Gasperini pushes for two reinforcements in January, with Roma's attack and midfield stretched

Manu Koné could be a surprise inclusion for Roma against Sassuolo, with Il Romanista reporting this morning that the French midfielder may not only return to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad but could even start alongside Bryan Cristante. Until recently, Koné looked set to miss the final match before the international break. The situation has changed sharply after Zinedine Zidane left the midfielder out of France's squad for their matches against Italy and Turkey. That decision appeared to confirm that Koné needed more time to recover from the muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid. Instead, Gasperini is reportedly considering handing him a starting place straight away. Koné has gradually recovered from the thigh problem, and his return would be important for a Roma midfield that has been asked to work overtime in recent weeks. Because France did not call him up, he will stay at Trigoria during the break with no further international commitments. Two steps will confirm whether the plan becomes reality. The first comes this morning, when Roma publish their list of players called up, which will show whether Koné is available. The second is this evening, when the official line-ups for the match against Sassuolo are announced. The fixture is scheduled for 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Until then caution is needed, but a return to the starting XI for Koné after the latest news would be a real surprise for Gasperini and Roma.

Gasperini has already entered pressing mode with the club, demanding two reinforcements to lengthen the squad before the January transfer window, with sporting director D'Amico reportedly working on the request. The push comes ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a fixture that the coach has learned not to take for granted after a difficult week that included a 2-1 defeat...

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."

Pierluigi Gollini will not be available for tonight's match against Sassuolo, as the back pain he suffered before the Manchester United game has not yet cleared. Devis Vásquez will therefore keep his place in goal. For the Colombian it will be a return to Serie A after 16 months; his last appearance came on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Roma are looking to bounce back against Sassuolo after their defeat at Manchester United. Vásquez is set to be confirmed in goal, with Gollini still doubtful. In defence, the real battle for a place is between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Ndicka and Hermoso are favoured to complete the back line. Cristante and De Roon are expected to continue in midfield, with Molina and Wesley on the flanks. Up front, the newspapers agree on a trio of Soulé, Mora and Malen. Il Tempo, Il Messaggero, Corriere dello Sport, Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera all report the line-up picture. Separately, Koné has been in the news after France's decision, and he could even start against Sassuolo. Gasperini is also reported to be pushing the club to bring in two reinforcements in the transfer market, with the problem extending beyond the attack.

Roma host Sassuolo, coached by former Roma midfielder Aquilani, in their Serie A matchday 11 fixture at the Stadio Olimpico, with kickoff at 20:45. Gasperini wants a response from his players after the defeat in Manchester, aiming to continue an excellent start to the season and take advantage of the day's other results, Inter v Como and Napoli v Lazio, which could help Roma in the table. Gollini will not be available for the match, so Devis Vásquez is confirmed in goal. The central defensive places remain open, with Ghilardi or Mancini competing for one spot and Balerdi or N'Dicka for another. Up front, the trio of Soulé, Mora and Malen is confirmed. The Italian newspapers largely agree on the starting line-up. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica all name Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso at the back; Molina, Cristante, De Roon and Wesley in midfield; and Soulé, Mora and Malen in attack. Il Romanista instead picks Balerdi alongside N'Dicka and Hermoso and gives Koné a place in midfield. Il Messaggero also selects Balerdi, with De Roon and Cristante in the middle. Tuttosport goes with Gollini in goal, Pisilli in the midfield and Malen as the lone striker, and it lists Gasperini as the coach. Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera's Italian sources differ on the defence, with Mancini in place of Ghilardi or Balerdi in some lineups. The lineups as published by the newspapers are as follows. La Gazzetta dello Sport: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Corriere dello Sport: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Romanista: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. La Repubblica: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Tuttosport: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Pisilli; Malen. Il Messaggero: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Tempo: Vásquez; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Mora, Soulé; Malen.

