Roma eye top spot against Sassuolo as Gasperini weighs goalkeeper and defensive options

Gian Piero Gasperini has focused on lifting Roma's mood ahead of the home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, the last game before the international break, refusing to single out anyone after the defeat to Manchester United. Roma came back from a comeback loss in England and are looking to bounce back quickly. In the few days of preparation, a training session was cancelled after the flight carrying the squad back to Italy was delayed. Gasperini's work centred in particular on the mental side of the group. From the first minutes after the final whistle in England, the head coach tried to spur the players on without pointing out the individual errors that led to Manchester United's goals and without targeting any particular player. He has followed up that message both in the dressing room and during training sessions at Trigoria. The coach is asking his players for a reaction, to show that dreams can continue. Gasperini expects the same tactical approach as always, without changing the team's identity because of setbacks. At the final training session this morning, the last team selection doubts will be resolved. Gollini is still in pain, and Vásquez is set to play again. In defence, Ghilardi is pushing for a start, as Mancini and N'Dicka are not at 100 per cent. Up front, Mora and Soulé are set for another chance behind Malen. Dybala risks missing out on the matchday squad, having not trained with the group. The report is by Filippo Biafora in Il Tempo.

Manu Koné has returned to availability ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a rare piece of good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The French midfielder missed more than twenty days with an injury picked up in the Champions League against Real Madrid, and he has passed his final test. He can be called up but without taking any risks, and he will miss his national team commitments as a result. Koné, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is back in contention but is not yet certain to start, as the medical staff preferred not to rush his recovery and will delay his full return until after the international break. The rest of the infirmary remains crowded, forcing Gasperini into several difficult choices. Paulo Dybala still feels discomfort in his calf and is aiming to return against Parma. Mile Svilar is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot and is getting closer to a comeback. Lorenzo Pellegrini's timeline is longer, and he will not return before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has not recovered from the back problem he suffered before the trip to Manchester, which opens the door in goal for Devis Vásquez. Vásquez is set to play again sixteen months after his last appearance, on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona. Gasperini is still weighing the final details of the starting line-up. In defence, there is an open battle between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Molina is expected to return from the first minute on the right flank, where he is tasked with providing width and freshness. Roma are determined to finish this stretch well before the international break.

Gian Piero Gasperini is starting Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen together against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, as Roma look to bounce back immediately from their defeat at Manchester. The three attackers all returned from international call-ups, and Gasperini is relying on their combination to drive the side forward. Paulo Dybala is absent from the squad for the match. Roma arrive at the fixture after a second-half display at Old Trafford that disappointed, and the club need a response before the international break. The side will rebuild around the Argentine-Portuguese partnership that shone in the first half in England. Soulé has been one of the club's standout performers this season, with four goals and five assists, and earned a call-up from Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. Rodrigo Mora, born in 2007, has also impressed, and his performances convinced Jorge Jesus to promote him to the Portugal senior squad for the Nations League. Their combination was already on show at Udine and, in spurts, at Manchester. Their task is to set up Malen, who is also fresh from a call-up with the Netherlands. The forward is ready to face Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, to find the net again, put behind him the setbacks of the Champions League, and push for double figures in Serie A. Gasperini's main weapon is the combination of Soulé, Mora and Malen, turning flair and quality into three points while Serie A's leading sides also meet each other this weekend.

Gian Piero Gasperini has focused on lifting Roma's mood ahead of the home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, the last game before the international break, refusing to single out anyone after the defeat to Manchester United. Roma came back from a comeback loss in England and are looking to bounce back quickly. In the few days of preparation, a training session was cancelled after the flight carrying the squad back to Italy was delayed. Gasperini's work centred in particular on the mental side of the group. From the first minutes after the final whistle in England, the head coach tried to spur the players on without pointing out the individual errors that led to Manchester United's goals and without targeting any particular player. He has followed up that message both in the dressing room and during training sessions at Trigoria. The coach is asking his players for a reaction, to show that dreams can continue. Gasperini expects the same tactical approach as always, without changing the team's identity because of setbacks. At the final training session this morning, the last team selection doubts will be resolved. Gollini is still in pain, and Vásquez is set to play again. In defence, Ghilardi is pushing for a start, as Mancini and N'Dicka are not at 100 per cent. Up front, Mora and Soulé are set for another chance behind Malen. Dybala risks missing out on the matchday squad, having not trained with the group. The report is by Filippo Biafora in Il Tempo.

