Gasperini calls for more quality as Roma's squad stretched; Greenwood and Nusa shine in Champions League

Roma defender Emanuele Lulli has been called up by Italy Under-21 coach Baldini for two prestigious friendlies against France and Belgium, after Italy qualified for the 2027 European Championship in Albania and Serbia. While Ghilardi and Pisilli have been summoned by Roberto Mancini to the senior national team, Lulli is the only Roma player in the Under-21 group. Baldini's squad includes three players making their first Under-21 appearance: Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina, Monza defender Eddy Kouadio and Borussia Dortmund striker Samuele Inacio, all of whom came through the senior Italy set-up last October. Filippo Mane of Borussia Dortmund returns in defence, while Lorenzo Amatucci returns in midfield. Three players return in attack: Alessio Cacciamani of Torino, who has been absent since March 2026, Jeff Ekhator and Dominic Vavassori. The full squad is as follows. Goalkeepers: Giovanni Daffara (Parma), Diego Mascardi (Torino), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone), Massimo Pessina (Bologna). Defenders: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Gabriele Calvani (Frosinone), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (Torino), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Emanuele Lulli (Roma), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Brando Moruzzi (Avellino). Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Deportivo La Coruña), Tommaso Berti (Cremonese), Matteo Cichella (Frosinone), Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), Giacomo Faticanti (Avellino), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina). Forwards: Alessio Cacciamani (Torino), Francesco Camarda (Milan), Luigi Cherubini (Benevento), Jeff Ekhator (Juventus), Seydou Fini (Frosinone), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Dominic Vavassori (Palermo).

Roma supporters have accused stewards of charging at and assaulting fans during the Champions League away trip to Manchester United. According to their testimonies, one fan was pinned down and beaten by stewards until he lost consciousness. He was rescued and taken to hospital, and returned to Italy the following day. The accounts come from giallorossi supporters who travelled for the club's Champions League fixture against United. The allegations describe the violence as a serious incident for the travelling Roma support, and the fan's ordeal required emergency treatment before he was transported to hospital.

The three Roma supporters who were detained by police after the trip to Old Trafford have been released and have returned to Italy in the past few hours. A young fan who was pinned down by police officers at Old Trafford, and who was nearly killed according to the Italian report, has also made it home. He is in good condition after receiving medical treatment first at the stadium and then in hospital in Manchester. The news comes after a trip to Manchester that fans will want to forget, above all because of what happened in the stands at Old Trafford. The incident has overshadowed the club's European visit and the Roma supporters who travelled to the English city. The Italian report confirms that the three Giallorossi supporters held by police have been released, and that the young man who was restrained by officers has also returned home safely.

Manu Koné is on course to return for Roma's Saturday evening clash with Sassuolo at the Olimpico, while Devyne Rensch has been ruled out with a first-degree tear of the right adductor longus. Roma are preparing for the match against Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, with the aim of putting behind them the setback of their latest slip in the Champions League. Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping for positive news from the treatment room to widen his rotation options, after a squad that has been put under severe strain over the past month by numerous physical setbacks. Paulo Dybala's situation is still in doubt, but there is more optimism over Koné, who has overcome a muscle problem in his thigh and could be included in the squad. The medical staff will, however, proceed with caution, also with an eye on his call-up for the French national team. Gollini's condition is improving after he missed the game at Manchester for a back problem. Rensch was forced off after just 20 minutes of the match against Manchester United because of a muscle problem. Tests revealed a first-degree tear of the right adductor longus. The Dutchman will therefore not be available against Sassuolo. The aim is for him to be back available immediately after the international break. Italy coach Roberto Mancini has named his squad for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium, scheduled for Thursday 12 November at San Siro and Sunday 15 November at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels respectively. Three Roma players have been called up: Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi and Niccolò Pisilli. Evan Ndicka will also depart, called up by Ivory Coast for their African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Marten de Roon is the subject of a new interview conducted by Idealista in collaboration with Roma. The midfielder spoke about his arrival at the club, how he lives football day to day and his relationship with the dressing room. "When the coach called me I already knew it would be a difficult move, partly because of the history between Roma and Atalanta, partly because of what was said on social media about Roma; but at a certain point we had decided, and I had no doubts," the Dutchman said. "In the dressing room I am still looking for my role, so I don't joke around much, but the atmosphere is healthy, it seems like an 'easy' dressing room. Years ago I thought it was very difficult, even playing against it; now that I've come in, I've seen that it is healthy, warm, welcoming." Roma's many injuries have also been a talking point on Rome's airwaves. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio: "Sassuolo are probably the right opponent for a Roma side that needs to get back up and reach the break without forcing the return of those who have been sidelined for a long time. Injuries, unfortunately, are now part of an increasingly frenetic game." Piero Torri added on Radio Manà Manà Sport: "Roma's squad is short and will stay that way for a couple of months yet, because the market only reopens in January. Serie A and the Champions League demand a lot, and this inevitably takes its toll. If we add the problem of injuries, the weight on the team becomes even more evident."

