Istanbul. The coach confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini's return to the squad and left open the possibility of Manu Koné featuring after a knee problem. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini was unambiguous: "If he is well he always plays. There is no doubt about it. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict injury; we do not have a crystal ball. Tomorrow we have to play a great match to win at Torino, because it will be a difficult game and we need a squad at full strength." Pellegrini, he announced, would be included in the squad. "Perhaps for the first time, fingers crossed, we have everyone," Gasperini said. "We will see how Lulli is; he seems better today." Koné would test his fitness on 13 September: "He tries today; he could be there too." Wesley took a heavy blow to the knee late in the Istanbul match but Gasperini expressed confidence: "These are very strong athletes physically who recover in two days, let alone four." Molina, who arrived around 30 August, was described as "growing. Like De Roon and the latest arrivals, he needs to recover. On the value of the players there is no doubt." On Donyell Malen's form, Gasperini said: "The numbers are extraordinary. He has had excellent continuity. Taking Malen, I knew he was an important player for us, but we have certainly gone beyond expectations." He praised Rodrigo Mora as a player of "great talent" who "must complete himself both physically and tactically," adding: "I do not think there is a boy in the world who can be more of a protagonist than him at this moment." On Leonardo Balerdi's arrival strengthening the defence, Gasperini deflected comparisons of hierarchy: "Stop with the hierarchy talk; it is not fair to the players giving their maximum. Ghilardi has grown, Koulierakis is an important alternative, and at Marseille Balerdi did something remarkable. In Champions teams there are more first-choice players."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 September as Roma prepare to face Torino at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday 14 September at 18:30 for Serie A matchday four, just days after drawing with Fenerbahce in the Champions League. The coach dismissed repeated questions about player hierarchies, saying: "I beg you to stop with this talk of hierarchies, it's not good towards the players who are giving their all, it makes no sense and has no effect on the squad. Everyone gives an important contribution." He also defended recent signings Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon, emphasizing that strong squads in European competition operate with multiple starter-quality players rather than a fixed pecking order. Gasperini paid special tribute to Donyell Malen's early form, describing his Serie A record as extraordinary. "These are extraordinary numbers, out of the ordinary," he said. "This player did something special, above all with consistency. These are extraordinary even for the characteristics and quality of the goals. When we signed Malen I knew he would be an important player, but here we have gone beyond that." The coach also spoke positively of young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, calling him "a boy of great talent, very young, and that is not considered. He needs to complete himself, especially on the physical side, and then the tactical. He arrived recently, but what he has shown is that of a young player of great level." Gasperini addressed the physical demands facing Roma after consecutive heavy fixtures, saying his approach is simple: "When I see a player is well he continues, when I see him fatigued I substitute him. Players live in cycles, you must try to take the best from each one, but they are all reliable and there are no dismissals if once one plays and another time another does." On Paulo Dybala's potential involvement, he said: "If he is well he plays always. There is no doubt. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict an injury, we don't have a crystal ball; if he is well he plays." He confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini, recently recovered, will travel to Turin, and noted that Emanuele Lulli, who was suffering from flu, appeared better on the day of the conference. He also indicated Manu Koné's availability would be assessed on the day itself. Gasperini highlighted the depth of his attacking options. "There is him [Castro], there is Malen, there is Dybala, Mora, Soulé…tell me who is playing badly…Tomorrow we also recover Pellegrini and I'm taking him to Turin: perhaps for the first time we have everyone," he said. On Konstantinos Koulierakis and defensive options, he added: "Who doesn't want to see? N'Dicka? Hermoso? I assure you that tomorrow 16 will play as well. Unfortunately another 4 will not play, but perhaps they will the following match." Nahuel Molina, signed on 31 August, has been at the club for 14 days; Gasperini confirmed Wesley recovered from a knock sustained in recent action.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fourth league fixture against Torino on 14 September at the Stadio Olimpico-Grande Torino, kickoff 18:30. The head coach addressed squad rotation, player form and Roma's readiness for a fixture he described as difficult as any other. Gasperini praised Donyell Malen's contribution since his arrival, saying: "The numbers are extraordinary and special. This player has made them with continuity and they are significant, they are great numbers also for how they were made, for the characteristics. Taking Malen I knew he would be important but we went beyond that." On Rodrigo Mora, he noted the young forward's level despite his age: "He has talent but it is not considered that he is young. He must complete himself from a physical and tactical point of view but what he has shown in the first matches, either from the start or coming in during the game, is that he is a young player of level. I do not believe there are young players more protagonists than he is at this moment." Gasperini rejected talk of a defensive pecking order, stating: "Please stop with the hierarchy discussion, it is not right towards the players who are giving their maximum. It does not make sense for these players, they are all giving an important contribution." He acknowledged Daniele Ghilardi's progress, Konstantinos Koulierakis' form and Leonardo Balerdi's arrival as a player of substance. On Paulo Dybala's workload, he said: "If he is well he plays always. You cannot predict injuries, we do not have a crystal ball. If one is well he plays, if he needs to rest then it is right that he has a week or two to rest." Gasperini confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini would be available after his absence, adding: "We are in a position to be complete." Emanuele Lulli had a fever the previous day but was improving. Manu Koné was expected to train that day, with his status to be assessed. On the defensive lapses—Roma having conceded twice early in the second half in recent matches—Gasperini said: "We are trying to avoid taking these goals. It has happened twice but they were two well-played matches. We will be more careful, the important thing is not to take goals." Wesley took a knock to the knee in his last match but was expected to recover within two days. Molina arrived around 30 August and had been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season but was growing into the group.