Roma host Sassuolo at the Olimpico: Gasperini weighs up injury doubts before the break

UEFA has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes's penalty in Manchester United's clash with Roma must be retaken, but has said nothing on the more controversial incident of the night. Referee Gil Manzano's performance was widely criticised in the TV replays and in the newspapers. The incident UEFA avoided addressing was the "light" penalty awarded to Cunha for a push from behind by Mancini. Rosetti, the refereeing designator, and UEFA did not comment openly on that decision. UEFA said on its official website only why the penalty was ordered retaken. The kick was retaken because Bryan Cristante entered the box early, before Fernandes had actually struck the ball, so Fernandes had to take a second attempt under the current rules. The explanation leaves the Roma side of the story focused on a technical error rather than on the contact that led to the spot kick. UEFA's silence on the Mancini-Cunha challenge means the debate over the officiating is likely to continue in the coming days.

Roma are back in action after a comeback defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, a result that has left a long trail of refereeing controversy behind it. The anger among Giallorossi fans centres on the penalty that changed the match, reopening a game Gasperini's side had been controlling before a late collapse. The protests focus on the decision by referee Gil Manzano to award the spot kick for contact between Gianluca Mancini and Matheus Cunha. The images show a minimal touch, almost non-existent: the Brazilian fell in the box after his own feet became tangled, but the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Many observers judged the contact insufficient to award a penalty. The decision has become a major point of debate for Roma as they look to recover from the defeat. Devis Vasquez had made an extraordinary save from Bruno Fernandes' first attempt, but the penalty was ordered retaken because Bryan Cristante had entered the area early, moving before the ball was actually struck. In its official communication published on its website, UEFA clarified only this point, stating: "It was retaken due to the early entry into the area of Bryan Cristante, who entered before the ball was actually kicked by Fernandes, who therefore had to kick a second time." UEFA said nothing, however, about the assessment of the contact between Mancini and Cunha.

UEFA has explained why Bruno Fernandes was ordered to retake a penalty in Manchester United's win over Roma, but has said nothing about the foul that led to the spot-kick. The penalty was awarded in Tuesday's match after Mancini appeared to brush against Cunha, who went down in the area. Referee Gil Manzano had no doubts and pointed to the spot. The decision revived United's hopes, and they went on to come back to win 3-2. The retake was ordered because of Bryan Cristante. UEFA said on its official website that the kick was retaken "a causa dell'ingresso anticipato in area di Bryan Cristante", meaning Cristante entered the box before the ball was actually struck by Fernandes, so Fernandes had to take it a second time. Vasquez had saved Fernandes's first attempt. The result is that a Roma player's early entry, rather than the original award, is the focus of the official explanation. On the penalty itself, UEFA's statement is brief. It said the retake was right but offered no explanation for why the foul on Cunha was whistled. The contact between Mancini and Cunha, which was enough for Gil Manzano to award the spot-kick, remains the part of the decision the governing body has not addressed.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has received a new injury setback, with Devyne Rensch suffering a muscle injury and expected to return after the international break. The club's pause for the national team fixtures comes at a useful time to recover several players and prepare for upcoming commitments. The defeat at Manchester has left Gasperini with clear lessons, particularly the need to widen the options available in the squad. Until the derby in mid-December, the fixture list contains no other big league match. Gasperini will not speak at a press conference on the eve of the match against Sassuolo. From the English trip, a message came from Matías Soulé, who urged the team to learn from the defeats and keep working with the same commitment. The Argentine is now one of the main attacking reference points alongside Malen, but it is precisely this dependence that worries the coach. Even without Svilar, the team has shown fragility: goals conceded have increased and the save percentage has dropped noticeably.

Roma have repeatedly let leads slip in recent matches, a problem that has exposed the thinness of their squad and led to worrying dips in energy, according to Corriere dello Sport. The most glaring examples came against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, while the Giallorossi also dropped points or momentum against Lecce, Torino, Cagliari and Udinese, though they still managed to win those games. The data back up the trend. Roma have taken 20 fewer shots in second halves than in first halves, and their xG, ball recoveries and touches in the opposition box also decline after the interval. Defensively the cost has been clear: they have conceded just 3 goals in the first 45 minutes, 15 after the interval and 9 in the final portion of games. Management is planning to be active in January, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, and the club will look to repeat the approach that brought Donyell Malen to the club in the winter window last year, targeting players unhappy with their minutes elsewhere. Roma have navigated the simultaneous absences of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné better than in the past, but the spell still left its mark. The capital club is interested in Jamie Gittens and Endrick, who are in that situation. Giorgi Kvernadze and Jamie Leweling, meanwhile, are fixtures for Frosinone and Stuttgart. Roma also intend to add a central midfielder. Overall, the club have done well outside their clashes with the very best sides, but a couple more options would help a coach who likes to make changes from the bench. A midfield powerhouse would be more useful than an extra attacker, assuming Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro keep developing.

Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné did not appear in images of Roma's group training session at Trigoria, a sign that their return for Saturday's match against Sassuolo is becoming more difficult. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are preparing for the Serie A fixture, which kicks off at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after the club's disappointing defeat to Manchester United. Dybala is not yet ready, while Koné, who is close to returning, is being treated with caution. A call-up for Koné remains to be decided in the coming hours. Gasperini appears set to keep Rodrigo Mora in the number ten role behind Matías Soulé, with Donyell Malen leading the attack. Mora is expected to get another start after strong recent performances. In defence, Evan N'Dicka is likely to return to the heart of the back line, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley could reclaim the full-back positions. Molina is in line to regain a starting place following the injury to Devyne Rensch, who has suffered a mild muscle lesion to his right adductor and will be out for around three weeks. Gollini, who is struggling with a back problem, remains doubtful. The aim is clear: return to winning immediately after the comeback Roma suffered against Manchester United and close out this demanding phase of the season in the best possible way. A long-awaited break will follow, giving Gasperini time to recover energy and, hopefully, a significant number of injured players. First, though, there are three points to win against Sassuolo, whose coach is Alberto Aquilani. Roma's training session on Thursday was shared by the club on its social channels in a video showing several moments of the session.

Manu Koné is on course to return for Roma's Saturday evening clash with Sassuolo at the Olimpico, while Devyne Rensch has been ruled out with a first-degree tear of the right adductor longus. Roma are preparing for the match against Sassuolo, coached by former Roma player Alberto Aquilani, with the aim of putting behind them the setback of their latest slip in the Champions League. Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping for positive news from the treatment room to widen his rotation options, after a squad that has been put under severe strain over the past month by numerous physical setbacks. Paulo Dybala's situation is still in doubt, but there is more optimism over Koné, who has overcome a muscle problem in his thigh and could be included in the squad. The medical staff will, however, proceed with caution, also with an eye on his call-up for the French national team. Gollini's condition is improving after he missed the game at Manchester for a back problem. Rensch was forced off after just 20 minutes of the match against Manchester United because of a muscle problem. Tests revealed a first-degree tear of the right adductor longus. The Dutchman will therefore not be available against Sassuolo. The aim is for him to be back available immediately after the international break. Italy coach Roberto Mancini has named his squad for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium, scheduled for Thursday 12 November at San Siro and Sunday 15 November at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels respectively. Three Roma players have been called up: Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi and Niccolò Pisilli. Evan Ndicka will also depart, called up by Ivory Coast for their African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Marten de Roon is the subject of a new interview conducted by Idealista in collaboration with Roma. The midfielder spoke about his arrival at the club, how he lives football day to day and his relationship with the dressing room. "When the coach called me I already knew it would be a difficult move, partly because of the history between Roma and Atalanta, partly because of what was said on social media about Roma; but at a certain point we had decided, and I had no doubts," the Dutchman said. "In the dressing room I am still looking for my role, so I don't joke around much, but the atmosphere is healthy, it seems like an 'easy' dressing room. Years ago I thought it was very difficult, even playing against it; now that I've come in, I've seen that it is healthy, warm, welcoming." Roma's many injuries have also been a talking point on Rome's airwaves. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio: "Sassuolo are probably the right opponent for a Roma side that needs to get back up and reach the break without forcing the return of those who have been sidelined for a long time. Injuries, unfortunately, are now part of an increasingly frenetic game." Piero Torri added on Radio Manà Manà Sport: "Roma's squad is short and will stay that way for a couple of months yet, because the market only reopens in January. Serie A and the Champions League demand a lot, and this inevitably takes its toll. If we add the problem of injuries, the weight on the team becomes even more evident."

Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné did not appear in images of Roma's group training session at Trigoria, a sign that their return for Saturday's match against Sassuolo is becoming more difficult. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are preparing for the Serie A fixture, which kicks off at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after the club's disappointing defeat to Manchester United. Dybala is not yet ready, while Koné, who is close to returning, is being treated with caution. A call-up for Koné remains to be decided in the coming hours. Gasperini appears set to keep Rodrigo Mora in the number ten role behind Matías Soulé, with Donyell Malen leading the attack. Mora is expected to get another start after strong recent performances. In defence, Evan N'Dicka is likely to return to the heart of the back line, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley could reclaim the full-back positions. Molina is in line to regain a starting place following the injury to Devyne Rensch, who has suffered a mild muscle lesion to his right adductor and will be out for around three weeks. Gollini, who is struggling with a back problem, remains doubtful. The aim is clear: return to winning immediately after the comeback Roma suffered against Manchester United and close out this demanding phase of the season in the best possible way. A long-awaited break will follow, giving Gasperini time to recover energy and, hopefully, a significant number of injured players. First, though, there are three points to win against Sassuolo, whose coach is Alberto Aquilani. Roma's training session on Thursday was shared by the club on its social channels in a video showing several moments of the session.

Roma have looked considerably more vulnerable without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has not played for almost a month and will miss the match against Sassuolo. Gollini remains doubtful, and third-choice Vásquez is warming up again, as he did against Manchester United. Roma have lost some of their defensive certainty in his absence. Without the Belgian keeper, they have conceded 14 goals in eight matches, compared with 4 in six games when Svilar was playing. According to Sofascore data, the average number of goals conceded per game has risen from 0.67 to 1.75, while the save percentage has dropped from 81% to 65.9%. Svilar will return only against Parma after the international break, which is the first good news for Gasperini, who will gradually have his full squad available. Svilar is widely regarded as the strongest goalkeeper in Serie A, and there are no doubts on that point.

Roma have looked considerably more vulnerable without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has not played for almost a month and will miss the match against Sassuolo. Gollini remains doubtful, and third-choice Vásquez is warming up again, as he did against Manchester United. Roma have lost some of their defensive certainty in his absence. Without the Belgian keeper, they have conceded 14 goals in eight matches, compared with 4 in six games when Svilar was playing. According to Sofascore data, the average number of goals conceded per game has risen from 0.67 to 1.75, while the save percentage has dropped from 81% to 65.9%. Svilar will return only against Parma after the international break, which is the first good news for Gasperini, who will gradually have his full squad available. Svilar is widely regarded as the strongest goalkeeper in Serie A, and there are no doubts on that point.

Roma are reflecting on a narrow defeat at Manchester United's Old Trafford, with Corriere della Sera highlighting both the individual progress within Gian Piero Gasperini's squad and the structural limits of a group that must compete on three fronts. Those limits, the report says, will require corrections in the January transfer window. Matías Soulé, now a key technical reference on the right side of the attack, is among the bright spots, along with the impact of Malen, who has produced important numbers in the giallorossi shirt, and the consistent form of Ndicka. However, a thin squad and an injury crisis have restricted Gasperini's rotations and exposed the gap with the top sides on Europe's biggest stages. The difficulties against the Red Devils were made worse by heavy absences in goal and in midfield. The club's management and Tony D'Amico, who is already working to identify the profiles needed in January, are reportedly targeting a midfielder and a left-sided winger to give Gasperini the alternatives he has asked for. The squad has returned to Trigoria to prepare for the Serie A clash with Sassuolo. The medical staff are monitoring Manu Koné, who is aiming for a rapid recovery, while the goalkeeping situation centres on Gollini, who is dealing with a back problem, with Colombian Devis Vásquez ready to step in again.

Roma's excellent run of results and defensive balance in Serie A has not carried over to the Champions League, where the club continues to suffer lapses in the big European fixtures, according to Il Messaggero. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have conceded 10 goals in Serie A while scoring 28, but in their seven continental matches, including the qualifiers and group stage, they have scored just 8 and conceded 10. The negative trend is compounded by 14 goals conceded across their last seven official games in all competitions. A key factor identified in the analysis is the enforced absence of Mile Svilar in goal. The Belgian keeper's injury has deprived the team of a charismatic figure and a fundamental reference point for the Giallorossi backline. Despite the efforts of Gollini beforehand, and the recent emergency debut of Devis Vásquez at Old Trafford, the absence of the first-choice keeper continues to be felt in decisive moments. The analysis also points to rotation and mentality under maximum pressure. Difficulties in managing a two-goal lead or in facing late comebacks by opponents reflect, the piece argues, the need to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini. The January transfer window could offer the chance to add experienced players capable of bringing weight and balance to support the club's European ambitions.