Manu Koné has returned to availability ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a rare piece of good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The French midfielder missed more than twenty days with an injury picked up in the Champions League against Real Madrid, and he has passed his final test. He can be called up but without taking any risks, and he will miss his national team commitments as a result. Koné, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is back in contention but is not yet certain to start, as the medical staff preferred not to rush his recovery and will delay his full return until after the international break. The rest of the infirmary remains crowded, forcing Gasperini into several difficult choices. Paulo Dybala still feels discomfort in his calf and is aiming to return against Parma. Mile Svilar is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot and is getting closer to a comeback. Lorenzo Pellegrini's timeline is longer, and he will not return before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has not recovered from the back problem he suffered before the trip to Manchester, which opens the door in goal for Devis Vásquez. Vásquez is set to play again sixteen months after his last appearance, on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona. Gasperini is still weighing the final details of the starting line-up. In defence, there is an open battle between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Molina is expected to return from the first minute on the right flank, where he is tasked with providing width and freshness. Roma are determined to finish this stretch well before the international break.

Manu Koné is set to be included in the squad for tonight's home match against Sassuolo at the Olimpico, after more than twenty days on the sidelines. According to Francesco Balzani in La Gazzetta dello Sport, the final test yesterday produced positive answers, though not enough to say with certainty that he will start from the first minute. Paulo Dybala will miss the match because he still feels discomfort in his calf, and he will return when the league resumes against Parma. Mile Svilar is also set to return at that stage. Lorenzo Pellegrini faces a longer absence, with a return not expected before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has been given a thumbs down for tonight's game at the Olimpico. Devis Vásquez will be in goal again and will play in Serie A for the first time in 16 months. His last appearance in the top flight came on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona.

Gian Piero Gasperini has focused on lifting Roma's mood ahead of the home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, the last game before the international break, refusing to single out anyone after the defeat to Manchester United. Roma came back from a comeback loss in England and are looking to bounce back quickly. In the few days of preparation, a training session was cancelled after the flight carrying the squad back to Italy was delayed. Gasperini's work centred in particular on the mental side of the group. From the first minutes after the final whistle in England, the head coach tried to spur the players on without pointing out the individual errors that led to Manchester United's goals and without targeting any particular player. He has followed up that message both in the dressing room and during training sessions at Trigoria. The coach is asking his players for a reaction, to show that dreams can continue. Gasperini expects the same tactical approach as always, without changing the team's identity because of setbacks. At the final training session this morning, the last team selection doubts will be resolved. Gollini is still in pain, and Vásquez is set to play again. In defence, Ghilardi is pushing for a start, as Mancini and N'Dicka are not at 100 per cent. Up front, Mora and Soulé are set for another chance behind Malen. Dybala risks missing out on the matchday squad, having not trained with the group. The report is by Filippo Biafora in Il Tempo.

Manu Koné has returned to availability ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a rare piece of good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The French midfielder missed more than twenty days with an injury picked up in the Champions League against Real Madrid, and he has passed his final test. He can be called up but without taking any risks, and he will miss his national team commitments as a result. Koné, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is back in contention but is not yet certain to start, as the medical staff preferred not to rush his recovery and will delay his full return until after the international break. The rest of the infirmary remains crowded, forcing Gasperini into several difficult choices. Paulo Dybala still feels discomfort in his calf and is aiming to return against Parma. Mile Svilar is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot and is getting closer to a comeback. Lorenzo Pellegrini's timeline is longer, and he will not return before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has not recovered from the back problem he suffered before the trip to Manchester, which opens the door in goal for Devis Vásquez. Vásquez is set to play again sixteen months after his last appearance, on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona. Gasperini is still weighing the final details of the starting line-up. In defence, there is an open battle between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Molina is expected to return from the first minute on the right flank, where he is tasked with providing width and freshness. Roma are determined to finish this stretch well before the international break.

