Roma v Sassuolo: Mancini on management only, Koné faces decisive fitness test

Roma head into the Serie A match against Sassuolo with a complicated injury list, with goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini a major doubt. Gollini is sidelined by a back problem and his fitness will only be assessed at the last moment, which could open the way for him to start from the first minute if he is passed fit. Defender Devyne Rensch has suffered a first-degree tear to his right adductor after going off early in Roma's Champions League clash with Manchester United. He will be out for around twenty days. Paulo Dybala is also already ruled out, with his return now scheduled for directly after the international break. Il Tempo reports cautious optimism over Manu Koné. The French midfielder has trained individually on the pitch after returning from England and is determined to earn a call-up for the match at the Olimpico against Sassuolo, which would give Gian Piero Gasperini a valuable option to bring on during the game. Meanwhile, Roma's players have received official call-ups for their respective national teams ahead of the international fixtures.

Roma continue to battle an injury crisis ahead of their home match against Sassuolo, with Gian Piero Gasperini left with a severely reduced set of options. The latest absence is Devyne Rensch, whose instrumental tests revealed a first-degree tear of the long adductor in his right leg. He is expected to be out for around three weeks, with a return planned after the international break. Paulo Dybala will not feature. He has yet to recover and will continue personalised training, aiming to be available again directly after the national team commitments. There is slightly better news on Manu Koné, the French midfielder, who has completed individualised work on the pitch and will undergo the final decisive test today to determine whether he can be included at least in the matchday squad and start on the bench. In midfield, given the fatigue accumulated over recent weeks, Cristante and De Roon will form the pairing to lead the engine room, with Pisilli ready to contribute. The goalkeeping position also needs close monitoring. Pierluigi Gollini remains in serious doubt because of a back problem that could force him to withdraw, despite attempting to play through with infiltrations. If Gollini cannot recover, Devis Vásquez is ready to return to the starting lineup from the first minute, a place in Serie A he would win back after many months. Ndicka is set to return to the defence, while Mancini is being managed under a planned programme. Up front, Malen and Soulé will lead the attack with Mora in support.

Pierluigi Gollini is in danger of missing Roma's next match, with his recovery from a back problem for Sunday's clash against Sassuolo looking increasingly difficult. The goalkeeper was forced to sit out the Manchester United-Roma game, and the club at Trigoria is considering an injection to ease the pain and make him available. For now, pessimism prevails. Gollini's condition is improving, but the discomfort has not yet fully cleared, and the medical staff must decide whether it is wise to risk him in the final fixture before the international break. If he is ruled out again, Devis Vásquez will once more be asked to guard Roma's goal. The Colombian was called into action at Old Trafford unexpectedly and is currently the favourite to start against the side coached by Alberto Aquilani. Gasperini will therefore have to prepare for the possibility of relying on his third-choice goalkeeper again. Mile Svilar has no chance of returning in time, with his comeback expected only after the international break. Training and final medical assessments will clarify Gollini's chances, but for now the Vásquez option remains the most likely scenario.

Pierluigi Gollini is in danger of missing Roma's next match, with his recovery from a back problem for Sunday's clash against Sassuolo looking increasingly difficult. The goalkeeper was forced to sit out the Manchester United-Roma game, and the club at Trigoria is considering an injection to ease the pain and make him available. For now, pessimism prevails. Gollini's condition is improving, but the discomfort has not yet fully cleared, and the medical staff must decide whether it is wise to risk him in the final fixture before the international break. If he is ruled out again, Devis Vásquez will once more be asked to guard Roma's goal. The Colombian was called into action at Old Trafford unexpectedly and is currently the favourite to start against the side coached by Alberto Aquilani. Gasperini will therefore have to prepare for the possibility of relying on his third-choice goalkeeper again. Mile Svilar has no chance of returning in time, with his comeback expected only after the international break. Training and final medical assessments will clarify Gollini's chances, but for now the Vásquez option remains the most likely scenario.

