Gasperini on Koné injury and Dybala fatigue ahead of Genoa clash

Gasperini provided an injury update on midfielder Manu Koné, confirming a first-degree lesion and expressing hope that the player will be available for the Sassuolo match. The coach also addressed Paulo Dybala's fitness, reporting calf fatigue and targeting his return for the following week. Koné sustained the injury during Roma's recent action and the first-degree classification suggests a minor soft-tissue problem. Dybala's calf complaint is also not expected to sideline him for long, with Gasperini confident of having him back within seven days.

Roma face Genoa on 17 October at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury update at his pre-match press conference, confirming that Manu Koné has a first-degree muscle strain. "Koné had an MRI scan, he has a first-degree lesion that is not particularly significant," Gasperini said. "Clearly it takes the necessary time, we hope to recover him perhaps with Sassuolo a bit before the break." Paulo Dybala is sidelined by calf fatigue but is expected to return within the week. "There is nothing particular with Dybala, it is fatigue on the calf muscle and we hope to recover him next week," the coach added. Gasperini confirmed that Santiago Castro will start in attack in place of the injured Donyell Malen, and indicated Lorenzo Pellegrini could drop into midfield to manage the fixture congestion. Bryan Cristante is also being assessed and could return against Napoli or shortly after. "Castro did not play in the last two matches—at Como because we were down to ten men and the other evening because of how the match unfolded," Gasperini explained. "But he is a player of value, he has already played our championship and done so very well. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for him." Gasperini reflected on Roma's recent form despite the Real Madrid loss, saying: "We come out of these three matches reinforced in the idea that, if nothing particular happens, we can compete with them." He acknowledged the psychological impact of conceding three goals in the comeback against Real but stressed it was not a physical issue. "The setback exists, there certainly was one after the 3-2," he said. "It is something to work on and remedy, especially because this squad should not feel the need to necessarily win the Champions League or the title." With four matches in ten days approaching, Gasperini warned that squad depth will be essential. "With this calendar we cannot always play without changing the squad or making substitutions," he said. "We must necessarily broaden the squad; someone like Castro, Rodrigo Mora or others who will play need to acquire the same confidence and strength." He also hinted that academy players may feature: "For us tomorrow is the third match in seven days and Tuesday will be the fourth in ten. Either we adapt or we suffer. What worries me is that we will have few substitutes; in the 90 minutes in some position a youth player could even make his debut."

Gian Piero Gasperini has reopened tensions with José Mourinho in his pre-match press conference before Roma's fixture against Genoa tomorrow, continuing a row that flared after Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Gasperini said of the Genoa challenge: "For fortuna we play tomorrow, with several absences and against a team that may not have the champions from the other night but certainly has superior organisation and a superior capacity to close down and cover spaces. It will be another type of difficulty." The comment was a direct response to Mourinho's post-match assessment at the Olimpico, when the Real Madrid manager claimed he had taken advantage of a "dead Roma" unable to sustain the intensity required over 90 minutes. Gasperini had immediately disagreed, arguing that Roma had "outclassed Real Madrid" on the pitch; his measured analysis suggests he remains convinced of that view. The friction between the two coaches, once on better terms, has now become plain to see.

Gasperini provided an injury update on midfielder Manu Koné, confirming a first-degree lesion and expressing hope that the player will be available for the Sassuolo match. The coach also addressed Paulo Dybala's fitness, reporting calf fatigue and targeting his return for the following week. Koné sustained the injury during Roma's recent action and the first-degree classification suggests a minor soft-tissue problem. Dybala's calf complaint is also not expected to sideline him for long, with Gasperini confident of having him back within seven days.

