Radio pundits split on Roma's form and Konè's Nazionale call-up ahead of Sassuolo clash

Marten de Roon has quietly made himself indispensable at AS Roma, earning the trust of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, his teammates and the supporters. Working without fuss, the Dutch midfielder has put himself at the disposal of the manager and the squad, and has taken over the centre of the pitch. De Roon is a loyal lieutenant of Gasperini, whose hard work has been noticed across the club. His willingness to do whatever the team needs has made him a key figure in the middle of the park, and his performances have now won over the Roma fanbase as well as the coaching staff. The report from Forzaroma.info, written by Pierluigi Franza and published on 6 November 2026, describes De Roon as a tireless worker who has quietly built up a level of trust that now extends to the whole squad.

AS Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 7 November at 20:45, closing a demanding run of fixtures before the international break. Sassuolo's head coach Alberto Aquilani, who came through Roma's youth sector and played in the first team before his sale to Liverpool in 2009, returns to the stadium as an opponent. Nemanja Matic, Sassuolo's key midfield figure, also returns to Rome. Paulo Dybala is struggling with a calf problem and is expected to miss the match. Sassuolo sit 17th in Serie A with 8 points from ten matchdays, after two wins, two draws and six defeats. Their defence is the worst in the league, with 26 goals conceded. They have lost four consecutive matches since a 1-1 draw with Milan: 4-2 at Frosinone, 2-0 against Como, 6-2 at home to Lazio and 4-2 against Fiorentina. Those four games produced 16 goals conceded, and Sassuolo have taken just one point from their last five. Their last win came on 13 September, a 3-2 victory over Juventus. The club has confirmed its confidence in Aquilani ahead of the Roma game, but another heavy defeat could prompt further reflection on his position. Roma, by contrast, arrive with 28 goals in their first ten matchdays, the best attack in Serie A. After the Fiorentina defeat, Aquilani did not hide his side's difficulties. He stressed their defensive fragility and the ease with which Sassuolo are giving away chances and goals. Matic remains central to his plans. After the win over Juventus, Aquilani called him a “top player”, pointing in particular to his experience and his ability to help the team in daily training. Matic has nine appearances and two assists in this Serie A season. After the draw with Bologna, Aquilani explained that he would not have taken Matic off unless the midfielder had asked to come off. The Serbian's return also revives memories of his only season at Roma, which ended in the Europa League final lost to Siviglia in Budapest. In that match, Matic became famous for telling Dybala, who was in tears after the penalty shootout defeat, “That’s football”. This time the two are not expected to meet on the pitch. Sassuolo still have attacking threats. Domenico Berardi remains their main creative and offensive reference, while Armand Laurienté provides pace and one-on-one ability on the opposite flank. The Frenchman scored a brace against Fiorentina, though it was not enough to save the result. Sebastiano Esposito competes with Kieron Bowie for the central striker’s role, and Kristian Thorstvedt returns to midfield after serving a suspension. Vasilije Adzic, Sassuolo's top scorer in the league with three goals, also knows how to decide matches, having been decisive in the win over Juventus. Roma have the better recent record. They have won the last four Serie A meetings with Sassuolo. Sassuolo's most recent victory over Roma came in a chaotic 4-3 win at the Olimpico in March 2023. Across 24 Serie A meetings, Roma have been unbeaten in 22, with 13 wins, nine draws and just two defeats. Aquilani is expected to stick with a 4-3-3, although doubts remain at the back, where he is still searching for the most reliable combination after the 16 goals conceded in the last four matchdays. Turati is in contention with Muric for the goalkeeper’s spot. Thorstvedt is set to return in midfield, with Matic in the deep playmaking role and Bakola completing the unit. Berardi and Laurienté are expected to start either side of Esposito in attack.

