Gasperini on Torino clash: 'We must play a great match to win'

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."

Marten de Roon faced a hostile reception from Atalanta's ultras during yesterday's match against Cagliari, who displayed a banner criticizing his move to Roma in the final days of the transfer window. The ultras were unhappy with both his departure and his celebration at the end of Saturday's match at the Olimpico. Gasperini moved to defend his midfielder, saying: "De Roon was for many years a player who brought honour to Atalanta and the city of Bergamo. He did something extraordinary, and now it's a privilege to have him here. As soon as he finds his best condition he will be an important player. Leaving Atalanta was not his choice, he did not fit into their plans. What was he supposed to become? An old shoe locked away in a cupboard?" De Roon remains one of Gasperini's trusted lieutenants at Roma. He will miss tomorrow's match against Torino while continuing to build fitness, but Gasperini expects him to become a key midfielder once his condition improves.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fixture against Torino, addressing squad rotation, injury concerns and the demands of competing in European football alongside a packed domestic schedule. Gasperini rejected questions about defensive hierarchies, insisting the concept was counterproductive to team morale. "Please stop talking about hierarchies," he said. "It makes no sense and has no effect on the squad. Everyone is giving an important contribution. Ghilardi has improved, Koulierakis is an important alternative. We knew about Balerdi — he did something remarkable at Marseille, he's not a youngster. When you're in the Champions League there are multiple starters, otherwise it always becomes something controversial." He praised Daniele Ghilardi's development and highlighted the quality of defenders including Leonardo Balerdi, who arrived from Marseille. The coach also defended Marten de Roon following a banner displayed at Atalanta's Bergamo stadium, saying: "He's been a player who raised the name of Bergamo for many years. It's our good fortune to have him here. As soon as he finds his condition he'll be a player of great quality." On Paulo Dybala's availability, Gasperini was categorical: "If he's well he always plays. There's no doubt. A player rests when he's tired. You can't predict an injury, we don't have a crystal ball — if he's well he plays." Regarding Manu Koné, the coach confirmed: "Koné tests today, he could be there." Gasperini also announced the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini: "Tomorrow we recover Pellegrini too, he'll travel with us. Perhaps for the first time we really have everyone." He noted that Emanuele Lulli had a slight fever but was improving. On young forward Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini said: "I see a young player with enormous talent. He needs to complete himself physically and tactically, he arrived not long ago but what he's shown from the start or coming on mid-match is that of a youngster of great level. I don't believe there's a young player in the world capable of being the protagonist more than him right now." Wesley suffered a heavy blow to the knee on Thursday that affected him, though Gasperini expects him to recover. Nahuel Molina arrived on 30 August and has been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season preparation, but is improving. Gasperini stressed the challenge of managing fixture congestion with European competition, noting that Roma must now navigate an even more demanding schedule. He emphasised that all 20 outfield players plus goalkeepers were capable of contributing to the club's opportunity in the Champions League, where squad depth would be critical.

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."

Paulo Dybala will face Torino on Sunday in a fixture where he has been particularly prolific for Roma. The Argentine has scored 11 goals and provided 4 assists in 25 matches against the Piedmontese side, with Roma winning 15 of those encounters. Dybala's record against Torino matches his tally against Genoa (over 20 appearances) and Lazio (26 matches, one more assist), though he has been even more devastating against Udinese, with 14 goals and 9 assists in 23 games. However, Gian Piero Gasperini may opt to rest Dybala, potentially keeping him on the bench for the trip to the Stadio Olimpico–Grande Torino. The Roma coach could hand starts to Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora as the attacking supports behind Donyell Malen, giving the Joya a break after four consecutive matches played almost entirely. Dybala featured the full 90 minutes against both Atalanta and Fenerbahçe, and was substituted in the 79th minute against Fiorentina and the 84th minute at Lecce.

After three league matches and nine points, Roma face their first genuine fixture congestion on the back of Champions League action midweek. Gian Piero Gasperini must now navigate his first serious turnover decision, with Manu Koné sidelined by a knee problem, Paulo Dybala cramping through the closing stages, and Gianluca Mancini appearing fatigued before his substitution. The manager faces a delicate balance: rotation has become unavoidable, but wholesale change could disrupt the coordinated pressing, tight spacing, immediate aggression after possession loss, and attacking patterns that have been central to Roma's bright start. Gasperini has built Roma's perfect opening around a squad that has rapidly learned to recognise itself. Making too many changes at once risks undermining those automatisms. Yet selective intervention is inevitable. Without Koné, Niccolò Pisilli appears the natural solution alongside Bryan Cristante; deploying Marten de Roon, though he has the deepest familiarity with Gasperini, would require him to build understanding with new teammates. In attack, resting Dybala makes sense, with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora able to provide freshness behind Donyell Malen without overturning the offensive identity. Mancini also warrants consideration—he appeared below his usual standard in Istanbul, while Leonardo Balerdi brought aggression and intensity after entering the pitch. The real test lies in the principle Gasperini must master: having no untouchable starting eleven, yet changing three or four players without the football itself changing. Roma arrive at Torino with a perfect record and, more valuably than nine points, a recognisable shape. Three or four changes can regenerate; seven or eight risk creating a different team entirely. The paradox would be protecting energy by sacrificing the very continuity that has made the season's start so strong. For the first time, Gasperini must genuinely manage the squad rather than simply select the strongest team. That quality—doing turnover so well it barely shows—will define whether Roma can sustain their level across multiple competitions.