Roma return to Serie A with an important chance to secure a result before the international break, when they host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico. Manu Koné, the French midfielder, is a possible returnee and could be available at least in the matchday squad, which would add options in midfield. Several key players remain absent. Newspapers broadly agree that Vásquez will return in goal, with Gollini the choice in one newspaper's projection. Daniele Ghilardi is expected to start, and Leonardo Balerdi also hopes to be included, though the question is who will be rested. Nahuel Molina is pencilled in on the right, with Rodrigo Mora playing alongside Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen up front. The lineups published by the national papers show differing shapes. La Gazzetta dello Sport goes with a 3-4-2-1 featuring Vásquez; Ghilardi, Ndicka and Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, de Roon and Wesley; Soulé and Mora behind Malen. Il Messaggero opts for a 3-4-1-2 with Balerdi in defence, Mora in the number ten role and Soulé and Malen up front. Corriere della Sera also uses a 3-4-1-2, with Ghilardi and Balerdi both in the back three alongside Ndicka. Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo both use a 3-4-2-1, though Il Tempo selects Mancini in place of Ghilardi. Tuttosport is the outlier, naming Gollini in goal and Pisilli in midfield alongside Soulé, with Malen leading the line. For the full picture of the probable lineups, the candidates for the back three and the role behind the striker remain the main points of debate among the papers. The varying picks reflect uncertainty over rotation, with Ghilardi the most consistently named starter across the newspapers. Koné's possible return would be a significant boost for coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the side seeks a result against Sassuolo.

Roma face Sassuolo with pundits on Radio Radio agreeing that three points are essential for the squad's morale after a demanding Champions League trip. Matera said the game would be important for morale because it comes after a Champions League away fixture that has brought with it all the problems Roma have been facing. Carina said Roma are playing very well and that the match must be won "senza se e senza ma" (without ifs or buts). He pointed out that Sassuolo are in free fall, have conceded 16 goals in their last four matches and have the worst defence in the league. Carina also said Gollini appears unlikely to play tonight because of back pain, which he described as serious for a goalkeeper, and that Vásquez should therefore get the start. He added: "We hope Dybala returns after the break: if Roma did not go well, Dybala would become a front-page case. Whatever happens, Inter-Como will be a success, provided Roma take the three points." Pruzzo said it is difficult to see any danger for Roma because Sassuolo have no energy left. He noted that Aquilani, who had been linked with Como, has experienced the exact opposite, and said: "I don't know if he will be able to keep his job." Pruzzo added: "Roma must take advantage of this: they are not struggling to win these matches. After the cup game there is a need to play a match that allows you to win." Orsi said the game looked like a stroll and represented an opportunity to confirm what Roma have been doing. He said Sassuolo, against Udinese, looked like a weak side that always concedes. "Today I cannot think that Roma will not come home with the three points. If Roma play like Roma for 60 minutes, score three goals and then manage the game." Orsi said he would have picked N'Dicka against Manchester rather than against Sassuolo, but that the changes are forced and it is difficult to choose. He added: "The only thing asked of Roma is to be more consistent in performances over 90 minutes: it is difficult to maintain those rhythms, but you have to pace them."

Pierluigi Gollini will not be available for tonight's match against Sassuolo, as the back pain he suffered before the Manchester United game has not yet cleared. Devis Vásquez will therefore keep his place in goal. For the Colombian it will be a return to Serie A after 16 months; his last appearance came on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Roma are looking to bounce back against Sassuolo after their defeat at Manchester United. Vásquez is set to be confirmed in goal, with Gollini still doubtful. In defence, the real battle for a place is between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Ndicka and Hermoso are favoured to complete the back line. Cristante and De Roon are expected to continue in midfield, with Molina and Wesley on the flanks. Up front, the newspapers agree on a trio of Soulé, Mora and Malen. Il Tempo, Il Messaggero, Corriere dello Sport, Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera all report the line-up picture. Separately, Koné has been in the news after France's decision, and he could even start against Sassuolo. Gasperini is also reported to be pushing the club to bring in two reinforcements in the transfer market, with the problem extending beyond the attack.

Roma host Sassuolo, coached by former Roma midfielder Aquilani, in their Serie A matchday 11 fixture at the Stadio Olimpico, with kickoff at 20:45. Gasperini wants a response from his players after the defeat in Manchester, aiming to continue an excellent start to the season and take advantage of the day's other results, Inter v Como and Napoli v Lazio, which could help Roma in the table. Gollini will not be available for the match, so Devis Vásquez is confirmed in goal. The central defensive places remain open, with Ghilardi or Mancini competing for one spot and Balerdi or N'Dicka for another. Up front, the trio of Soulé, Mora and Malen is confirmed. The Italian newspapers largely agree on the starting line-up. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica all name Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso at the back; Molina, Cristante, De Roon and Wesley in midfield; and Soulé, Mora and Malen in attack. Il Romanista instead picks Balerdi alongside N'Dicka and Hermoso and gives Koné a place in midfield. Il Messaggero also selects Balerdi, with De Roon and Cristante in the middle. Tuttosport goes with Gollini in goal, Pisilli in the midfield and Malen as the lone striker, and it lists Gasperini as the coach. Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera's Italian sources differ on the defence, with Mancini in place of Ghilardi or Balerdi in some lineups. The lineups as published by the newspapers are as follows. La Gazzetta dello Sport: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Corriere dello Sport: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Romanista: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. La Repubblica: Vásquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Tuttosport: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Pisilli; Malen. Il Messaggero: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Il Tempo: Vásquez; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Mora, Soulé; Malen.

