Roma's attack leans on Malen and Soulé as Gasperini's wide-left problem persists

Roma have repeatedly let leads slip in recent matches, a problem that has exposed the thinness of their squad and led to worrying dips in energy, according to Corriere dello Sport. The most glaring examples came against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, while the Giallorossi also dropped points or momentum against Lecce, Torino, Cagliari and Udinese, though they still managed to win those games. The data back up the trend. Roma have taken 20 fewer shots in second halves than in first halves, and their xG, ball recoveries and touches in the opposition box also decline after the interval. Defensively the cost has been clear: they have conceded just 3 goals in the first 45 minutes, 15 after the interval and 9 in the final portion of games. Management is planning to be active in January, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, and the club will look to repeat the approach that brought Donyell Malen to the club in the winter window last year, targeting players unhappy with their minutes elsewhere. Roma have navigated the simultaneous absences of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné better than in the past, but the spell still left its mark. The capital club is interested in Jamie Gittens and Endrick, who are in that situation. Giorgi Kvernadze and Jamie Leweling, meanwhile, are fixtures for Frosinone and Stuttgart. Roma also intend to add a central midfielder. Overall, the club have done well outside their clashes with the very best sides, but a couple more options would help a coach who likes to make changes from the bench. A midfield powerhouse would be more useful than an extra attacker, assuming Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro keep developing.

Roman radio pundits have delivered a blunt verdict on Roma's squad after the club's recent results, with several voices arguing the thin squad is now costing the team in the Champions League. Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà said: "La rosa della Roma è corta e lo sarà per altri due mesi, perché il mercato riaprirà a gennaio. Campionato e Champions sono impegnativi e questo lo paghi inevitabilmente. Se ci aggiungi la questione infortuni, la situazione grava ancora di più." The debate follows Roma's defeat at Manchester and their match against Como, with the pundits split on how the team performed. Ugo Trani of Tele Radio Stereo praised Gian Piero Gasperini for refusing to blame referees, saying: "Gasperini fa bene a non parlare di arbitri per non dare alibi alla squadra, i giocatori non si devono deconcentrare." Trani argued that the squad is incomplete: "La Roma non ha una squadra completa, Gasperini l'ha detto a fine mercato e anche D'Amico lo ha confermato. Entrano giocatori che in Serie A valgono e in Champions no." He added: "La crescita si fa comprando i giocatori", and said Roma need players who make the difference, not cover such as Zaragoza and Venturino. He also suggested Forbs would be useful, not only Tresoldi. Trani said Roma had changed their attitude across the whole team, not just Pisilli, and felt the match should have been settled in the first half. He noted Como are in a better position than Roma and that their absences are less damaging. On Mora, he said he was playing as a full-back at Manchester and that Gasperini chose Pisilli because he might defend better. Trani also said Como have strong players and that Valle would be a starter at Roma. Francesco Balzani of Tele Radio Stereo said Roma played a first half at Manchester similar to Como's, but that Fabregas's side did not give up in the second half, which he described as what big teams do. He called Nico Paz an above-average player in Italy. On injuries, he said Svilar would return after the international break, and that Dybala's fitness test would be assessed that day. He said it was not advisable for Koné to join up with the national team after missing so many matches. He argued the most damaging absence is Svilar's, as Gollini does not offer the same control of the defence. He said N'Dicka remains the best defender, Mancini is not at his peak and Ghilardi will find more space. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Pomeriggio said Sassuolo look the ideal opponent for Roma, who need to lift their heads and reach the break without forcing the return of long-term injured players. He added: "Gli infortuni fanno purtroppo parte di un calcio frenetico che costringono gli atleti a fare sforzi che un tempo non c'erano." Simone Valdarchi of Radio Manà Manà said Roma have got used to bouncing back quickly from defeats, pointing to 17 positive results as proof of their quality. He said preparation for Saturday's match would only begin that day, with training at Trigoria in the early afternoon. He said the return from Manchester had been complicated by several issues, and the usual recovery session was skipped the day before. He added that the day's work would show what to expect from the home fixture.