Roma have conceded 10 goals in their last four official matches, a sharp reversal from the opening ten fixtures of the season, when the defence let in just 8 and kept a clean sheet on six occasions. Gian Piero Gasperini's immediate priority is to shore up a backline that has been leaking goals, with the side preparing to face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in their final match before the international break. The defeat at Manchester United, decided by the narrowest of margins, is still fresh. The goals conceded in that run came from Napoli (3), Cagliari (2), Udinese (2) and Manchester United at Old Trafford (3). The absence of Mile Svilar, considered one of the best goalkeepers in his position in Europe, has deprived the team of a fundamental figure, and the prolonged absence has weighed heavily on the team's form. Behind him, physical problems for Pierluigi Gollini have complicated the coaching staff's plans, forcing the Colombian Devis Vásquez into an emergency debut. Gollini will try to push through and recover with infiltrations ahead of the Sassuolo game, but his fitness assessments remain at Trigoria. Elsewhere, Manu Koné is pushing for a call-up after completing differentiated training. Paulo Dybala and Devyne Rensch will return to availability after the break; Rensch is sidelined by a first-degree adductor injury that will require around three weeks out of action.

Roma return to action tomorrow evening at a sold-out Stadio Olimpico against Sassuolo, just before the international break, and must quickly erase the sting of their comeback defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League. The aim is a third consecutive league win, but first Gian Piero Gasperini must stop the flow of goals conceded. Roma have shipped 10 goals in their last four matches: three against Napoli, two against Cagliari, two against Udinese and three against Manchester United. The average number of goals conceded per 90 minutes has tripled since the start of the season, rising from 0.8 to 2.5. Injuries explain part of the problem, starting in goal. Mile Svilar, one of the best goalkeepers in his position in Europe, is a heavy absence, and his backup Pierluigi Gollini has also been hurt, forcing Devis Vásquez into the side. Vásquez was not even on the Serie A or UEFA lists. Svilar will not return until after the break. Whether Gollini is available tomorrow remains in doubt. At Trigoria, the club are confident he can be made available to Gasperini with injections, but for now Vásquez holds the advantage in the race for the starting place. Whoever plays in goal, Roma must rediscover the defensive solidity they have lost against Sassuolo. The report was written by Simone Valdarchi for Il Corriere della Sera.

Roma head into the Serie A match against Sassuolo with a complicated injury list, with goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini a major doubt. Gollini is sidelined by a back problem and his fitness will only be assessed at the last moment, which could open the way for him to start from the first minute if he is passed fit. Defender Devyne Rensch has suffered a first-degree tear to his right adductor after going off early in Roma's Champions League clash with Manchester United. He will be out for around twenty days. Paulo Dybala is also already ruled out, with his return now scheduled for directly after the international break. Il Tempo reports cautious optimism over Manu Koné. The French midfielder has trained individually on the pitch after returning from England and is determined to earn a call-up for the match at the Olimpico against Sassuolo, which would give Gian Piero Gasperini a valuable option to bring on during the game. Meanwhile, Roma's players have received official call-ups for their respective national teams ahead of the international fixtures.

Roma continue to battle an injury crisis ahead of their home match against Sassuolo, with Gian Piero Gasperini left with a severely reduced set of options. The latest absence is Devyne Rensch, whose instrumental tests revealed a first-degree tear of the long adductor in his right leg. He is expected to be out for around three weeks, with a return planned after the international break. Paulo Dybala will not feature. He has yet to recover and will continue personalised training, aiming to be available again directly after the national team commitments. There is slightly better news on Manu Koné, the French midfielder, who has completed individualised work on the pitch and will undergo the final decisive test today to determine whether he can be included at least in the matchday squad and start on the bench. In midfield, given the fatigue accumulated over recent weeks, Cristante and De Roon will form the pairing to lead the engine room, with Pisilli ready to contribute. The goalkeeping position also needs close monitoring. Pierluigi Gollini remains in serious doubt because of a back problem that could force him to withdraw, despite attempting to play through with infiltrations. If Gollini cannot recover, Devis Vásquez is ready to return to the starting lineup from the first minute, a place in Serie A he would win back after many months. Ndicka is set to return to the defence, while Mancini is being managed under a planned programme. Up front, Malen and Soulé will lead the attack with Mora in support.

