Mancini set for starting role as Italy prepares Belgium clash

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.

Donyell Malen has become one of the key figures in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma side, and his market value has more than doubled since he arrived at the club. According to Transfermarkt, the Dutch forward's valuation has risen from €25 million to €55 million, an increase of €30 million, or 120% on the initial figure. At 27 years old, Malen is going through an important phase of his career, and the article credits his time in the Italian capital with relaunching him. Roma exercised their option to buy him in June for €27 million, securing the forward on a permanent basis. The current valuation of €55 million is €28 million more than the purchase price. The article notes that this gap reflects growth in the player's estimated value rather than a profit already realised on a sale. For the Giallorossi, the move is also a positive sign on the balance sheet, as the club's investment in a player whose valuation has risen sharply in just a few months. The article's central point is that Malen's contribution goes beyond his performances on the pitch. He has established himself as one of the team's main reference points and holds a central role in the project, a rise that is reflected in his economic valuation.

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.

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.

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."