Pellegrini and Dovbyk return to group training ahead of Lazio derby

Roma goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini has become a father for the first time, with his wife Ariel Serra giving birth to a son, Loen. The news was announced by the agency that manages the player's interests, which posted a message on social media: "E' arrivato un nuovo Top Player. Benvenuto Loen" ("A new Top Player has arrived. Welcome Loen"). The happy news comes at a time when Gollini has been prominent in recent weeks due to the absence of Mile Svilar. The 1995-born keeper has been in the spotlight for the Giallorossi while Svilar is out, and he has also been working to recover from the physical problem that forced him to miss Roma's most recent fixtures. The joy off the pitch arrives while Gollini is dealing with that fitness setback, which has kept him out of the squad's last matches. The birth marks a particularly important personal moment for the goalkeeper.

Thirteen Roma players have been called up by their national teams for the November international break, with Gianluca Mancini forced to withdraw from the Italy squad because of a muscular problem. Manu Koné remains in Rome after recently returning from injury, and he has not been called up by France coach Zidane. The international break sees Trigoria empty as Roma's players travel to their national sides around the world. Mancini's absence is a blow for Italy, and Koné's omission from the France squad means he will spend the break training with the club. The article sets out the fixtures the Giallorossi players will feature in across the two weeks of international football, with each player's match schedule detailed by country.

Roma head into the international break with a near-perfect run to protect, and Gian Piero Gasperini has used a demanding stretch of nine matches in 27 days to rotate his squad. Gasperini admitted the schedule had been tough but said it had allowed him to use the whole squad: "We had tough clashes like Como, Napoli, Manchester and Real Madrid. The management was not a problem, and this allowed us to rotate the whole squad." During that intense spell, players who had been on the fringes stepped forward. Rodrigo Mora took advantage of Paulo Dybala's extended absence to win a key role, scoring in three consecutive matches. De Roon showed why Gasperini wanted him in the capital, while Ghilardi, Gollini and Vásquez also got their chances. Gasperini gave everyone a run-out, partly out of necessity. Both the coach and D'Amico have acknowledged that the squad is thin, and with a few injuries it risks becoming very thin indeed. The debate over whether the break is a blessing may therefore be answered by the players Roma get back when the league resumes. Roma are among the clubs that could benefit most from the pause. Their injuries have required fairly long recovery periods, but few players have been affected. The problem is that nearly all of them are key figures in the Giallorossi set-up. Chief among them is Mile Svilar, who has been out since 10 October and has kept training both at Trigoria and in individual sessions with a fitness coach, without managing to speed up his recovery. Tests carried out about ten days ago led the club and the goalkeeper to choose caution. The aim is for him to return against Parma, and then reach peak condition for the highly delicate trip to Paris. Dybala is on the same timetable. The calf injury he suffered against Real Madrid kept him out longer than expected, but the Argentine is now ready to return and make a difference, perhaps also finding a goal he has not scored since 18 January. Manu Koné has already returned, playing 66 excellent minutes against Sassuolo. The Frenchman was not called up by his national team and will use these days to regain his best condition. He will have an extra incentive compared with his team-mates: to impress at the Parc des Princes, a stadium a few kilometres from the home where he grew up. Gasperini hopes to get back the Roma of the "first lines", because he refuses to talk about starters. The coach remains torn about the break: "It interrupts the league again, although this time only for a week. I like international matches when they play for something important. For friendlies or matches of little consequence, it is a pity to lose so many players." Roma face another demanding run: seven matches in 29 days, during which the Giallorossi will play a major part of their season. The fixtures include the already mentioned trip to Paris Saint-Germain, the home match against Sporting, the game against Juventus and, above all, the derby against Lazio on 13 December. The next month will be crucial in measuring Roma's real ambitions, with the January transfer window expected to bring fresh impetus.

