Koné available again as Vásquez returns to Serie A goal against Sassuolo

Roma can go to sleep level on points with Lazio and one behind Inter, and host Sassuolo at the Olimpico today at 20.45 in the last round before the international break. Gian Piero Gasperini has the chance to close the gap further at the top of the table. The most urgent question concerns the goalkeeper: Pierluigi Gollini has not fully recovered from the back problem that kept him out before the Manchester game, and his availability remains in doubt. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez will again start in goal. Mile Svilar will not return until after the break. In defence, Gasperini must decide how to share out the workload. Daniele Ghilardi is pushing for a place in the starting line-up and could give Gianluca Mancini a rest. On the right, the battle is open between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso remain the first choices in the back line, with Leonardo Balerdi as another option to change at least one player. In midfield, Bryan Cristante and Marten de Roon are the most likely pairing. Up front, Donyell Malen will lead the attack, supported by Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Manu Koné is still out. He was not called up for Sassuolo and has also been left out of Zidane's France squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable. Dybala is aiming to return against Parma after the break, while Pellegrini will not be back until January. The report, written by Marco Juric for La Repubblica, places the emphasis on the goalkeeper and defensive selection as Gasperini prepares his side for the Sassuolo clash.

Manu Koné has returned to availability ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a rare piece of good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The French midfielder missed more than twenty days with an injury picked up in the Champions League against Real Madrid, and he has passed his final test. He can be called up but without taking any risks, and he will miss his national team commitments as a result. Koné, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is back in contention but is not yet certain to start, as the medical staff preferred not to rush his recovery and will delay his full return until after the international break. The rest of the infirmary remains crowded, forcing Gasperini into several difficult choices. Paulo Dybala still feels discomfort in his calf and is aiming to return against Parma. Mile Svilar is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot and is getting closer to a comeback. Lorenzo Pellegrini's timeline is longer, and he will not return before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has not recovered from the back problem he suffered before the trip to Manchester, which opens the door in goal for Devis Vásquez. Vásquez is set to play again sixteen months after his last appearance, on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona. Gasperini is still weighing the final details of the starting line-up. In defence, there is an open battle between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Molina is expected to return from the first minute on the right flank, where he is tasked with providing width and freshness. Roma are determined to finish this stretch well before the international break.

Gian Piero Gasperini is starting Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen together against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, as Roma look to bounce back immediately from their defeat at Manchester. The three attackers all returned from international call-ups, and Gasperini is relying on their combination to drive the side forward. Paulo Dybala is absent from the squad for the match. Roma arrive at the fixture after a second-half display at Old Trafford that disappointed, and the club need a response before the international break. The side will rebuild around the Argentine-Portuguese partnership that shone in the first half in England. Soulé has been one of the club's standout performers this season, with four goals and five assists, and earned a call-up from Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. Rodrigo Mora, born in 2007, has also impressed, and his performances convinced Jorge Jesus to promote him to the Portugal senior squad for the Nations League. Their combination was already on show at Udine and, in spurts, at Manchester. Their task is to set up Malen, who is also fresh from a call-up with the Netherlands. The forward is ready to face Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, to find the net again, put behind him the setbacks of the Champions League, and push for double figures in Serie A. Gasperini's main weapon is the combination of Soulé, Mora and Malen, turning flair and quality into three points while Serie A's leading sides also meet each other this weekend.

Roma can go to sleep level on points with Lazio and one behind Inter, and host Sassuolo at the Olimpico today at 20.45 in the last round before the international break. Gian Piero Gasperini has the chance to close the gap further at the top of the table. The most urgent question concerns the goalkeeper: Pierluigi Gollini has not fully recovered from the back problem that kept him out before the Manchester game, and his availability remains in doubt. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez will again start in goal. Mile Svilar will not return until after the break. In defence, Gasperini must decide how to share out the workload. Daniele Ghilardi is pushing for a place in the starting line-up and could give Gianluca Mancini a rest. On the right, the battle is open between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso remain the first choices in the back line, with Leonardo Balerdi as another option to change at least one player. In midfield, Bryan Cristante and Marten de Roon are the most likely pairing. Up front, Donyell Malen will lead the attack, supported by Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Manu Koné is still out. He was not called up for Sassuolo and has also been left out of Zidane's France squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable. Dybala is aiming to return against Parma after the break, while Pellegrini will not be back until January. The report, written by Marco Juric for La Repubblica, places the emphasis on the goalkeeper and defensive selection as Gasperini prepares his side for the Sassuolo clash.

