Roma's defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United have exposed a squad that Gian Piero Gasperini's side do not yet appear to have equipped to sustain their high tempo for ninety minutes against Europe's top clubs. The problem, the report says, goes beyond mental resilience. Roma's intense style of aggression, individual duels and constant off-the-ball movement drains energy quickly, and when it does, the limits of the rotations show. The absences of Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala weighed heavily in Manchester, where Gasperini could not find the substitutions needed to counter the English comeback.
In Serie A, eight of the ten goals Roma have conceded have come in the second half, a fragility that becomes even more glaring against high-calibre opposition. The gaps left by the summer transfer market have come back into focus. Roma are missing above all a quick attacking winger capable of beating a man and turning a move around, along with a midfielder who can offer quality and freshness in rotation.
January could prove decisive. Sporting director Tony D'Amico continues to monitor several attacking profiles. Chief among them is Jamie Gittens of Chelsea, for whom, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, a January offensive is ready. Alternatives include Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart, Giorgi Kvernadze of Frosinone and the dream target Endrick of Real Madrid. The aim would be to find an opportunity, preferably on loan, to add a player who is ready and able to have an immediate impact, in the mould of the Malen deal.
A midfield addition would also allow Gasperini to manage energy levels better and give him an extra option in the most pressured moments. The report stresses that Roma have shown they can overpower Europe's elite but must still learn to sustain that level across a full match. Revolution is not required, it says, only completing a squad that is already performing well with the quality backups currently missing, because the definitive step forward also depends on a bench worthy of Roma's ambitions.
Story Coverage3 sources on this story
Roma are preparing to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad in January, with sporting director Tony D'Amico reportedly tracking several attacking targets. The core point all three outlets agree on is that the club wants to add energy and depth to a side that has produced bright first halves but has struggled to sustain its tempo for ninety minutes. GialloRossi.net ties this to the defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United, noting that Roma's high-intensity style drains players quickly and that the absences of Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala left Gasperini without effective substitutions in Manchester. Forza Roma makes a similar argument, saying the first-half form fades against Europe's elite.
On the attacking side, Chelsea's Jamie Gittens is the name that recurs most often. GialloRossi.net, citing La Gazzetta dello Sport, says a January offer is ready for him, while Forza Roma notes he was already chased in the summer. Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart, Giorgi Kvernadze of Frosinone and Real Madrid's Endrick are also mentioned, with Endrick described as a dream target. GialloRossi.net says the aim is a player who can make an immediate impact, preferably on loan, in the mould of the Malen deal. Forza Roma, citing Alessio D'Urso of La Gazzetta dello Sport, says the squad was already short of a left-sided winger and another midfielder by the end of the summer window.
The midfield picture differs between outlets. GialloRossi.net says a midfielder would give Gasperini more rotation options and better energy management, but it does not name specific targets. Retesport is the only outlet to name them: Gabriel Sara of Galatasaray, where Napoli, Newcastle and Everton are reportedly ready to invest at least €25 million, and Issa Doumbia, signed from Sporting Lisbon this summer for €20 million plus €6 million in bonuses. Retesport also reports an unnamed Italian midfielder with an €80 million release clause, pursued by Juventus, Newcastle and Brentford, and a 2008-born player is also on the list.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Una Roma capace di incantare per un tempo e di sparire nella ripresa. Le sconfitte contro Real Madrid e Manchester United hanno messo in evidenza un problema che va oltre la tenuta mentale della squadra: la rosa di Gasperini non sembra ancora sufficientemente attrezzata per sostenere certi ritmi…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.