Roma faces June reckoning on player sales to balance books

AS Roma have marked the 96th birthday of Giorgio Rossi, the club's long-serving physiotherapist, born on 31 October 1930. The club paid tribute on social media with a message praising him as a timeless example of loyalty and belonging to the club's colours. Rossi was a constant presence in giallorosso for 55 years, from 1957 to 2012, a whole life dedicated to Roma. He was part of the club's two Serie A title-winning sides, in 1983 and 2001. On his birthday, Roma wanted to honour him once again as a man who embodied loyalty, passion and belonging as few others in the club's history have. The club's post read: "Il 31 ottobre 1930 nasceva Giorgio Rossi, esempio senza tempo di lealtà e appartenenza ai nostri colori." In English: "On 31 October 1930, Giorgio Rossi was born, a timeless example of loyalty and belonging to our colours."

AS Roma have marked the birthday of Giorgio Rossi, the club's longtime masseur, with a special message on their social media channels. Today, 31 October, is the day of his birth, and the club wrote: "Timeless example of loyalty and belonging to our colours." Rossi spent 55 years at the club, from 1957 to 2012, and was a constant presence in the giallorosso set-up throughout that time. He also played a part in the club's two Scudetti, in 1983 and 2001. Known to Luciano Spalletti as "the president of the dressing room", he was remembered by the coach as a figure of huge importance to the club's history. Rossi died on 23 September 2018, and his death left a deep void, though his memory remains intact among Roma supporters. The article describes Rossi as an institution whose influence on the club is difficult to capture fully, a life lived entirely in the yellow and red of Roma and felt as a protagonist in two title-winning seasons. His legacy continues to be honoured by the club and its fans on the anniversary of his birth.

Roma sporting director D'Amico is looking beyond the next window, with an eye on young players who could become stars. One name on his list is Oliver Mansson, a 17-year-old Swedish midfielder born in 2009 who is already regarded in Sweden as a possible 'crack'. According to Swedish newspaper Expressen, Roma sent scouts to watch him in the most recent match between his current club Göteborg and Djurgården. He is not the only target: United, Chelsea and Arsenal are also reportedly interested. The report places Mansson within a wider strategy. D'Amico is studying both ready-made profiles and the youth market, the area that has been serving Roma so well this season. Alongside young prospects, his notebook reportedly contains bigger names, including Lisandro Martinez and Endrick. Roma are watching closely while the competition for Mansson grows. The Italian coverage describes D'Amico as clear about how he intends to operate in the coming sessions, balancing established targets with players who are outside the ordinary and could develop into the stars of tomorrow.

Former Roma director Walter Sabatini has continued to praise Gian Piero Gasperini's side, focusing on the spirit within the group. Sabatini said: "The spiritual cohesion is a superior factor. Roma are going through this collective state of mind." He added: "Gasperini teaches the orthodoxy of winning, he is a coach who makes you take giant strides." On the 3-3 draw in Naples, Sabatini said: "It is a tonic for Italian football. Both sides played very well." Roma open their final week before the international break in Udine, and the fixture will be followed by matches against Manchester United and Sassuolo. Gasperini does not plan to rotate and wants to field the best possible Roma side in Udine. Gollini will be confirmed in goal, while Ghilardi is named by all the newspapers among the starters in defence. The other two central defensive places remain a contest between Balerdi, N'Dicka and Hermoso. Lulli and Wesley are favoured on the flanks, while Cristante, De Roon and Pisilli rotate in midfield. Up front, Soulé and Malen are certain to start, with Pisilli and Mora in contention to complete the attack. Roma have 21 points after nine matches, the same total as after nine matchdays last season, but they have collected four more points than in the same fixtures last year. Gasperini is close to his 30th Serie A win as Roma coach and could reach it in his 48th game in charge, ahead of Spalletti (54), Capello (55) and Mourinho (59).

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium to face Udinese today, the last match before the international break, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side aiming to keep their winning run going despite a heavy injury list. Roma then fly to Manchester for their Champions League clash at Old Trafford and close the cycle at the Olimpico against Sassuolo. According to Corriere della Sera, Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala are all absent, yet Gasperini's team approach the fixture with confidence. Roma have already collected four more points than at this stage last season against the same opponents, and the side are showing clear progress. Around 5,000 fans will travel to Friuli to back the team. Gasperini can also reach a notable landmark: becoming the fastest coach in Roma history to reach 30 Serie A wins, ahead of Spalletti, Capello and Mourinho. The coach is expected to rely on his core players and rotate the squad. Ghilardi and Hermoso are set to start either side of N'Dicka, with Wesley on the flanks and Soulé and Mora operating behind Donyell Malen, the team's main focal point up front.

Roma travel to Udinese for their Serie A round 10 fixture at the Bluenergy Stadium, with kickoff at 18:00. Gasperini is reportedly preparing his side around the players in the best form, and Ghilardi is expected to start in defence, while Mancini is set to begin on the bench. Lulli is expected to be confirmed at right-back, while the central defensive berth remains a contest between Hermoso and Balerdi. Up front, the Soulé, Mora and Malen trio is set to be retained, the attacking line that has given the most assurances in recent weeks. The Italian sports dailies have published their probable line-ups for the match, and several of them agree on the broad shape of the side. Gollini is in goal for every outlet, with Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli and Wesley featuring prominently in midfield and defence. Roma's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to name the side that he believes gives his team the best chance of taking maximum points from the trip north, as the club looks to avoid dropping points on the road. La Gazzetta dello Sport projects: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Pisilli; Malen. Il Tempo: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Pisilli, Soulé; Malen. Il Messaggero and RomaNews EU: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. All predicted line-ups are under Gasperini.