Radio pundits across Rome's stations have debated whether Manu Koné should be called up by France and whether Roma are over-reliant on Malen and Dybala ahead of the match against Sassuolo. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said: "If Koné, after missing several matches, answered France's call-up, it would annoy me. He is coming back after a long stop and it would not be ideal. Everyone looks after their own interests. Zidane could also consider him available, let's see what happens, but I hope not." He added that France have plenty of alternatives and that Koné, returning from a long injury, could be rested. The debate follows the defeat to Manchester, which David Rossi of Rete Sport called unjustified. He said: "I am surprised by the negativity that has been generated after the defeat at Manchester. It is unjustifiable; you lost to teams with greater resources than yours. Wouldn't you have signed up, at this point, to have lost only to Real and Manchester? We always lose sight of the bigger picture. Roma are a very strong side, built to earn more points than last year: the starting base is 73 points. For me this is an 80-point side, which certainly means Champions League again. Contrary to what some think, that is very important. It is unacceptable to hear that Roma must leave the Champions League." Rossi also noted that a draw between Inter and Como, combined with a Napoli win over Lazio, would make the round unfavourable if Roma failed to beat Sassuolo. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport said Roma must take advantage of their chances. He said: "If that defeat to Manchester had not come, with that dynamic and yet another comeback conceded, we would now be saying Roma started clear favourites against Sassuolo. The fear is that there are more psychological than physical after-effects. The same applies as after Real: one way or another, you have to bring it home. Tactically, it is better to face Sassuolo than Genoa, because putting up barricades is not in their DNA." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Roma need to bounce back immediately. He said: "Against Sassuolo you need to restart immediately after the disappointment of Manchester. Sassuolo have conceded 10 goals in their last two matches, Aquilani is in great difficulty, and his side does not have the strength to react. Roma must face the game in the best possible way, looking for satisfaction in attack. Malen also has the odd lapse, and I back Castro, but apart from that great goal he never plays. Maybe there is room for him too. I often refer to the transfer market: you have had only reserves, there is no first-choice player apart from De Roon." Nando Orsi of Radio Radio questioned the dependence on Malen and Dybala. He said: "If Malen is in a slump and Dybala does not play, what happens? Isn't Roma too dependent on those two? Malen was scoring a lot alongside Dybala, now he seems more in difficulty. You need alternatives, because if Malen does not score, you struggle. On Dybala, perhaps Gasperini's management was wrong, making him play ninety minutes every time to prove what..." Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Sassuolo are unpredictable and that Roma are not at their brightest. He said: "Sassuolo are a team on a rollercoaster and could wake up and become the side of three weeks ago. Roma are not going through one of their most brilliant moments; I have noticed glaring flaws. This is not the Roma of three weeks ago. Sassuolo's last outing did not leave them unscathed, but if they have recovered they can put Roma in difficulty. Roma can win, but not comfortably." On Dybala, Mattioli also questioned his diet, saying: "Are we sure he is not eating something that affects his muscle tissue? I did a lot of athletics and they even controlled your food." Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said there was something about Koné's intentions that remained unclear, asking whether he wanted to play for France. He said: "I would not sincerely send him to risk it, also because France play two real matches, one against Italy. Koné knows he has strong competition in his role for his national team, but Roma pay the price. If he gets injured again, we are back to square one." Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Koné is fit and that a call-up could be justified, while Roma would have the final say. He said Roma may prefer caution, in which case Koné would be unlikely to be called up. He added that Roma would like to keep him, while the player has recovered. Pes said the decisive day was expected to be the one that followed, and on Gollini: "It's unlikely he will be available tomorrow; he will try until the end, but until yesterday it was very complicated. So I think Vásquez will play, but I don't see that much difference." The pundits' comments centre on how Roma respond to the Manchester defeat and their Sassuolo fixture, with the Koné decision and Dybala's condition still being discussed.

Former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani returns to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening as head coach of Sassuolo, and Nemanja Matić, now the Sassuolo midfielder, is again a central figure in the fixture. Aquilani left Roma in August 2009, when he was sold to Liverpool for around 20 million euros. Years later, in an interview with GianlucaDiMarzio.com, he set the record straight: "Roma did not throw me out, they were forced to sell me. That year I was injured, Roma had enormous economic problems and had to make an important sale. Vucinic and I had several offers, Liverpool put 20 million on the table and that was that." He left a painful gap on the pitch, but he never cut the ties with the city. After a strong two seasons in Serie B with Catanzaro, he now leads a Sassuolo side that is struggling for consistency and is fighting in the dangerous zone of the table. It is the latest former player to return to the Olimpico this emotional month for Roma fans, after Mourinho and De Rossi. Aquilani also has a link to Gasperini's squad: Daniele Ghilardi. Aquilani coached him in the Fiorentina Primavera between 2020 and 2022. Ghilardi spoke about his former coach to TMW in 2023: "I remember him with affection. I didn't have many chances to play with him, but I got on well with him." Matić's story is equally charged. The Sassuolo midfielder, the leader and focal point of the neroverdi, embodied the professor's essence in midfield during his only season in the capital, and his departure still divides the Roman fanbase. To understand his weight at Roma, one has to go back to the Europa League final of 31 May 2023 in Budapest against Sevilla, the bitterest night in recent European history for the club. Amid the despair and tears of team-mates, Matić told a crying Paulo Dybala: "That's football." Months later he left for Rennes, a few days before the start of the season, after a breakdown in his relationship with Mourinho. The move was driven by a desire for a more lucrative contract and greater stability. At Sassuolo he has made 9 appearances this season, with 2 assists, one of them decisive in the 3-2 win over Juventus, and has played 77% of available minutes. He was on the bench only against Lazio, when Sassuolo collapsed at home to a 6-2 defeat. His Sofascore rating has been at least 7 in every match except the 4-2 defeat to Frosinone. Two former players, very different in their paths but sharing a common thread, will both be impossible to ignore when Sassuolo visit the Olimpico.