Roma have repeatedly let leads slip in recent matches, a problem that has exposed the thinness of their squad and led to worrying dips in energy, according to Corriere dello Sport. The most glaring examples came against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, while the Giallorossi also dropped points or momentum against Lecce, Torino, Cagliari and Udinese, though they still managed to win those games. The data back up the trend. Roma have taken 20 fewer shots in second halves than in first halves, and their xG, ball recoveries and touches in the opposition box also decline after the interval. Defensively the cost has been clear: they have conceded just 3 goals in the first 45 minutes, 15 after the interval and 9 in the final portion of games. Management is planning to be active in January, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, and the club will look to repeat the approach that brought Donyell Malen to the club in the winter window last year, targeting players unhappy with their minutes elsewhere. Roma have navigated the simultaneous absences of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné better than in the past, but the spell still left its mark. The capital club is interested in Jamie Gittens and Endrick, who are in that situation. Giorgi Kvernadze and Jamie Leweling, meanwhile, are fixtures for Frosinone and Stuttgart. Roma also intend to add a central midfielder. Overall, the club have done well outside their clashes with the very best sides, but a couple more options would help a coach who likes to make changes from the bench. A midfield powerhouse would be more useful than an extra attacker, assuming Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro keep developing.

Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné did not appear in images of Roma's group training session at Trigoria, a sign that their return for Saturday's match against Sassuolo is becoming more difficult. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are preparing for the Serie A fixture, which kicks off at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after the club's disappointing defeat to Manchester United. Dybala is not yet ready, while Koné, who is close to returning, is being treated with caution. A call-up for Koné remains to be decided in the coming hours. Gasperini appears set to keep Rodrigo Mora in the number ten role behind Matías Soulé, with Donyell Malen leading the attack. Mora is expected to get another start after strong recent performances. In defence, Evan N'Dicka is likely to return to the heart of the back line, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley could reclaim the full-back positions. Molina is in line to regain a starting place following the injury to Devyne Rensch, who has suffered a mild muscle lesion to his right adductor and will be out for around three weeks. Gollini, who is struggling with a back problem, remains doubtful. The aim is clear: return to winning immediately after the comeback Roma suffered against Manchester United and close out this demanding phase of the season in the best possible way. A long-awaited break will follow, giving Gasperini time to recover energy and, hopefully, a significant number of injured players. First, though, there are three points to win against Sassuolo, whose coach is Alberto Aquilani. Roma's training session on Thursday was shared by the club on its social channels in a video showing several moments of the session.

