Roma take stock after Old Trafford as Gasperini's thin squad comes under scrutiny

Roma's run of nine matches in 27 days ends at the Stadio Olimpico the day after next, bringing a demanding spell that has tested the squad on three fronts. The sequence began with Como and Sassuolo, with Champions League fixtures in between, and the last of them is the trip to Manchester United, who could overturn Roma's initial two-goal advantage. The working assumption, noted since late August, is that Roma have improved on last season's third-place finish. Simone Valdarchi, writing in Il Tempo, credits the greater understanding between coach and squad, with the club's transfer business also playing a part. A second, fairly obvious view is that the squad is short in depth. Even if it is not inadequate, it is thin enough to be stretched across three competitions. That is the stress test, and some players have passed it. Soulé's form over this period has stood out, and he has become a key technical reference in the trequarti. Still, the article argues that the team needs something more to keep progressing. D'Amico knows this well.

Roma's excellent run of results and defensive balance in Serie A has not carried over to the Champions League, where the club continues to suffer lapses in the big European fixtures, according to Il Messaggero. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have conceded 10 goals in Serie A while scoring 28, but in their seven continental matches, including the qualifiers and group stage, they have scored just 8 and conceded 10. The negative trend is compounded by 14 goals conceded across their last seven official games in all competitions. A key factor identified in the analysis is the enforced absence of Mile Svilar in goal. The Belgian keeper's injury has deprived the team of a charismatic figure and a fundamental reference point for the Giallorossi backline. Despite the efforts of Gollini beforehand, and the recent emergency debut of Devis Vásquez at Old Trafford, the absence of the first-choice keeper continues to be felt in decisive moments. The analysis also points to rotation and mentality under maximum pressure. Difficulties in managing a two-goal lead or in facing late comebacks by opponents reflect, the piece argues, the need to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini. The January transfer window could offer the chance to add experienced players capable of bringing weight and balance to support the club's European ambitions.

Roma's defensive troubles cannot be blamed solely on the absence of goalkeeper Mile Svilar, though the Belgian's impact was clear when he was fit and his absence has been felt since he was sidelined by a finger injury. Before Svilar stepped aside, Roma had conceded four goals: one against Atalanta (Krstovic), one against Fenerbahce (Brown) and two against Inter (a brace from Lautaro). Since then, Roma have shown problems at the back, despite the far from ordinary performances of Gollini. The real imbalance has come in the Champions League, where Roma have conceded eight and scored ten. In Serie A they have conceded 28 and scored 10. The problem Roma continue to struggle with is most evident against the strongest and most prestigious opponents. Gasperini believes the cause is probably a lack of concentration, linked to a missing mentality. The side often gives up control of matches at the first difficulty, a trend present since the start of the season in both league and cup. Roma have suffered comebacks and goals conceded shortly after half-time, and the side has been unable to change the rhythm of games when things go wrong. The group loses its bearings at the first setback and, knowing only one way to play, struggles to create a different tempo or new momentum, Como aside. Finally, the article points to a problem that investment can solve. Roma's squad is very good for the league, but not yet for the demanding double commitment of playing in both Serie A and the Champions League.

Roma head into the international break with their whole squad available to Gian Piero Gasperini, and the fixture list is now working in their favour. The club have played nine matches in 27 days, and a run of more winnable games is set to follow. This Saturday Sassuolo visit the Stadio Olimpico, a side in serious crisis with coach Aquilani reportedly at risk of being dismissed despite a strong start to the season. The break comes at a crucial moment for Roma, allowing Gasperini to gradually bring back all of his injured players. Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala both hope to be available in two days' time, but after a month out both will certainly be ready for the trip to Parma. Mile Svilar returns in goal at the Tardini. Devyne Rensch, who is dealing with an adductor strain, undergoes instrumental tests today and has two weeks to return to full availability. The next league fixtures for Malen and his team are, on paper at least, easier: Sassuolo, Parma, Monza and Bologna in a row. That gives Roma the chance to build a winning run before the derby against Lazio. In between come the daunting trip to Paris and the Champions League clash with Sporting CP.

