Koné and Malen's rise not enough: Roma fifth in Serie A squad values despite league leadership

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A's eleventh matchday, looking to bounce back quickly from the painful comeback they suffered against Manchester United in the Champions League and to stay in the top reaches of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Mile Svilar, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, while Pierluigi Gollini is not yet fully fit and is expected to give way again to Devis Vásquez. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrive without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Gasperini is expected to keep Vásquez in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence. Nahuel Molina is favoured on the right flank, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen up front. Manu Koné is back available and is expected to start. The probable Roma formation is a 3-4-2-1: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. The Roma bench lists De Marzi, Kilvinger, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio, Castro, Arena and Maccaroni. Sassuolo line up in a 3-4-2-1 as well: Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé; Cinquegrano, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Esposito, Laurienté; Bowie. Their bench includes Muric, Satalino, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Caleta-Car, Obrador, Ghion, Sulemana, Adzic, Lipani, Dominguez, Pierini and Skjellerup. The match is refereed by Di Bello of Brindisi, with Peretti and Scatragli as assistant referees, Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as assistant VAR.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to start Manu Koné in midfield for Roma's home match against Sassuolo, after the French midfielder overcame recent muscular problems. The game comes as the club's last outing before the international break. Koné's return is a key boost for a midfield that has been under heavy energy demands during a recent run of fixtures across Serie A and the cups. According to Sky Sport, Gasperini will also rely on the physicality and structure of Leonardo Balerdi and Evan Ndicka at the back, as the defence looks to regain solidity after recent outings. With Ndicka back to full training after his workload was managed over the last few matchdays, the Giallorossi defence regains a key pillar to provide cover and build-up play from the back. The simultaneous inclusion of Balerdi and Ndicka allows Gasperini to keep a three-man defensive setup with advanced wing-backs, balancing the push of the flanks while offering protection both on the counterattack and on set pieces and in dealing with opponents' aerial threat.

Roma return to Serie A action at the Stadio Olimpico against Sassuolo, looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat at Manchester and to record a third consecutive league win. Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, arrive on the back of four consecutive defeats. Gian Piero Gasperini regains Manu Koné, who returns to the squad after more than 20 days out and will start on the bench, but he is without Gianluca Mancini, who is sidelined with a muscle strain and will also miss the national team fixtures. Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini remain unavailable. Devis Vásquez keeps his place in goal. Roma's starting XI is Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Gasperini's bench includes De Marzi, Kilvinger, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Castro, Maccaroni and Arena. Sassuolo line up in a 4-3-3 with Turati in goal, supported by Walukiewicz, Idzes, Odenthal, Doig; Bakola, Matic, Thorstvedt; Dominguez, Esposito and Laurienté. Aquilani's options include Muric, Satalino, Candé, Berardi, Sulemana and Pierini. The match is the eleventh round of Serie A Enilive. Kick-off is at 20:45. Di Bello of Brindisi referees, assisted by Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as AVAR. The game is broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN, with co-exclusive coverage on Sky, and is also available on Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Go and streaming on Now. Roma go into the fixture with the head-to-head record on their side. They have been unbeaten in 22 of 24 Serie A meetings with Sassuolo (13 wins, 9 draws, 2 defeats) and have won all of the last four. Sassuolo have won only one of their 12 trips to the Olimpico. Roma are also one of four teams still unbeaten across Europe's top five leagues. Their 28 goals are the most they have ever scored in the first ten rounds of Serie A. Donyell Malen leads the line and is the top scorer across Europe's top five leagues in calendar year 2026 with 22 goals, ahead of Raphinha and Harry Kane on 21 each. Rodrigo Mora, who scored against Cagliari and Udinese, is aiming to score in a third consecutive appearance, a feat not previously achieved by a Porto or Roma player.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A's eleventh matchday, looking to bounce back quickly from the painful comeback they suffered against Manchester United in the Champions League and to stay in the top reaches of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Mile Svilar, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, while Pierluigi Gollini is not yet fully fit and is expected to give way again to Devis Vásquez. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrive without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Gasperini is expected to keep Vásquez in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence. Nahuel Molina is favoured on the right flank, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen up front. Manu Koné is back available and is expected to start. The probable Roma formation is a 3-4-2-1: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. The Roma bench lists De Marzi, Kilvinger, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio, Castro, Arena and Maccaroni. Sassuolo line up in a 3-4-2-1 as well: Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé; Cinquegrano, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Esposito, Laurienté; Bowie. Their bench includes Muric, Satalino, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Caleta-Car, Obrador, Ghion, Sulemana, Adzic, Lipani, Dominguez, Pierini and Skjellerup. The match is refereed by Di Bello of Brindisi, with Peretti and Scatragli as assistant referees, Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as assistant VAR.

