Roma reopen Cacciamani pursuit as Torino hold back on sale

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."

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 defender D'Amico has said the club must add a pacy external attacker, with the January transfer window the next opportunity to bring in that profile. Speaking ahead of Roma-Sassuolo, a Serie A match for matchday 11, he said the issue had become clear by the end of the summer transfer window. "Sicuramente questa è una problematica che a fine mercato abbiamo capito. Per caratteristiche manca un attaccante esterno di gamba di ripartenza, quindi certamente valuteremo le opportunità nel mercato di gennaio per portare questa nuova caratteristica al mister." The question of whether another wide attacker and further signings could fix Roma's problem with late comebacks was put to him directly. D'Amico's answer makes clear that the club sees a specific gap in its attacking options, one that the squad as it stands does not fill. On Manu Koné, D'Amico was asked whether the club had been in direct contact with the French national team. He replied: "Noi ci confrontiamo un po' con tutte le nazionali. Manu oggi rientra, ha fatto una settimana di allenamenti, il mister ha deciso di schierarlo perchè lo ha visto bene. Questa è la nona partita in 28 giorni e con Manu abbiamo la possibilità di far rifiatare i ragazzi che hanno speso tanto in queste partite." He said Koné returns today after a week of training, that the coach chose to field him because he had seen him in good shape, and that this is the club's ninth match in 28 days, with Koné giving tired players a chance to rest.

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 beat Sassuolo 3-0, with Mario Hermoso earning the top rating of 7.5 for a commanding display that included a goal at a crucial moment. Our rundown of the player ratings from the match highlights the performances across the side. Goalkeeper Devis Vásquez was rated 6 after shaking off the nerves from Manchester, where Roma played last week. The Colombian returned to Serie A after a year and a half away and was called into an early save to deny Matic. It was his only real intervention in a match without any real scares. Balerdi was rated 6.5 and was quick to put the errors of Manchester behind him. He went close twice in the opposition box, though a goal from his third of the season was stopped on the line by Caleta-Car, then he was denied by a save from Muric. Ndicka was rated 6.5 for controlling the centre of defence, neutralising Esposito with ease. Hermoso scored at an important moment and was rated 7.5. Koné was rated 6.5 and was excellent in the middle of the park, showing a wide range of passing and the sharpness to get into the Sassuolo box after six minutes. Cristante was rated 7, winning his duel with Matic and taking control of the midfield before providing a perfect pass to Soulé early in the second half. Wesley was rated 6.5, looking often for Mora and getting forward between Sassuolo's weak lines. Soulé was also rated 6.5, creating danger and troubling Muric from distance, though he was too unselfish when one-on-one with the keeper in the second half. Malen was rated 6.5, involved in both first-half goals: first with a pass for Hermoso's run down the channel, then with a shot deflected by Walukiewicz. He missed an open goal from Soulé's invitation but made amends with an assist for Mora.

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.