Rossomando: Cristante only misses matches if genuinely unwell

Roma have scored 14 goals in their opening five Serie A matches of the 2026–27 season, a dramatic improvement on last season's pace. The club sits joint top of the table after four wins and a draw—the draw coming against Inter—and the attacking output tells the real story of Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival taking hold. In the equivalent five-game stretch of 2025–26, Roma managed only 5 goals. Now, led by Donyell Malen, who was named Serie A's best player for September, the team scores nearly three times as much and has increased the volume of shots on goal by more than 50%. Both seasons saw Roma accumulate 12 points after five matches in 2025–26 and 13 points this year—a single-point gain—but the underlying performance has shifted fundamentally. Last season Roma scraped results with minimal effort, distributing goals sparingly across their opening run. This season the squad produces far more, applying Gasperini's principles with growing confidence. The club kept its core group and added pieces in the summer transfer window, and the combination is now delivering the high-intensity football the coach demands, featuring man-to-man marking and high pressing from the start.

Roma have begun the 2026-27 season operating at the tempo Gian Piero Gasperini demands. After four wins and a draw in their opening five matches—including a result against reigning Serie A champions Inter—the Giallorossi sit joint-top of the table with Inter and Lazio on 13 points. The leap forward is evident in the numbers. Last season's equivalent opening run brought 12 points; this time Roma have gained one more. The offensive shift, however, is far more striking. In the first five matches of 2025-26, Roma scored five goals total. This season the attack led by Donyell Malen—who was named Serie A's player of the month for September—is scoring nearly three times that rate. Roma's shot count has risen by over 50 per cent. The improvement reflects Gasperini's first full campaign at the helm after a year embedding his methods into the squad. The forward production tells the story: Roma are generating substantially more in open play and translating that into finishing. Malen's form has been central to that upturn. The attacking shape and intensity correlate directly with Gasperini's tactical demands, which emphasize man-to-man marking and high pressing across the pitch. Roma have retained their core group of players while adding fresh pieces in the summer market, and the philosophy is now bedding in consistently across the season's early phase.

Bryan Cristante has been ruled out for two to three weeks after sustaining a knee injury during the international break. The midfielder initially appeared set for a straightforward rest during the fixture pause, but developed the problem in recent days. Cristante had already withdrawn from the Italy national team squad due to lower back pain; the knee issue is more serious than first thought and rules him out of Roma's Serie A visit to Como on Sunday when the season resumes. The 29-year-old is a cornerstone of Gasperini's midfield and his absence will be felt at a crucial point of the campaign. The injury was initially assessed as a minor inflammation but subsequent examination revealed greater concern. Cristante's three-week absence means he will miss at least the immediate fixtures as Roma resume their Serie A fixtures.

Bryan Cristante has been ruled out for two to three weeks after sustaining a knee injury during the international break. The midfielder initially appeared set for a straightforward rest during the fixture pause, but developed the problem in recent days. Cristante had already withdrawn from the Italy national team squad due to lower back pain; the knee issue is more serious than first thought and rules him out of Roma's Serie A visit to Como on Sunday when the season resumes. The 29-year-old is a cornerstone of Gasperini's midfield and his absence will be felt at a crucial point of the campaign. The injury was initially assessed as a minor inflammation but subsequent examination revealed greater concern. Cristante's three-week absence means he will miss at least the immediate fixtures as Roma resume their Serie A fixtures.

Bryan Cristante is a doubt for Roma's trip to Como on 11 October after suffering a slight knee inflammation. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must plan for the midfielder's potential absence from the Serie A fixture. Cristante has been sidelined by the injury and will be assessed by the medical staff in the coming days. The midfielder remains Roma's most-used player under Gasperini this season but faces an uncertain path to the Como clash, though there is optimism over his chances. A back problem had already kept Cristante out of international duty during the recent break. If he cannot recover in time, Marten de Roon is ready to partner Manu Koné in midfield. De Roon has not yet started a match but has been working at Trigoria throughout the international window and has delivered strong athletic responses in training. In attack, three players are competing for a starting place alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala. Rodrigo Mora has just scored an excellent overhead kick for Portugal's under-21 side, Matías Soulé is preparing for his Argentina debut, and Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to full fitness after a brief training programme.

Bryan Cristante is a doubt for Roma's Serie A match against Como on 11 October after suffering a slight knee inflammation. The midfielder has been Gasperini's most-used player so far this season but will be assessed by the medical staff in the coming hours. A back problem previously ruled him out of international duty. If Cristante is unavailable, Marten de Roon is ready to partner Manu Koné in midfield. De Roon has not yet started a match but has been working at Trigoria throughout the extended break and is delivering strong physical responses in training. There is cautious optimism over Cristante's availability. In attack, three players are competing for one starting place alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen: Rodrigo Mora has just scored a spectacular overhead kick for Portugal's under-21 side, Matías Soulé is available for his debut with Argentina, and Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to full fitness following his brief preparation.