Roma remain unbeaten in Serie A after ten matchdays, with seven wins and three draws, despite the difficulties they have shown in the Champions League. Against Sassuolo, Gasperini can extend the run and achieve a feat managed only twice in recent Giallorossi history: avoiding defeat in the opening 11 league matches. Before him, only Rudi Garcia in 2013-14, with 17 initial league games unbeaten, and Capello in 2003-04, with 14, had managed it. Il Messaggero reports that the absence of Svilar has been felt, but does not fully explain Roma's defensive decline. Without the Belgian... no, without Svilar, Roma have conceded 14 goals in seven matches, 10 of them in the last four. The bigger problem, according to the paper, is mental management of games, particularly in the Champions League, where Roma were pegged back against Real Madrid and Manchester United after leading by two goals in each match. "The group loses its bearings at the first difficulty," the paper stresses, also highlighting a squad that is still short to cope with the double commitment. January, in this regard, could prove decisive. Il Tempo gives a positive picture of Matías Soulé, who is now one of the certainties in Gasperini's Roma. After two assists against Real Madrid, the Argentine scored at Old Trafford, producing a first half of the highest level against Manchester United. With 939 minutes played, he is the third most-used player in the squad, behind Wesley and Hermoso, and continues to make his mark mainly playing from the right. "Matías shines with his own light without needing comparisons with anyone," the paper writes, highlighting growth that is now evident in Europe too.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has received a new injury setback, with Devyne Rensch suffering a muscle injury and expected to return after the international break. The club's pause for the national team fixtures comes at a useful time to recover several players and prepare for upcoming commitments. The defeat at Manchester has left Gasperini with clear lessons, particularly the need to widen the options available in the squad. Until the derby in mid-December, the fixture list contains no other big league match. Gasperini will not speak at a press conference on the eve of the match against Sassuolo. From the English trip, a message came from Matías Soulé, who urged the team to learn from the defeats and keep working with the same commitment. The Argentine is now one of the main attacking reference points alongside Malen, but it is precisely this dependence that worries the coach. Even without Svilar, the team has shown fragility: goals conceded have increased and the save percentage has dropped noticeably.

Roma have repeatedly let leads slip in recent matches, a problem that has exposed the thinness of their squad and led to worrying dips in energy, according to Corriere dello Sport. The most glaring examples came against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, while the Giallorossi also dropped points or momentum against Lecce, Torino, Cagliari and Udinese, though they still managed to win those games. The data back up the trend. Roma have taken 20 fewer shots in second halves than in first halves, and their xG, ball recoveries and touches in the opposition box also decline after the interval. Defensively the cost has been clear: they have conceded just 3 goals in the first 45 minutes, 15 after the interval and 9 in the final portion of games. Management is planning to be active in January, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, and the club will look to repeat the approach that brought Donyell Malen to the club in the winter window last year, targeting players unhappy with their minutes elsewhere. Roma have navigated the simultaneous absences of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné better than in the past, but the spell still left its mark. The capital club is interested in Jamie Gittens and Endrick, who are in that situation. Giorgi Kvernadze and Jamie Leweling, meanwhile, are fixtures for Frosinone and Stuttgart. Roma also intend to add a central midfielder. Overall, the club have done well outside their clashes with the very best sides, but a couple more options would help a coach who likes to make changes from the bench. A midfield powerhouse would be more useful than an extra attacker, assuming Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro keep developing.

Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné did not appear in images of Roma's group training session at Trigoria, a sign that their return for Saturday's match against Sassuolo is becoming more difficult. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are preparing for the Serie A fixture, which kicks off at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after the club's disappointing defeat to Manchester United. Dybala is not yet ready, while Koné, who is close to returning, is being treated with caution. A call-up for Koné remains to be decided in the coming hours. Gasperini appears set to keep Rodrigo Mora in the number ten role behind Matías Soulé, with Donyell Malen leading the attack. Mora is expected to get another start after strong recent performances. In defence, Evan N'Dicka is likely to return to the heart of the back line, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley could reclaim the full-back positions. Molina is in line to regain a starting place following the injury to Devyne Rensch, who has suffered a mild muscle lesion to his right adductor and will be out for around three weeks. Gollini, who is struggling with a back problem, remains doubtful. The aim is clear: return to winning immediately after the comeback Roma suffered against Manchester United and close out this demanding phase of the season in the best possible way. A long-awaited break will follow, giving Gasperini time to recover energy and, hopefully, a significant number of injured players. First, though, there are three points to win against Sassuolo, whose coach is Alberto Aquilani. Roma's training session on Thursday was shared by the club on its social channels in a video showing several moments of the session.

Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné did not appear in images of Roma's group training session at Trigoria, a sign that their return for Saturday's match against Sassuolo is becoming more difficult. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are preparing for the Serie A fixture, which kicks off at 20:45 at the Olimpico, two days after the club's disappointing defeat to Manchester United. Dybala is not yet ready, while Koné, who is close to returning, is being treated with caution. A call-up for Koné remains to be decided in the coming hours. Gasperini appears set to keep Rodrigo Mora in the number ten role behind Matías Soulé, with Donyell Malen leading the attack. Mora is expected to get another start after strong recent performances. In defence, Evan N'Dicka is likely to return to the heart of the back line, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley could reclaim the full-back positions. Molina is in line to regain a starting place following the injury to Devyne Rensch, who has suffered a mild muscle lesion to his right adductor and will be out for around three weeks. Gollini, who is struggling with a back problem, remains doubtful. The aim is clear: return to winning immediately after the comeback Roma suffered against Manchester United and close out this demanding phase of the season in the best possible way. A long-awaited break will follow, giving Gasperini time to recover energy and, hopefully, a significant number of injured players. First, though, there are three points to win against Sassuolo, whose coach is Alberto Aquilani. Roma's training session on Thursday was shared by the club on its social channels in a video showing several moments of the session.

Roma return to Serie A on Saturday evening, hosting Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in the eleventh round, the last fixture before the international break. Kickoff is at 20:45 on Saturday 7 November. Sassuolo are coached by former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, and Gasperini's side will look to bounce back from the disappointment of a late comeback against Manchester United in the Champions League. Roma lost 3-2 at Old Trafford, having led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Soulé and Malen before Manchester United completed the turnaround in the second half. In Serie A the mood is far brighter. Roma beat Udinese 5-2 in their last outing and sit third after ten rounds with 24 points, from seven wins and three draws. They have scored 28 and conceded 10, and remain unbeaten in the league this season. Sassuolo, by contrast, are seventeenth with 8 points from ten matches. They arrive on a run of four consecutive defeats and have the worst defence in Serie A. Their last game ended in a 4-2 defeat at the Mapei Stadium to Fiorentina, and they have also lost to Lazio, Como and Frosinone in recent weeks. Gasperini faces an early selection problem in goal. Pierluigi Gollini missed the Manchester United game with a back problem that came up during training, and his condition will be monitored up to the match. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, will again be in goal. Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso are expected back in defence, although Ghilardi remains a concrete option after good performances in recent weeks. Molina and Wesley are favoured on the flanks. Devyne Rensch will not be available, having suffered a right adductor injury against Manchester United. Cristante is expected to keep his place in midfield, while the partner alongside him is still open, with Pisilli possibly giving de Roon a rest. Up front, Soulé and Malen look certain to start, with Mora expected to play behind or alongside the Argentine. Koné and Dybala are doubtful, with both hoping to be available at least on the bench. Svilar will certainly miss the game, as he completes his recovery from a stress fracture to his fifth toe and is expected back after the break. Pellegrini is also out, still recovering from the muscle problem he suffered against Slovan Bratislava. Sassuolo are expected to line up in a 4-3-3. Turati is the favourite in goal, protected by a back line of Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé and Doig. Thorstvedt returns in midfield after serving his suspension against Fiorentina, and is expected to be joined by Matic and one of Bakola or Adzic. Up front, Aquilani will rely on his most creative players: Berardi on the right, Laurienté on the opposite flank and Sebastiano Esposito as the central reference point. Leysen, who has a serious knee injury, and Ismaël Koné, who is recovering from a leg fracture, are out for Sassuolo, along with Boloca and Volpato. Roma's head-to-head record at the Olimpico against Sassuolo is strong. Of 12 Serie A meetings played in Rome, Roma have won six, five have ended level and Sassuolo have won just once, a 4-3 victory in March 2023. The most recent meeting was on 10 January 2026, when Roma won 2-0. Overall, including matches in Emilia, the record reads 13 wins for Roma, 9 draws and just 2 wins for Sassuolo. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN and Sky Sport Calcio, and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kickoff at 20:45 on Saturday 7 November.

