Soulé emerging as a leader in Roma's attack, with four goals and five assists

Roma's dominant first halves have once again been undone by collapses after the break, and the third late comeback they have suffered in Europe now weighs eight points on their Champions League group. Gian Piero Gasperini's side were irresistible in the first half at Old Trafford but far too soft after the interval. Against Real Madrid the collapse came in the final seven minutes, while on Tuesday against a Manchester side on the brink, at least 40 minutes of suffering followed, helped by a doubtful penalty but also by many errors from Balerdi and his team-mates. It is a case of déjà vu, and a warning sign especially for the big matches. Gasperini's side are the first team to lose two games after leading by at least two goals in a single Champions League season. The pattern extends to Serie A, where Roma led by two goals before Inter equalised in the second half, and eight of the 10 goals they have conceded have come in second halves. Balzani, writing in Leggo, identifies several causes. Roma struggle to manage pressure, constantly trying to win one-on-one duels even when players are short of breath, as shown by the two goals Cunha scored late on. The psychological side also matters: after conceding against Real Madrid and Manchester, there was no reaction, and the opponent found room to twist the knife deeper. Finally, the squad can dominate in Italy but needs variables in Europe that have not arrived from the transfer market. Gasperini has always asked for, and continues to ask for, a couple of players with explosive pace in the mould of Lookman who can stretch the side when legs tire. Attention now turns to Sassuolo, Saturday's evening opponents. Koné should be available again, while decisive hours lie ahead for Dybala.

Leonardo Balerdi has responded to Roma's late setback at Old Trafford, where a dominant performance was undone in the closing minutes by a costly mistake that allowed Cunha to equalise. The Argentine defender took to social media to address the Roma supporters. Balerdi, who was outstanding for much of the night, saw his display overshadowed by the error that gave Cunha the equaliser. Writing on his social channels, he acknowledged the pain of the result while stressing the commitment and pride that come with wearing the Roma shirt. His message read: "Fa male. Non era il finale che volevamo. Ma ci sono cose che non cambiano mai: l'impegno, il rispetto e l'orgoglio di difendere questi colori. Ai nostri tifosi che sono venuti fino a Manchester, grazie di cuore per il vostro sostegno. Forza Roma." Translated: "It hurts. It was not the ending we wanted. But there are things that never change: the commitment, the respect and the pride of defending these colours. To our fans who came all the way to Manchester, thank you from the heart for your support. Forza Roma."

Roma are reportedly ready to exercise their option to buy Leonardo Balerdi from Marseille, with a fee of between 11 and 14 million euros depending on his number of appearances of at least 45 minutes this season. Balerdi was one of the standout figures in the 3-2 Champions League defeat at Manchester United at Old Trafford, playing very well for around 80 minutes before a costly error: he miscuffed a clearance, allowing Cunha to equalise and make it 2-2. Despite that moment, his overall impact at the club has been positive, and the Argentine is reportedly happy in the capital and the club is satisfied with his performances. Fabrizio Romano reported the story. The Italian press has also revealed that the 1999-born defender was sounded out by Inter in the summer, while Juventus had considered him on several occasions in recent years. The defeat in Manchester is quickly making way for preparations for Saturday's game against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, the eleventh round of Serie A. Roma will be looking to put the Old Trafford setback behind them and continue their strong start to the league season. The Lega Serie A has released the referee appointments for the fixture: Marco Di Bello of the Brindisi section will referee, with assistants Peretti and Scatragli and fourth official Abisso. Pezzuto will be at the VAR, with Guida as AVAR. Gazzetta Regionale reports that Roma continue to monitor Georgian talent Giorgi Kvernadze, whom the club have been tracking since last season. His contract, which runs until 2028, reportedly contains a 4 million euro release clause that can be activated next summer. A significant percentage would also go to his agent, the same agent who looks after the interests of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Il Tempo reports that Gasperini could have Manu Koné back at least on the bench against Sassuolo. Koné is very close to full recovery from the thigh muscle injury that kept him out for 20 days. Paulo Dybala has also resumed working on the pitch and could be available at the last minute to face the Emilia side.

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.

Roma are reflecting on a narrow defeat at Manchester United's Old Trafford, with Corriere della Sera highlighting both the individual progress within Gian Piero Gasperini's squad and the structural limits of a group that must compete on three fronts. Those limits, the report says, will require corrections in the January transfer window. Matías Soulé, now a key technical reference on the right side of the attack, is among the bright spots, along with the impact of Malen, who has produced important numbers in the giallorossi shirt, and the consistent form of Ndicka. However, a thin squad and an injury crisis have restricted Gasperini's rotations and exposed the gap with the top sides on Europe's biggest stages. The difficulties against the Red Devils were made worse by heavy absences in goal and in midfield. The club's management and Tony D'Amico, who is already working to identify the profiles needed in January, are reportedly targeting a midfielder and a left-sided winger to give Gasperini the alternatives he has asked for. The squad has returned to Trigoria to prepare for the Serie A clash with Sassuolo. The medical staff are monitoring Manu Koné, who is aiming for a rapid recovery, while the goalkeeping situation centres on Gollini, who is dealing with a back problem, with Colombian Devis Vásquez ready to step in again.