Roma midfielder Emanuele Lulli has been named in Italy Under-21 coach Carlo Baldini's squad for two friendlies against France and Belgium. The call-up comes during the international break, which has also brought recognition for Daniele Ghilardi and Niccolò Pisilli, who have been called up to the senior Italy squad by head coach Roberto Mancini. The Under-21 fixtures are high-profile international tests against peers from France and Belgium, and will help the young side continue its development after qualifying for the European Under-21 Championship finals, to be held in 2027 in Albania and Serbia. Lulli's inclusion is a further sign of the progress of the club's young players, with Lulli representing Roma in the Azzurrini squad. Baldini's provisional squad lists the following players. Goalkeepers: Giovanni Daffara (Parma), Diego Mascardi (Torino), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone), Massimo Pessina (Bologna). Defenders: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Gabriele Calvani (Frosinone), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia M'Gladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (Torino), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Emanuele Lulli (Roma), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Brando Moruzzi (Avellino). Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Deportivo La Coruna), Tommaso Berti (Cremonese), Matteo Cichella (Frosinone), Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), Giacomo Faticanti (Avellino), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina). Forwards: Alessio Cacciamani (Torino), Francesco Camarda (Milan), Luigi Cherubini (Benevento), Jeff Ekhator (Juventus), Seydou Fini (Frosinone), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Dominic Vavassori (Palermo).

Roma defender Emanuele Lulli has been called up by Italy Under-21 coach Baldini for two prestigious friendlies against France and Belgium, after Italy qualified for the 2027 European Championship in Albania and Serbia. While Ghilardi and Pisilli have been summoned by Roberto Mancini to the senior national team, Lulli is the only Roma player in the Under-21 group. Baldini's squad includes three players making their first Under-21 appearance: Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina, Monza defender Eddy Kouadio and Borussia Dortmund striker Samuele Inacio, all of whom came through the senior Italy set-up last October. Filippo Mane of Borussia Dortmund returns in defence, while Lorenzo Amatucci returns in midfield. Three players return in attack: Alessio Cacciamani of Torino, who has been absent since March 2026, Jeff Ekhator and Dominic Vavassori. The full squad is as follows. Goalkeepers: Giovanni Daffara (Parma), Diego Mascardi (Torino), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone), Massimo Pessina (Bologna). Defenders: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Gabriele Calvani (Frosinone), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (Torino), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Emanuele Lulli (Roma), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Brando Moruzzi (Avellino). Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Deportivo La Coruña), Tommaso Berti (Cremonese), Matteo Cichella (Frosinone), Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), Giacomo Faticanti (Avellino), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina). Forwards: Alessio Cacciamani (Torino), Francesco Camarda (Milan), Luigi Cherubini (Benevento), Jeff Ekhator (Juventus), Seydou Fini (Frosinone), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Dominic Vavassori (Palermo).