Matías Soulé has been the standout Roma performer in a grey night at Old Trafford, scoring his first Champions League goal and winning the penalty that Donyell Malen converted, in a game Roma ultimately lost. According to Daniele Aloisi in Il Messaggero, the Argentine is enjoying his best form yet, and the attacking hub for Roma's offence has been Soulé rather than Paulo Dybala, who is currently absent. Soulé has already scored four goals this season, against Lecce, Atalanta, Napoli and Manchester United, and has provided five assists, with his assists coming against Atalanta, Real Madrid (two) and Udinese (two). Last season, at the same stage, he had also scored the same number of goals but only two assists. He is playing a more decisive role than before, and for the first time since joining the club he is not leaving a noticeable gap without Dybala. The article describes Dybala as having become a technical leader, having put behind him the groin problem and, above all, a complicated summer. Soulé had been in the shadows during big matches last season, when his goals came against Pisa, Verona, Fiorentina, Rangers, Cremonese, Genoa and Sassuolo. Soulé has also been recalled to the Argentina squad by coach Scaloni, alongside Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro, and he is set to be the focus of the two friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Roma's defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United have exposed a squad that Gian Piero Gasperini's side do not yet appear to have equipped to sustain their high tempo for ninety minutes against Europe's top clubs. The problem, the report says, goes beyond mental resilience. Roma's intense style of aggression, individual duels and constant off-the-ball movement drains energy quickly, and when it does, the limits of the rotations show. The absences of Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala weighed heavily in Manchester, where Gasperini could not find the substitutions needed to counter the English comeback. In Serie A, eight of the ten goals Roma have conceded have come in the second half, a fragility that becomes even more glaring against high-calibre opposition. The gaps left by the summer transfer market have come back into focus. Roma are missing above all a quick attacking winger capable of beating a man and turning a move around, along with a midfielder who can offer quality and freshness in rotation. January could prove decisive. Sporting director Tony D'Amico continues to monitor several attacking profiles. Chief among them is Jamie Gittens of Chelsea, for whom, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, a January offensive is ready. Alternatives include Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart, Giorgi Kvernadze of Frosinone and the dream target Endrick of Real Madrid. The aim would be to find an opportunity, preferably on loan, to add a player who is ready and able to have an immediate impact, in the mould of the Malen deal. A midfield addition would also allow Gasperini to manage energy levels better and give him an extra option in the most pressured moments. The report stresses that Roma have shown they can overpower Europe's elite but must still learn to sustain that level across a full match. Revolution is not required, it says, only completing a squad that is already performing well with the quality backups currently missing, because the definitive step forward also depends on a bench worthy of Roma's ambitions.

Roma's excellent run of results and defensive balance in Serie A has not carried over to the Champions League, where the club continues to suffer lapses in the big European fixtures, according to Il Messaggero. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have conceded 10 goals in Serie A while scoring 28, but in their seven continental matches, including the qualifiers and group stage, they have scored just 8 and conceded 10. The negative trend is compounded by 14 goals conceded across their last seven official games in all competitions. A key factor identified in the analysis is the enforced absence of Mile Svilar in goal. The Belgian keeper's injury has deprived the team of a charismatic figure and a fundamental reference point for the Giallorossi backline. Despite the efforts of Gollini beforehand, and the recent emergency debut of Devis Vásquez at Old Trafford, the absence of the first-choice keeper continues to be felt in decisive moments. The analysis also points to rotation and mentality under maximum pressure. Difficulties in managing a two-goal lead or in facing late comebacks by opponents reflect, the piece argues, the need to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini. The January transfer window could offer the chance to add experienced players capable of bringing weight and balance to support the club's European ambitions.

Roma's defensive troubles cannot be blamed solely on the absence of goalkeeper Mile Svilar, though the Belgian's impact was clear when he was fit and his absence has been felt since he was sidelined by a finger injury. Before Svilar stepped aside, Roma had conceded four goals: one against Atalanta (Krstovic), one against Fenerbahce (Brown) and two against Inter (a brace from Lautaro). Since then, Roma have shown problems at the back, despite the far from ordinary performances of Gollini. The real imbalance has come in the Champions League, where Roma have conceded eight and scored ten. In Serie A they have conceded 28 and scored 10. The problem Roma continue to struggle with is most evident against the strongest and most prestigious opponents. Gasperini believes the cause is probably a lack of concentration, linked to a missing mentality. The side often gives up control of matches at the first difficulty, a trend present since the start of the season in both league and cup. Roma have suffered comebacks and goals conceded shortly after half-time, and the side has been unable to change the rhythm of games when things go wrong. The group loses its bearings at the first setback and, knowing only one way to play, struggles to create a different tempo or new momentum, Como aside. Finally, the article points to a problem that investment can solve. Roma's squad is very good for the league, but not yet for the demanding double commitment of playing in both Serie A and the Champions League.