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 a pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fixture against Torino, addressing squad rotation, injury concerns and the demands of competing in European football alongside a packed domestic schedule. Gasperini rejected questions about defensive hierarchies, insisting the concept was counterproductive to team morale. "Please stop talking about hierarchies," he said. "It makes no sense and has no effect on the squad. Everyone is giving an important contribution. Ghilardi has improved, Koulierakis is an important alternative. We knew about Balerdi — he did something remarkable at Marseille, he's not a youngster. When you're in the Champions League there are multiple starters, otherwise it always becomes something controversial." He praised Daniele Ghilardi's development and highlighted the quality of defenders including Leonardo Balerdi, who arrived from Marseille. The coach also defended Marten de Roon following a banner displayed at Atalanta's Bergamo stadium, saying: "He's been a player who raised the name of Bergamo for many years. It's our good fortune to have him here. As soon as he finds his condition he'll be a player of great quality." On Paulo Dybala's availability, Gasperini was categorical: "If he's well he always plays. There's no doubt. A player rests when he's tired. You can't predict an injury, we don't have a crystal ball — if he's well he plays." Regarding Manu Koné, the coach confirmed: "Koné tests today, he could be there." Gasperini also announced the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini: "Tomorrow we recover Pellegrini too, he'll travel with us. Perhaps for the first time we really have everyone." He noted that Emanuele Lulli had a slight fever but was improving. On young forward Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini said: "I see a young player with enormous talent. He needs to complete himself physically and tactically, he arrived not long ago but what he's shown from the start or coming on mid-match is that of a youngster of great level. I don't believe there's a young player in the world capable of being the protagonist more than him right now." Wesley suffered a heavy blow to the knee on Thursday that affected him, though Gasperini expects him to recover. Nahuel Molina arrived on 30 August and has been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season preparation, but is improving. Gasperini stressed the challenge of managing fixture congestion with European competition, noting that Roma must now navigate an even more demanding schedule. He emphasised that all 20 outfield players plus goalkeepers were capable of contributing to the club's opportunity in the Champions League, where squad depth would be critical.

Paulo Dybala will face Torino on Sunday in a fixture where he has been particularly prolific for Roma. The Argentine has scored 11 goals and provided 4 assists in 25 matches against the Piedmontese side, with Roma winning 15 of those encounters. Dybala's record against Torino matches his tally against Genoa (over 20 appearances) and Lazio (26 matches, one more assist), though he has been even more devastating against Udinese, with 14 goals and 9 assists in 23 games. However, Gian Piero Gasperini may opt to rest Dybala, potentially keeping him on the bench for the trip to the Stadio Olimpico–Grande Torino. The Roma coach could hand starts to Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora as the attacking supports behind Donyell Malen, giving the Joya a break after four consecutive matches played almost entirely. Dybala featured the full 90 minutes against both Atalanta and Fenerbahçe, and was substituted in the 79th minute against Fiorentina and the 84th minute at Lecce.

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 a pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fixture against Torino, addressing squad rotation, injury concerns and the demands of competing in European football alongside a packed domestic schedule. Gasperini rejected questions about defensive hierarchies, insisting the concept was counterproductive to team morale. "Please stop talking about hierarchies," he said. "It makes no sense and has no effect on the squad. Everyone is giving an important contribution. Ghilardi has improved, Koulierakis is an important alternative. We knew about Balerdi — he did something remarkable at Marseille, he's not a youngster. When you're in the Champions League there are multiple starters, otherwise it always becomes something controversial." He praised Daniele Ghilardi's development and highlighted the quality of defenders including Leonardo Balerdi, who arrived from Marseille. The coach also defended Marten de Roon following a banner displayed at Atalanta's Bergamo stadium, saying: "He's been a player who raised the name of Bergamo for many years. It's our good fortune to have him here. As soon as he finds his condition he'll be a player of great quality." On Paulo Dybala's availability, Gasperini was categorical: "If he's well he always plays. There's no doubt. A player rests when he's tired. You can't predict an injury, we don't have a crystal ball — if he's well he plays." Regarding Manu Koné, the coach confirmed: "Koné tests today, he could be there." Gasperini also announced the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini: "Tomorrow we recover Pellegrini too, he'll travel with us. Perhaps for the first time we really have everyone." He noted that Emanuele Lulli had a slight fever but was improving. On young forward Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini said: "I see a young player with enormous talent. He needs to complete himself physically and tactically, he arrived not long ago but what he's shown from the start or coming on mid-match is that of a youngster of great level. I don't believe there's a young player in the world capable of being the protagonist more than him right now." Wesley suffered a heavy blow to the knee on Thursday that affected him, though Gasperini expects him to recover. Nahuel Molina arrived on 30 August and has been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season preparation, but is improving. Gasperini stressed the challenge of managing fixture congestion with European competition, noting that Roma must now navigate an even more demanding schedule. He emphasised that all 20 outfield players plus goalkeepers were capable of contributing to the club's opportunity in the Champions League, where squad depth would be critical.

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.