Radio Roma on form: Dybala cutting shots by design, Pellegrini role questions, defensive concerns after Inter loss

Manu Koné has not been called up by France. Coach Zinedine Zidane left the Roma midfielder out of his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey. The decision is linked to the fitness of the Roma player, who is still recovering from a muscle injury picked up against Real Madrid. Koné had hoped to return to action tomorrow against Sassuolo, which would also have shown he was ready to answer the call from the Bleus. Roma, however, have consistently preferred caution and have not sought to rush back one of the most important players in the squad. With the non-selection, the question of international commitments no longer applies. The absence from Zidane's squad allows Roma to manage his recovery without the pressure of international duty, with the break potentially used to bring Koné back to full condition. Koné has only partially resumed training with the group, and his availability for Sassuolo remains in serious doubt. Gasperini and the medical staff will assess until the last moment whether to include him in the matchday squad, but another setback remains a real possibility. The goal is to have Koné at one hundred per cent when the league resumes, when Roma face Parma and Paris Saint-Germain.

France coach Zinedine Zidane has left Roma midfielder Manu Koné out of the squad for France's upcoming Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey, with the injury keeping him out of action confirmed as the reason. Koné has been sidelined by a physical problem that has kept him away from the pitch, and his absence from the French list makes clear he will not take part in the Bleus' next matches. Roma continue to monitor the condition of the 26-year-old, who is still working his way back from the injury that forced him to miss their most recent fixtures. The France midfielder is an important piece in the plans of Gian Piero Gasperini, who hopes to have him back available soon. His condition had already made a possible call-up uncertain, and the French federation's decision confirms that he will not feature in those international games, allowing him to continue his recovery without the commitments planned for the break. The news came on the eve of Roma's Serie A fixture against Sassuolo, with the international break bringing developments from the national-team front as well. For Koné, the omission means a period of uninterrupted rehabilitation at Trigoria while Roma prepare for their domestic programme.

Roma are set to face Sassuolo, with Rodrigo Mora expected to start from the first minute and Leonardo Balerdi included in the match-day selection, according to the probable line-ups published ahead of the fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini has the possible options for the clash with Sassuolo. The headline notes Gollini is in doubt, and Devis Vásquez is set to be in goal again, which the report presents as a probable change between the posts. The lineup report also touches on the wider context around the squad. Koné has been left out of the France squad by Zidane, and Roma's attack has been described as record-breaking, with Gasperini now able to surpass a record set by himself. Gasperini also commented after the defeat to Manchester, saying: "We dominated." Carrick returned to speak about the victory over Roma, saying: "The first half was not bad."

Roma face another league fixture tomorrow evening, a win that could put them within one step of the top of Serie A depending on other results and would send the giallorossi into the international break with more confidence after their comeback in Manchester. Gasperini will have three key players fully available during the break: Svilar, Koné and Dybala. Pellegrini, however, will remain sidelined for a long period. In recent matches, the three-man combination of Malen, Soulé and Mora has produced positive results. Malen has continued to score regularly, Soulé has become increasingly central to the attacking build-up, and Mora has found his form, registering a goal or an assist in every recent match in which he has been actively involved. The real problem, however, is the lack of depth. Reserves are currently missing, partly through injury and partly through structural shortcomings that have been flagged repeatedly since late August. For this reason the club is actively searching for the right signings to give the coach in the transfer window, which in this case must also strengthen the attacking department. The situation resembles last year, when the primary aim was to find a couple of attacking players. Four arrived in the end: Malen, Venturino, Vaz and Zaragoza, with only one, the Dutchman, proving decisive. Gasperini is strongly focused on Endrick. The Brazilian was the chosen target last summer, but after a near move to Ciampino, Mourinho's ill-timed intervention stopped the deal. So far Endrick has performed well, and very well only at the end of the match against Roma, which is an irony of fate, but he continues to find limited playing time. He is left-footed, and combines excellent basic technique with accelerations that would be very useful to Roma even when a match is already underway. Imagine Endrick in place of Mora in the second half in Manchester. Maguire and his teammates would have had reservations about pushing forward, as happened especially after the cruel penalty awarded by Manzano. Endrick is part of Roma's plans and is the primary target, but it is not enough. Gasperini would like to complete the department with two players: the Brazilian plus another number ten, second striker or attacking player who is right-footed and physically well built. Gittens is mentioned, out of favour at Chelsea, and above all Kvernadze, who for his age and wage would fit perfectly into the sustainability path set at Trigoria in recent months. Numerically, Pellegrini's serious setback and the new problems for Dybala could push the club and coaching staff to reflect carefully on the squad numbers. Roma cannot realistically withstand the weekly double commitment with Malen (plus Castro), Mora, Soulé and then the adapted players. The overall picture of incomings could be completed by a midfielder with running and physical power, to cover Koné's physical difficulties and De Roon's age. A trio of signings could make Roma's squad resistant to injuries and able to cope with the demands of the Champions League, Serie A and the Coppa Italia, which returns in January.

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.