Roma return to Serie A on Saturday evening, hosting Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in the eleventh round, the last fixture before the international break. Kickoff is at 20:45 on Saturday 7 November. Sassuolo are coached by former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, and Gasperini's side will look to bounce back from the disappointment of a late comeback against Manchester United in the Champions League. Roma lost 3-2 at Old Trafford, having led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Soulé and Malen before Manchester United completed the turnaround in the second half. In Serie A the mood is far brighter. Roma beat Udinese 5-2 in their last outing and sit third after ten rounds with 24 points, from seven wins and three draws. They have scored 28 and conceded 10, and remain unbeaten in the league this season. Sassuolo, by contrast, are seventeenth with 8 points from ten matches. They arrive on a run of four consecutive defeats and have the worst defence in Serie A. Their last game ended in a 4-2 defeat at the Mapei Stadium to Fiorentina, and they have also lost to Lazio, Como and Frosinone in recent weeks. Gasperini faces an early selection problem in goal. Pierluigi Gollini missed the Manchester United game with a back problem that came up during training, and his condition will be monitored up to the match. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, will again be in goal. Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso are expected back in defence, although Ghilardi remains a concrete option after good performances in recent weeks. Molina and Wesley are favoured on the flanks. Devyne Rensch will not be available, having suffered a right adductor injury against Manchester United. Cristante is expected to keep his place in midfield, while the partner alongside him is still open, with Pisilli possibly giving de Roon a rest. Up front, Soulé and Malen look certain to start, with Mora expected to play behind or alongside the Argentine. Koné and Dybala are doubtful, with both hoping to be available at least on the bench. Svilar will certainly miss the game, as he completes his recovery from a stress fracture to his fifth toe and is expected back after the break. Pellegrini is also out, still recovering from the muscle problem he suffered against Slovan Bratislava. Sassuolo are expected to line up in a 4-3-3. Turati is the favourite in goal, protected by a back line of Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé and Doig. Thorstvedt returns in midfield after serving his suspension against Fiorentina, and is expected to be joined by Matic and one of Bakola or Adzic. Up front, Aquilani will rely on his most creative players: Berardi on the right, Laurienté on the opposite flank and Sebastiano Esposito as the central reference point. Leysen, who has a serious knee injury, and Ismaël Koné, who is recovering from a leg fracture, are out for Sassuolo, along with Boloca and Volpato. Roma's head-to-head record at the Olimpico against Sassuolo is strong. Of 12 Serie A meetings played in Rome, Roma have won six, five have ended level and Sassuolo have won just once, a 4-3 victory in March 2023. The most recent meeting was on 10 January 2026, when Roma won 2-0. Overall, including matches in Emilia, the record reads 13 wins for Roma, 9 draws and just 2 wins for Sassuolo. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN and Sky Sport Calcio, and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kickoff at 20:45 on Saturday 7 November.

Roma's attack now depends almost entirely on Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé, with the pair accounting for 31 successful dribbles in the Champions League (16 and 15, with Wesley third on 6) and 23 shots on target (15 and 8, with Lorenzo Pellegrini third on 4). The Italian commentary argues that a third forward is missing from an attack that almost always lines up with three players up front. The Giallorossi's team statistics place them between 15th and 21st among Champions League clubs, including behind Sabah for successful dribbles, a sharp drop from Serie A where Roma are in the top three. The writer argues that the Champions League and Serie A are completely different in technical quality and physicality. The second half at Old Trafford reminded Roma that they can never relax, and showed again that the squad lacks the players to change the course of a match. Gasperini replaced Rodrigo Mora with Niccolò Pisilli, a decision the article describes as right or wrong depending on your view, but asks who else could have been used to exploit the space behind a Manchester side that was simply attacking. Roma have no players capable of a sudden burst of pace, and Malen and Soulé both faded mentally and physically after the break. The article says Gasperini is missing a third of his attack. Mora is an incredible talent but is not a winger, Pellegrini showed his fragility again, and neither Dybala nor Soulé is comfortable on the left flank, where they cannot cut inside onto their left foot. Gasperini had said on 30 August: "We still need one more piece there on the left to complete the squad." A high winger never arrived, and the club were left with an empty slot on the left. The writer concludes that the team remains incomplete today.