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 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.

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 head coach Gian Piero Gasperini faces a growing problem as fatigue, injuries and a squad with limited numbers strain the club's challenge on two fronts: Serie A, where Roma are dreaming of the Scudetto, and the Champions League, where they want to make progress. The problem is that so many players are injured at once, and as the matches pile up and the season accelerates, the physical and mental demands become harder to meet. According to Alessandro Angeloni writing in Il Messaggero, Gasperini has had to deal with a series of significant absences this season. Losing Koné and Dybala in the same period has made things difficult. Covering absences at the back is easier, and while Svilar is missing, the coach has a group of reliable defenders behind him. The midfield is a different proposition: the solutions available are effective, but they depend on the form of those who are fit, and if de Roon begins to pay the price for the workload, it becomes a serious problem. The attack is the most critical area. As is well known, Roma lack a winger with very specific characteristics. Sporting director D'Amico himself has described this as the gap that should be filled in January. Roma need another player who can replace Dybala or Soulé up front, with Endrick cited as an example. Gasperini would like two more forwards in that area to feel comfortable.

Roma's dominant first halves have once again been undone by collapses after the break, and the third late comeback they have suffered in Europe now weighs eight points on their Champions League group. Gian Piero Gasperini's side were irresistible in the first half at Old Trafford but far too soft after the interval. Against Real Madrid the collapse came in the final seven minutes, while on Tuesday against a Manchester side on the brink, at least 40 minutes of suffering followed, helped by a doubtful penalty but also by many errors from Balerdi and his team-mates. It is a case of déjà vu, and a warning sign especially for the big matches. Gasperini's side are the first team to lose two games after leading by at least two goals in a single Champions League season. The pattern extends to Serie A, where Roma led by two goals before Inter equalised in the second half, and eight of the 10 goals they have conceded have come in second halves. Balzani, writing in Leggo, identifies several causes. Roma struggle to manage pressure, constantly trying to win one-on-one duels even when players are short of breath, as shown by the two goals Cunha scored late on. The psychological side also matters: after conceding against Real Madrid and Manchester, there was no reaction, and the opponent found room to twist the knife deeper. Finally, the squad can dominate in Italy but needs variables in Europe that have not arrived from the transfer market. Gasperini has always asked for, and continues to ask for, a couple of players with explosive pace in the mould of Lookman who can stretch the side when legs tire. Attention now turns to Sassuolo, Saturday's evening opponents. Koné should be available again, while decisive hours lie ahead for Dybala.

Leonardo Balerdi has responded to Roma's late setback at Old Trafford, where a dominant performance was undone in the closing minutes by a costly mistake that allowed Cunha to equalise. The Argentine defender took to social media to address the Roma supporters. Balerdi, who was outstanding for much of the night, saw his display overshadowed by the error that gave Cunha the equaliser. Writing on his social channels, he acknowledged the pain of the result while stressing the commitment and pride that come with wearing the Roma shirt. His message read: "Fa male. Non era il finale che volevamo. Ma ci sono cose che non cambiano mai: l'impegno, il rispetto e l'orgoglio di difendere questi colori. Ai nostri tifosi che sono venuti fino a Manchester, grazie di cuore per il vostro sostegno. Forza Roma." Translated: "It hurts. It was not the ending we wanted. But there are things that never change: the commitment, the respect and the pride of defending these colours. To our fans who came all the way to Manchester, thank you from the heart for your support. Forza Roma."

Roma are reportedly ready to exercise their option to buy Leonardo Balerdi from Marseille, with a fee of between 11 and 14 million euros depending on his number of appearances of at least 45 minutes this season. Balerdi was one of the standout figures in the 3-2 Champions League defeat at Manchester United at Old Trafford, playing very well for around 80 minutes before a costly error: he miscuffed a clearance, allowing Cunha to equalise and make it 2-2. Despite that moment, his overall impact at the club has been positive, and the Argentine is reportedly happy in the capital and the club is satisfied with his performances. Fabrizio Romano reported the story. The Italian press has also revealed that the 1999-born defender was sounded out by Inter in the summer, while Juventus had considered him on several occasions in recent years. The defeat in Manchester is quickly making way for preparations for Saturday's game against Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, the eleventh round of Serie A. Roma will be looking to put the Old Trafford setback behind them and continue their strong start to the league season. The Lega Serie A has released the referee appointments for the fixture: Marco Di Bello of the Brindisi section will referee, with assistants Peretti and Scatragli and fourth official Abisso. Pezzuto will be at the VAR, with Guida as AVAR. Gazzetta Regionale reports that Roma continue to monitor Georgian talent Giorgi Kvernadze, whom the club have been tracking since last season. His contract, which runs until 2028, reportedly contains a 4 million euro release clause that can be activated next summer. A significant percentage would also go to his agent, the same agent who looks after the interests of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Il Tempo reports that Gasperini could have Manu Koné back at least on the bench against Sassuolo. Koné is very close to full recovery from the thigh muscle injury that kept him out for 20 days. Paulo Dybala has also resumed working on the pitch and could be available at the last minute to face the Emilia side.