Roman radio pundits have been debating the Serie A title race, with several arguing Roma can genuinely challenge for the scudetto and that Lazio's surge should not be dismissed as a miracle. Rete Sport's David Rossi said the negative reaction after the Manchester defeat was undeserved by the club and by Gasperini. He said: "The negativity after Manchester was not deserved, neither by us nor by Gasp. Roma on Saturday offer another performance; they have become a team that always wins these matches. If you lose against the top 5 and win against the others, with a few draws here and there, you win the scudetto with ninety points… We not only win these games, we win them well." He added that against Sassuolo, Malen did not want to score and missed a couple of important chances, and that the first half could have been closed out 5 or 6 nil. Gianluca Piacentini, also on Rete Sport, discussed Kvernadze, who has a €4 million release clause in July, saying a January deal could cost between €10 and €12 million. On the Champions League race, he said Roma are in the mix, having reached the 11th matchday, alongside Lazio and Milan, which he said he did not expect. He noted that Napoli and Juventus are well behind. Piacentini argued that finishing second rather than fourth matters for the club's growth: "If you finish fourth you feel you have taken a step back; finish second and you have taken one forward. It is a matter of growth, so second is better than fourth." Checcо Oddo Casano, also on Rete Sport, praised the club's fitness record compared with other sides. He said: "Roma have held up well compared with other teams in terms of injuries. The work done by Gasperini and his staff is aimed at minimising injuries. Up to now, people who are always injured have stopped, such as Pellegrini and Dybala. Svilar has been unlucky with a broken foot, as has Koné… This squad runs, recovers, and we see a much more productive team than in previous years. This is down to better training. The intensity of the match is the result of the intensity of the weekly work. Competition for places has also raised the level of training, because no one is certain of his place." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo said this league is Inter and Roma, as it was at the start, and that Como can come back. He warned about Milan: "Be wary of Milan. Not so much this year, although anything can happen. Voices from Milan are talking about the January market, and beyond, they are also talking about next year. The madman (Cardinale, ed.) could build a team… I would not want Inter to win the scudetto this year and Milan next year." He added that Roma will do something in January, as the sporting director has said, and that Mora always scores, knowing where to place himself with an educated foot. Francesca Ferrazza, also of Tele Radio Stereo, praised Koné for turning down France, saying those matches do not count for much, and said Hermoso has become one of Gasperini's fixed points. She added that Gasperini had made his position clear, saying he will not sign for second place. Lorenzo Pes, also of Tele Radio Stereo, said the club now has a technical guide with clear ideas from the first day, and that Gasperini has accelerated the project. He said: "Now Roma have a technical guide with clear ideas from day one. For years we have heard about projects and building; now all of this has been accelerated by Gasperini from the first season. He has never hidden the real objective, which is to shorten the timelines as much as possible." Alessio Nardo, also of Tele Radio Stereo, said Roma should be among the top four and that finishing from fifth down would be a drama, adding that he would also be disappointed if Roma did not reach at least the Champions League playoff. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Lazio play well and have an identity, and that they play only once a week, which helps them. On Roma, he said the side walk over weaker teams, and that Dybala, who has not played for two months, needs to be recovered. On Milan, he said they should leave Europe, as a double commitment would be a problem. On Mora, he said: "His growth is not something you see, because his height is what it is… joking aside, he still has half an hour of stamina." He said Mora is at his best against this type of team and becomes decisive in the final metres, though in other games he bounces and must be ready to be substituted after half an hour. On Hermoso, he admitted he had been wrong to think his career was finished, saying he had bounced back spectacularly. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said he never doubted Roma would fight for the scudetto, and that Lazio are playing well with one match a week, describing them as a humble, convinced and empathetic side. He said: "It cannot just be a miracle; miracles do not last long. This is a team that must go all the way, or at least try. Napoli and Atalanta are far away." Mario Mattioli, also of Radio Radio, said Roma have more players but also more fixtures, while Lazio have a coach who is more realistic than the king in judging what happens on the pitch. He said: "I believe Lazio will last; whether they last longer than Roma, I don't know."

Mario Hermoso has become one of the most surprising symbols of Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical revolution at Roma, having turned from a pure defender into a complete player who combines marking solidity with a striker's instinct. He is now an established starter, has earned the coach's full trust, and the club has moved to work on a renewal that would tie him to the giallorossi for the long term. According to Il Corriere dello Sport, his development is one of the masterpieces of Gasperini's work. Before a decisive meeting in July 2025, Hermoso's future looked uncertain. Since then his approach to the role has changed completely: aggressive and alert when defending, he becomes an extra attacker as soon as he crosses the halfway line. The numbers back this up. He has scored seven goals under Gasperini, three of them so far this season, including the strike that unlocked the match against Sassuolo. That output places him among the best goalscoring defenders in Europe, directly behind names such as van Dijk and Querfeld, and far surpasses what he produced in his years at Atletico Madrid. His impact is considerable, in some ways comparable to what Kolasinac had at Gasperini's Atalanta, but enhanced by superior technical quality and a more pronounced goal sense. In his thirteen starts he has, alongside his tackles and interceptions, made 120 entries into the opposition box and produced close to a thousand touches, a level of involvement no other Roma player matches. Gasperini described him as "cold as a number nine". Il Corriere dello Sport reports that such a high level of performance made it inevitable to address his contract. Now that the deadline tied to the Champions League clause has passed, Roma and the player are reportedly very close to an agreement running until 2029, with an option for 2030. Hermoso would also have accepted a reduction in his salary, following the example of senior players such as Mancini, Cristante, Dybala and Pellegrini. The gesture is a strong signal of both parties' desire to continue together.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing for reinforcements in the January transfer window, with a meeting between the club and the coach expected in the coming days to set the strategy. The November international break arrives at the right moment for Roma, who are enjoying an exciting start to the season, sitting third in Serie A and unbeaten in the league. Gasperini has now been in charge for 521 days, and the club and its management know that making the final leap in quality will require making the most of the January market. According to Il Tempo, Roma have not lost in Serie A for 18 matches, boast the league's best attack with 31 goals, and have the second-best defence. Gasperini sees the fruits of his work and the growth of a group that functions perfectly. He is aware, however, that there are still details to improve, such as finishing and handling decisive moments, if Roma are to close the gap on Lazio and Inter. That is why the winter window, which opens early on 28 December, is a key step. The top priority is clear: Roma need a fast winger capable of providing depth and unpredictability. Gasperini considers that profile fundamental, partly because players such as Dybala and Pellegrini do not offer constant physical guarantees. In other areas, Roma feel covered. The attack is working thanks to Soulé and Mora, and on the flanks the emergence of Lulli has reduced the urgency to act. Defence and midfield also offer good certainties.