Roma midfielder Marten de Roon has spoken at length about his move to the club, the fan tensions that preceded it and his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, in an interview with Idealista.it. The Dutchman said he knew the transfer would be difficult, partly because of the history between Roma and Atalanta and partly because of past social media exchanges with Roma supporters. He said: "When the coach called me I already knew it would be a difficult move, partly because of the history between Roma and Atalanta, partly because of the story on social media with Roma; but at a certain point we had decided, I had no doubts. Then the pitch speaks. I had no doubts, I wanted to show on the pitch my will to be here. Gasperini shows it too, facts count, there is time." De Roon described himself as a player who wants to win at all costs on the pitch, with tactical reading of the game as his main quality. He said: "On the pitch I want to win at all costs. My main quality, what I like to do, is to see the game, tactically I am prepared, that is my strength: I see where we can attack well, where to defend better, from midfield I like to manage the team, call the markings. Off the pitch I like to joke, talk, above all observe. I like to try to give a hand to my team-mates; I am a professional, even off the pitch I try to be helpful, at my age and with my experience." On Gasperini, he recalled eight years together at Atalanta, which he described as the best period of his career there. He said: "We spent eight years together, we lived the most beautiful period with Atalanta, we fought many battles together and I have always thanked him. The relationship is mainly professional; if he is your coach you don't see him outside the pitch during the week." He added: "Last year he called me from time to time, he asked me about Malen, but he wanted more of a confirmation, he was already convinced. I had no doubts. He's doing quite well, isn't he?" De Roon said he is still looking for his role in the side, so he is not joking around much yet, but he described the dressing room as healthy and welcoming. He said: "Many are nice. I'm still looking for my role, so I don't joke around much, but the atmosphere is healthy, it seems like an easy dressing room. Years ago I thought it was a very difficult dressing room, even playing against it; now I've come in and seen that it is healthy, warm, welcoming." He said he already knew Malen, Rensch, Mancini, Gollini and Cristante, which made the adjustment easier. Pellegrini helped him get to know the city and, together with the club, assisted him with many things during the move and his search for a home. On life in Rome, De Roon said he had been visiting the city often over the past four years. He said: "The climate is wonderful, I have always liked the city, there is so much culture, the food is incredible. Living here is different. I live a bit outside, the morning traffic is different, but I like it very much." Asked whether he could see himself staying in the capital after his career, he said: "At the moment I think about the pitch, I haven't thought about it, but in the future, why not? Rome is the most beautiful city in the world, we'll think about it calmly."

Roma have repeatedly let leads slip in recent matches, a problem that has exposed the thinness of their squad and led to worrying dips in energy, according to Corriere dello Sport. The most glaring examples came against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, while the Giallorossi also dropped points or momentum against Lecce, Torino, Cagliari and Udinese, though they still managed to win those games. The data back up the trend. Roma have taken 20 fewer shots in second halves than in first halves, and their xG, ball recoveries and touches in the opposition box also decline after the interval. Defensively the cost has been clear: they have conceded just 3 goals in the first 45 minutes, 15 after the interval and 9 in the final portion of games. Management is planning to be active in January, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, and the club will look to repeat the approach that brought Donyell Malen to the club in the winter window last year, targeting players unhappy with their minutes elsewhere. Roma have navigated the simultaneous absences of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné better than in the past, but the spell still left its mark. The capital club is interested in Jamie Gittens and Endrick, who are in that situation. Giorgi Kvernadze and Jamie Leweling, meanwhile, are fixtures for Frosinone and Stuttgart. Roma also intend to add a central midfielder. Overall, the club have done well outside their clashes with the very best sides, but a couple more options would help a coach who likes to make changes from the bench. A midfield powerhouse would be more useful than an extra attacker, assuming Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro keep developing.

Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné did not appear in images of Roma's group training session at Trigoria, a sign that their return for Saturday's match against Sassuolo is becoming more difficult. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are preparing for the Serie A fixture, which kicks off at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after the club's disappointing defeat to Manchester United. Dybala is not yet ready, while Koné, who is close to returning, is being treated with caution. A call-up for Koné remains to be decided in the coming hours. Gasperini appears set to keep Rodrigo Mora in the number ten role behind Matías Soulé, with Donyell Malen leading the attack. Mora is expected to get another start after strong recent performances. In defence, Evan N'Dicka is likely to return to the heart of the back line, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley could reclaim the full-back positions. Molina is in line to regain a starting place following the injury to Devyne Rensch, who has suffered a mild muscle lesion to his right adductor and will be out for around three weeks. Gollini, who is struggling with a back problem, remains doubtful. The aim is clear: return to winning immediately after the comeback Roma suffered against Manchester United and close out this demanding phase of the season in the best possible way. A long-awaited break will follow, giving Gasperini time to recover energy and, hopefully, a significant number of injured players. First, though, there are three points to win against Sassuolo, whose coach is Alberto Aquilani. Roma's training session on Thursday was shared by the club on its social channels in a video showing several moments of the session.

Roma return to Serie A on Saturday evening, hosting Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in the eleventh round, the last fixture before the international break. Kickoff is at 20:45 on Saturday 7 November. Sassuolo are coached by former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, and Gasperini's side will look to bounce back from the disappointment of a late comeback against Manchester United in the Champions League. Roma lost 3-2 at Old Trafford, having led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Soulé and Malen before Manchester United completed the turnaround in the second half. In Serie A the mood is far brighter. Roma beat Udinese 5-2 in their last outing and sit third after ten rounds with 24 points, from seven wins and three draws. They have scored 28 and conceded 10, and remain unbeaten in the league this season. Sassuolo, by contrast, are seventeenth with 8 points from ten matches. They arrive on a run of four consecutive defeats and have the worst defence in Serie A. Their last game ended in a 4-2 defeat at the Mapei Stadium to Fiorentina, and they have also lost to Lazio, Como and Frosinone in recent weeks. Gasperini faces an early selection problem in goal. Pierluigi Gollini missed the Manchester United game with a back problem that came up during training, and his condition will be monitored up to the match. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, will again be in goal. Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso are expected back in defence, although Ghilardi remains a concrete option after good performances in recent weeks. Molina and Wesley are favoured on the flanks. Devyne Rensch will not be available, having suffered a right adductor injury against Manchester United. Cristante is expected to keep his place in midfield, while the partner alongside him is still open, with Pisilli possibly giving de Roon a rest. Up front, Soulé and Malen look certain to start, with Mora expected to play behind or alongside the Argentine. Koné and Dybala are doubtful, with both hoping to be available at least on the bench. Svilar will certainly miss the game, as he completes his recovery from a stress fracture to his fifth toe and is expected back after the break. Pellegrini is also out, still recovering from the muscle problem he suffered against Slovan Bratislava. Sassuolo are expected to line up in a 4-3-3. Turati is the favourite in goal, protected by a back line of Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé and Doig. Thorstvedt returns in midfield after serving his suspension against Fiorentina, and is expected to be joined by Matic and one of Bakola or Adzic. Up front, Aquilani will rely on his most creative players: Berardi on the right, Laurienté on the opposite flank and Sebastiano Esposito as the central reference point. Leysen, who has a serious knee injury, and Ismaël Koné, who is recovering from a leg fracture, are out for Sassuolo, along with Boloca and Volpato. Roma's head-to-head record at the Olimpico against Sassuolo is strong. Of 12 Serie A meetings played in Rome, Roma have won six, five have ended level and Sassuolo have won just once, a 4-3 victory in March 2023. The most recent meeting was on 10 January 2026, when Roma won 2-0. Overall, including matches in Emilia, the record reads 13 wins for Roma, 9 draws and just 2 wins for Sassuolo. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN and Sky Sport Calcio, and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kickoff at 20:45 on Saturday 7 November.