Matheus Cunha has drawn attention from Roma supporters after posting a one-word reply to Leonardo Balerdi's Instagram message following Manchester United's 3-2 win over Roma at Old Trafford. Roma had led twice in the first half before being pegged back after the break, and Cunha, who scored a brace, was among the protagonists of the evening. Roma wanted to put the defeat behind them. Cunha was involved in the penalty incident with Mancini and went on to score two goals, the first arriving straight after a mistake by Balerdi. Among the many messages of support under the post, the Manchester United forward wrote a single word: "Crack", an expression generally used as a compliment for a player of great talent. The comment did not go unnoticed by Roma fans, many of whom questioned whether it was a simple compliment or a provocation after what happened on the pitch. Replies to the Brazilian came quickly, and one of the most appreciated read: "Pensa alla tua squadra" ("Think about your own team"). Balerdi's message, posted on Instagram after the match, read: "Fa male. Non era il finale che volevamo. Ma ci sono cose che non cambiano mai: l'impegno, il rispetto e l'orgoglio di difendere questi colori. Ai nostri tifosi che sono venuti fino a Manchester, grazie di cuore per il vostro sostegno. Forza Roma." In English: "It hurts. It was not the ending we wanted. But there are things that never change: the commitment, the respect and the pride of defending these colours. To our fans who came all the way to Manchester, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. Forza Roma."

Roma face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow evening in their final match before the November international break, and the club's injury crisis shows no sign of easing. It is the ninth game in 27 days for Gian Piero Gasperini's side. Mile Svilar and Devyne Rensch are certainly out, as is Paulo Dybala, who trained apart from the squad again yesterday. Gianluca Mancini did not train when the squad returned to work, but there is no cause for alarm, with the club only managing his workload. He is in a race with Leonardo Balerdi to start from the first minute against Sassuolo. Roma hope to recover one or two more players, but that looks unlikely. Sassuolo are coached by former Roma captain Fabio Grosso, and the match marks a return for Roma's recent schedule to the sort of pressure that has defined this period. Manu Koné offers the brightest hope. According to Il Messaggero, the French midfielder completed a personalised session on the pitch yesterday and will take a fitness test today to try to return to the matchday squad. Leggo reports that Koné wants to play against Sassuolo and then answer the call from France. Roma are holding back, however, given his long layoff and frequent setbacks. The feeling is that the next few hours could be decisive. Pierluigi Gollini is also in doubt. Roma's medical staff are proceeding with infiltrations to resolve the back problem that forced him to withdraw from the match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The goalkeeper will do everything he can to recover, but in the meantime Devis Vásquez is warming up. Vásquez's last Serie A appearance came on 25 May 2025, in an Empoli shirt.

Roma continue to battle an injury crisis ahead of their home match against Sassuolo, with Gian Piero Gasperini left with a severely reduced set of options. The latest absence is Devyne Rensch, whose instrumental tests revealed a first-degree tear of the long adductor in his right leg. He is expected to be out for around three weeks, with a return planned after the international break. Paulo Dybala will not feature. He has yet to recover and will continue personalised training, aiming to be available again directly after the national team commitments. There is slightly better news on Manu Koné, the French midfielder, who has completed individualised work on the pitch and will undergo the final decisive test today to determine whether he can be included at least in the matchday squad and start on the bench. In midfield, given the fatigue accumulated over recent weeks, Cristante and De Roon will form the pairing to lead the engine room, with Pisilli ready to contribute. The goalkeeping position also needs close monitoring. Pierluigi Gollini remains in serious doubt because of a back problem that could force him to withdraw, despite attempting to play through with infiltrations. If Gollini cannot recover, Devis Vásquez is ready to return to the starting lineup from the first minute, a place in Serie A he would win back after many months. Ndicka is set to return to the defence, while Mancini is being managed under a planned programme. Up front, Malen and Soulé will lead the attack with Mora in support.

Roma midfielder Rodrigo Mora has been called up to the Portugal senior squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales, more than a year after his last senior call-up. His recent performances for Roma have convinced head coach Jorge Jesus to bring him back into the senior side, following recent appearances with the Under-21 team. Mora's last senior call-up came in May 2025, when he was still a Porto player. Born in 2007, he is still waiting to make his senior debut for Portugal, and the new call-up could offer him the chance to earn his first senior minutes. Mora is one of several Roma players currently away with their national teams during the international break.