Roma coach Palladino has said Artem Dovbyk is not yet fit enough to play a full 90 minutes, though the striker is available for selection. Palladino said: "We had a discussion and he tried to put my requests into practice. He doesn't have the condition to last ninety minutes but he is available." The striker has struggled to make an impact recently. Over the last two matches Dovbyk has watched from the bench, and across his last four appearances he has played just 14 minutes in total, a meagre return well below expectations. Palladino made clear the problem is not quality but fitness, stating that the Ukrainian is not yet able to guarantee minutes and reliability. There are signs of progress. Palladino admitted: "Artem pushed harder during the week." Roma face Monza today, and Dovbyk is hoping to earn a place in the starting line-up. Should things remain as they are, his return to Rome could come sooner than expected.

Roma's first team is running smoothly under Gian Piero Gasperini, with well-targeted signings, a recognisable style and young players developing well. The problem lies with the players out on loan in Serie A and abroad, who have struggled to establish themselves. Some were signed under the previous management of Massara, others under Ghisolfi, and some have been drifting between clubs since the Mourinho era. Many of them, if not all, could return to the club in June without having been redeemed, which the article calls a clear loss. Goalkeeper Zelezny is on loan at Serie C side Perugia. He has started every match, but his figures are less impressive: 17 goals conceded in 11 games for a side that was expected to be among the leaders. In defence, Angelino, Ziolkowski and Kumbulla are out on loan. Angelino, who has recently suffered serious health problems, returned to Deportivo La Coruña. He has made only one start, against Sevilla, and was sent off in the 59th minute. Kumbulla has not played a minute for Rayo Vallecano in La Liga and has made just one appearance in the Copa del Rey. Ziolkowski has one appearance on record, due to a serious plantar fascia injury, and is expected back in November. In midfield, El Aynaoui is a regular starter for Leipzig, but his performances have been unexceptional, with a single assist. Leipzig are fifth in the Bundesliga and 29th in the Champions League. Setting aside Romano and Baldanzi, who both have an obligation to buy, Cherubini has made 7 appearances and scored one goal for Benevento. Salah Eddine, who moved to Panathinaikos in September, has four appearances in total, and it is still too early to judge him. Robinio Vaz's start at Hull City has been disappointing: no starts, only a few minutes late in matches, and no goals. The Frenchman cost 25 million in January and is not finding a place in the side as he did under Gasperini. Mannini, who has also moved to Benevento, has no starts. Dovbyk risks returning as early as January. Palladino never picks him, preferring Osteegard in the unusual role of centre-forward given Piccoli's absence. The Ukrainian has scored one goal in four matches, all under Tedesco while he was still in charge at Bologna.

Artem Dovbyk's loan at Bologna could be cut short as early as January, with the Ukrainian forward continuing to struggle for playing time and full fitness. After Bologna's win at Cagliari, coach Raffaele Palladino sent a clear message to the striker: "Artem must push harder in training, because by doing so he too will have his chance." The words reflect a difficult moment for Dovbyk, who has scored just one goal and has yet to start a Serie A match. He has also been hampered by trouble regaining his condition after a long lay-off for an injury in January. The latest match seemed to offer an opening: with Piccoli unavailable and Enem dealing with a tendon problem, Palladino chose Odgaard as the centre-forward, leaving Dovbyk on the bench for the full ninety minutes. "Odgaard played because he has gone well in training and he has deserved it. Dovbyk has to give me more," the coach reiterated. Bologna signed Dovbyk on loan from Roma with a buy-back option set at €15 million, but it currently looks difficult for the club to exercise it. According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Bologna intend to wait until January to assess any developments. An early termination of the loan is not ruled out, with Dovbyk potentially returning temporarily to Rome before seeking a new club. That scenario remains hypothetical and would require agreement between the parties. The situation would be a dramatic turn, given the expectations with which the Ukrainian began his new adventure. Last summer Dovbyk said he wanted to rediscover the joy of playing at Bologna after the difficulties he had experienced in the capital. So far, however, his revival has not arrived, and the competition appears to have once again pushed him to the margins. Palladino is waiting for a response on the pitch, while Roma are following a situation that could reopen a transfer file considered closed.