Pellegrini and Soulé battle for starting place ahead of Como

Mile Svilar will miss the next month with a stress fracture to his little finger and is not expected to return until 21 November, when Roma face Parma. Pierluigi Gollini will take over in goal during his absence. Gollini has played just once since arriving at Roma—a match against Panathinaikos in which he was faulted for a Greek goal—and has largely remained a dressing-room presence. The goalkeeper now has the chance to reclaim a first-team role, which Gasperini clearly backs. The injury comes as Gasperini has begun signalling dissatisfaction with the Friedkin Group's level of engagement. The owners have placed Everton up for sale and are shifting focus towards the American ice hockey league, the NHL, but Gasperini wants greater attention on Roma. He believes the club can achieve something significant this season and must prepare for the centenary year ahead. The coach has made his expectations clear to the board, noting that a strong ownership presence is essential to a club's standing. Gasperini stated: "A society is important when the ownership is involved." He added: "With the Friedkin we have not been in touch for a month." The message is unmistakable—the manager is seeking more direct contact and commitment from the ownership structure as the club enters a crucial phase.

Mile Svilar will miss Roma's next nine Serie A matches over 28 days until the November break after suffering a fractured fifth toe on his right foot in training on 2 October. The medical staff will evaluate in the coming days whether to insert a screw, though recovery time will not change. Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini will return to action; to find a Roma Serie A side without Svilar requires rewinding to Roma's match against Inter on 10 February 2024. Gollini has made only one appearance for Roma in the past 18 months—in a Europa League fixture against Panathinaikos—with his last Serie A outing on 5 October 2024, when he was with Genoa facing Atalanta. The goalkeeper and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini share a history: they spent four excellent years together at Bergamo, where Gollini earned international recognition before a dispute altered their relationship. When the two reunited at Roma just over a year ago, Gasperini's message was blunt: "You are out of favour". The situation shifted after conversations and a reconciliation; Gollini was unexpectedly included on the UEFA squad list in place of Vasquez (the Colombian has been reinstated for this period) and spent the entire season as Svilar's backup. The goalkeeper question is settled, but the attacking midfielder slot remains unresolved. Three players contend for one position: Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Gasperini has changed his mind several times during the week, with the contest now between Soulé and Pellegrini, the latter holding a slight edge heading into the Como match.

Roma's gruelling 27-day run of eight matches across Serie A and the Champions League begins today at Como's Stadio Sinigaglia. Gian Piero Gasperini will finalise his team selection close to kickoff, managing fatigue from international duty and energy ahead of the imminent Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. The main tactical question centres on the attacking midfield role behind the strike pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Lorenzo Pellegrini holds a slight edge in the three-way contest with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the trequartista position. The move would mark his first start in almost six months, his last appearance dating to 18 April against Pisa. Gasperini confirmed Pellegrini's recovery in yesterday's press conference, saying: "The break has helped him greatly, he is well now and ready to play". In defence, Evan N'Dicka is favoured to complete the back line alongside the established starters, with Leonardo Balerdi—who returned to Trigoria only two days ago following Argentina's international commitments—in reserve. Konstantinos Koulierakis remains sidelined by a knock sustained with Greece but will rejoin the squad from tomorrow. Nahuel Molina and Wesley will continue on the right and left flanks respectively. In midfield, with Bryan Cristante absent through injury, Marten De Roon will anchor the engine room alongside Manu Koné, providing substance and shape to Roma's play.

Mile Svilar will miss Roma's next nine Serie A matches over 28 days until the November break after suffering a fractured fifth toe on his right foot in training on 2 October. The medical staff will evaluate in the coming days whether to insert a screw, though recovery time will not change. Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini will return to action; to find a Roma Serie A side without Svilar requires rewinding to Roma's match against Inter on 10 February 2024. Gollini has made only one appearance for Roma in the past 18 months—in a Europa League fixture against Panathinaikos—with his last Serie A outing on 5 October 2024, when he was with Genoa facing Atalanta. The goalkeeper and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini share a history: they spent four excellent years together at Bergamo, where Gollini earned international recognition before a dispute altered their relationship. When the two reunited at Roma just over a year ago, Gasperini's message was blunt: "You are out of favour". The situation shifted after conversations and a reconciliation; Gollini was unexpectedly included on the UEFA squad list in place of Vasquez (the Colombian has been reinstated for this period) and spent the entire season as Svilar's backup. The goalkeeper question is settled, but the attacking midfielder slot remains unresolved. Three players contend for one position: Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Gasperini has changed his mind several times during the week, with the contest now between Soulé and Pellegrini, the latter holding a slight edge heading into the Como match.

