Gasperini focuses on Como ahead of injury concerns

Real Madrid's injury troubles ahead of their Champions League visit to Roma on 14 October have deepened with defender Raúl Asencio now in doubt. Asencio is suffering from soreness in his right tibia, and a surgical intervention is under consideration. A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, 30 September, at Valdebebas between the player, José Mourinho and the medical staff to determine whether conservative treatment is possible or if surgery is necessary. If an operation goes ahead, Asencio will miss the Roma fixture, with an expected recovery period of around three months. Roma return to league action on 11 October with a trip to Como before hosting Madrid four days later. The visitors arrive in poor condition on multiple fronts: Valverde, Konaté and Mbappé are already uncertain for the match against the giallorossi due to physical problems. Asencio's potential absence would add to Mourinho's defensive woes as Madrid prepare for the second round of the Champions League phase. The decision on whether Asencio undergoes surgery will be made after the medical consultation tomorrow. The timeframe of three months would likely rule him out for a significant portion of Madrid's season should the procedure be required.

Nicolò Zaniolo has sustained a right biceps femoris muscle injury and is uncertain to face Roma on 31 October after undergoing instrumental tests that revealed the damage. The Udinese forward left Italy's national team training camp early and has begun rehabilitation in Udine, with recovery estimated at 3–4 weeks. The fixture at the Bluenergy Stadium kicks off at 18:00, falling at the outer edge of the projected recovery window. Zaniolo's injury puts his availability against his former club in genuine doubt. The Italian national federation confirmed the 26-year-old had completed only differentiated work before being ruled unavailable for the Nazionale's subsequent matches, but the extent of the muscle damage only became clear following the scans. With the Roma match set for 31 October, the timing leaves his participation far from certain. No definitive withdrawal can yet be confirmed; much will depend on how the injury responds during the rehabilitation process over the coming weeks.

Nicolò Zaniolo is a doubt for Udinese's Serie A match against Roma on 31 October after sustaining a right biceps femoris injury on international duty. Udinese confirmed that instrumental testing revealed the muscle lesion following the injury Zaniolo suffered while on national team duty. He has begun rehabilitation, with recovery estimated at approximately 3–4 weeks, leaving his availability for the fixture against the Giallorossi uncertain. The injury timeline means Zaniolo's participation in what is always a keenly watched contest remains in question as Roma prepare for the away fixture.

Roma returned to training on the afternoon of 29 September following four days of rest granted by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad worked with the players available at Trigoria while awaiting the return of 12 squad members involved with their national teams during the international break. Wesley, Cristante and Malen undertook differentiated training after withdrawing from their respective national team commitments due to physical issues. The rest of the group completed a session split between tactical work and field drills. Roma are preparing for their return to action on 11 October, when they face Como at the Stadio Sinigaglia.

Roma resumed training at Trigoria on 29 September after a four-day break. The focus is now on the upcoming Serie A fixture against Como at the Sinigaglia. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must work with a depleted squad, with 12 players away on international duty. Three players trained on site but remained under careful management: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley all carried out differentiated work rather than joining full sessions. The club has mapped out a structured recovery plan. Individual work will come first, followed by a gradual return to group training, with the aim of having the squad fully ready for Como without rushing the process. Gasperini is waiting for the 12 internationals to return before building back to full strength.

Roma's commanding position at the top of Serie A after five matches, with thirteen points earned, is no accident but the direct product of a ruthless pressing strategy orchestrated by Gian Piero Gasperini. The cornerstone of his tactical system is the speed of ball recovery: over 40% of Roma's regains occur within just six seconds of losing possession, directly in the opponent's half. This immediate re-aggression is underpinned by a compact defensive setup, where the gap between the three centre-backs and the two midfielders has been reduced to less than twelve metres, maintaining a high centre of gravity and choking off any play between the lines. Manu Koné, the French midfielder, embodies this aggressive philosophy perfectly. He has already made twenty-one ball recoveries and won 75% of his individual duels, functioning as a ball-breaking shield capable of snuffing out opposition build-up within the critical six-second window before instantly reversing play with the ball at his feet. This midfield aggression doubles as the first line of defence for Roma's rearguard, which has kept three clean sheets from five matches and conceded just three goals overall. Bryan Cristante provides a screen for aerial balls, while Niccolò Pisilli's dynamism in closing stages has reduced shots against the team to just 2.8 per match. Roma's ability to break the first press with dribbling is equally decisive. The team averages 10.4 successful dribbles per game, joint-top in Serie A, creating the platform for Paulo Dybala's creative output—four assists—and Donyell Malen's goal tally of six so far this season. The attacking width opened by Malen has allowed Roma to flood the penalty area with suffocating density, translating midfield dominance into attacking thrust. Gasperini's system, refined through meticulous attention to recovery times, pressing distances, and ball-carrying efficiency, has transformed Roma's midfield into the engine of their early-season success.

