Gasperini considers second pre-season retreat in September during international break

Gian Piero Gasperini has been forced once again to turn to the Primavera for Roma's match against Sassuolo, calling up Valerio Maccaroni and Levente Kilvinger, born in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Arena will also be on the bench at the Olimpico, having scored for the Primavera in Youth League against Manchester United. The call-ups come as a result of numerous injuries. Goalkeeping has been hit particularly hard. Svilar has been out for several weeks, while Gollini has not yet recovered from the back problem he picked up before the Manchester United game. Vasquez starts in goal, with De Marzi and Kilvinger named among the substitutes. Kilvinger, a Hungarian goalkeeper born in 2009, arrived in the capital in 2025 and is the first-choice goalkeeper for the Primavera under Mattia Scala. His side recently drew with Manchester United in Youth League. Senior football is not new to him: before moving to Trigoria, he made five appearances for Pécsi MFC in the Hungarian third division in 2025. Those performances caught Roma's attention, and the club was ready to bet on the young talent, bringing him to Roma at the end of that season.

Gian Piero Gasperini is looking to his youth ranks to widen his options, with two Primavera players set to be called up to the first-team squad for Roma's Serie A match against Sassuolo, the eleventh matchday fixture. Injuries and a congested fixture schedule have pushed the coach to draw on the Primavera squad, giving some of its most promising players a chance to step closer to the first team. Among the new names on the matchday squad list is Valerio Maccaroni, a midfielder born in Rome on 3 June 2008. The 1.74-metre player is one of the most versatile members of the Primavera. His natural role is attacking midfielder, but he has also been used as a box-to-box midfielder and an offensive winger as he has developed. His main qualities are technique, vision and the ability to move between the lines, which allow him to adapt to different tactical systems. Maccaroni progressively earned space in the Primavera after his time in the lower youth categories. In the 2025/26 season he stood out for his ability to help build play, winning consistent starts. He has also worn the shirts of Italy's youth national teams up to the Under-19 level, taking part in the Under-17 European Championship and the 2025 Under-17 World Cup, which Italy finished in third place. This season he has continued his development, and was deployed in midfield in the recent Youth League clash with Manchester United, which ended 1-1. The Sassuolo fixture marks his first call-up to the first-team squad. The other new face is Levente Kilvinger, a Hungarian goalkeeper born on 20 March 2009. At 17 he is part of the Roma Primavera, where he is gaining experience both in the league for his age group and in European competition. For the 2026/27 season he has been included in Roma's list for the UEFA Youth League, in which he has already played in goal. Kilvinger defended the Roma goal in the away game against Manchester United on 3 November in the Youth League, which finished 1-1. It is an important international experience for a player who is still very young and continuing his development.

Manu Koné is back available to Gian Piero Gasperini more than 20 days after the injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and has been named in the squad for the match against Sassuolo. He is one of the few players to return in time, with Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini still sidelined. Mancini has also been lost to injury in the meantime. Koné has recovered from the hamstring injury, but he is unlikely to start from the first minute. His return is an important boost for Gasperini ahead of a busy stretch for Roma after the international break, with seven matches scheduled in 29 days. Koné will stay at Trigoria for the whole break, as he has not been called up by France, and will use the time to regain full fitness. The aim is for him to be at his best for the trip to Parma on 21 November, and above all for the next Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A's eleventh round, and Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad without Gianluca Mancini and Pierluigi Gollini. Mancini is out with a muscle strain in his right hamstring, and his recovery time will be monitored in the coming days. Gollini is struggling with a back problem that first emerged on the eve of the Manchester United game. Paulo Dybala, Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also absent. The Giallorossi are looking to move on from their European disappointment against Manchester United at Old Trafford and get their league campaign back on track. Losing Mancini removes one of the key figures from the defensive line, and Gasperini will have to rework his back four. Mile Svilar is also missing from the list, so the goalkeeping options are limited. The main positive news is the return of Manu Koné, who is back in the squad after the physical problem that had sidelined him. His availability is an encouraging sign, although it is not yet clear how he will be used during the match. Among the goalkeepers called up are Vásquez, De Marzi and Kilvinger. The defensive options are Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield includes Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora. The attacking group is Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni and Arena, with the young Maccaroni and Arena completing the forward line.