Roma's gruelling 27-day run of eight matches across Serie A and the Champions League begins today at Como's Stadio Sinigaglia. Gian Piero Gasperini will finalise his team selection close to kickoff, managing fatigue from international duty and energy ahead of the imminent Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. The main tactical question centres on the attacking midfield role behind the strike pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Lorenzo Pellegrini holds a slight edge in the three-way contest with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the trequartista position. The move would mark his first start in almost six months, his last appearance dating to 18 April against Pisa. Gasperini confirmed Pellegrini's recovery in yesterday's press conference, saying: "The break has helped him greatly, he is well now and ready to play". In defence, Evan N'Dicka is favoured to complete the back line alongside the established starters, with Leonardo Balerdi—who returned to Trigoria only two days ago following Argentina's international commitments—in reserve. Konstantinos Koulierakis remains sidelined by a knock sustained with Greece but will rejoin the squad from tomorrow. Nahuel Molina and Wesley will continue on the right and left flanks respectively. In midfield, with Bryan Cristante absent through injury, Marten De Roon will anchor the engine room alongside Manu Koné, providing substance and shape to Roma's play.

Roma travel to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 for their sixth Serie A match of the season against Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas. Roma come off the international break with 13 points from five matches and an unbeaten record of four consecutive wins and a 2–2 draw with Inter. Como sit on 10 points and look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, a 2–0 loss at Frosinone. Gasperini's side face significant injury losses. Mile Svilar has suffered a non-displaced stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot and will be out for at least a month, with Pierluigi Gollini taking his place in goal. Bryan Cristante is sidelined by knee inflammation, and Konstantinos Koulierakis has a strong contusion from his national team commitments; the Greek defender is expected back next week. Both are absent from the squad list. Roma's expected formation is 3–4–2–1: Gollini in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks; Marten de Roon and Manu Koné in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield; and Donyell Malen leading the attack. N'Dicka is favoured over Leonardo Balerdi, who returned later from Argentina. Wesley has fully recovered. De Roon's appearance would mark one of his first starts since arriving at Roma. Lorenzo Pellegrini is fully fit after the break helped restore him to peak condition, but is expected to begin from the bench. Matías Soulé returned later following Argentina duty. Como will line up in 4–2–3–1 with Butez in goal; Yan Couto, Jacobo Ramón, Chalobah and Álex Valle in defence; Da Cunha and Perrone in midfield; Diao, Nico Paz and Baturina in the attacking midfield; and Douvikas leading the attack. Moise Kean is unavailable due to a physical problem sustained with his national team and will miss around seven to ten days. The match is broadcast exclusively on DAZN, available via the DAZN app on smart TV, smartphone, tablet, console and computer, and on DAZN 1 (channel 214) for Sky subscribers who have activated the DAZN option. Referee Michael Fabbri (Ravenna) will be in charge.

Mile Svilar will miss Roma's next nine Serie A matches over 28 days until the November break after suffering a fractured fifth toe on his right foot in training on 2 October. The medical staff will evaluate in the coming days whether to insert a screw, though recovery time will not change. Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini will return to action; to find a Roma Serie A side without Svilar requires rewinding to Roma's match against Inter on 10 February 2024. Gollini has made only one appearance for Roma in the past 18 months—in a Europa League fixture against Panathinaikos—with his last Serie A outing on 5 October 2024, when he was with Genoa facing Atalanta. The goalkeeper and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini share a history: they spent four excellent years together at Bergamo, where Gollini earned international recognition before a dispute altered their relationship. When the two reunited at Roma just over a year ago, Gasperini's message was blunt: "You are out of favour". The situation shifted after conversations and a reconciliation; Gollini was unexpectedly included on the UEFA squad list in place of Vasquez (the Colombian has been reinstated for this period) and spent the entire season as Svilar's backup. The goalkeeper question is settled, but the attacking midfielder slot remains unresolved. Three players contend for one position: Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Gasperini has changed his mind several times during the week, with the contest now between Soulé and Pellegrini, the latter holding a slight edge heading into the Como match.

Roma's gruelling 27-day run of eight matches across Serie A and the Champions League begins today at Como's Stadio Sinigaglia. Gian Piero Gasperini will finalise his team selection close to kickoff, managing fatigue from international duty and energy ahead of the imminent Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. The main tactical question centres on the attacking midfield role behind the strike pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Lorenzo Pellegrini holds a slight edge in the three-way contest with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the trequartista position. The move would mark his first start in almost six months, his last appearance dating to 18 April against Pisa. Gasperini confirmed Pellegrini's recovery in yesterday's press conference, saying: "The break has helped him greatly, he is well now and ready to play". In defence, Evan N'Dicka is favoured to complete the back line alongside the established starters, with Leonardo Balerdi—who returned to Trigoria only two days ago following Argentina's international commitments—in reserve. Konstantinos Koulierakis remains sidelined by a knock sustained with Greece but will rejoin the squad from tomorrow. Nahuel Molina and Wesley will continue on the right and left flanks respectively. In midfield, with Bryan Cristante absent through injury, Marten De Roon will anchor the engine room alongside Manu Koné, providing substance and shape to Roma's play.