Manu Koné has returned to availability ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a rare piece of good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The French midfielder missed more than twenty days with an injury picked up in the Champions League against Real Madrid, and he has passed his final test. He can be called up but without taking any risks, and he will miss his national team commitments as a result. Koné, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is back in contention but is not yet certain to start, as the medical staff preferred not to rush his recovery and will delay his full return until after the international break. The rest of the infirmary remains crowded, forcing Gasperini into several difficult choices. Paulo Dybala still feels discomfort in his calf and is aiming to return against Parma. Mile Svilar is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot and is getting closer to a comeback. Lorenzo Pellegrini's timeline is longer, and he will not return before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has not recovered from the back problem he suffered before the trip to Manchester, which opens the door in goal for Devis Vásquez. Vásquez is set to play again sixteen months after his last appearance, on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona. Gasperini is still weighing the final details of the starting line-up. In defence, there is an open battle between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Molina is expected to return from the first minute on the right flank, where he is tasked with providing width and freshness. Roma are determined to finish this stretch well before the international break.

Gian Piero Gasperini is starting Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen together against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, as Roma look to bounce back immediately from their defeat at Manchester. The three attackers all returned from international call-ups, and Gasperini is relying on their combination to drive the side forward. Paulo Dybala is absent from the squad for the match. Roma arrive at the fixture after a second-half display at Old Trafford that disappointed, and the club need a response before the international break. The side will rebuild around the Argentine-Portuguese partnership that shone in the first half in England. Soulé has been one of the club's standout performers this season, with four goals and five assists, and earned a call-up from Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. Rodrigo Mora, born in 2007, has also impressed, and his performances convinced Jorge Jesus to promote him to the Portugal senior squad for the Nations League. Their combination was already on show at Udine and, in spurts, at Manchester. Their task is to set up Malen, who is also fresh from a call-up with the Netherlands. The forward is ready to face Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, to find the net again, put behind him the setbacks of the Champions League, and push for double figures in Serie A. Gasperini's main weapon is the combination of Soulé, Mora and Malen, turning flair and quality into three points while Serie A's leading sides also meet each other this weekend.

Roma can go to sleep level on points with Lazio and one behind Inter, and host Sassuolo at the Olimpico today at 20.45 in the last round before the international break. Gian Piero Gasperini has the chance to close the gap further at the top of the table. The most urgent question concerns the goalkeeper: Pierluigi Gollini has not fully recovered from the back problem that kept him out before the Manchester game, and his availability remains in doubt. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez will again start in goal. Mile Svilar will not return until after the break. In defence, Gasperini must decide how to share out the workload. Daniele Ghilardi is pushing for a place in the starting line-up and could give Gianluca Mancini a rest. On the right, the battle is open between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso remain the first choices in the back line, with Leonardo Balerdi as another option to change at least one player. In midfield, Bryan Cristante and Marten de Roon are the most likely pairing. Up front, Donyell Malen will lead the attack, supported by Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Manu Koné is still out. He was not called up for Sassuolo and has also been left out of Zidane's France squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable. Dybala is aiming to return against Parma after the break, while Pellegrini will not be back until January. The report, written by Marco Juric for La Repubblica, places the emphasis on the goalkeeper and defensive selection as Gasperini prepares his side for the Sassuolo clash.

Manu Koné has returned to availability ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a rare piece of good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The French midfielder missed more than twenty days with an injury picked up in the Champions League against Real Madrid, and he has passed his final test. He can be called up but without taking any risks, and he will miss his national team commitments as a result. Koné, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is back in contention but is not yet certain to start, as the medical staff preferred not to rush his recovery and will delay his full return until after the international break. The rest of the infirmary remains crowded, forcing Gasperini into several difficult choices. Paulo Dybala still feels discomfort in his calf and is aiming to return against Parma. Mile Svilar is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot and is getting closer to a comeback. Lorenzo Pellegrini's timeline is longer, and he will not return before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has not recovered from the back problem he suffered before the trip to Manchester, which opens the door in goal for Devis Vásquez. Vásquez is set to play again sixteen months after his last appearance, on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona. Gasperini is still weighing the final details of the starting line-up. In defence, there is an open battle between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Molina is expected to return from the first minute on the right flank, where he is tasked with providing width and freshness. Roma are determined to finish this stretch well before the international break.

Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly chose encouragement over a dressing-room rebuke after Roma's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, according to Andrea Pugliese. Rather than criticising his players, the coach reportedly highlighted what had gone well in the first half, telling his squad in the dressing room: "We dominated." The message was aimed at protecting the group's confidence after Roma conceded their second Champions League comeback. Manu Koné has been left out of France's squad by Zinedine Zidane for the matches against Italy and Turkey. The decision is linked to his physical condition, allowing Roma to manage his recovery without pressure. His availability for the Sassuolo match remains in serious doubt, although Gasperini could still name him on the bench. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Mora has earned a call-up to the senior Portugal squad under Jorge Jesus. The 19-year-old has scored three goals in eight Serie A appearances and provided two assists in the Champions League, a reward for his progress at Roma and his performance against Manchester United. According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are now prepared to consider a temporary transfer for Gittens, having rejected Roma's earlier proposal. Roma had also pursued the English winger during the summer. D'Amico is looking for a quick winger capable of beating his man, and competition for the 2004-born player remains strong. Sassuolo are without two key players. Alberto Aquilani will be missing Berardi, his main attacking reference, and Volpato, the former Roma player, who will miss the return to the Olimpico, both through injury. Sassuolo arrive on a run of four consecutive defeats and have conceded 16 goals. Aquilani, returning to the Olimpico as a coach in a difficult moment, admitted his side's difficulties at his press conference and called for an immediate response. Gollini is still struggling with the back problem that ruled him out before the Manchester trip. Roma's medical staff at Trigoria are evaluating injections as a way to get him back, but the most likely option is that Devis Vásquez starts. Mile Svilar will not return until after the international break.

