Roma name squad for Genoa with five key players out

Gian Piero Gasperini has been forced to promote four Primavera players to the first-team squad for the first time this season after injuries and suspensions ravaged Roma's midfield and attacking ranks. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are both sidelined through injury in midfield, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are unavailable through injury and suspension. Mile Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini continues in goal, having already appeared twice this season. The academy contingent drafted in comprises Antonio Arena, Lorenzo Paratici, Mandjou Camara, and Alessandro Di Nunzio. Arena, born 2009, made his competitive debut last season and scored in the Coppa Italia against Torino. This season he has made 6 appearances in the league and Youth League, contributing 1 goal and 3 assists. Paratici (born 2008), on loan from Sampdoria since summer, has featured 5 times and scored against Fenerbahce. Camara, a 2009-born Guinea international, joined Roma's academy as the final signing by Alberto De Rossi and has impressed the youth coaching staff under Mattia Scala, netting against Empoli after two earlier goals with the Under-18s. Gasperini gave him a run-out in a summer friendly against Trastevere. Di Nunzio, a midfielder born in 2007 who has been at Trigoria for 10 years, won the European Under-17 Championship in 2024 and recently signed a contract extension through 2027. He has scored twice for the Primavera and can operate either as a midfielder or regista.

Rodrigo Mora is set to start for Roma against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October at 20:45, a significant change to the lineup as Gian Piero Gasperini rings alterations following Roma's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The Portuguese midfielder will operate on the attacking midfield, offering Gasperini a fresh solution after the demanding European fixture. This represents an important opportunity for Mora to make an impression from the opening minute. Gasperini is tasked with finding new tactical approaches following the exertions of the midweek European campaign, and the Genoa match offers Roma a chance to recover their Serie A form. The fixture pits Roma against a side managed by Daniele De Rossi, the club's former manager. Mora's selection underlines Gasperini's willingness to adapt his approach as Roma look to build momentum in the league.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his squad for Roma's Serie A fixture against Genoa on matchday seven, with four Primavera players called up to bolster a squad depleted by absences. Di Nunzio, Arena, Paratici and Camara have been aggregated to the first-team group, a decision that underlines the scale of Roma's injury crisis heading into the match. Gasperini signalled before the fixture that he would be prepared to draw on academy talent if needed, and the depth of rotation required for this encounter has now forced his hand. Arena provides a natural alternative in the centre-forward role behind Santiago Castro, while the inclusion of the other three academy prospects reflects an emergency situation rather than a developmental choice. The youth contingent is present out of immediate necessity rather than long-term planning. Gasperini had flagged the likelihood of such a move at the pre-match press conference, when he opened the door to calling upon younger players from the academy as the injury toll mounted. The full squad list reads as follows: Goalkeepers Vásquez, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Pellegrini, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Mora; forwards Castro, Soulé, Arena, Paratici and Camara.

Gian Piero Gasperini has been forced to promote four Primavera players to the first-team squad for the first time this season after injuries and suspensions ravaged Roma's midfield and attacking ranks. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are both sidelined through injury in midfield, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are unavailable through injury and suspension. Mile Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini continues in goal, having already appeared twice this season. The academy contingent drafted in comprises Antonio Arena, Lorenzo Paratici, Mandjou Camara, and Alessandro Di Nunzio. Arena, born 2009, made his competitive debut last season and scored in the Coppa Italia against Torino. This season he has made 6 appearances in the league and Youth League, contributing 1 goal and 3 assists. Paratici (born 2008), on loan from Sampdoria since summer, has featured 5 times and scored against Fenerbahce. Camara, a 2009-born Guinea international, joined Roma's academy as the final signing by Alberto De Rossi and has impressed the youth coaching staff under Mattia Scala, netting against Empoli after two earlier goals with the Under-18s. Gasperini gave him a run-out in a summer friendly against Trastevere. Di Nunzio, a midfielder born in 2007 who has been at Trigoria for 10 years, won the European Under-17 Championship in 2024 and recently signed a contract extension through 2027. He has scored twice for the Primavera and can operate either as a midfielder or regista.

Mile Svilar remains sidelined with injury but is maintaining an intensive training programme to hasten his return. The Roma goalkeeper has been working hard in the gym, with footage of his rehabilitation efforts shared on the club's social media channels. Svilar's continued commitment to his recovery underscores Roma's efforts to have him available as soon as possible. The 27-year-old has been out of action but remains engaged with structured gym work as part of his rehabilitation schedule.

Roma's injury crisis has deepened ahead of their attempt to bounce back from defeat to Real Madrid. Svilar and Cristante were the first to be sidelined, followed by a red card for Malen at Como and injuries to Dybala and Koné. The mounting absences mean Gasperini will field many young players, including Pisilli and Mora, across the pitch. In defence, one change is set to occur. Gianluca Mancini is not fully fit and may start on the bench rather than risk aggravation, prompting a tactical rethink. Balerdi is currently favoured to step in, though Ghilardi, the former Verona player, remains in contention for a starting berth. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso will complete the defensive line.

