Koné under Roma review as Inter circle; Premier League clubs also interested

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pressing the club's management and ownership for at least two signings in the January transfer window, as a thin squad struggles under the weight of congested fixtures. Corriere della Sera reported the coach's push ahead of the winter session. The most pressing issue is the attack, where resources have become very limited. Gasperini continues to rely mainly on Soulé and Malen, and Rodrigo Mora is likely to complete the front three again tonight against Sassuolo, having started both in Udine and at Old Trafford. Alternatives exist, but the options for genuinely changing the look of the department are limited. The absences of Dybala and Pellegrini weigh heavily. Dybala could return after the international break, but his physical condition remains a question mark. Pellegrini's situation is more complicated, with his return appearing further away. In recent weeks there had even been talk of possible surgery, a hypothesis on which no definitive clarification has yet emerged. The difficulties extend beyond the front line. Midfield rotation has been reduced to a minimum, with Cristante and De Roon forced to shoulder a particularly heavy workload during the Koné emergency. Over the summer Gasperini had chosen to rely on just four central midfielders, to guarantee continuity and give everyone space. The recent struggles may now lead him to reconsider that decision. Hence the request for at least two additions to increase selection options and handle the double commitment of Serie A and the Champions League. They do not necessarily have to be two strikers: the discussion with the club will define where to intervene, taking into account technical priorities and market opportunities. Sporting director Tony D'Amico is already working to identify the right profiles and economically sustainable formulas. Gasperini has stressed what he considers necessary: to stay competitive across several fronts, a quality starting XI is not enough. Quality alternatives are also needed, especially when injuries concentrate in the same areas. January, this time, must deliver concrete answers.

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...

Filippo Reale endured a difficult afternoon as Carrarese were beaten 3-0 by Verona at the Bentegodi, with the Roma loanee's mistake directly leading to the second goal. Neil El Aynaoui continued to earn important minutes for RB Leipzig, starting in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, while Robinio Vaz was left out of the Hull City squad. Mohamed Seck impressed again for Foggia, and Anass Salah-Eddine won the Greek derby but remained out of the following European fixture. Here is the full roundup of Roma's players on loan away from the capital. Reale, a defender born in 2006, was already under pressure after a penalty he conceded against Arezzo. He was named in the starting line-up for the trip to Verona, where Carrarese were overwhelmed 3-0. Harroui gave Verona the lead in the 10th minute, before the decisive moment for Reale in the 22nd minute. He anticipated Mosquera on a long ball from goalkeeper Perilli but misplayed a backpass towards Pizzignacco. Colombian forward Mosquera stole the ball, rounded the keeper and made it 2-0. Sarr sealed the result in the 38th minute. Reale played all 90 minutes but could not recover. Tuttomercatoweb gave him a 4.5, highlighting the mistake for the second goal. He was not booked, but two decisive errors in a few days represent a sharp step back after his good performances in previous weeks. (Loan with an option and counter-option to buy) El Aynaoui, the Moroccan midfielder, continued to find playing time in Bundesliga and Champions League matches. On Saturday he started the 2-0 win at Schalke 04, with goals from Nusa, from the penalty spot, and Rômulo. He played the full 90 minutes and contributed to the management of the midfield. A tougher test followed on Wednesday, when he was again picked from the start against Manchester City in the Champions League. Leipzig lost 3-2 after a competitive game in which they twice came back from behind before conceding the decisive goal from Haaland in the 78th minute. El Aynaoui was booked in the 48th minute and played until the 74th, when Demichelis replaced him with Seiwald. He had no goals or assists across the two games, but his 164 combined minutes confirm he is now an important presence in the German side's rotation. (Loan with an option to buy) Vaz, the French forward, had a particular week. Having recovered from injury, he continues to struggle for a place in the Premier League. On Saturday he was left out of the Hull City squad for the 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town. Head coach Sergej Jakirovic said the young player must improve his physical condition and increase the intensity of his training, partly because of an incomplete summer preparation. That decision led to him playing for the Under-21 side. On Monday Vaz featured against Derby County in the Premier League Cup, helping the Tigers to a 1-0 win. He came close in the 23rd minute with a shot on target, saved by goalkeeper Djedje. The winner arrived only in stoppage time, from Kieran Wilson. Vaz had no goals or assists, but the match helped him regain rhythm and fitness. It remains to be seen when he will return to the first-team squad. (Loan with an option to buy) Seck continues to earn the trust of Gaetano Auteri. On Monday he was confirmed as a starter in the trip to Casarano, which ended in a spectacular 2-2 draw. Foggia led in the 24th minute through Ravasio, were levelled by Mercadante in stoppage time of the first half and, despite a numerical advantage after Negro was sent off in the 54th minute, conceded the lead to Ciotti in the 84th. Luciani equalised in the 95th minute. Seck played all 90 minutes without a booking, offering an attentive display and limiting individual errors. Foggiacalciomania rated him a positive 6.6, highlighting the progress of the young defender. (Loan) Salah-Eddine, the Moroccan full-back, had a week of highs and spells on the bench. On Sunday he came on in the 71st minute of the derby against AEK Athens, which Panathinaikos won 2-0 with goals from Tetteh and Andino. Neestrup brought him on for Kyriakopoulos to manage the lead, with the hosts two goals ahead and a numerical advantage after Kangwa was sent off in the 70th minute. The Roma loanee played the final 19 minutes plus stoppage time and was booked in the 92nd minute, without a goal or assist. On Thursday Panathinaikos beat CSKA Sofia 2-1 in the Conference League, with goals from Calabria and Taborda, but Salah-Eddine was not in the matchday squad. He was therefore a bench appearance in the league and did not play in the European match. Competition on the left flank remains high despite his progress in recent weeks. (Loan with an option to buy) Federico Nardin, a defender born in 2007, continues to develop and is increasingly selected by Antonio Buscè. On Saturday he started the 0-0 draw with Torres at the Adriatico and played the full 90 minutes, helping to keep a clean sheet. His most notable moment came in the 64th minute, when he came close to his first professional goal. Served by Meazzi, he found a good position but shot over the bar. Pescara created several chances without converting them.