Roma midfielder Rodrigo Mora has been called up to the Portugal senior squad by head coach Jorge Jesus for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales. The 19-year-old playmaker, described as a Roma talent, earns the recognition on the strength of his recent performances in the Giallorossi shirt. Mora had previously been selected for the senior side in May 2025, when he was playing for Porto, and more recently has been representing Portugal at Under-21 level during earlier international breaks. This time the call-up comes largely because of what he is showing in Rome, where Gasperini has given him his trust and the player has responded with high-quality play. The article notes that the call-up also arrives at a historic moment for Portuguese football, with Cristiano Ronaldo having just announced his definitive retirement from the national team after a 23-year career. Mora is presented as one of the names Portugal wants to build its future around. In Serie A, Mora has scored three goals in eight appearances, impressing with his personality, vision and ability to influence decisive moments. Against Cagliari he was the protagonist of Roma's comeback, heading the goal that put the Giallorossi ahead and taking part in the build-up to Malen's final goal in a 4-2 win. In the Champions League he has already registered two assists in four appearances. Last Tuesday, at Old Trafford, he was among Roma's best players in the first half against Manchester United, releasing Soulé with an illuminating pass to give Roma the lead. His substitution at half-time sparked debate. Jorge Jesus will be able to watch him closely in Portugal's two fixtures: against Denmark on 14 November in Braga, and against Wales on 17 November. For Mora, the call-up is an opportunity to finally make his mark with the senior national side, after having already drawn the attention of selectors in recent years. For Roma, it is further confirmation that the player acquired from Porto in the summer is developing rapidly and that his qualities are now being noticed back home in Portugal.

Roma head coach Alberto Aquilani has confirmed that Berardi and Volpato will not be available for Saturday's Serie A clash with Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, which kicks off at 20:45 on 7 November as part of the 11th matchday. Aquilani spoke to reporters at his pre-match press conference, where he was asked about Sassuolo's recent slide and his own situation. Sassuolo started the season well, but their momentum has stalled, and the Sassuolo defenders' problems have been part of the picture. Aquilani said the cause of such turbulent spells cannot be reduced to one thing: "When there are these turbulent, particular, ugly moments, the reasons must necessarily be a series. This is a team game, of episodes and dynamics, and the reasons can be many: tactical, which we work on, mental, and the individual factors of the players. I have been a player, and every footballer lives it differently, it is a series of reasons, and it is undeniable that at this moment we have to identify these reasons and try to solve them, because this team started in a way that showed certain things, and we entered a tunnel we did not expect in such a continuous way, even though the calendar has not helped us. We have to play the match, we must not fall apart, you do not have to win at all costs, and there are a series of components that are ruining this path we had begun well." Aquilani also addressed the emotional side of the fixture, which carries personal significance for him. "This is an important challenge also for what it represents for me, and I would have liked to return to the Olimpico in a different mood, but we must be men and look reality in the face, and prepare by analysing the things we can improve. There is the tactical aspect, certainly, but we have to grow and increase our perception of danger, because we are paying dearly for avoidable errors. The goal conceded to Fiorentina in the first half, you cannot concede it, there is a minute left, you are ten inside the box against two Fiorentina players, and that goal was a blow; we probably lack a bit of morale. Then the match lasts 90 minutes, you can lose in a certain way, but you have to put many things in, and the man matters more than the player." He added that the Fiorentina game had been going well before it unravelled: "Whether it was pretty or ugly, we were doing it well against Fiorentina, it was coming together, then it got messy, and when it gets messy you have to stay on it, otherwise it is too easy. In the bad moment you have to give more, and now it is harder and you have to give more." On his own position, Aquilani said: "It is the first time I have entered that stadium as a coach, and nobody can take that away from me. I have to put the emotions aside, because once we step onto the pitch there is no room for them." Asked about the speculation that has begun to circulate after these results, he replied: "I have people close to me who are extraordinary, but I am the coach, and now the results are not there; I am the first to question myself, because I am trying to get out of this situation with a good squad available. The club has been close to me, as it has been from the first day. We look ahead, knowing that tomorrow will be a complicated match, and we must go and do our best." Asked about the two things he wants to see on Saturday, Aquilani said: "Correcting the error, certainly, because it steers the match, and trying to limit errors, because in Serie A certain errors cannot be allowed, but I am not talking about the defenders, I am talking about something global. The second aspect is knowing how to live in the turbulence; in rough seas you have to stay in it, otherwise you put the oars down and there is nothing more you can do. Tomorrow there will be complicated moments and we have to stay in them, because it is our job, we chose it, and it would be too easy otherwise when it is all roses." Asked how Volpato is, Aquilani replied: "No." On Berardi, he said: "No, the others are available." He also said his players have no option but to respond: "There is no other way than to react. We have to react, stay in the match. We have to do serious things; we must run a bit more than the opponents, because probably that is also what we are lacking, winning tackles and going for second balls. That is what I expect, knowing that 100 per cent might not be enough, but from 100 per cent upwards we must do it, because we have dignity."