Press ConferenceInjury● AI
1h agoGasperini confirms Svilar out for a month with stress fracture; Gollini to start against Como
Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 10 October ahead of Roma's fixture at Como on 12 October at 12:30, confirming that goalkeeper Mile Svilar will miss approximately one month after suffering a stress fracture to his foot during a training session. Svilar sustained the injury a week ago following a push during the session; the fracture is not displaced but requires around a month of recovery, with medical staff evaluating whether to insert a screw—a procedure that would extend his absence. Pierluigi Gollini will take his place in goal. Gasperini described the injury as "a bad blow", but noted that in long seasons such setbacks can occur. He added: "He will be back after the break. It is a difficult situation, but in lengthy campaigns you can face unexpected problems of this type. Gollini will play and he will have the opportunity to become the important goalkeeper he has been."
Konstantinos Koulierakis is also unavailable, having sustained a contusion while on international duty, though Gasperini expects him to return on Monday. Bryan Cristante was noted as the only player to underperform during a full-squad training session on 9 October. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who benefited from recovery time during the international break, is ready to start. Gasperini defended Gollini's credentials despite limited recent playing time: "I was the only one to use him with continuity at Atalanta. He is an excellent reserve goalkeeper and now has the chance to play many matches. When he was at Atalanta he also became Italy's third-choice keeper. He has always trained well and is a valuable player. He deserves everyone's confidence—we are certainly not talking about a goalkeeper with no career experience."
Gasperini discussed Roma's tactical outlook and the challenge ahead. "The Inter side, in the judgment of almost everyone, appears to be one step above the others," he said. "We played a very good match against Inter—from my perspective, an extremely positive one—and we must build on that performance. Como, like us, Juventus, Milan, Napoli, Atalanta and perhaps other surprises, form part of that group of teams competing for the best positions behind Inter, hoping that occasionally they might stumble." He confirmed that Wesley has performed excellently in the early season, notably against Inter, and outlined his rotation strategy: "Given that we must play nine matches in twenty-seven days, I believe there will be real opportunity to rotate all the players." On defending set-piece situations after the interval, Gasperini suggested the issue stemmed more from individual episodes than a systemic defensive problem. He also addressed Roma's passionate fanbase, stating: "I do not have to win anyone over—it is the opposite. The people, with the enormous passion they have for this team, infect me and the players. The situation is reversed. Playing surrounded by this passion and enthusiasm, with a stadium always so full, I believe is something extremely favourable and positive, which the squad and players feel in a particular way."
Gasperini emphasised the importance of squad depth given the fixture congestion. He will have 18 outfield players plus Gollini available, with 16 starting in matches. "I hope that message gets through," he said. "Today I do not know who will play against Real Madrid, against Genoa, against Slovan, or in all the matches we face until Sassuolo. I simply hope we do not suffer further injuries like Svilar's." On Roma's ownership, he noted: "For a team to become great, as I understand it, I believe it is important also to have an ownership close by. I came here after speaking with Dan and Ryan, and that was precisely what convinced me that important work could be done. I hope there is still the same idea and vision."
