Roma line up €40m bid for Lyon winger Fofana

Roma sporting director D'Amico has confirmed that signing an attacking winger with real pace is the club's priority as the January transfer window approaches. Speaking to Sky Sport, he said: "This is the problem we realised at the end of the market."

Roma are looking to bring in at least one new signing in January, with Gian Piero Gasperini seeking an attacking winger, and Gittens is the name consistently linked to the position. Fabrizio Romano reports that the Englishman is currently the front-runner, although he is presently injured. Chelsea did not open the door to a loan last summer, but the London club could be willing to consider a temporary transfer in January. The club's sporting director D'Amico addressed the market before the Roma-Sassuolo match, making clear the squad's needs. Roma are looking to add a winger with pace on the break to the squad. D'Amico said: "Ci manca un esterno di gamba, di ripartenza. Cercheremo di farlo a gennaio valutando le opportunità. Cercheremo di dare queste caratteristiche al mister." In English: "We are missing a winger with legs, one who can counter-attack. We will try to do it in January, evaluating the opportunities. We will try to give these characteristics to the coach."

Tony D'Amico has said Roma need a winger with pace and counter-attacking quality, and the club will try to sign one in January. Speaking to SkySport before the match against Sassuolo, he said the need became clear at the end of the transfer window. "This is the problem we realised at the end of the transfer window. We lack a winger with pace, for counter-attacks. We will try to get one in January, weighing up the opportunities. We will try to give these qualities to the coach." Asked whether an extra attacking winger would help solve Roma's problem of coming back from behind, D'Amico agreed it was a key issue. He also addressed the club's dealings with national teams over Manu Koné, saying Roma talk to all national teams. Koné returns today after a good week of training, and the coach has decided to play him, which D'Amico said pleased the club. This is the ninth match in 28 days, and with Koné in the side, the club can rest others who have played a lot in these games. On the atmosphere in Manchester, D'Amico said: "You know environments like Manchester's. The stadium pushed hard, but I think it was there, and against Real, that they showed us a great Roma imposing its game. Against these teams there are moments of difficulty. The penalty, I think, was more than generous. It was a difficult moment, but that does not mean a penalty like that should be given. These experiences are still important for a Roma that, after seven years, is back in the Champions League. It serves all of us, including the club."

Roma beat Sassuolo with composure, quality and collective sharpness, with Soulé and Mora taking centre stage and Rodrigo Mora finding his third league goal in three consecutive matches. Mario Hermoso gave Roma the lead with a powerful strike just minutes after an own goal forced by Donyell Malen, and the match was effectively settled from there. Vásquez, in the words of the match report, had practically a day off in goal. The win followed a difficult spell for the club, and the report describes it as a cycle of passion that has now ended with a chance to breathe before the end of November, which brings Parma and PSG. Roma's form in the league has been strong, and Mora's scoring run has made him a key figure in the attack. Gasperini's side regained control of the match after a heavy setback in England, starting cautiously and calmly before finding the gap in the Sassuolo defence after half an hour. Hermoso was rated 7.5 for a performance in which he played as an improvised partner to Malen, opened the scoring with a goal from the edge of the box, and was involved in the third goal after winning the ball. Balerdi (6.5) produced a headed clearance on the line and a shot from distance, while N'Dicka (6.5) was calm and composed. Cristante (6.5) covered an impressive distance, and Koné (6.5) controlled the midfield with calm and intelligence, though the report suggested he could shoot more often. Soulé (6.5) was praised for his control but criticised for choosing not to shoot into an empty net. Mora was rated 7, with the report calling his left foot velvet-soft and noting he ran as much as Cristante in the first half. Malen (6.5) was marked closely throughout, but scored with a diagonal shot after a double deflection and created an assist for Mora. Gasperini was rated 7 for restoring the team's composure after the English defeat and taking total control of the game. Molina (6) was criticised for focusing too often on backward passes, while Wesley (6) was sharp when Sassuolo tried to close space. Substitutes included Ghilardi, Koulierakis, de Roon (6), Pisilli (6) and Castro. Gasperini said: "giochiamoci questo campionato", which can be rendered as: "Let's play for this league title." The sentiment follows his earlier comment that he would not settle for second place. Roma now face a short break before the Parma match and PSG at the end of November.