Roma can go to sleep level on points with Lazio and one behind Inter, and host Sassuolo at the Olimpico today at 20.45 in the last round before the international break. Gian Piero Gasperini has the chance to close the gap further at the top of the table. The most urgent question concerns the goalkeeper: Pierluigi Gollini has not fully recovered from the back problem that kept him out before the Manchester game, and his availability remains in doubt. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez will again start in goal. Mile Svilar will not return until after the break. In defence, Gasperini must decide how to share out the workload. Daniele Ghilardi is pushing for a place in the starting line-up and could give Gianluca Mancini a rest. On the right, the battle is open between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso remain the first choices in the back line, with Leonardo Balerdi as another option to change at least one player. In midfield, Bryan Cristante and Marten de Roon are the most likely pairing. Up front, Donyell Malen will lead the attack, supported by Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Manu Koné is still out. He was not called up for Sassuolo and has also been left out of Zidane's France squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable. Dybala is aiming to return against Parma after the break, while Pellegrini will not be back until January. The report, written by Marco Juric for La Repubblica, places the emphasis on the goalkeeper and defensive selection as Gasperini prepares his side for the Sassuolo clash.

Manu Koné has returned to availability ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a rare piece of good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The French midfielder missed more than twenty days with an injury picked up in the Champions League against Real Madrid, and he has passed his final test. He can be called up but without taking any risks, and he will miss his national team commitments as a result. Koné, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is back in contention but is not yet certain to start, as the medical staff preferred not to rush his recovery and will delay his full return until after the international break. The rest of the infirmary remains crowded, forcing Gasperini into several difficult choices. Paulo Dybala still feels discomfort in his calf and is aiming to return against Parma. Mile Svilar is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot and is getting closer to a comeback. Lorenzo Pellegrini's timeline is longer, and he will not return before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has not recovered from the back problem he suffered before the trip to Manchester, which opens the door in goal for Devis Vásquez. Vásquez is set to play again sixteen months after his last appearance, on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona. Gasperini is still weighing the final details of the starting line-up. In defence, there is an open battle between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Molina is expected to return from the first minute on the right flank, where he is tasked with providing width and freshness. Roma are determined to finish this stretch well before the international break.

Roma face another league fixture tomorrow evening, a win that could put them within one step of the top of Serie A depending on other results and would send the giallorossi into the international break with more confidence after their comeback in Manchester. Gasperini will have three key players fully available during the break: Svilar, Koné and Dybala. Pellegrini, however, will remain sidelined for a long period. In recent matches, the three-man combination of Malen, Soulé and Mora has produced positive results. Malen has continued to score regularly, Soulé has become increasingly central to the attacking build-up, and Mora has found his form, registering a goal or an assist in every recent match in which he has been actively involved. The real problem, however, is the lack of depth. Reserves are currently missing, partly through injury and partly through structural shortcomings that have been flagged repeatedly since late August. For this reason the club is actively searching for the right signings to give the coach in the transfer window, which in this case must also strengthen the attacking department. The situation resembles last year, when the primary aim was to find a couple of attacking players. Four arrived in the end: Malen, Venturino, Vaz and Zaragoza, with only one, the Dutchman, proving decisive. Gasperini is strongly focused on Endrick. The Brazilian was the chosen target last summer, but after a near move to Ciampino, Mourinho's ill-timed intervention stopped the deal. So far Endrick has performed well, and very well only at the end of the match against Roma, which is an irony of fate, but he continues to find limited playing time. He is left-footed, and combines excellent basic technique with accelerations that would be very useful to Roma even when a match is already underway. Imagine Endrick in place of Mora in the second half in Manchester. Maguire and his teammates would have had reservations about pushing forward, as happened especially after the cruel penalty awarded by Manzano. Endrick is part of Roma's plans and is the primary target, but it is not enough. Gasperini would like to complete the department with two players: the Brazilian plus another number ten, second striker or attacking player who is right-footed and physically well built. Gittens is mentioned, out of favour at Chelsea, and above all Kvernadze, who for his age and wage would fit perfectly into the sustainability path set at Trigoria in recent months. Numerically, Pellegrini's serious setback and the new problems for Dybala could push the club and coaching staff to reflect carefully on the squad numbers. Roma cannot realistically withstand the weekly double commitment with Malen (plus Castro), Mora, Soulé and then the adapted players. The overall picture of incomings could be completed by a midfielder with running and physical power, to cover Koné's physical difficulties and De Roon's age. A trio of signings could make Roma's squad resistant to injuries and able to cope with the demands of the Champions League, Serie A and the Coppa Italia, which returns in January.