Roma face Sassuolo with pundits on Radio Radio agreeing that three points are essential for the squad's morale after a demanding Champions League trip. Matera said the game would be important for morale because it comes after a Champions League away fixture that has brought with it all the problems Roma have been facing. Carina said Roma are playing very well and that the match must be won "senza se e senza ma" (without ifs or buts). He pointed out that Sassuolo are in free fall, have conceded 16 goals in their last four matches and have the worst defence in the league. Carina also said Gollini appears unlikely to play tonight because of back pain, which he described as serious for a goalkeeper, and that Vásquez should therefore get the start. He added: "We hope Dybala returns after the break: if Roma did not go well, Dybala would become a front-page case. Whatever happens, Inter-Como will be a success, provided Roma take the three points." Pruzzo said it is difficult to see any danger for Roma because Sassuolo have no energy left. He noted that Aquilani, who had been linked with Como, has experienced the exact opposite, and said: "I don't know if he will be able to keep his job." Pruzzo added: "Roma must take advantage of this: they are not struggling to win these matches. After the cup game there is a need to play a match that allows you to win." Orsi said the game looked like a stroll and represented an opportunity to confirm what Roma have been doing. He said Sassuolo, against Udinese, looked like a weak side that always concedes. "Today I cannot think that Roma will not come home with the three points. If Roma play like Roma for 60 minutes, score three goals and then manage the game." Orsi said he would have picked N'Dicka against Manchester rather than against Sassuolo, but that the changes are forced and it is difficult to choose. He added: "The only thing asked of Roma is to be more consistent in performances over 90 minutes: it is difficult to maintain those rhythms, but you have to pace them."

Roma face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico tonight in the final match before the international break, and Gasperini wants an immediate reaction to put the Manchester defeat behind them. The Giallorossi host Sassuolo as they look to leave their recent European loss in the past and consolidate their Serie A ambitions. According to Il Tempo, the few days of training at Trigoria, slowed in part by travel problems returning from England, saw Gasperini focus above all on the players' mindset. There was no tactical overhaul and no public criticism; the aim was to lift pressure and restore the confidence Roma showed after the defeat to Real Madrid. That confidence has produced a Serie A run of seven wins, three draws and no defeats. Gasperini has skipped the pre-match press conference, but he expects an immediate response on the pitch, asking for greater focus in the second halves and the team's usual identity of play. A win over Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Aquilani, would mean not only putting the Champions League behind them but also taking advantage of other results, such as Como-Inter, to reach the break in a strong league position. Selection remains affected by injuries. In goal, Gollini's back pain and Svilar's knock mean Vásquez will once again protect the posts. In defence, Ghilardi may take the place of Mancini or N'Dicka, both not fully fit. Dybala will not be called up because of his recurring muscle problems. Up front, quality takes centre stage: Soulé and Mora will operate behind Donyell Malen, ready to add creativity and tempo to the attack.

Rodrigo Mora is set to lead Roma's attack again in the crucial Serie A clash with Sassuolo, as the 19-year-old Portuguese looks to extend his scoring run. Having handled the toughest tests in Europe and Serie A, Mora is silencing doubts about his value and the price of his transfer fee. He has become a key figure for Gian Piero Gasperini, particularly with Roma missing several heavy hitters in attack. The Messaggero reports that Mora's development is delighting the whole Giallorossi camp. His performances, both in the league and against top-level opponents such as Real Madrid and Manchester United, have shown surprising maturity. He has two goals and two assists in his last three matches, and the teenager has shown personality, quality and an ability to make the difference in decisive moments. With Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined for a long time, and the captain not expected back until 2027, Gasperini has handed Mora the keys to the midfield-attack area. Sassuolo have the worst defence in the division and are likely to sit deep to limit the damage, giving Mora the chance to set a new personal record by scoring in a third consecutive match. The run has also brought a call-up to the Portugal senior squad from Jorge Jesus, arriving in the same week that Cristiano Ronaldo bid farewell to the Seleção. The selection places Mora on course for Nations League fixtures against Wales and Denmark. First, though, comes the test against Sassuolo, and a chance to confirm once again that he is a fixed point in the Roma side.