Rodrigo Mora has said he knew early on how strong his Roma teammates were, speaking to Sky Sport after scoring. Asked to comment on his goal, he praised the pass from Donyell Malen, saying it was a really good ball. When asked whether he expected this team to be so strong straight away, Mora said: "We must certainly keep going like this. But I noticed during training how strong my teammates were, and I knew it." Mora also reflected on his own start at the club. He admitted he did not play as he had expected at first, and said that is simply how football works. "That's football. At the beginning you don't play and you think you should be playing. Then suddenly you start to play," he said, describing how his role changed once he settled in. The Portugal international's comments point to a squad he believes is capable of more and a player who has moved from the bench to a regular place in the side. His message to the squad is to build on what they are doing now rather than let up.

Rodrigo Mora has praised Roma's strength after a win over Sassuolo, speaking to SkySport at the final whistle, and said he has scored in three consecutive league matches. He said he had been lucky to score another important goal, thanks to a fine pass from Donyell Malen. Mora said: "A great pass from Malen, I had a go and today I was lucky to score another important goal and Roma keep winning." Asked whether he expected a team this strong, Mora said: "Yes, I thought it was a strong team, I saw it in training too and we are showing it on the pitch. We have to keep going like this and it will go well." On his own role, and how things have changed since the start of the season, with more game time now, he said: "Football is crazy, sometimes you play and sometimes you don't, but you have to be ready. It's my third consecutive league goal and I'm very happy." Mora also spoke about his call-up to the Portugal squad. He said: "I'm proud, it's a pleasure to play for the national team. Ronaldo won't be there, but he is my idol, and I learned a lot from him when we shared the dressing room."

Roma beat Sassuolo with composure, quality and collective sharpness, with Soulé and Mora taking centre stage and Rodrigo Mora finding his third league goal in three consecutive matches. Mario Hermoso gave Roma the lead with a powerful strike just minutes after an own goal forced by Donyell Malen, and the match was effectively settled from there. Vásquez, in the words of the match report, had practically a day off in goal. The win followed a difficult spell for the club, and the report describes it as a cycle of passion that has now ended with a chance to breathe before the end of November, which brings Parma and PSG. Roma's form in the league has been strong, and Mora's scoring run has made him a key figure in the attack. Gasperini's side regained control of the match after a heavy setback in England, starting cautiously and calmly before finding the gap in the Sassuolo defence after half an hour. Hermoso was rated 7.5 for a performance in which he played as an improvised partner to Malen, opened the scoring with a goal from the edge of the box, and was involved in the third goal after winning the ball. Balerdi (6.5) produced a headed clearance on the line and a shot from distance, while N'Dicka (6.5) was calm and composed. Cristante (6.5) covered an impressive distance, and Koné (6.5) controlled the midfield with calm and intelligence, though the report suggested he could shoot more often. Soulé (6.5) was praised for his control but criticised for choosing not to shoot into an empty net. Mora was rated 7, with the report calling his left foot velvet-soft and noting he ran as much as Cristante in the first half. Malen (6.5) was marked closely throughout, but scored with a diagonal shot after a double deflection and created an assist for Mora. Gasperini was rated 7 for restoring the team's composure after the English defeat and taking total control of the game. Molina (6) was criticised for focusing too often on backward passes, while Wesley (6) was sharp when Sassuolo tried to close space. Substitutes included Ghilardi, Koulierakis, de Roon (6), Pisilli (6) and Castro. Gasperini said: "giochiamoci questo campionato", which can be rendered as: "Let's play for this league title." The sentiment follows his earlier comment that he would not settle for second place. Roma now face a short break before the Parma match and PSG at the end of November.

