Roma revive interest in Gabriel Sara as midfield options are sought

Roma are reportedly showing renewed interest in Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara, according to the German outlet fussball-news.de, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini looks to strengthen the midfield when the January window opens. The report says Gasperini expects to add a midfielder, particularly after the serious injury suffered by Lorenzo Pellegrini. The Brazilian, born in 1999, plays for Galatasaray and has attracted the attention of several clubs. Roma had already sought him a couple of years ago. Napoli are also interested in Italy, while in the Premier League Newcastle and Everton have already expressed interest and are ready to offer around 30 million euros to secure his services. The report places the midfielder among the names under consideration as Roma look to reinforce the department, with the focus falling on a player who could fill the gap left by Pellegrini's absence.

Former Milan and Fiorentina coach Stefano Pioli has revealed that Roma contacted him during September 2024, when the Giallorossi were searching for a replacement for Daniele De Rossi. Speaking on Sky Calcio Club, Pioli said he was approached by the Roman club but had already given his word to Al-Nassr. The approach came as Roma looked for a successor to De Rossi, who had been dismissed as head coach after four matches in 2025. Pioli's comments shed light on the club's search at that time, although he was already committed elsewhere when Roma made their move. Pioli said: "There were moments when everyone called me. Roma too, but the Al-Nassr contract had just arrived and I could not fail to respect the word I had given."

Paulo Fonseca is poised to become the new head coach of Sporting Lisbon, according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports the former Roma and Milan boss has agreed terms with the Portuguese club. The 53-year-old, currently in charge of Lyon, was in the dugout for Lyon's 2-0 win over Angers on Sunday and broke down in tears after the victory. Lyon's win carried a farewell feel, although Fonseca gave little away. "Tomorrow I will be with the group, at the moment there is nothing. Sporting? It is a possibility," he said. According to Romano, Fonseca will take over from Rui Borges next week. The move would see him return to Portugal, where he will coach a club that Roma meet in the Champions League League Phase. Roma host Sporting at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 8 December, in the sixth matchday of the League Phase, so Fonseca will be back in the Italian capital just over a month from now. Fonseca previously coached Roma and Milan, and his return to the Olimpico will be a notable occasion for the Giallorossi as they prepare to face his new club in Europe's top competition.

Roma radio pundits split on whether Gian Piero Gasperini should keep Gianluca Mancini in the back three or give the starting role to Daniele Ghilardi, while also discussing Manchester United's slump ahead of the Champions League meeting. David Rossi of Rete Sport argued that Ghilardi should play, saying: "Ghilardi deve giocare, non Mancini, sia per un discorso difensivo che offensivo." He pointed to Ghilardi's recent form, with two goals in the last two matches, one of them disallowed, and a decisive assist against Cagliari, adding that he had been the best player on the pitch at Lecce. Rossi said Mancini's continued selection was a dressing-room decision, noting that Gasperini had asked for new contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. The debate sits against a strong run for the club. Roma have six matches in a row behind them and have reached the seventh game of a run of nine, which Lorenzo Pes noted with a squad stretched thin. Pes also pointed out that against the same opponents as last season, Roma have seven more points this year. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said the team was showing strong attitude and that Roma were clearly superior to recent years, adding: "non bisogna aver timore di pensare alla vittoria del titolo." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo argued that either Roma or Inter would win the Scudetto, and that a stadium project and a Scudetto would make the Friedkins historic. On team selection, Gianluca Piacentini expected some rotation, with Marten de Roon expected to start because he is due at the press conference, and Niccolò Pisilli seen taking Rodrigo Mora's place. Piacentini said Wesley would not play if Gasperini had seen his social media activity. Pes saw Leonardo Balerdi starting in place of Mario Hermoso, with Devyne Rensch as a card the fans underestimate, and expected the three midfielders to return with Mora coming on during the game. Corsi also argued that Bryan Cristante had become more important than Manu Koné. On Manchester United, Roberto Pruzzo said: "Lo United ha staccato la spina", describing them as weakened and unable to motivate anyone under former player Carrick, and calling it an opportunity to exploit. Nando Orsi warned that Old Trafford is always difficult, saying: "Non so se è sicura la vittoria della Roma." Mario Mattioli added that the team must take the game seriously, that entering Old Trafford is intimidating, and that Roma should avoid thinking only of avenging the seven goals conceded. Piero Torri said a win at Manchester would put Roma three-quarters of the way towards a play-off place, while noting that Inter depend heavily on Lautaro Martínez. The programme also covered refereeing controversies, including a revoked penalty in Como-Venezia that Alessio Nardo called inexplicable, and a player struck in the face in Lazio-Cagliari. Roma's next match is the trip to Manchester United in the Champions League.

Gian Piero Gasperini has reworked Roma's schedule around their Champions League clash at Manchester, with the club's return journey from the away game changed as well. Roma are playing their eighth match in 24 days and have had to do much of that without Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante, leaving the squad stretched. A win in Manchester would all but seal a play-off place, but Roma must also break their Old Trafford hoodoo and cope with fatigue. After Tuesday's match against Cagliari, Gasperini gave the players a day off, with training resuming on Thursday. The squad leave for Udine on Friday, play on Saturday, and then stay in Friuli rather than returning to Rome. Roma have been in Manchester since yesterday, and the return plan differs from previous away trips. There will be no overnight journey after the match; instead, the team depart at 10.45 the following morning. The squad are due back at Trigoria on Wednesday afternoon, and from Thursday the focus shifts to Sassuolo. The lighter schedule is meant to help the players recover quickly before Saturday evening's fixture against the Neroverdi at the Stadio Olimpico. The move is designed to reduce physical and mental strain on a squad short of options, with Gasperini studying a plan to manage the team's energy levels across the run of games.

Stefano Pioli has revealed that Roma considered him before choosing Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach. Speaking to Sky Sport, Pioli said: "There were moments when everyone called me. Roma too, but I had just received the contract from Al Nassr and I could not fail to honour my word." The club's interest came after Claudio Ranieri's departure, and Pioli was among the profiles the Giallorossi weighed up before settling on Gasperini. Bryan Cristante is set to be the only player on the pitch tomorrow who was also involved in Roma's last meeting at Old Trafford, the first leg of a Europa League semi-final they lost to Manchester United. Cristante arrives in excellent form after his goal and outstanding performance in Udine, and Gasperini still regards him as indispensable. He is expected to lead the midfield again, probably alongside De Roon, with Pisilli playing further forward. There is no fitness boost for Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné, who are both expected to miss out against Sassuolo, which takes place tomorrow, 3 November 2026. The update came in Il Tempo's round-up of Roma news, which also included the Pioli revelation and the midfield plans for the coming match.