Roma remain unbeaten in Serie A after ten matchdays, with seven wins and three draws, despite the difficulties they have shown in the Champions League. Against Sassuolo, Gasperini can extend the run and achieve a feat managed only twice in recent Giallorossi history: avoiding defeat in the opening 11 league matches. Before him, only Rudi Garcia in 2013-14, with 17 initial league games unbeaten, and Capello in 2003-04, with 14, had managed it. Il Messaggero reports that the absence of Svilar has been felt, but does not fully explain Roma's defensive decline. Without the Belgian... no, without Svilar, Roma have conceded 14 goals in seven matches, 10 of them in the last four. The bigger problem, according to the paper, is mental management of games, particularly in the Champions League, where Roma were pegged back against Real Madrid and Manchester United after leading by two goals in each match. "The group loses its bearings at the first difficulty," the paper stresses, also highlighting a squad that is still short to cope with the double commitment. January, in this regard, could prove decisive. Il Tempo gives a positive picture of Matías Soulé, who is now one of the certainties in Gasperini's Roma. After two assists against Real Madrid, the Argentine scored at Old Trafford, producing a first half of the highest level against Manchester United. With 939 minutes played, he is the third most-used player in the squad, behind Wesley and Hermoso, and continues to make his mark mainly playing from the right. "Matías shines with his own light without needing comparisons with anyone," the paper writes, highlighting growth that is now evident in Europe too.

Roma return to Serie A on Saturday evening, hosting Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in the eleventh round, the last fixture before the international break. Kickoff is at 20:45 on Saturday 7 November. Sassuolo are coached by former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, and Gasperini's side will look to bounce back from the disappointment of a late comeback against Manchester United in the Champions League. Roma lost 3-2 at Old Trafford, having led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Soulé and Malen before Manchester United completed the turnaround in the second half. In Serie A the mood is far brighter. Roma beat Udinese 5-2 in their last outing and sit third after ten rounds with 24 points, from seven wins and three draws. They have scored 28 and conceded 10, and remain unbeaten in the league this season. Sassuolo, by contrast, are seventeenth with 8 points from ten matches. They arrive on a run of four consecutive defeats and have the worst defence in Serie A. Their last game ended in a 4-2 defeat at the Mapei Stadium to Fiorentina, and they have also lost to Lazio, Como and Frosinone in recent weeks. Gasperini faces an early selection problem in goal. Pierluigi Gollini missed the Manchester United game with a back problem that came up during training, and his condition will be monitored up to the match. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez, who started at Old Trafford, will again be in goal. Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso are expected back in defence, although Ghilardi remains a concrete option after good performances in recent weeks. Molina and Wesley are favoured on the flanks. Devyne Rensch will not be available, having suffered a right adductor injury against Manchester United. Cristante is expected to keep his place in midfield, while the partner alongside him is still open, with Pisilli possibly giving de Roon a rest. Up front, Soulé and Malen look certain to start, with Mora expected to play behind or alongside the Argentine. Koné and Dybala are doubtful, with both hoping to be available at least on the bench. Svilar will certainly miss the game, as he completes his recovery from a stress fracture to his fifth toe and is expected back after the break. Pellegrini is also out, still recovering from the muscle problem he suffered against Slovan Bratislava. Sassuolo are expected to line up in a 4-3-3. Turati is the favourite in goal, protected by a back line of Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé and Doig. Thorstvedt returns in midfield after serving his suspension against Fiorentina, and is expected to be joined by Matic and one of Bakola or Adzic. Up front, Aquilani will rely on his most creative players: Berardi on the right, Laurienté on the opposite flank and Sebastiano Esposito as the central reference point. Leysen, who has a serious knee injury, and Ismaël Koné, who is recovering from a leg fracture, are out for Sassuolo, along with Boloca and Volpato. Roma's head-to-head record at the Olimpico against Sassuolo is strong. Of 12 Serie A meetings played in Rome, Roma have won six, five have ended level and Sassuolo have won just once, a 4-3 victory in March 2023. The most recent meeting was on 10 January 2026, when Roma won 2-0. Overall, including matches in Emilia, the record reads 13 wins for Roma, 9 draws and just 2 wins for Sassuolo. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN and Sky Sport Calcio, and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kickoff at 20:45 on Saturday 7 November.