Roma returned to training on the afternoon of 29 September following four days of rest granted by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad worked with the players available at Trigoria while awaiting the return of 12 squad members involved with their national teams during the international break. Wesley, Cristante and Malen undertook differentiated training after withdrawing from their respective national team commitments due to physical issues. The rest of the group completed a session split between tactical work and field drills. Roma are preparing for their return to action on 11 October, when they face Como at the Stadio Sinigaglia.

Roma resumed training at Trigoria on 29 September after a four-day break. The focus is now on the upcoming Serie A fixture against Como at the Sinigaglia. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must work with a depleted squad, with 12 players away on international duty. Three players trained on site but remained under careful management: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley all carried out differentiated work rather than joining full sessions. The club has mapped out a structured recovery plan. Individual work will come first, followed by a gradual return to group training, with the aim of having the squad fully ready for Como without rushing the process. Gasperini is waiting for the 12 internationals to return before building back to full strength.

Wesley visited Empório Brasileiro, a well-known Brazilian restaurant near Termini station in Rome, on 28 September. The Roma defender, who recently withdrew from the Brazil national team through injury, was recognised by staff and stopped for photographs and autographs. The restaurant's owner posted on social media: "We had the pleasure of hosting here at the Empório one of the great names of world football. A world-class player on the pitch, excellent company at the table, and a visit that made our day even more special. Thank you for coming, Wesley. This is your home." Wesley is working to overcome a right thigh muscle strain sustained in Roma's clash against Inter, with his next fixture against Como representing the target for his return to action.

Roma returned to training on the afternoon of 29 September following four days of rest granted by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad worked with the players available at Trigoria while awaiting the return of 12 squad members involved with their national teams during the international break. Wesley, Cristante and Malen undertook differentiated training after withdrawing from their respective national team commitments due to physical issues. The rest of the group completed a session split between tactical work and field drills. Roma are preparing for their return to action on 11 October, when they face Como at the Stadio Sinigaglia.

Roma resumed training at Trigoria on 29 September after a four-day break. The focus is now on the upcoming Serie A fixture against Como at the Sinigaglia. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must work with a depleted squad, with 12 players away on international duty. Three players trained on site but remained under careful management: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley all carried out differentiated work rather than joining full sessions. The club has mapped out a structured recovery plan. Individual work will come first, followed by a gradual return to group training, with the aim of having the squad fully ready for Como without rushing the process. Gasperini is waiting for the 12 internationals to return before building back to full strength.

Roma's commanding position at the top of Serie A after five matches, with thirteen points earned, is no accident but the direct product of a ruthless pressing strategy orchestrated by Gian Piero Gasperini. The cornerstone of his tactical system is the speed of ball recovery: over 40% of Roma's regains occur within just six seconds of losing possession, directly in the opponent's half. This immediate re-aggression is underpinned by a compact defensive setup, where the gap between the three centre-backs and the two midfielders has been reduced to less than twelve metres, maintaining a high centre of gravity and choking off any play between the lines. Manu Koné, the French midfielder, embodies this aggressive philosophy perfectly. He has already made twenty-one ball recoveries and won 75% of his individual duels, functioning as a ball-breaking shield capable of snuffing out opposition build-up within the critical six-second window before instantly reversing play with the ball at his feet. This midfield aggression doubles as the first line of defence for Roma's rearguard, which has kept three clean sheets from five matches and conceded just three goals overall. Bryan Cristante provides a screen for aerial balls, while Niccolò Pisilli's dynamism in closing stages has reduced shots against the team to just 2.8 per match. Roma's ability to break the first press with dribbling is equally decisive. The team averages 10.4 successful dribbles per game, joint-top in Serie A, creating the platform for Paulo Dybala's creative output—four assists—and Donyell Malen's goal tally of six so far this season. The attacking width opened by Malen has allowed Roma to flood the penalty area with suffocating density, translating midfield dominance into attacking thrust. Gasperini's system, refined through meticulous attention to recovery times, pressing distances, and ball-carrying efficiency, has transformed Roma's midfield into the engine of their early-season success.