Roma return to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to host Sassuolo, coached by Aquilani, and face the chance to bounce back straight after their defeat at Old Trafford. Referee Di Bello will take charge of the match, assisted by linesmen Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official. Pezzuto is the VAR, with Guida working as AVAR. The head-to-head record with Di Bello is encouraging for Roma. They have met him 34 times, winning 21, drawing 6 and losing 7. More striking are the recent results: Roma have won all of their last eight matches refereed by Di Bello and have been unbeaten in ten games. Their last defeat under him came on 8 February 2022, when Inter won 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. The most recent meeting was on 25 April, when Roma beat Bologna 2-0 at the Dall'Ara, with goals from Malen and El Aynaoui. The focus now is on moving on from the Old Trafford result. Roma have to look ahead and go again, with the future the only thing that counts from here on.

Roma's loan players had a busy week across the Champions League, the Bundesliga, the German Cup, La Liga, Serie C and the Europa Conference League. Neil El Aynaoui was involved in three matches for RB Leipzig, while Luigi Cherubini was back in the Benevento starting line-up and came close to scoring twice. Robinio Vaz has returned to action after a physical problem he suffered against Fulham, and Mohamed Seck helped Foggia to a win. El Aynaoui, a Moroccan midfielder on a loan deal with a buy option, started Leipzig's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, a 4-1 loss, and played until the 63rd minute. On Saturday he played the full 90 minutes of a 4-0 win over Elversberg. His most eventful match came on Tuesday against Rot-Weiss Essen in the German Cup last 16. He began on the bench, but came on at half-time with Leipzig trailing 1-0 and reduced to ten men after Seiwald was sent off in the 44th minute. Baumgartner scored twice, in the 78th and 82nd minutes, to complete the comeback and send Leipzig through 2-1. El Aynaoui was booked in the 76th minute and played 45 minutes without a goal or assist. The win came after heavy defeats to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Cherubini, a winger born in 2004, returned to the starting line-up on Saturday in a 3-0 win at Arezzo. He played 74 minutes and twice came close to scoring, first with a spectacular scissor kick that was saved by goalkeeper Nunziante, then with a shot that hit the post. He started again on Tuesday in a 1-1 home draw with Catanzaro. He won the decisive penalty early in the second half, which Salvemini converted in the 51st minute after Candela fouled him, a decision confirmed by VAR. He was substituted for Saio in the 86th minute. Buso equalised for Catanzaro in added time, in the 92nd minute. Cherubini did not score or assist, but BeneventoNews24 and CalcioBenevento both gave him a 6.5. Mattia Mannini, a midfielder born in 2006, was an unused substitute for both matches, with Floro Flores opting for other players during the second-half changes. Mannini had played for Italy's Under-20 side during the previous international break. Mohamed Seck started at centre-back in Auteri's three-man defence as Foggia beat Cavese 1-0 at the Zaccheria, ending two straight defeats to Potenza and Giugliano. Foggiacalciomania gave him a 6 for a solid performance, noting his willingness to move forward from the defensive line. Goalkeeper Saro saved a penalty from Orlando, and Ravasio scored the winner in the 87th minute. Federico Nardin, a defender born in 2007, started for Pescara in a 2-1 win at Perugia, playing all 90 minutes without a booking. Merola scored twice for Pescara, first from open play and then from a penalty, after Carriero had given Perugia a lead inside the first minute. Radoslaw Zelezny, the Polish goalkeeper for Perugia, played the full match but conceded both Pescara goals, with Merola scoring in the 47th and 51st minutes. Marash Kumbulla, an Albanian defender on loan with a buy option, started for Rayo Vallecano in a 3-2 extra-time win over Recreativo Huelva in the first round of the Copa del Rey. He played 80 minutes after being on the bench for the 3-0 home defeat to Elche. Alemão scored Rayo's equaliser from the penalty spot and then the winner in extra time, with De Frutos also scoring. Anass Salah-Eddine, a Moroccan left-back playing for Panathinaikos, was not used in the 5-1 Conference League win over Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan on Thursday. He started on Sunday in a 1-0 league win at Volos.