Roma midfielder Marten de Roon has spoken at length about his move to the club, the fan tensions that preceded it and his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, in an interview with Idealista.it. The Dutchman said he knew the transfer would be difficult, partly because of the history between Roma and Atalanta and partly because of past social media exchanges with Roma supporters. He said: "When the coach called me I already knew it would be a difficult move, partly because of the history between Roma and Atalanta, partly because of the story on social media with Roma; but at a certain point we had decided, I had no doubts. Then the pitch speaks. I had no doubts, I wanted to show on the pitch my will to be here. Gasperini shows it too, facts count, there is time." De Roon described himself as a player who wants to win at all costs on the pitch, with tactical reading of the game as his main quality. He said: "On the pitch I want to win at all costs. My main quality, what I like to do, is to see the game, tactically I am prepared, that is my strength: I see where we can attack well, where to defend better, from midfield I like to manage the team, call the markings. Off the pitch I like to joke, talk, above all observe. I like to try to give a hand to my team-mates; I am a professional, even off the pitch I try to be helpful, at my age and with my experience." On Gasperini, he recalled eight years together at Atalanta, which he described as the best period of his career there. He said: "We spent eight years together, we lived the most beautiful period with Atalanta, we fought many battles together and I have always thanked him. The relationship is mainly professional; if he is your coach you don't see him outside the pitch during the week." He added: "Last year he called me from time to time, he asked me about Malen, but he wanted more of a confirmation, he was already convinced. I had no doubts. He's doing quite well, isn't he?" De Roon said he is still looking for his role in the side, so he is not joking around much yet, but he described the dressing room as healthy and welcoming. He said: "Many are nice. I'm still looking for my role, so I don't joke around much, but the atmosphere is healthy, it seems like an easy dressing room. Years ago I thought it was a very difficult dressing room, even playing against it; now I've come in and seen that it is healthy, warm, welcoming." He said he already knew Malen, Rensch, Mancini, Gollini and Cristante, which made the adjustment easier. Pellegrini helped him get to know the city and, together with the club, assisted him with many things during the move and his search for a home. On life in Rome, De Roon said he had been visiting the city often over the past four years. He said: "The climate is wonderful, I have always liked the city, there is so much culture, the food is incredible. Living here is different. I live a bit outside, the morning traffic is different, but I like it very much." Asked whether he could see himself staying in the capital after his career, he said: "At the moment I think about the pitch, I haven't thought about it, but in the future, why not? Rome is the most beautiful city in the world, we'll think about it calmly."

Marten de Roon has said he had no doubts about joining Roma, despite the long-running rivalry between the two sets of fans, after a phone call from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The Dutch midfielder spoke in an interview with idealista/news for its feature "A casa dei campioni", describing his first impressions of the squad and his new life in the capital. De Roon, who spent eight years at Atalanta under Gasperini, is a former opponent who was often unpopular with Roma supporters. He admits the move was not straightforward. Asked whether he weighed the reaction of his new fans, he said: "Yes. When the coach called me I already knew it would be a difficult move, partly because of the history between Roma and Atalanta, and partly because of what happened on social media with Roma; but at a certain point we had decided, I had no doubts. It is the pitch that speaks." He added: "I had no doubts, I wanted to show on the pitch my will to be here. Gasperini shows it too, facts count, there is time." De Roon described himself as a player who wants to win at all costs. "My main quality, what I enjoy doing, is seeing the game. Tactically I am prepared, that is my strength: I see where we can attack well, where we can defend better. From midfield I like to manage the team and call the markings. Off the pitch I enjoy joking, talking and above all observing." He said he likes to help team-mates: "I am a professional, and even off the pitch I try to help, at my age and with my experience." On the dressing room, he said he had once thought it would be very difficult, even when playing against Roma. "Now I have come in and seen that it is healthy, warm and welcoming." He said several players are funny, but added: "I am still looking for my role, so I do not joke a great deal." He already knew Donyell Malen, Devyne Rensch, Gianluca Mancini, Pierluigi Gollini and Bryan Cristante, which he said made things simpler. On Gasperini, he said: "We spent eight years together, the best period with Atalanta, we fought many battles together and I have always thanked him. The relationship is mainly professional." He recalled that Gasperini called him during last season, asking about Malen, but "he mainly wanted a confirmation, he was already convinced." De Roon said he already knew Rome well from recent years, praising the climate, culture and food. He lives slightly outside the centre, and said the morning traffic is different, but he likes the city. His favourite area is around Villa Borghese, where he enjoys cycling. In his free time he reads a lot, especially Dutch-language thrillers, and plays a lot of chess on his phone or iPad. He also enjoys seafront walks with his family, which are easier now that he is near the sea. Lorenzo Pellegrini helped him get to know the city and with many practical matters, alongside the club. He arrived alone, bringing family photos, while his wife brought home fragrances the couple have always used, which he says smell like home. They also moved their sofa and bed to Rome. After intense matches at the Olimpico, the first thing he does is kiss his family, whatever the result. Asked about buying property in Rome in the future, he said: "At the moment I think about the pitch, I have not thought about it, but in the future, why not? Rome is the most beautiful city in the world, we will think about it calmly."