Serie A Injury Update: Cristante Sidelined, Kean Doubtful for Roma

Como manager Fabregas is monitoring two fitness concerns ahead of Roma's visit in less than a week for the sixth Serie A fixture. Kean left Italy's international camp due to a physical problem, and while tests will clarify the severity, recovery in time for Sunday appears difficult. Paz, Como's young talent, is fit but must make a long overseas journey with Roma's Soulé, Castro and Balerdi, returning just three days before the match. Fabregas may opt not to risk him from the start and keep him fresh for the second half. Gasperini's Roma side arrives nearly at full strength, though Bryan Cristante is unavailable. The Roma head coach and Fabregas respect each other despite not being close. The main tactical uncertainty surrounds the Argentina internationals' condition after their late return from international duty.

Roma could reopen talks with Jayden Oosterwolde during the winter transfer window after a summer move collapsed over medical concerns. The club had scheduled the defender's medical examinations before completing the deal, but assessments revealed a significant muscle tear that required surgery and an estimated three-month recovery. Roma chose not to proceed at that point, but have kept the 2001-born left-back on their radar. Director of sport Massimo D'Amico continues to monitor Oosterwolde's progress, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already approved the move when it was being considered in summer, signalling how highly the former Parma player was valued for the project. The failed summer operation has not damaged relations between the parties. Roma will reassess Oosterwolde once he returns to full fitness and provides sufficient physical guarantees, with the January window offering a chance to revive negotiations that seemed all but done before the injury setback. A recent sign of sustained interest came during Roma's Champions League fixture against Istanbul, when Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and subsequently held talks with Gasperini and his staff. Much will depend on the Dutch defender's recovery and Roma's own evaluation, but he remains a profile to watch for the giallorossi's left flank.

Evan N'Dicka is set to return to Trigoria after international duty with Ivory Coast and will target a starting berth against Como. Physical complaints, a virus, and Leonardo Balerdi's strong performances have limited his appearances; he was benched for tactical reasons against Inter. Bryan Cristante remains under assessment following a left knee collateral problem. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini explained the situation: "Bryan is recovering, he's being treated and it takes time. It's not certain he'll definitely miss Como and Real Madrid, but we won't be willing to risk anything. If he has to miss one or two more matches, the objective is to get him back in top condition." Wesley reportedly reached out directly to his friend Endrick, expressing how pleased he would be to welcome him to Roma as early as January. The contact between the two Brazilians drew on a bond formed through difficult moments; last June, Endrick had himself called Wesley after an injury forced him to leave Brazil's training camp. The roles have now reversed, with the Roma winger ready to tell Endrick about the club and Trigoria. The pair will have a chance to meet at the Olimpico on 14 October when Roma face Real Madrid. According to Football Benchmark estimates, Roma's squad is valued at approximately €600 million, the third-highest figure in Serie A behind Inter (€829 million) and Juventus (€777 million). The valuation is linked to resources invested by the Friedkin Group and Gasperini's work during his first year. Two Roma players feature in the top 10 in the league: Manu Koné at €64 million and Donyell Malen at €58 million. Roma supporters will return to away fixtures without residency restrictions for the first time in nine months. The away section at Sinigaglia will be full for the Como match, despite technical issues many fans encountered during ticket sales. From Sunday, Roma enter an intense stretch of nine matches in 27 days across Serie A and the Champions League, with approximately 62,000 spectators expected at the Olimpico for Real Madrid's visit.

Como manager Fabregas is monitoring two fitness concerns ahead of Roma's visit in less than a week for the sixth Serie A fixture. Kean left Italy's international camp due to a physical problem, and while tests will clarify the severity, recovery in time for Sunday appears difficult. Paz, Como's young talent, is fit but must make a long overseas journey with Roma's Soulé, Castro and Balerdi, returning just three days before the match. Fabregas may opt not to risk him from the start and keep him fresh for the second half. Gasperini's Roma side arrives nearly at full strength, though Bryan Cristante is unavailable. The Roma head coach and Fabregas respect each other despite not being close. The main tactical uncertainty surrounds the Argentina internationals' condition after their late return from international duty.

Bryan Cristante will miss Roma's match against Como—the first time Gasperini has left him out since his appointment in 2025, aside from a suspension against Sassuolo. Cristante has been ever-present under the coach, a midfielder who operates with minimal visibility but maximum impact: he disrupts play, recovers possession, covers ground and consistently ranks among Roma's leaders in distance covered and ball recoveries. His absence forces Gasperini to deploy a different solution in midfield. Instead of recalling Niccolò Pisilli, as he did for the Sassuolo match, Gasperini will pair Marten de Roon alongside Manu Koné. The shift prioritises greater physicality, experience and midfield weight to withstand Como's attacking threat under manager Fabregas. De Roon is a well-known option for Gasperini, but the coach will now rely on him without one of his tactical certainties. Cristante's quiet, almost invisible presence has proved fundamental to Roma's structure this season. Gasperini has signalled that Cristante's layoff may extend beyond Como; he could miss the Real Madrid fixture as well. Two consecutive matches without him will test how heavily his contribution weighs on Roma's midfield balance and offer a genuine audition for De Roon as the coach's latest "trusted lieutenant".

Evan N'Dicka is set to return to Trigoria after international duty with Ivory Coast and will target a starting berth against Como. Physical complaints, a virus, and Leonardo Balerdi's strong performances have limited his appearances; he was benched for tactical reasons against Inter. Bryan Cristante remains under assessment following a left knee collateral problem. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini explained the situation: "Bryan is recovering, he's being treated and it takes time. It's not certain he'll definitely miss Como and Real Madrid, but we won't be willing to risk anything. If he has to miss one or two more matches, the objective is to get him back in top condition." Wesley reportedly reached out directly to his friend Endrick, expressing how pleased he would be to welcome him to Roma as early as January. The contact between the two Brazilians drew on a bond formed through difficult moments; last June, Endrick had himself called Wesley after an injury forced him to leave Brazil's training camp. The roles have now reversed, with the Roma winger ready to tell Endrick about the club and Trigoria. The pair will have a chance to meet at the Olimpico on 14 October when Roma face Real Madrid. According to Football Benchmark estimates, Roma's squad is valued at approximately €600 million, the third-highest figure in Serie A behind Inter (€829 million) and Juventus (€777 million). The valuation is linked to resources invested by the Friedkin Group and Gasperini's work during his first year. Two Roma players feature in the top 10 in the league: Manu Koné at €64 million and Donyell Malen at €58 million. Roma supporters will return to away fixtures without residency restrictions for the first time in nine months. The away section at Sinigaglia will be full for the Como match, despite technical issues many fans encountered during ticket sales. From Sunday, Roma enter an intense stretch of nine matches in 27 days across Serie A and the Champions League, with approximately 62,000 spectators expected at the Olimpico for Real Madrid's visit.