Roma returned to Trigoria on Wednesday evening after their Champions League trip to Manchester United and began preparing immediately for the Serie A match against Sassuolo, with little time to regroup. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping to recover several key players from the treatment room. Manu Koné is progressing well towards full recovery and is aiming to be in contention for a place in the side against the neroverdi. Paulo Dybala has been back training on the pitch for a few days, but the medical staff's caution means he is unlikely to risk excessive effort, making a return to the matchday squad after the international break more likely. In goal, the situation is being monitored closely after recent physical problems. Gasperini returned from England still doubtful over Pierluigi Gollini, who is struggling with back discomfort that will be assessed day by day up to the eve of the match. If Gollini is ruled out, Colombian Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, is ready to keep his place between the posts for the league fixture as well. Devyne Rensch has also joined the injury list, suffering a muscle strain in his right adductor, and will undergo instrumental tests to determine his recovery time precisely. Gasperini and his staff are weighing up alternatives to reshape the team for the home match against Sassuolo. The Italian report confirms that the Roma squad's fitness updates will continue to be assessed through the coming days, with the coach balancing the returns of Koné and Dybala against the continued uncertainty at goalkeeper and right-back.

Roma's excellent run of results and defensive balance in Serie A has not carried over to the Champions League, where the club continues to suffer lapses in the big European fixtures, according to Il Messaggero. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have conceded 10 goals in Serie A while scoring 28, but in their seven continental matches, including the qualifiers and group stage, they have scored just 8 and conceded 10. The negative trend is compounded by 14 goals conceded across their last seven official games in all competitions. A key factor identified in the analysis is the enforced absence of Mile Svilar in goal. The Belgian keeper's injury has deprived the team of a charismatic figure and a fundamental reference point for the Giallorossi backline. Despite the efforts of Gollini beforehand, and the recent emergency debut of Devis Vásquez at Old Trafford, the absence of the first-choice keeper continues to be felt in decisive moments. The analysis also points to rotation and mentality under maximum pressure. Difficulties in managing a two-goal lead or in facing late comebacks by opponents reflect, the piece argues, the need to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini. The January transfer window could offer the chance to add experienced players capable of bringing weight and balance to support the club's European ambitions.

Roma returned to Trigoria on Wednesday evening after their Champions League trip to Manchester United and began preparing immediately for the Serie A match against Sassuolo, with little time to regroup. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping to recover several key players from the treatment room. Manu Koné is progressing well towards full recovery and is aiming to be in contention for a place in the side against the neroverdi. Paulo Dybala has been back training on the pitch for a few days, but the medical staff's caution means he is unlikely to risk excessive effort, making a return to the matchday squad after the international break more likely. In goal, the situation is being monitored closely after recent physical problems. Gasperini returned from England still doubtful over Pierluigi Gollini, who is struggling with back discomfort that will be assessed day by day up to the eve of the match. If Gollini is ruled out, Colombian Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, is ready to keep his place between the posts for the league fixture as well. Devyne Rensch has also joined the injury list, suffering a muscle strain in his right adductor, and will undergo instrumental tests to determine his recovery time precisely. Gasperini and his staff are weighing up alternatives to reshape the team for the home match against Sassuolo. The Italian report confirms that the Roma squad's fitness updates will continue to be assessed through the coming days, with the coach balancing the returns of Koné and Dybala against the continued uncertainty at goalkeeper and right-back.

Roma are preparing for Saturday evening's trip to Sassuolo, where former player Alberto Aquilani is in charge, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini hoping to have some key players back before the international break. The club is still reeling from its defeat to Manchester United, and the injury news from the treatment room is mixed. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Paulo Dybala faces a decisive fitness test today to check whether the calf problem that has troubled him is fully resolved. The Argentine hopes to earn at least a place in the squad, but the medical staff are not willing to take risks. Sky Sport's latest information is more pessimistic, pointing towards a return after the break. Manu Koné appears to have put his thigh muscle problem behind him and is completing his recovery. The Frenchman's involvement against Sassuolo remains difficult, particularly given his upcoming commitments with the national team, and caution prevails. There is more hope surrounding Pierluigi Gollini, who is out with a back problem but is improving. The goalkeeper could be available again on Saturday; otherwise, Vásquez will once again be tasked with defending the Giallorossi goal. Mile Svilar has no chance of returning before the break. Devyne Rensch's absence is already certain: tests carried out yesterday revealed a slight tear to his right adductor, sustained during the match against Manchester United. The Dutchman is expected to be sidelined for about three weeks.