Roma have conceded 10 goals in their last four official matches, a sharp reversal from the opening ten fixtures of the season, when the defence let in just 8 and kept a clean sheet on six occasions. Gian Piero Gasperini's immediate priority is to shore up a backline that has been leaking goals, with the side preparing to face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in their final match before the international break. The defeat at Manchester United, decided by the narrowest of margins, is still fresh. The goals conceded in that run came from Napoli (3), Cagliari (2), Udinese (2) and Manchester United at Old Trafford (3). The absence of Mile Svilar, considered one of the best goalkeepers in his position in Europe, has deprived the team of a fundamental figure, and the prolonged absence has weighed heavily on the team's form. Behind him, physical problems for Pierluigi Gollini have complicated the coaching staff's plans, forcing the Colombian Devis Vásquez into an emergency debut. Gollini will try to push through and recover with infiltrations ahead of the Sassuolo game, but his fitness assessments remain at Trigoria. Elsewhere, Manu Koné is pushing for a call-up after completing differentiated training. Paulo Dybala and Devyne Rensch will return to availability after the break; Rensch is sidelined by a first-degree adductor injury that will require around three weeks out of action.

Radio Radio Mattino pundit Mario Mattioli believes Roma are not playing at their best but must beat Sassuolo, saying the side should win the match even if it will not be easy. Speaking on the station's 104.5 frequency, Mattioli said Sassuolo's form is a rollercoaster typical of how they are built, and that they could still wake up and cause problems if they recover. Mattioli said Roma are not in one of their most brilliant phases and that he had seen flaws in their play, without being sure whether they came from a tiredness that is understandable at this stage or from something else. He added that the side does not look like the Roma of three weeks ago. Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo, also on Radio Radio Mattino, said the team needs to bounce back immediately from the disappointment of Manchester, and that Sassuolo are clearly in difficulty, starting with their coach Aquilani, and are no longer showing any signs of life. Pruzzo argued this should allow Roma to manage the game as well as possible. Pruzzo also backed Santiago Castro, whom he said he sponsors, though the forward has hardly played apart from one excellent goal, and suggested there could be room for him. Nando Orsi raised the question of whether Roma rely too heavily on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. He noted that when Dybala was in the side, Malen scored a lot of goals, but that now Malen seems to be struggling. Orsi said that if Malen does not score, Roma need an alternative, adding: "Ma la Roma non è un po' troppo dipendente da Dybala e Malen? Quando c'era Dybala, Malen faceva un sacco di gol. Oggi, invece, mi sembra faccia un po' di difficoltà. Se non fa gol lui, serve un'alternativa. Dybala non segnerà, ma fa gli assist." Translated: "Isn't Roma a bit too dependent on Dybala and Malen? When Dybala was there, Malen scored a lot of goals. Today, though, he seems to be struggling a bit. If he doesn't score, an alternative is needed. Dybala won't score, but he makes the assists."

Roma head into the Serie A match against Sassuolo with a complicated injury list, with goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini a major doubt. Gollini is sidelined by a back problem and his fitness will only be assessed at the last moment, which could open the way for him to start from the first minute if he is passed fit. Defender Devyne Rensch has suffered a first-degree tear to his right adductor after going off early in Roma's Champions League clash with Manchester United. He will be out for around twenty days. Paulo Dybala is also already ruled out, with his return now scheduled for directly after the international break. Il Tempo reports cautious optimism over Manu Koné. The French midfielder has trained individually on the pitch after returning from England and is determined to earn a call-up for the match at the Olimpico against Sassuolo, which would give Gian Piero Gasperini a valuable option to bring on during the game. Meanwhile, Roma's players have received official call-ups for their respective national teams ahead of the international fixtures.

Roma continue to battle an injury crisis ahead of their home match against Sassuolo, with Gian Piero Gasperini left with a severely reduced set of options. The latest absence is Devyne Rensch, whose instrumental tests revealed a first-degree tear of the long adductor in his right leg. He is expected to be out for around three weeks, with a return planned after the international break. Paulo Dybala will not feature. He has yet to recover and will continue personalised training, aiming to be available again directly after the national team commitments. There is slightly better news on Manu Koné, the French midfielder, who has completed individualised work on the pitch and will undergo the final decisive test today to determine whether he can be included at least in the matchday squad and start on the bench. In midfield, given the fatigue accumulated over recent weeks, Cristante and De Roon will form the pairing to lead the engine room, with Pisilli ready to contribute. The goalkeeping position also needs close monitoring. Pierluigi Gollini remains in serious doubt because of a back problem that could force him to withdraw, despite attempting to play through with infiltrations. If Gollini cannot recover, Devis Vásquez is ready to return to the starting lineup from the first minute, a place in Serie A he would win back after many months. Ndicka is set to return to the defence, while Mancini is being managed under a planned programme. Up front, Malen and Soulé will lead the attack with Mora in support.