Manu Koné is set to be included in the squad for tonight's home match against Sassuolo at the Olimpico, after more than twenty days on the sidelines. According to Francesco Balzani in La Gazzetta dello Sport, the final test yesterday produced positive answers, though not enough to say with certainty that he will start from the first minute. Paulo Dybala will miss the match because he still feels discomfort in his calf, and he will return when the league resumes against Parma. Mile Svilar is also set to return at that stage. Lorenzo Pellegrini faces a longer absence, with a return not expected before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has been given a thumbs down for tonight's game at the Olimpico. Devis Vásquez will be in goal again and will play in Serie A for the first time in 16 months. His last appearance in the top flight came on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona.

Manu Koné has returned to availability ahead of Roma's home match against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a rare piece of good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The French midfielder missed more than twenty days with an injury picked up in the Champions League against Real Madrid, and he has passed his final test. He can be called up but without taking any risks, and he will miss his national team commitments as a result. Koné, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is back in contention but is not yet certain to start, as the medical staff preferred not to rush his recovery and will delay his full return until after the international break. The rest of the infirmary remains crowded, forcing Gasperini into several difficult choices. Paulo Dybala still feels discomfort in his calf and is aiming to return against Parma. Mile Svilar is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot and is getting closer to a comeback. Lorenzo Pellegrini's timeline is longer, and he will not return before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has not recovered from the back problem he suffered before the trip to Manchester, which opens the door in goal for Devis Vásquez. Vásquez is set to play again sixteen months after his last appearance, on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona. Gasperini is still weighing the final details of the starting line-up. In defence, there is an open battle between Ghilardi and Balerdi, while Molina is expected to return from the first minute on the right flank, where he is tasked with providing width and freshness. Roma are determined to finish this stretch well before the international break.

Manu Koné is set to be included in the squad for tonight's home match against Sassuolo at the Olimpico, after more than twenty days on the sidelines. According to Francesco Balzani in La Gazzetta dello Sport, the final test yesterday produced positive answers, though not enough to say with certainty that he will start from the first minute. Paulo Dybala will miss the match because he still feels discomfort in his calf, and he will return when the league resumes against Parma. Mile Svilar is also set to return at that stage. Lorenzo Pellegrini faces a longer absence, with a return not expected before the end of January. Pierluigi Gollini has been given a thumbs down for tonight's game at the Olimpico. Devis Vásquez will be in goal again and will play in Serie A for the first time in 16 months. His last appearance in the top flight came on 25 May 2025 in Empoli-Verona.

Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly chose encouragement over a dressing-room rebuke after Roma's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, according to Andrea Pugliese. Rather than criticising his players, the coach reportedly highlighted what had gone well in the first half, telling his squad in the dressing room: "We dominated." The message was aimed at protecting the group's confidence after Roma conceded their second Champions League comeback. Manu Koné has been left out of France's squad by Zinedine Zidane for the matches against Italy and Turkey. The decision is linked to his physical condition, allowing Roma to manage his recovery without pressure. His availability for the Sassuolo match remains in serious doubt, although Gasperini could still name him on the bench. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Mora has earned a call-up to the senior Portugal squad under Jorge Jesus. The 19-year-old has scored three goals in eight Serie A appearances and provided two assists in the Champions League, a reward for his progress at Roma and his performance against Manchester United. According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are now prepared to consider a temporary transfer for Gittens, having rejected Roma's earlier proposal. Roma had also pursued the English winger during the summer. D'Amico is looking for a quick winger capable of beating his man, and competition for the 2004-born player remains strong. Sassuolo are without two key players. Alberto Aquilani will be missing Berardi, his main attacking reference, and Volpato, the former Roma player, who will miss the return to the Olimpico, both through injury. Sassuolo arrive on a run of four consecutive defeats and have conceded 16 goals. Aquilani, returning to the Olimpico as a coach in a difficult moment, admitted his side's difficulties at his press conference and called for an immediate response. Gollini is still struggling with the back problem that ruled him out before the Manchester trip. Roma's medical staff at Trigoria are evaluating injections as a way to get him back, but the most likely option is that Devis Vásquez starts. Mile Svilar will not return until after the international break.