Roma return to Serie A action at the Stadio Olimpico against Sassuolo, looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat at Manchester and to record a third consecutive league win. Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, arrive on the back of four consecutive defeats. Gian Piero Gasperini regains Manu Koné, who returns to the squad after more than 20 days out and will start on the bench, but he is without Gianluca Mancini, who is sidelined with a muscle strain and will also miss the national team fixtures. Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini remain unavailable. Devis Vásquez keeps his place in goal. Roma's starting XI is Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Gasperini's bench includes De Marzi, Kilvinger, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Castro, Maccaroni and Arena. Sassuolo line up in a 4-3-3 with Turati in goal, supported by Walukiewicz, Idzes, Odenthal, Doig; Bakola, Matic, Thorstvedt; Dominguez, Esposito and Laurienté. Aquilani's options include Muric, Satalino, Candé, Berardi, Sulemana and Pierini. The match is the eleventh round of Serie A Enilive. Kick-off is at 20:45. Di Bello of Brindisi referees, assisted by Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as AVAR. The game is broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN, with co-exclusive coverage on Sky, and is also available on Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Go and streaming on Now. Roma go into the fixture with the head-to-head record on their side. They have been unbeaten in 22 of 24 Serie A meetings with Sassuolo (13 wins, 9 draws, 2 defeats) and have won all of the last four. Sassuolo have won only one of their 12 trips to the Olimpico. Roma are also one of four teams still unbeaten across Europe's top five leagues. Their 28 goals are the most they have ever scored in the first ten rounds of Serie A. Donyell Malen leads the line and is the top scorer across Europe's top five leagues in calendar year 2026 with 22 goals, ahead of Raphinha and Harry Kane on 21 each. Rodrigo Mora, who scored against Cagliari and Udinese, is aiming to score in a third consecutive appearance, a feat not previously achieved by a Porto or Roma player.

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.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A's eleventh matchday, looking to bounce back quickly from the painful comeback they suffered against Manchester United in the Champions League and to stay in the top reaches of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Mile Svilar, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, while Pierluigi Gollini is not yet fully fit and is expected to give way again to Devis Vásquez. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrive without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Gasperini is expected to keep Vásquez in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence. Nahuel Molina is favoured on the right flank, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen up front. Manu Koné is back available and is expected to start. The probable Roma formation is a 3-4-2-1: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. The Roma bench lists De Marzi, Kilvinger, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio, Castro, Arena and Maccaroni. Sassuolo line up in a 3-4-2-1 as well: Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé; Cinquegrano, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Esposito, Laurienté; Bowie. Their bench includes Muric, Satalino, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Caleta-Car, Obrador, Ghion, Sulemana, Adzic, Lipani, Dominguez, Pierini and Skjellerup. The match is refereed by Di Bello of Brindisi, with Peretti and Scatragli as assistant referees, Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as assistant VAR.