Roma face Genoa on 17 October at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury update at his pre-match press conference, confirming that Manu Koné has a first-degree muscle strain. "Koné had an MRI scan, he has a first-degree lesion that is not particularly significant," Gasperini said. "Clearly it takes the necessary time, we hope to recover him perhaps with Sassuolo a bit before the break." Paulo Dybala is sidelined by calf fatigue but is expected to return within the week. "There is nothing particular with Dybala, it is fatigue on the calf muscle and we hope to recover him next week," the coach added. Gasperini confirmed that Santiago Castro will start in attack in place of the injured Donyell Malen, and indicated Lorenzo Pellegrini could drop into midfield to manage the fixture congestion. Bryan Cristante is also being assessed and could return against Napoli or shortly after. "Castro did not play in the last two matches—at Como because we were down to ten men and the other evening because of how the match unfolded," Gasperini explained. "But he is a player of value, he has already played our championship and done so very well. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for him." Gasperini reflected on Roma's recent form despite the Real Madrid loss, saying: "We come out of these three matches reinforced in the idea that, if nothing particular happens, we can compete with them." He acknowledged the psychological impact of conceding three goals in the comeback against Real but stressed it was not a physical issue. "The setback exists, there certainly was one after the 3-2," he said. "It is something to work on and remedy, especially because this squad should not feel the need to necessarily win the Champions League or the title." With four matches in ten days approaching, Gasperini warned that squad depth will be essential. "With this calendar we cannot always play without changing the squad or making substitutions," he said. "We must necessarily broaden the squad; someone like Castro, Rodrigo Mora or others who will play need to acquire the same confidence and strength." He also hinted that academy players may feature: "For us tomorrow is the third match in seven days and Tuesday will be the fourth in ten. Either we adapt or we suffer. What worries me is that we will have few substitutes; in the 90 minutes in some position a youth player could even make his debut."

Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury briefing on the eve of Roma's match against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October at 20:45, detailing the recovery timelines for three key midfielders sidelined in recent weeks. Manu Koné sustained a first-degree muscle lesion during the Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Gasperini said: "Koné has had an MRI: it is a first-degree lesion, not particularly significant. The necessary time is needed for recovery and we hope to have him available for Sassuolo." Paulo Dybala, who left the Real Madrid match at half-time, has been diagnosed with calf fatigue rather than a serious injury. "For Dybala, there are no particular issues: it is fatigue in the soleus muscle. We hope to get him back next week," the coach explained. Bryan Cristante remains sidelined with knee inflammation sustained after the Roma-Inter fixture and will miss the Genoa match, though Gasperini expressed optimism about his availability for the Napoli game: "We are hoping he can be available for Napoli, that is the hope. He is a warrior and will do even more in this difficult situation. I do not, however, want to put his recovery at risk." Mile Svilar, the goalkeeper, fractured his finger in training and is undergoing recovery in Belgium with an initial expected absence of around one month. His return is anticipated after the next international break. Because stress fractures require complete bone consolidation before increased loads can be applied, and goalkeepers face particular demands from diving, landing and falling, the staff is not rushing his return. Svilar is currently expected to miss matches against Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo, pending any changes to his recovery plan.

Roma face Genoa on 17 October at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury update at his pre-match press conference, confirming that Manu Koné has a first-degree muscle strain. "Koné had an MRI scan, he has a first-degree lesion that is not particularly significant," Gasperini said. "Clearly it takes the necessary time, we hope to recover him perhaps with Sassuolo a bit before the break." Paulo Dybala is sidelined by calf fatigue but is expected to return within the week. "There is nothing particular with Dybala, it is fatigue on the calf muscle and we hope to recover him next week," the coach added. Gasperini confirmed that Santiago Castro will start in attack in place of the injured Donyell Malen, and indicated Lorenzo Pellegrini could drop into midfield to manage the fixture congestion. Bryan Cristante is also being assessed and could return against Napoli or shortly after. "Castro did not play in the last two matches—at Como because we were down to ten men and the other evening because of how the match unfolded," Gasperini explained. "But he is a player of value, he has already played our championship and done so very well. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for him." Gasperini reflected on Roma's recent form despite the Real Madrid loss, saying: "We come out of these three matches reinforced in the idea that, if nothing particular happens, we can compete with them." He acknowledged the psychological impact of conceding three goals in the comeback against Real but stressed it was not a physical issue. "The setback exists, there certainly was one after the 3-2," he said. "It is something to work on and remedy, especially because this squad should not feel the need to necessarily win the Champions League or the title." With four matches in ten days approaching, Gasperini warned that squad depth will be essential. "With this calendar we cannot always play without changing the squad or making substitutions," he said. "We must necessarily broaden the squad; someone like Castro, Rodrigo Mora or others who will play need to acquire the same confidence and strength." He also hinted that academy players may feature: "For us tomorrow is the third match in seven days and Tuesday will be the fourth in ten. Either we adapt or we suffer. What worries me is that we will have few substitutes; in the 90 minutes in some position a youth player could even make his debut."

Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury update on the eve of Roma's match against Genoa. Manu Koné has suffered a first-degree muscle strain and is expected to return for the Sassuolo fixture before the international break. Paulo Dybala is carrying a calf muscle fatigue and should be fit within the coming week. Gasperini acknowledged Roma face a mounting injury crisis that could force him to reshape his midfield and forward line. He indicated that Lorenzo Pellegrini may move deeper into midfield to cover gaps, while Santiago Castro is ready to step in for Donyell Malen. Bryan Cristante is also sidelined, with hopes of his return against Napoli or the match that follows. The manager emphasised that Roma's squad depth will be tested: "Not only do we have the squad as 11, not even 15 or 16, but a minimum of 20 players when you play in these competitions, because injuries and suspensions exist." Gasperini reflected on Roma's performance in the Champions League loss to Real Madrid, saying the team demonstrated quality across three difficult matches against Inter, Como and Real Madrid, but psychological reaction faltered after going 2–3 down. "The mental setback exists and it was there at 3–2," he said. "This squad doesn't need to feel the need to win the Champions League or the Scudetto. This squad needs to express itself, that's all." On defending set pieces, Gasperini noted that corner situations have become a source of vulnerability: Roma conceded twice from corners against Real Madrid, with defending players showing fear and lack of reaction. He defended his substitutes, stating that Rodrigo Mora, Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli had all performed well when introduced. Marten de Roon, he added, has been entirely reliable despite playing many matches in ten days. Gasperini warned that Roma's lack of depth reserves is his primary concern heading into the Genoa match. "What worries me tomorrow is that we have few changes; in some areas, some Primavera players could make their debut," he said.

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico on 17 October at 20:45 in Serie A Matchday 7, just two days after their defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 16 October at 13:45 to address the squad's injuries and tactical outlook. Koné has suffered a first-degree muscle strain and will be assessed ahead of the Sassuolo fixture, while Dybala is carrying a minor calf problem expected to resolve within a week. Cristante remains sidelined and may return against Napoli or shortly after. Gasperini confirmed that young forward Santiago Castro will start in attack, with Malen's earlier suspension having limited his recent appearances at Como and against Real Madrid. The manager also indicated that Lorenzo Pellegrini could drop into midfield to cover the absences, describing the move as a natural tactical adjustment to handle the fixture congestion. Gasperini defended Roma's defensive performance despite conceding three goals from set-pieces against Real Madrid: "On the goal at 3–2 there is a lack of organisation, on the other two goals concentration certainly dropped." He emphasised that the recent fixture list—three matches in seven days culminating in a fourth inside ten days on Tuesday—demands a larger squad rotation. "When you play this type of competition and take part in the Champions League you must have an expanded number because there are injuries and bans but in the meantime you are playing a month," Gasperini said. He praised Castro, Rodrigo Mora and others as players with the quality to step up: "Indubitably, given the emergency at this moment it is a role that Pellegrini can certainly play. Meanwhile we will also try to recover Cristante, hopefully already with Napoli or in the match after. In the last two matches Castro did not play, at Como because we were left with 10 men and the other evening because of how the match had gone. But he is a boy of value, he has already played our league and done very well. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for him." Gasperini stressed that Roma's recent displays—against Inter, Como and Real Madrid—proved the squad's worth despite the setback: "This is a squad that has value and has been demonstrating it for months. The results achieved are not by chance." Roma will face Genoa without several key players and will need contributions from fringe squad members to maintain their domestic form.

Roma face Genoa on 17 October at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury update at his pre-match press conference, confirming that Manu Koné has a first-degree muscle strain. "Koné had an MRI scan, he has a first-degree lesion that is not particularly significant," Gasperini said. "Clearly it takes the necessary time, we hope to recover him perhaps with Sassuolo a bit before the break." Paulo Dybala is sidelined by calf fatigue but is expected to return within the week. "There is nothing particular with Dybala, it is fatigue on the calf muscle and we hope to recover him next week," the coach added. Gasperini confirmed that Santiago Castro will start in attack in place of the injured Donyell Malen, and indicated Lorenzo Pellegrini could drop into midfield to manage the fixture congestion. Bryan Cristante is also being assessed and could return against Napoli or shortly after. "Castro did not play in the last two matches—at Como because we were down to ten men and the other evening because of how the match unfolded," Gasperini explained. "But he is a player of value, he has already played our championship and done so very well. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for him." Gasperini reflected on Roma's recent form despite the Real Madrid loss, saying: "We come out of these three matches reinforced in the idea that, if nothing particular happens, we can compete with them." He acknowledged the psychological impact of conceding three goals in the comeback against Real but stressed it was not a physical issue. "The setback exists, there certainly was one after the 3-2," he said. "It is something to work on and remedy, especially because this squad should not feel the need to necessarily win the Champions League or the title." With four matches in ten days approaching, Gasperini warned that squad depth will be essential. "With this calendar we cannot always play without changing the squad or making substitutions," he said. "We must necessarily broaden the squad; someone like Castro, Rodrigo Mora or others who will play need to acquire the same confidence and strength." He also hinted that academy players may feature: "For us tomorrow is the third match in seven days and Tuesday will be the fourth in ten. Either we adapt or we suffer. What worries me is that we will have few substitutes; in the 90 minutes in some position a youth player could even make his debut."

Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury update on the eve of Roma's match against Genoa. Manu Koné has suffered a first-degree muscle strain and is expected to return for the Sassuolo fixture before the international break. Paulo Dybala is carrying a calf muscle fatigue and should be fit within the coming week. Gasperini acknowledged Roma face a mounting injury crisis that could force him to reshape his midfield and forward line. He indicated that Lorenzo Pellegrini may move deeper into midfield to cover gaps, while Santiago Castro is ready to step in for Donyell Malen. Bryan Cristante is also sidelined, with hopes of his return against Napoli or the match that follows. The manager emphasised that Roma's squad depth will be tested: "Not only do we have the squad as 11, not even 15 or 16, but a minimum of 20 players when you play in these competitions, because injuries and suspensions exist." Gasperini reflected on Roma's performance in the Champions League loss to Real Madrid, saying the team demonstrated quality across three difficult matches against Inter, Como and Real Madrid, but psychological reaction faltered after going 2–3 down. "The mental setback exists and it was there at 3–2," he said. "This squad doesn't need to feel the need to win the Champions League or the Scudetto. This squad needs to express itself, that's all." On defending set pieces, Gasperini noted that corner situations have become a source of vulnerability: Roma conceded twice from corners against Real Madrid, with defending players showing fear and lack of reaction. He defended his substitutes, stating that Rodrigo Mora, Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli had all performed well when introduced. Marten de Roon, he added, has been entirely reliable despite playing many matches in ten days. Gasperini warned that Roma's lack of depth reserves is his primary concern heading into the Genoa match. "What worries me tomorrow is that we have few changes; in some areas, some Primavera players could make their debut," he said.

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico on 17 October at 20:45 in Serie A Matchday 7, just two days after their defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 16 October at 13:45 to address the squad's injuries and tactical outlook. Koné has suffered a first-degree muscle strain and will be assessed ahead of the Sassuolo fixture, while Dybala is carrying a minor calf problem expected to resolve within a week. Cristante remains sidelined and may return against Napoli or shortly after. Gasperini confirmed that young forward Santiago Castro will start in attack, with Malen's earlier suspension having limited his recent appearances at Como and against Real Madrid. The manager also indicated that Lorenzo Pellegrini could drop into midfield to cover the absences, describing the move as a natural tactical adjustment to handle the fixture congestion. Gasperini defended Roma's defensive performance despite conceding three goals from set-pieces against Real Madrid: "On the goal at 3–2 there is a lack of organisation, on the other two goals concentration certainly dropped." He emphasised that the recent fixture list—three matches in seven days culminating in a fourth inside ten days on Tuesday—demands a larger squad rotation. "When you play this type of competition and take part in the Champions League you must have an expanded number because there are injuries and bans but in the meantime you are playing a month," Gasperini said. He praised Castro, Rodrigo Mora and others as players with the quality to step up: "Indubitably, given the emergency at this moment it is a role that Pellegrini can certainly play. Meanwhile we will also try to recover Cristante, hopefully already with Napoli or in the match after. In the last two matches Castro did not play, at Como because we were left with 10 men and the other evening because of how the match had gone. But he is a boy of value, he has already played our league and done very well. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for him." Gasperini stressed that Roma's recent displays—against Inter, Como and Real Madrid—proved the squad's worth despite the setback: "This is a squad that has value and has been demonstrating it for months. The results achieved are not by chance." Roma will face Genoa without several key players and will need contributions from fringe squad members to maintain their domestic form.