Manu Koné is back in contention for Roma, but Gianluca Mancini has been ruled out of tonight's Serie A clash with Sassuolo, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad list shows. The eleventh-round fixture kicks off at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Koné returns from a muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and his availability is a welcome boost for Gasperini. It comes a day after the France midfielder was left out of the national squad by Zidane. Koné could even start alongside Cristante, though the final decisions will only be made this evening. Mancini is out with a strain to his right hamstring (flessore destro), a fresh problem for a defence already missing Rensch. That increases the chances of Leonardo Balerdi or Daniele Ghilardi starting from the first minute. Pierluigi Gollini is also ruled out, still struggling with a back problem, so Devis Vásquez will again be in goal, with the young goalkeepers Giorgio De Marzi and Kilvinger alongside him. Svilar, Dybala and Pellegrini are also unavailable. The squad named by Gasperini is as follows. Goalkeepers: Vásquez, De Marzi, Kilvinger. Defenders: Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli, Ghilardi. Midfielders: Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli, Mora. Forwards: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni, Arena.

Manu Koné has not been named in France's squad for their matches against Italy and Turkey, meaning the midfielder will continue his recovery from injury rather than join up with Les Bleus. Rodrigo Mora has been recalled to the Portugal squad by Jorge Jesus for the games against Denmark and Wales. For the 2007-born player, it is a return to the senior national team after more than a year, although he is still waiting for his debut. Donyell Malen has been selected by the Netherlands for the matches against Greece and Germany, while Konstantinos Koulierakis will answer Greece's call-up to face the Netherlands and Serbia. On the transfer front, Roma continue to evaluate possible reinforcements for the attack ahead of the January window. Among the profiles being monitored by the Giallorossi management is English winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, currently at Chelsea. The London club would be willing to loan him out in the next transfer window, with Roma at the front of the queue should they open talks. Competition is strong, however: Leeds, Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, as well as Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, are also reportedly tracking the player. Ahead of the clash with Roma, Sassuolo boss Alberto Aquilani has called on his side to show character to escape their difficult run. For Aquilani, a former Roma midfielder, it will be a special match: "As a coach it is the first time I enter that stadium, and nobody can take that away from me. I have to set aside the emotions." On his team's form, Aquilani stressed the need to limit mistakes and increase intensity: "We have to run a bit more than the opponents, win the tackles and go for the second balls." Finally, his message to his players: "100% might not be enough, but we have to give 100% and more because we have dignity." Radio Bruno commentator Pedrelli said: "Leaving behind the defeat at Old Trafford and focusing on bringing home a full result against a Sassuolo in serious crisis is the primary goal. It will be a crucial day in the league, especially given Inter v Como and Napoli v Lazio. It would be wonderful to start talking about an anti-Roma in this Serie A." Radio Radio pundit Pruzzo said: "After Manchester we must restart immediately. Sassuolo have conceded ten goals in their last two matches. What is worrying is that they show no signs, they do not react. This allows Roma to manage the match and try to create danger up front. Malen occasionally has lapses, and Castro never plays: we'll see if this time there will be space for him."

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A's eleventh round, and Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad without Gianluca Mancini and Pierluigi Gollini. Mancini is out with a muscle strain in his right hamstring, and his recovery time will be monitored in the coming days. Gollini is struggling with a back problem that first emerged on the eve of the Manchester United game. Paulo Dybala, Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also absent. The Giallorossi are looking to move on from their European disappointment against Manchester United at Old Trafford and get their league campaign back on track. Losing Mancini removes one of the key figures from the defensive line, and Gasperini will have to rework his back four. Mile Svilar is also missing from the list, so the goalkeeping options are limited. The main positive news is the return of Manu Koné, who is back in the squad after the physical problem that had sidelined him. His availability is an encouraging sign, although it is not yet clear how he will be used during the match. Among the goalkeepers called up are Vásquez, De Marzi and Kilvinger. The defensive options are Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield includes Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora. The attacking group is Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni and Arena, with the young Maccaroni and Arena completing the forward line.

