Real Madrid sweating on Mbappé injury ahead of Roma clash

Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma are facing a run of former managers, and the first two meetings have already taken place. Between 14 October and 19 December, Roma will have faced six of the twelve coaches who have followed one another on the Roma bench since 2011. The run has begun in spectacular fashion, with José Mourinho returning to the Olimpico as Real Madrid coach. Roma led 3-1 before Real Madrid came back within the space of just seven minutes to win 4-3. Days later, Daniele De Rossi returned, this time with the result going Roma's way. Roma beat his Genoa 2-0 at the Olimpico, with goals from Castro and Lulli. The journey is only beginning. Four more coaches who know Trigoria well are still to come: Luis Enrique with PSG, Ivan Juric with Monza, Paulo Fonseca at Sporting Lisbon and Luciano Spalletti with Juventus. Six coaches in just over two months amount to exactly half of the twelve who have occupied the Giallorossi bench since 2011. The list reflects much of the club's recent history. Luis Enrique represents the start of the American era, Spalletti the return that led to the 2016 comeback and Totti's final season, and Fonseca the move towards Mourinho. The Special One brought the two consecutive European finals, while De Rossi's return came first as a player and then as a coach. Juric's spell was considerably shorter. Gasperini is therefore building the new Roma while constantly passing through the old one, and after Mourinho and De Rossi, the calendar holds four more meetings with the past.

Rodrigo Mora has finally come into his own, cancelling out early doubts within weeks and establishing himself as one of the brightest talents in Gasperini's Roma. Corriere della Sera reports that his rise has exploded recently, overturning the difficulties of his first months and the debate over his transfer cost. His goal against Sassuolo was his third consecutive Serie A goal, following those against Cagliari and Udinese: four goals in total in just 399 minutes, an average of one goal every hundred minutes. He has also been a creative force in the Champions League, providing key assists at Old Trafford against Manchester United and against Real Madrid, while making the most of Dybala's absence to take control of the final third. Behind the breakthrough is Gasperini's total trust. The coach has always believed in the talent of the former Porto player, protecting him when he played less and developing him in the final metres. Mora is now the club's second-highest scorer alongside Pisilli and Soulé, behind only Malen. He has also earned his first call-up to the Portugal senior squad, in what the report describes as the new era after Cristiano Ronaldo. The milestone adds weight to an exciting progression within an ambitious technical and economic project, and the Friedkin Group have a talent of enormous value on their hands, ready to make Giallorossi fans dream. The report's central message is that Mora has gone from a player under scrutiny to one of the most decisive presences in the squad, with a personality and technical freshness that have won over everyone at Trigoria. Corriere della Sera frames his progress as the reward for both the coach's faith and the club's investment, with the young midfielder now taking centre stage with the composure of a natural.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico, speaking to reporters at the Stadio Olimpico before the Serie A clash with Sassuolo, the club's eleventh league matchday, said the squad lacks a fast, direct wide player and that the club will try to address it in January. Asked whether an extra wide attacker would help solve the problem of coming back from behind, D'Amico said: "This is the problem we understood at the end of the transfer window. We are missing a winger with pace, for counterattacks. We will try to do it in January, evaluating the opportunities. We will try to give these characteristics to the coach." On Manu Koné, D'Amico said Roma are in contact with all national teams, and confirmed the Frenchman was back available after a good week. "Today Manu is back, he has had a good week. The coach has decided to play him and we are happy. It is his ninth match in 28 days, and with him in the side we can let others who have spent a lot in these games recover." D'Amico was also asked whether Roma lacked experience in Manchester. He said: "Environments like Manchester's you know. The stadium pushed hard, but I think it was there, and against Real, that they showed us a great Roma that imposes its own game. Against these teams there are moments of difficulty. The penalty I think was more than generous. It was a difficult moment, but that does not mean a penalty like that should be conceded. These experiences are still important for a Roma that, after 7 years, is back in the Champions League. It helps all of us, including the club."