Roma travel to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 for their sixth Serie A match of the season against Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas. Roma come off the international break with 13 points from five matches and an unbeaten record of four consecutive wins and a 2–2 draw with Inter. Como sit on 10 points and look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, a 2–0 loss at Frosinone. Gasperini's side face significant injury losses. Mile Svilar has suffered a non-displaced stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot and will be out for at least a month, with Pierluigi Gollini taking his place in goal. Bryan Cristante is sidelined by knee inflammation, and Konstantinos Koulierakis has a strong contusion from his national team commitments; the Greek defender is expected back next week. Both are absent from the squad list. Roma's expected formation is 3–4–2–1: Gollini in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks; Marten de Roon and Manu Koné in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield; and Donyell Malen leading the attack. N'Dicka is favoured over Leonardo Balerdi, who returned later from Argentina. Wesley has fully recovered. De Roon's appearance would mark one of his first starts since arriving at Roma. Lorenzo Pellegrini is fully fit after the break helped restore him to peak condition, but is expected to begin from the bench. Matías Soulé returned later following Argentina duty. Como will line up in 4–2–3–1 with Butez in goal; Yan Couto, Jacobo Ramón, Chalobah and Álex Valle in defence; Da Cunha and Perrone in midfield; Diao, Nico Paz and Baturina in the attacking midfield; and Douvikas leading the attack. Moise Kean is unavailable due to a physical problem sustained with his national team and will miss around seven to ten days. The match is broadcast exclusively on DAZN, available via the DAZN app on smart TV, smartphone, tablet, console and computer, and on DAZN 1 (channel 214) for Sky subscribers who have activated the DAZN option. Referee Michael Fabbri (Ravenna) will be in charge.

Roma's gruelling 27-day run of eight matches across Serie A and the Champions League begins today at Como's Stadio Sinigaglia. Gian Piero Gasperini will finalise his team selection close to kickoff, managing fatigue from international duty and energy ahead of the imminent Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. The main tactical question centres on the attacking midfield role behind the strike pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Lorenzo Pellegrini holds a slight edge in the three-way contest with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the trequartista position. The move would mark his first start in almost six months, his last appearance dating to 18 April against Pisa. Gasperini confirmed Pellegrini's recovery in yesterday's press conference, saying: "The break has helped him greatly, he is well now and ready to play". In defence, Evan N'Dicka is favoured to complete the back line alongside the established starters, with Leonardo Balerdi—who returned to Trigoria only two days ago following Argentina's international commitments—in reserve. Konstantinos Koulierakis remains sidelined by a knock sustained with Greece but will rejoin the squad from tomorrow. Nahuel Molina and Wesley will continue on the right and left flanks respectively. In midfield, with Bryan Cristante absent through injury, Marten De Roon will anchor the engine room alongside Manu Koné, providing substance and shape to Roma's play.

Roma travel to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 for their sixth Serie A match of the season against Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas. Roma come off the international break with 13 points from five matches and an unbeaten record of four consecutive wins and a 2–2 draw with Inter. Como sit on 10 points and look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, a 2–0 loss at Frosinone. Gasperini's side face significant injury losses. Mile Svilar has suffered a non-displaced stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot and will be out for at least a month, with Pierluigi Gollini taking his place in goal. Bryan Cristante is sidelined by knee inflammation, and Konstantinos Koulierakis has a strong contusion from his national team commitments; the Greek defender is expected back next week. Both are absent from the squad list. Roma's expected formation is 3–4–2–1: Gollini in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks; Marten de Roon and Manu Koné in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield; and Donyell Malen leading the attack. N'Dicka is favoured over Leonardo Balerdi, who returned later from Argentina. Wesley has fully recovered. De Roon's appearance would mark one of his first starts since arriving at Roma. Lorenzo Pellegrini is fully fit after the break helped restore him to peak condition, but is expected to begin from the bench. Matías Soulé returned later following Argentina duty. Como will line up in 4–2–3–1 with Butez in goal; Yan Couto, Jacobo Ramón, Chalobah and Álex Valle in defence; Da Cunha and Perrone in midfield; Diao, Nico Paz and Baturina in the attacking midfield; and Douvikas leading the attack. Moise Kean is unavailable due to a physical problem sustained with his national team and will miss around seven to ten days. The match is broadcast exclusively on DAZN, available via the DAZN app on smart TV, smartphone, tablet, console and computer, and on DAZN 1 (channel 214) for Sky subscribers who have activated the DAZN option. Referee Michael Fabbri (Ravenna) will be in charge.

Roma face Como at the Sinigaglia after the international break, with head coach Gasperini managing several selection decisions ahead of the fixture. The Giallorossi will be without goalkeeper Svilar, defender Koulierakis and midfielder Cristante due to unavailability. Gasperini's expected approach centres on de Roon in midfield, with Soulé deployed in a supporting role behind the strike partnership of Dybala and Malen. The lineup suggests a fluid attacking setup designed to maximize Roma's creativity in the forward areas after the halt for international fixtures.