Manu Koné is back in contention for Roma, but Gianluca Mancini has been ruled out of tonight's Serie A clash with Sassuolo, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad list shows. The eleventh-round fixture kicks off at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Koné returns from a muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and his availability is a welcome boost for Gasperini. It comes a day after the France midfielder was left out of the national squad by Zidane. Koné could even start alongside Cristante, though the final decisions will only be made this evening. Mancini is out with a strain to his right hamstring (flessore destro), a fresh problem for a defence already missing Rensch. That increases the chances of Leonardo Balerdi or Daniele Ghilardi starting from the first minute. Pierluigi Gollini is also ruled out, still struggling with a back problem, so Devis Vásquez will again be in goal, with the young goalkeepers Giorgio De Marzi and Kilvinger alongside him. Svilar, Dybala and Pellegrini are also unavailable. The squad named by Gasperini is as follows. Goalkeepers: Vásquez, De Marzi, Kilvinger. Defenders: Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli, Ghilardi. Midfielders: Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli, Mora. Forwards: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni, Arena.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to retain the front three of Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Malen, according to a convergence of the main Italian dailies' probable line-ups published this morning on the eve of Roma's next fixture. Devis Vasquez is tipped to start in goal by six of the seven newspapers, while only Tuttosport suggests Pierluigi Gollini could return. Given the condition of the Italian goalkeeper, the Colombian is firmly favoured to start. The defence is where the picture is less certain. The most popular option is Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso. Leonardo Balerdi, tipped by Il Messaggero, Tuttosport and Corriere della Sera, and Gianluca Mancini, picked by Il Tempo, remain in contention. On the flanks, there is near-unanimous agreement: Molina on the right and Wesley on the left. There is also no doubt in midfield, where Gasperini is expected to rely again on the pairing of Cristante and De Roon. Up front, the choice also appears settled. Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen, who remains Roma's central attacking reference. The only dissenting voice is Tuttosport, which proposes Niccolò Pisilli in place of the Portuguese forward. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Vasquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without centre-back Gianluca Mancini for this evening's match against Sassuolo, after the defender picked up a muscle strain in his right hip flexor. The injury adds to a growing list of absences for Roma, following the unavailability of Svilar, Gollini, Rensch, Dybala and Pellegrini. The problem is not considered serious. Mancini trained normally with his teammates yesterday, but he does not yet feel ready to play, and Gasperini has decided not to risk him. Roma's selection for the fixture is therefore a choice between Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi to fill the centre-back spot Mancini would have occupied. Mancini will not be in the Italy squad for the forthcoming matches against France and Belgium, which gives him the international break to recover fully. The break offers him a chance to return to full fitness before Roma's next fixtures.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A's eleventh round, and Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad without Gianluca Mancini and Pierluigi Gollini. Mancini is out with a muscle strain in his right hamstring, and his recovery time will be monitored in the coming days. Gollini is struggling with a back problem that first emerged on the eve of the Manchester United game. Paulo Dybala, Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also absent. The Giallorossi are looking to move on from their European disappointment against Manchester United at Old Trafford and get their league campaign back on track. Losing Mancini removes one of the key figures from the defensive line, and Gasperini will have to rework his back four. Mile Svilar is also missing from the list, so the goalkeeping options are limited. The main positive news is the return of Manu Koné, who is back in the squad after the physical problem that had sidelined him. His availability is an encouraging sign, although it is not yet clear how he will be used during the match. Among the goalkeepers called up are Vásquez, De Marzi and Kilvinger. The defensive options are Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield includes Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora. The attacking group is Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni and Arena, with the young Maccaroni and Arena completing the forward line.

Manu Koné is back in contention for Roma, but Gianluca Mancini has been ruled out of tonight's Serie A clash with Sassuolo, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad list shows. The eleventh-round fixture kicks off at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Koné returns from a muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and his availability is a welcome boost for Gasperini. It comes a day after the France midfielder was left out of the national squad by Zidane. Koné could even start alongside Cristante, though the final decisions will only be made this evening. Mancini is out with a strain to his right hamstring (flessore destro), a fresh problem for a defence already missing Rensch. That increases the chances of Leonardo Balerdi or Daniele Ghilardi starting from the first minute. Pierluigi Gollini is also ruled out, still struggling with a back problem, so Devis Vásquez will again be in goal, with the young goalkeepers Giorgio De Marzi and Kilvinger alongside him. Svilar, Dybala and Pellegrini are also unavailable. The squad named by Gasperini is as follows. Goalkeepers: Vásquez, De Marzi, Kilvinger. Defenders: Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli, Ghilardi. Midfielders: Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli, Mora. Forwards: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni, Arena.