Roma lead Europe in pressing intensity, followed by Frosinone

Roberto Pruzzo believes Roma should have little trouble against Sassuolo, saying the visitors lack energy and the Giallorossi must take advantage. Radio pundits across Rome's stations previewed the fixture with a range of views on the lineup and the team's approach. Marco Juric of Manà Manà Sport (90.9) said Roma must not underestimate the commitment required tonight. He reported that Molina is ahead of Lulli for the right flank. In defence, Ghilardi and Mancini are competing for a place in the back line. In midfield, de Roon and Cristante are expected to start again, with Mora, Soulé and Malen forming the attacking trio. Juric added: "Against certain opponents, in my opinion, it makes the right difference to play with Gollini rather than with Vasquez." Pruzzo, on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), said: "It is difficult to find a danger for Roma in tonight's match, because Sassuolo have no energy. I don't know if Aquilani will be able to keep his place. Roma must take advantage of it, they are not finding it hard to win these games. After the cup match there is a need to play a game that allows you to win." Nando Orsi, also on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), said: "Apparently tonight's match for Roma is a walkover. This Sassuolo side has looked like a weak team, which always concedes goals. Today I cannot imagine Roma not returning home with the three points. Sixty minutes are enough, three goals and then they manage the game. I would have played Ndicka against Manchester, not against Sassuolo, but the changes are forced." Orsi added: "The only thing that is asked of Roma is to be more consistent in performance over 90 minutes: it is hard to maintain those rhythms, they need to be managed."

Roma's pundits on Radio Radio have turned their attention to the home fixture against Sassuolo, with several voices stressing that three points would be vital for the squad's morale after a demanding Champions League trip. Matera said: "Against Sassuolo, three points would be important for morale, because you arrive after a Champions League trip that carries with it all of Roma's problems." Carina was the most emphatic, saying: "Roma are doing very well: this is a match to win without if and buts. Sassuolo are in free fall, they have conceded 16 goals in their last four and they have the worst defence in the league." He added that Gollini appears unlikely to play this evening because of back pain, which he described as serious for a goalkeeper, and that Vásquez should therefore get the nod. Carina also hoped Dybala would return after the international break, adding: "If Roma don't do well, Dybala would become a front-page case. Whatever happens, Inter-Como will be a success, provided Roma take the three points." Pruzzo said it was hard to see danger for Roma, because Sassuolo have no energy. He noted that Aquilani, who had been linked with Como, has experienced the exact opposite, and said he did not know whether Aquilani would be able to keep his job. "Roma must take advantage of this: they are not struggling to win these matches," Pruzzo said, adding: "After the cup game there is a need to play a match that allows you to win." Orsi described the game as apparently a stroll and an opportunity to confirm what Roma are doing. He said Sassuolo, who had looked weak against Udinese, always concede goals. "Today I cannot think that Roma won't come home with the three points. If Roma play like Roma for 60 minutes, score three goals and then manage the game." On team selection, he said he would have played N'Dicka against Manchester rather than Sassuolo, but that the changes were forced and the choice was difficult. He added: "The only thing asked of Roma is to be more consistent in their performances over 90 minutes: it is hard to maintain those rhythms, but you have to pace them." On Mancini, Aspri said: "Mancini is not there, we'll see how much this player will be missed. In my opinion his absence will be felt." Marcacci said he almost never drops N'Dicka at this stage and that, at Old Trafford, he would have started with N'Dicka, but that without Balerdi's error the conversation would be about something else. Pugliese said Mancini is important as a player, being the only one who performs the three-man back-line role Gasperini wants, and that the job is wearing, which explains some of his imperfections. He also described Mancini as fundamental psychologically, alongside Cristante, as the voice of Gasperini on the pitch. Pugliese added that Ghilardi can become the strongest defender in this Roma side, and said Balerdi is strong but occasionally suffers lapses. Talk now turns to the Sassuolo fixture and the wider run of games that follows.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off at 20:45, in the eleventh round of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League, a result that followed a first half in which Roma dominated and led by two goals. In the league, however, their form is excellent: they have 24 points from ten matchdays and sit third, after a convincing 5-2 win at Udinese in their last outing. Sassuolo, by contrast, are 17th on 8 points and have lost four consecutive matches. It will also be Alberto Aquilani's first game at the Olimpico as an opposing coach. Roma are without Mile Svilar, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala and Devyne Rensch. Pierluigi Gollini has not fully recovered from a back problem, so Devis Vásquez is expected to start in goal. Manu Koné is doubtful and is unlikely to start. Daniele Ghilardi is pushing Gianluca Mancini for a place in defence, while Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli are expected in midfield. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are favoured on the flanks, and Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen. Aquilani has announced that Domenico Berardi and Volpato are absent, while the rest of the squad is available. He is expected to set out in a 4-3-3 with Turati in goal, Walukiewicz, Caleta-Car, Idzes and Doig in defence, and Thorstvedt back in midfield alongside Matic and Bakola. Up front, with Berardi out, Dominguez, Sebastiano Esposito and Laurienté are likely to start. Marco Di Bello of Brindisi referees, assisted by Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto on VAR and Guida as AVAR. The match will be broadcast live on both DAZN and Sky. On Sky it can be watched on Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Sport 251 and Sky Sport 4K, while streaming is available on DAZN, Sky Go and NOW. Riccardo Gentile will provide the Sky commentary, with technical analysis from Alessio Scarchilli. Bookmakers make Roma clear favourites, with a win priced on average between 1.28 and 1.32, a draw around 6.00-6.50 and a Sassuolo win between 9.00 and 9.75. Over 2.5 goals is priced at around 1.35-1.37. Sassuolo have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four defeats, and Roma scored five in their last league game. The 2-0 scoreline to Roma is the most widely projected correct score, ahead of 2-1 and 3-0.