Koné Available as Mancini Is Ruled Out for Roma v Sassuolo

Manu Koné is back available to Gian Piero Gasperini more than 20 days after the injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and has been named in the squad for the match against Sassuolo. He is one of the few players to return in time, with Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini still sidelined. Mancini has also been lost to injury in the meantime. Koné has recovered from the hamstring injury, but he is unlikely to start from the first minute. His return is an important boost for Gasperini ahead of a busy stretch for Roma after the international break, with seven matches scheduled in 29 days. Koné will stay at Trigoria for the whole break, as he has not been called up by France, and will use the time to regain full fitness. The aim is for him to be at his best for the trip to Parma on 21 November, and above all for the next Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Gian Piero Gasperini has received a mixed pre-match update before Roma face Sassuolo, with Gianluca Mancini left out of the Serie A squad because of a right hamstring muscle strain. Manu Koné is back in contention and has been named in the squad for the match. The club will assess Mancini's condition in the coming days to establish the extent of the problem and the likely recovery time. Koné, the French midfielder, had been sidelined since the injury he picked up against Real Madrid, when tests revealed a first-degree tear of his right biceps femoris. His return gives Gasperini an important figure in midfield for the final match before the international break. The Sassuolo fixture is the last league game before the break for national teams, and Koné's availability offers the head coach a welcome boost in the centre of the park while Mancini's absence leaves the defence to be reorganised.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without centre-back Gianluca Mancini for this evening's match against Sassuolo, after the defender picked up a muscle strain in his right hip flexor. The injury adds to a growing list of absences for Roma, following the unavailability of Svilar, Gollini, Rensch, Dybala and Pellegrini. The problem is not considered serious. Mancini trained normally with his teammates yesterday, but he does not yet feel ready to play, and Gasperini has decided not to risk him. Roma's selection for the fixture is therefore a choice between Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi to fill the centre-back spot Mancini would have occupied. Mancini will not be in the Italy squad for the forthcoming matches against France and Belgium, which gives him the international break to recover fully. The break offers him a chance to return to full fitness before Roma's next fixtures.

Manu Koné is back available to Gian Piero Gasperini more than 20 days after the injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and has been named in the squad for the match against Sassuolo. He is one of the few players to return in time, with Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini still sidelined. Mancini has also been lost to injury in the meantime. Koné has recovered from the hamstring injury, but he is unlikely to start from the first minute. His return is an important boost for Gasperini ahead of a busy stretch for Roma after the international break, with seven matches scheduled in 29 days. Koné will stay at Trigoria for the whole break, as he has not been called up by France, and will use the time to regain full fitness. The aim is for him to be at his best for the trip to Parma on 21 November, and above all for the next Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Gian Piero Gasperini has received a mixed pre-match update before Roma face Sassuolo, with Gianluca Mancini left out of the Serie A squad because of a right hamstring muscle strain. Manu Koné is back in contention and has been named in the squad for the match. The club will assess Mancini's condition in the coming days to establish the extent of the problem and the likely recovery time. Koné, the French midfielder, had been sidelined since the injury he picked up against Real Madrid, when tests revealed a first-degree tear of his right biceps femoris. His return gives Gasperini an important figure in midfield for the final match before the international break. The Sassuolo fixture is the last league game before the break for national teams, and Koné's availability offers the head coach a welcome boost in the centre of the park while Mancini's absence leaves the defence to be reorganised.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without centre-back Gianluca Mancini for this evening's match against Sassuolo, after the defender picked up a muscle strain in his right hip flexor. The injury adds to a growing list of absences for Roma, following the unavailability of Svilar, Gollini, Rensch, Dybala and Pellegrini. The problem is not considered serious. Mancini trained normally with his teammates yesterday, but he does not yet feel ready to play, and Gasperini has decided not to risk him. Roma's selection for the fixture is therefore a choice between Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi to fill the centre-back spot Mancini would have occupied. Mancini will not be in the Italy squad for the forthcoming matches against France and Belgium, which gives him the international break to recover fully. The break offers him a chance to return to full fitness before Roma's next fixtures.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to retain the front three of Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Malen, according to a convergence of the main Italian dailies' probable line-ups published this morning on the eve of Roma's next fixture. Devis Vasquez is tipped to start in goal by six of the seven newspapers, while only Tuttosport suggests Pierluigi Gollini could return. Given the condition of the Italian goalkeeper, the Colombian is firmly favoured to start. The defence is where the picture is less certain. The most popular option is Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso. Leonardo Balerdi, tipped by Il Messaggero, Tuttosport and Corriere della Sera, and Gianluca Mancini, picked by Il Tempo, remain in contention. On the flanks, there is near-unanimous agreement: Molina on the right and Wesley on the left. There is also no doubt in midfield, where Gasperini is expected to rely again on the pairing of Cristante and De Roon. Up front, the choice also appears settled. Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen, who remains Roma's central attacking reference. The only dissenting voice is Tuttosport, which proposes Niccolò Pisilli in place of the Portuguese forward. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Vasquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.