Roma eased past Sassuolo 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in their Serie A matchday 11 fixture, a comfortable win that was never in serious doubt. Gian Piero Gasperini's side took the lead through Mario Hermoso, who controlled the ball in the area, set it onto his left foot and drove it into the net, a goal that broke open a difficult game. Malen's cross-field play led to an own goal that doubled the lead, and Rodrigo Mora finished off the 3-0 scoreline in the second half. The result came against a Sassuolo side that offered little in attack. Roma struggled to break down their wall for long spells, which made Hermoso's finish all the more important. Gasperini's team were not at their most fluent, but they controlled the match and showed the qualities and organisation that have marked their season. Arriving at the international break with this level of performance, despite a crowded fixture schedule and several absences, is a strong return for the squad. In the player ratings, Hermoso earned a 7.5 for his goal and a display of quality, with openings and illuminating touches. Balerdi was rated a 7 for a commanding performance, going close with a central run that Muric turned behind for a corner. Koné also received a 7, providing balance in midfield and offering dangerous central runs, while Cristante rose to a 7 after a shaky start, taking control of the midfield in the second half. Mora, also rated 7, was described as having a special touch, with a finish in the second half that was far from straightforward. Gasperini himself was given a 7. Ndicka and Molina both earned 6.5, Ndicka for a solid defensive display and Molina for growing into the game after a quiet first half. Wesley and Soulé were each rated 6.5. Wesley worked tirelessly but lacked the final ball, while Soulé kept possession well without a goal or assist. Vásquez received a 6, having had little to do. Malen was rated a 6, having wasted an incredible number of chances despite his involvement in the opening goal, the own goal and the assist for Mora's third. Pisilli, who came on in the 65th minute, was also rated a 6 after several efforts that Muric stopped, and De Roon, also introduced on 65 minutes, earned a 6 for his composure in midfield. Koulierakis and Castro came on in the 76th minute, and Ghilardi replaced Balerdi in the 84th, with no ratings given for their short appearances. The result leaves Roma with a clean sheet and three goals, with Gasperini's side described as having made a significant step forward. The next Roma fixture is not covered in the report.

Roma were coasting at the Stadio Olimpico, leading Sassuolo 3-0 in their Serie A eleventh-round match. Hermoso opened the scoring at 26′ with a left-footed strike under the crossbar, and Sassuolo's Walukiewicz turned a Malen shot into his own net at 30′. Rodrigo Mora made it three at 58′, cutting inside, beating a defender and finishing across Muric after a pass from Malen. The result came straight after Roma's painful comeback defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side were looking to bounce back immediately and stay in the upper reaches of the table. Gasperini was without several players: Svilar, Dybala, Pellegrini and Rensch were all out, while Gollini was not yet fully fit, which meant Vásquez started in goal again. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrived without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Roma named Vásquez; Balerdi, Ndicka and Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Konè and Wesley; Soulé and Mora; and Malen. Konè started alongside Cristante, with Balerdi replacing the injured Mancini in defence. Sassuolo lined up with Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Caleta-Car and Cinquegrano; Sulemana, Matic, Thorstvedt and Doig; Laurienté and Esposito. Roma struggled to find space in the first half against a compact Sassuolo side, which made Hermoso's opener all the more important. Sassuolo's only real danger before half-time came late through Idzes, whose diagonal shot tested Vásquez. Roma missed several chances to extend the lead. Soulé failed to score from close range after a 48′ breakaway, Malen had a 54′ effort that Muric saved, and Malen again wasted a 70′ opportunity with a soft touch that did not beat the keeper. Molina also fired a 68′ shot wide, and Pisilli saw a 78′ strike blocked by Muric. Sassuolo made changes at the break, with Van der Brempt replacing Matic. Roma did not change at half-time. Gasperini made several substitutions later in the match: at 65′ De Roon and Pisilli came on for Konè and Mora, at 76′ Castro replaced Malen and Koulierakis replaced Hermoso, and at 84′ Ghilardi came on for Balerdi. Sassuolo brought on Adzic and Lipani for Thorstvedt and Esposito at 69′. The match was officiated by referee Di Bello of Brindisi, with assistants Peretti and Scatragli, fourth official Abisso, VAR Pezzuto and assistant VAR Guida. The live coverage ran from the pre-match build-up until the final whistle, with team news and in-game updates throughout.