Roma return to Serie A action at the Stadio Olimpico against Sassuolo, looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat at Manchester and to record a third consecutive league win. Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, arrive on the back of four consecutive defeats. Gian Piero Gasperini regains Manu Koné, who returns to the squad after more than 20 days out and will start on the bench, but he is without Gianluca Mancini, who is sidelined with a muscle strain and will also miss the national team fixtures. Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini remain unavailable. Devis Vásquez keeps his place in goal. Roma's starting XI is Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Gasperini's bench includes De Marzi, Kilvinger, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Castro, Maccaroni and Arena. Sassuolo line up in a 4-3-3 with Turati in goal, supported by Walukiewicz, Idzes, Odenthal, Doig; Bakola, Matic, Thorstvedt; Dominguez, Esposito and Laurienté. Aquilani's options include Muric, Satalino, Candé, Berardi, Sulemana and Pierini. The match is the eleventh round of Serie A Enilive. Kick-off is at 20:45. Di Bello of Brindisi referees, assisted by Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as AVAR. The game is broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN, with co-exclusive coverage on Sky, and is also available on Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Go and streaming on Now. Roma go into the fixture with the head-to-head record on their side. They have been unbeaten in 22 of 24 Serie A meetings with Sassuolo (13 wins, 9 draws, 2 defeats) and have won all of the last four. Sassuolo have won only one of their 12 trips to the Olimpico. Roma are also one of four teams still unbeaten across Europe's top five leagues. Their 28 goals are the most they have ever scored in the first ten rounds of Serie A. Donyell Malen leads the line and is the top scorer across Europe's top five leagues in calendar year 2026 with 22 goals, ahead of Raphinha and Harry Kane on 21 each. Rodrigo Mora, who scored against Cagliari and Udinese, is aiming to score in a third consecutive appearance, a feat not previously achieved by a Porto or Roma player.

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.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A's eleventh matchday, looking to bounce back quickly from the painful comeback they suffered against Manchester United in the Champions League and to stay in the top reaches of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Mile Svilar, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, while Pierluigi Gollini is not yet fully fit and is expected to give way again to Devis Vásquez. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrive without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Gasperini is expected to keep Vásquez in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence. Nahuel Molina is favoured on the right flank, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen up front. Manu Koné is back available and is expected to start. The probable Roma formation is a 3-4-2-1: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. The Roma bench lists De Marzi, Kilvinger, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio, Castro, Arena and Maccaroni. Sassuolo line up in a 3-4-2-1 as well: Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé; Cinquegrano, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Esposito, Laurienté; Bowie. Their bench includes Muric, Satalino, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Caleta-Car, Obrador, Ghion, Sulemana, Adzic, Lipani, Dominguez, Pierini and Skjellerup. The match is refereed by Di Bello of Brindisi, with Peretti and Scatragli as assistant referees, Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as assistant VAR.

Roma return to Serie A action at the Stadio Olimpico against Sassuolo, looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat at Manchester and to record a third consecutive league win. Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, arrive on the back of four consecutive defeats. Gian Piero Gasperini regains Manu Koné, who returns to the squad after more than 20 days out and will start on the bench, but he is without Gianluca Mancini, who is sidelined with a muscle strain and will also miss the national team fixtures. Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini remain unavailable. Devis Vásquez keeps his place in goal. Roma's starting XI is Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Gasperini's bench includes De Marzi, Kilvinger, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Castro, Maccaroni and Arena. Sassuolo line up in a 4-3-3 with Turati in goal, supported by Walukiewicz, Idzes, Odenthal, Doig; Bakola, Matic, Thorstvedt; Dominguez, Esposito and Laurienté. Aquilani's options include Muric, Satalino, Candé, Berardi, Sulemana and Pierini. The match is the eleventh round of Serie A Enilive. Kick-off is at 20:45. Di Bello of Brindisi referees, assisted by Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as AVAR. The game is broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN, with co-exclusive coverage on Sky, and is also available on Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Go and streaming on Now. Roma go into the fixture with the head-to-head record on their side. They have been unbeaten in 22 of 24 Serie A meetings with Sassuolo (13 wins, 9 draws, 2 defeats) and have won all of the last four. Sassuolo have won only one of their 12 trips to the Olimpico. Roma are also one of four teams still unbeaten across Europe's top five leagues. Their 28 goals are the most they have ever scored in the first ten rounds of Serie A. Donyell Malen leads the line and is the top scorer across Europe's top five leagues in calendar year 2026 with 22 goals, ahead of Raphinha and Harry Kane on 21 each. Rodrigo Mora, who scored against Cagliari and Udinese, is aiming to score in a third consecutive appearance, a feat not previously achieved by a Porto or Roma player.

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.