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Roma face Sassuolo at the Olimpico as Aquilani returns to face his former club
·6 November 2026·1d ago

Roma face Sassuolo at the Olimpico as Aquilani returns to face his former club

Source: Il Messaggero – Roma

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, with Roma needing to put the late setback against Manchester United in the Champions League behind them and refocus on Serie A. Sassuolo are coached by former Roma player Aquilani, and are a side in deep difficulty, although they impressed in the first part of the Serie A season with their style of play and individual quality. It is a test that is far from straightforward for Gasperini's side.

Roma have narrowed the gap on Inter, moving to within one point of them, but they are four points behind capolista Lazio. Gasperini's squad is still without Svilar, Dybala and Koné, as well as Rensch and Pellegrini. Aquilani, for his part, will be without Berardi, Volpato, Koné, Boloca and Leysen.

The match is a chance for Roma to build on their recent progress in the league table and to keep pace with the leaders as the season moves on.

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Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, and the match is a return for Alberto Aquilani, a former Roma player now coaching Sassuolo. Il Messaggero says Roma must put the late Champions League setback against Manchester United behind them and refocus on Serie A. Forza Roma frames the fixture around Aquilani's return, noting he is the latest former Roma figure to appear at the Olimpico this season, after Mourinho and De Rossi, with Juric and Fonseca set to follow.

Forza Roma recalls that Aquilani was the first of the so-called sons of Roma to be sold for economic reasons, on the eve of a trip to Gent, a decision it describes as painful but necessary for Rosella Sensi and one that paved the way for the handover to American ownership. He made 147 Serie A appearances and scored 15 goals in five seasons, though injuries hampered him. He won two Coppa Italia titles and one Supercoppa Italiana, and is remembered for his derby goal, his embrace with Totti, and the win at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid.

Il Messaggero describes Sassuolo as a side in deep difficulty, though they impressed early in the season with their style and individual quality. Roma have moved to within one point of Inter but remain four points behind capolista Lazio. Gasperini is without Svilar, Dybala, Koné, Rensch and Pellegrini, while Aquilani will be missing Berardi, Volpato, Koné, Boloca and Leysen.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

“La Roma deve dimenticare in fretta la beffa in Champions League contro il Manchester United e focalizzarsi nuovamente sul campionato. Sabato all'Olimpico arriva il Sassuolo dell'ex giallorosso Aquilani, una squadra in grande difficoltà che però nella prima parte di Serie A aveva stupito per gioco e…”

Read the full article in Italian at Il Messaggero – Roma.

Read original on Il Messaggero – Roma →

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Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A's eleventh round, and Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad without Gianluca Mancini and Pierluigi Gollini. Mancini is out with a muscle strain in his right hamstring, and his recovery time will be monitored in the coming days. Gollini is struggling with a back problem that first emerged on the eve of the Manchester United game. Paulo Dybala, Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also absent. The Giallorossi are looking to move on from their European disappointment against Manchester United at Old Trafford and get their league campaign back on track. Losing Mancini removes one of the key figures from the defensive line, and Gasperini will have to rework his back four. Mile Svilar is also missing from the list, so the goalkeeping options are limited. The main positive news is the return of Manu Koné, who is back in the squad after the physical problem that had sidelined him. His availability is an encouraging sign, although it is not yet clear how he will be used during the match. Among the goalkeepers called up are Vásquez, De Marzi and Kilvinger. The defensive options are Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield includes Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora. The attacking group is Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni and Arena, with the young Maccaroni and Arena completing the forward line.

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