Roberto Pruzzo believes Roma should have little trouble against Sassuolo, saying the visitors lack energy and the Giallorossi must take advantage. Radio pundits across Rome's stations previewed the fixture with a range of views on the lineup and the team's approach. Marco Juric of Manà Manà Sport (90.9) said Roma must not underestimate the commitment required tonight. He reported that Molina is ahead of Lulli for the right flank. In defence, Ghilardi and Mancini are competing for a place in the back line. In midfield, de Roon and Cristante are expected to start again, with Mora, Soulé and Malen forming the attacking trio. Juric added: "Against certain opponents, in my opinion, it makes the right difference to play with Gollini rather than with Vasquez." Pruzzo, on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), said: "It is difficult to find a danger for Roma in tonight's match, because Sassuolo have no energy. I don't know if Aquilani will be able to keep his place. Roma must take advantage of it, they are not finding it hard to win these games. After the cup match there is a need to play a game that allows you to win." Nando Orsi, also on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), said: "Apparently tonight's match for Roma is a walkover. This Sassuolo side has looked like a weak team, which always concedes goals. Today I cannot imagine Roma not returning home with the three points. Sixty minutes are enough, three goals and then they manage the game. I would have played Ndicka against Manchester, not against Sassuolo, but the changes are forced." Orsi added: "The only thing that is asked of Roma is to be more consistent in performance over 90 minutes: it is hard to maintain those rhythms, they need to be managed."

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without centre-back Gianluca Mancini for this evening's match against Sassuolo, after the defender picked up a muscle strain in his right hip flexor. The injury adds to a growing list of absences for Roma, following the unavailability of Svilar, Gollini, Rensch, Dybala and Pellegrini. The problem is not considered serious. Mancini trained normally with his teammates yesterday, but he does not yet feel ready to play, and Gasperini has decided not to risk him. Roma's selection for the fixture is therefore a choice between Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi to fill the centre-back spot Mancini would have occupied. Mancini will not be in the Italy squad for the forthcoming matches against France and Belgium, which gives him the international break to recover fully. The break offers him a chance to return to full fitness before Roma's next fixtures.

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 have the chance to move up the Serie A table when they host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in the late kickoff, with a win temporarily taking them above Inter and to within a single point of Lazio, who play Napoli on Sunday. Inter face Como in the same round. Gian Piero Gasperini wants to chase that target by relying on the solidity his side has shown so far in the league, despite a still-crowded treatment room and some forced selections. The match is Roma's last fixture before the international break. They arrive with seven wins, three draws and no defeats, a record that keeps them firmly in contention for the top of the table. Preparation is being shaped by injuries. In goal, Gollini has a back problem and Svilar is out, and Svilar will not return until after the break, which opens the way for Vásquez to start between the posts. In defence, Gasperini is weighing up rotation: Ghilardi is pushing Mancini for a starting place, while on the right the choice is between Molina and Lulli, with Rensch unavailable due to an adductor injury. In midfield, while Koné is still awaiting full recovery, Cristante and De Roon will be asked to hold the line. Up front, Roma will rely on their certainties: Soulé, Mora and Malen, with Castro ready to come on during the game. After this match, Trigoria will empty for the national team call-ups, from the Italy squad led by Mancini to the many leading players called up around the world, including the great honour for young Rodrigo Mora, who has been called into the Portugal senior squad.