Svilar backs Roma to stay in Champions League; Gasperini 'fired up' in pre-season

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.

Marten De Roon could start his ninth consecutive match against Sassuolo tomorrow, continuing his run as one of Gian Piero Gasperini's most trusted players. The Dutch midfielder arrived in the final days of the summer transfer window as a reliable option to rotate with Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Niccolò Pisilli, but he has become a regular starter this past month. Since Roma returned from the long September-October international break, De Roon has started every match and played the full 90 minutes in six of the eight games. He has been forced into extra work by the simultaneous absence of Cristante and Koné, which lasted until the trip to Napoli. Despite being 35 years old, he has delivered reliability and leadership. Writing in Il Tempo, Lorenzo Pes noted that De Roon has shown excellent physical condition this month and a natural understanding of reading the game and positioning himself. Alongside Pisilli or Cristante, De Roon has provided composure and personality in the heart of the Giallorossi midfield, combining tactical intelligence with a healthy dose of physicality. He has taken the team by the hand during delicate moments of the season, although he would not mind playing a little less if asked. Gasperini, however, is not willing to give him up. De Roon did not join Roma to be an undisputed starter, but the key is being there when needed, and he does not let anyone down.

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 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 are battling a growing injury crisis ahead of Saturday's clash with Sassuolo, with Daniele Rensch's absence joined by doubts over Paulo Dybala and goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini. Devyne Rensch has a first-degree adductor tear, the tests revealed, and will not return until the Parma match after the international break. Dybala, who did not train with the rest of the group at Monday's resumption, is heading towards missing tomorrow's game. The squad is stretched thin. Il Messaggero's Daniele Aloisi reports that Gasperini has only sixteen outfield players available, leaving him with very few choices and few decisions to make. Mile Svilar will certainly miss out, and Gollini's involvement is also at risk because of a back problem that persists, though he will try to play to the end with the help of infiltrations. Devis Vásquez is ready to step in, having not played a Serie A match since 25 May 2025. Manu Koné offers some hope. He has carried out individualised work on the pitch and will undergo a fitness test today in an attempt to return to the matchday squad. Mancini did not train yesterday for a planned, routine rest. Malen and Soulé are expected to lead the attack, with Mora pushing for a place to complete the front three. Pisilli is further down the pecking order and is set to operate in the central space alongside Cristante and de Roon. If de Roon starts, he would become the only player to have started each of Roma's last nine matches. On the right, Molina and Lulli are in contention for a spot, while Wesley will play on the left. At the back, N'Dicka is set to return, alongside Mancini or Balerdi and Hermoso.

Gian Piero Gasperini is closely monitoring his injury list ahead of Roma's Serie A match against Sassuolo, with Pierluigi Gollini and Manu Koné the main concerns from the medical staff, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. Devyne Rensch's tests confirmed a first-degree tear of the right adductor longus, ruling him out until after the international break. In goal, there is cautious optimism over Gollini. The back pain that forced him off at Old Trafford is improving markedly, and the Italian keeper is pushing to return to the Roma goal against Sassuolo. If he cannot give full assurances, Devis Vásquez will be retained for his second consecutive start. Koné's thigh muscle injury can now be considered resolved, but his management requires close care going forward, given the possibility of call-ups for France in the Nations League fixtures. The most likely scenario sees the midfielder named in the squad to start on the bench against Sassuolo, leaving Gasperini to decide whether to use him during the match. Svilar, Dybala and Pellegrini carry no risk and are expected to return to full training when the league resumes after the break.