Gian Piero Gasperini has been forced to promote four Primavera players to the first-team squad for the first time this season after injuries and suspensions ravaged Roma's midfield and attacking ranks. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are both sidelined through injury in midfield, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are unavailable through injury and suspension. Mile Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini continues in goal, having already appeared twice this season. The academy contingent drafted in comprises Antonio Arena, Lorenzo Paratici, Mandjou Camara, and Alessandro Di Nunzio. Arena, born 2009, made his competitive debut last season and scored in the Coppa Italia against Torino. This season he has made 6 appearances in the league and Youth League, contributing 1 goal and 3 assists. Paratici (born 2008), on loan from Sampdoria since summer, has featured 5 times and scored against Fenerbahce. Camara, a 2009-born Guinea international, joined Roma's academy as the final signing by Alberto De Rossi and has impressed the youth coaching staff under Mattia Scala, netting against Empoli after two earlier goals with the Under-18s. Gasperini gave him a run-out in a summer friendly against Trastevere. Di Nunzio, a midfielder born in 2007 who has been at Trigoria for 10 years, won the European Under-17 Championship in 2024 and recently signed a contract extension through 2027. He has scored twice for the Primavera and can operate either as a midfielder or regista.

Roma's injury crisis has deepened ahead of their attempt to bounce back from defeat to Real Madrid. Svilar and Cristante were the first to be sidelined, followed by a red card for Malen at Como and injuries to Dybala and Koné. The mounting absences mean Gasperini will field many young players, including Pisilli and Mora, across the pitch. In defence, one change is set to occur. Gianluca Mancini is not fully fit and may start on the bench rather than risk aggravation, prompting a tactical rethink. Balerdi is currently favoured to step in, though Ghilardi, the former Verona player, remains in contention for a starting berth. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso will complete the defensive line.

Medical tests have cleared Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala of serious injury ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Genoa. Koné sustained a minor first-degree strain to his right hamstring and is expected to miss approximately 20 days, with a possible return between the Manchester United match on 3 November and Sassuolo five days later. Dybala has no muscle damage, only calf fatigue, and will sit out the Genoa game while targeting a return against Slovan Bratislava and Napoli. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without five players for Genoa: Svilar, Dybala, Koné, Cristante and Malen. He is preparing to give playing time to squad depth. The expected lineup includes Lulli at right-back ahead of Molina, with Wesley on the opposite flank and De Roon partnered with Pisilli in midfield. Attack duties will fall to Soulé, Mora and Castro. The main uncertainty centres on defence, where N'Dicka and Hermoso appear most likely, with Balerdi, Ghilardi and Mancini competing for the third centre-back spot. Daniele De Rossi, now Genoa's manager, will return to the Olimpico carrying significant emotional weight. He acknowledged he must be "emotionally colder" against Roma and reaffirmed his bond with the giallorossi: "Fundamentally they will never be adversaries." El Shaarawy and Baldanzi will also return to Rome with Genoa. De Rossi praised Roma's display against Real Madrid, calling them a "frightening" side.

Gian Piero Gasperini has been forced to promote four Primavera players to the first-team squad for the first time this season after injuries and suspensions ravaged Roma's midfield and attacking ranks. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are both sidelined through injury in midfield, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are unavailable through injury and suspension. Mile Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini continues in goal, having already appeared twice this season. The academy contingent drafted in comprises Antonio Arena, Lorenzo Paratici, Mandjou Camara, and Alessandro Di Nunzio. Arena, born 2009, made his competitive debut last season and scored in the Coppa Italia against Torino. This season he has made 6 appearances in the league and Youth League, contributing 1 goal and 3 assists. Paratici (born 2008), on loan from Sampdoria since summer, has featured 5 times and scored against Fenerbahce. Camara, a 2009-born Guinea international, joined Roma's academy as the final signing by Alberto De Rossi and has impressed the youth coaching staff under Mattia Scala, netting against Empoli after two earlier goals with the Under-18s. Gasperini gave him a run-out in a summer friendly against Trastevere. Di Nunzio, a midfielder born in 2007 who has been at Trigoria for 10 years, won the European Under-17 Championship in 2024 and recently signed a contract extension through 2027. He has scored twice for the Primavera and can operate either as a midfielder or regista.

Roma's injury crisis has deepened ahead of their attempt to bounce back from defeat to Real Madrid. Svilar and Cristante were the first to be sidelined, followed by a red card for Malen at Como and injuries to Dybala and Koné. The mounting absences mean Gasperini will field many young players, including Pisilli and Mora, across the pitch. In defence, one change is set to occur. Gianluca Mancini is not fully fit and may start on the bench rather than risk aggravation, prompting a tactical rethink. Balerdi is currently favoured to step in, though Ghilardi, the former Verona player, remains in contention for a starting berth. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso will complete the defensive line.

Medical tests have cleared Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala of serious injury ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Genoa. Koné sustained a minor first-degree strain to his right hamstring and is expected to miss approximately 20 days, with a possible return between the Manchester United match on 3 November and Sassuolo five days later. Dybala has no muscle damage, only calf fatigue, and will sit out the Genoa game while targeting a return against Slovan Bratislava and Napoli. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without five players for Genoa: Svilar, Dybala, Koné, Cristante and Malen. He is preparing to give playing time to squad depth. The expected lineup includes Lulli at right-back ahead of Molina, with Wesley on the opposite flank and De Roon partnered with Pisilli in midfield. Attack duties will fall to Soulé, Mora and Castro. The main uncertainty centres on defence, where N'Dicka and Hermoso appear most likely, with Balerdi, Ghilardi and Mancini competing for the third centre-back spot. Daniele De Rossi, now Genoa's manager, will return to the Olimpico carrying significant emotional weight. He acknowledged he must be "emotionally colder" against Roma and reaffirmed his bond with the giallorossi: "Fundamentally they will never be adversaries." El Shaarawy and Baldanzi will also return to Rome with Genoa. De Rossi praised Roma's display against Real Madrid, calling them a "frightening" side.