Roma's first priority this weekend is to put the defeat at Old Trafford behind them and claim a full three points against a Sassuolo side in serious crisis, according to a round-up of radio comments gathered by Romanews.eu. The fixture is seen as crucial, with Inter v Como and Napoli v Lazio also taking place on the same day, and several pundits said the result would shape Roma's position in Serie A. Radio Bruno and Radio Radio commentators offered a range of views. Ferri said he was firmly convinced that if Roma play 80% of their Serie A matches as they have in the first quarter of the season, they will struggle to finish outside the top three, adding that he still believed Inter were the strongest side. Carina said Roma arrive tired, both physically and mentally, because the Manchester defeat had been heavy, but that returning to the Olimpico helps, as the standard in Serie A allows for some dips in form. He said Roma must try to string together a run of wins over their next four matches so they reach the derby in a high position. Carina also addressed the fitness of Paulo Dybala, saying the recovery timelines are never clear: first there was talk of muscle fatigue, then of a small tear, and then he disappeared from view. "He is a sublime, fantastic player, but now he becomes a problem: between Dybala and Pellegrini, if you have one, that is already a lot. So the squad becomes short: if you want to be protagonists in the league, you are missing players." He added: "I expected Castro to play a bit more. He must send a signal. He showed it with the wonderful goal against Genoa, but he must give continuity, despite the difficulties, because playing once in a while is complicated." Pruzzo said: "After Manchester, we must get going again straight away. Sassuolo in their last two matches have conceded ten goals; the worrying thing is that they show no signs and don't react. This allows Roma to manage the match and try to create danger up front. Malen has the occasional lapse, and Castro never plays: let's see if this time there will be room for him." Mattioli said Sassuolo are a rollercoaster and could either collapse or produce a big performance, adding that Roma are not in their best moment and that he had seen some errors against Manchester. He said: "If Sassuolo do not change gear, they will not leave the Olimpico unscathed. Roma can win." Orsi warned that Roma depend too heavily on Malen and Dybala, noting that Malen scored a lot when they played together but now struggles more, while Dybala may not score but always provides assists.

Roma are set to face Sassuolo, with Rodrigo Mora expected to start from the first minute and Leonardo Balerdi included in the match-day selection, according to the probable line-ups published ahead of the fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini has the possible options for the clash with Sassuolo. The headline notes Gollini is in doubt, and Devis Vásquez is set to be in goal again, which the report presents as a probable change between the posts. The lineup report also touches on the wider context around the squad. Koné has been left out of the France squad by Zidane, and Roma's attack has been described as record-breaking, with Gasperini now able to surpass a record set by himself. Gasperini also commented after the defeat to Manchester, saying: "We dominated." Carrick returned to speak about the victory over Roma, saying: "The first half was not bad."

Gian Piero Gasperini has put his Roma players in front of the screen to work on their collapses, projecting full-screen replays of the match against Manchester, mistakes included, in intense study sessions. Sassuolo visit the Stadio Olimpico, and the front three is confirmed as Mora, Malen and Soulé. The focus on the Manchester game reflects a wider concern at the club over losing leads and conceding late. Gasperini is using video analysis to show his players exactly where the errors came from, aiming to cure what the headline calls Roma's problem with comebacks against them before the home fixture.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini has put his Roma players in front of the screen to work on their collapses, projecting full-screen replays of the match against Manchester, mistakes included, in intense study sessions. Sassuolo visit the Stadio Olimpico, and the front three is confirmed as Mora, Malen and Soulé. The focus on the Manchester game reflects a wider concern at the club over losing leads and conceding late. Gasperini is using video analysis to show his players exactly where the errors came from, aiming to cure what the headline calls Roma's problem with comebacks against them before the home fixture.

Roma supporter Emanuele has described being refused entry to Old Trafford for the Champions League fixture against Manchester United on Tuesday 3 November, despite holding a valid ticket, and says he was physically removed from the area by stewards. He spoke to Retesport about the experience. According to Emanuele, the Roma fans' march was calm despite setting off late, but once they reached the car parks they were pushed and charged by English police. He said supporters were packed into a space of a few metres, side by side, barely able to breathe, and held in those conditions for about an hour and a half. Groups of only 50 people at a time were allowed through to the entrance, which he said slowed the process further and made the situation harder. "It was an endless wait," he said. It was only after 20:00 Italian time, when the match had already started, that Roma supporters were finally allowed to reach the turnstiles. Emanuele held a ticket for Section 29, close to the stand. While queuing, a steward began shouting in his ears because a fan in front of him could not get his ticket to scan. He explained in English that the fan's phone was flat, so the screen brightness was too low, but that the ticket was valid. After he presented his own ticket and received the green light from the turnstile, he said a steward grabbed him from behind by the neck. Together with another security member, he was dragged away from the stadium with no plausible explanation given. When he asked why he had been removed, he was told he would not be admitted because he had attacked a steward. He immediately asked to see the CCTV footage, given the large number of cameras in the area, but said he was shown nothing. "I was not given any evidence or any concrete explanation," he said. He added that if he had really assaulted a member of security staff, the consequences would have been far more serious, and he would have been arrested. He said that, after speaking to some Italian stewards, he was advised to go to the ticket office, about a kilometre away, to have his ticket checked and validated again. There he was told that, although the ticket was valid, the general management had already decided that, having been identified as a dangerous individual who had attacked a steward, he would not be allowed into the stadium. Emanuele said at least 20 other people were in the same situation outside. Some of them had legitimately bought tickets for the stand next to the away section, which he said was not prohibited in any way. Those fans had got in and taken their seats, but after celebrating Malen's goal they were identified, removed from their seats and thrown out of the stadium. "The reason?" he said. "They were Italian fans and they had cheered a Roma goal."

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.