Torino name squad for Roma clash; Simeone and Coco return, Adams ruled out

Roma's radio stations have dissected Gasperini's tactics ahead of tonight's match against Torino, with particular focus on Paulo Dybala's continued presence in the starting XI and the coach's squad rotation policy. Nando Orsi argued that Roma will remain unbeaten as long as they maintain their physical condition, saying the team has adopted Gasperini's system entirely: "The way Gasp plays is this: as long as Roma is in condition they will be unbeatable, Roma has become gasperinised, it plays exactly like Atalanta. But there are moments when you have to catch your breath and there you have to be careful." Francesca Ferrazza suggested Torino are preparing defensive traps from the 1980s to stop Roma's attacking approach. Gasperini's decision to keep Dybala on the pitch for consecutive matches rather than rotate him drew extensive discussion. David Rossi noted that the coach is transmitting psychological conviction to the Argentine forward, saying Gasperini wants him to understand: "You play, you're fine, you must play. And I'll show you: I remove everyone except you." Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged concerns that hierarchy decisions could create unrest within the squad, with some players beginning to feel sidelined, yet noted that Gasperini has used almost all his squad members: "With the exception of Gollini, they have all played. With the exception of Cristante, everyone has played, including De Roon and Koulierakis." Roberto Pruzzo observed that Dybala appears in optimal condition and was specifically prepared to reach the winter break in top form. Fabio Petruzzi added that Dybala's unconditional confidence from Gasperini has improved his self-belief: "When a player goes into a challenge, if he goes in weakly he gets hurt. I saw Dybala changed, especially in his running." Mario Corsi criticised Roma's lack of a left winger, noting that Rodrigo Mora is excellent but performs a different type of role, while criticising the club's previous failures to sign other targets. Daniele Lo Monaco reported that Roma had offered €35 million plus bonuses and a resale percentage for an unspecified winger before the player joined Milan for €50 million plus bonuses instead. Tonight's fixture will test whether Roma can maintain their form against Torino's expected defensive intensity after their midweek European match.

David Di Michele has predicted a battle at Torino tonight, describing the fixture between Roma and the Torino side as historically contested and full of intensity. The former footballer was speaking exclusively ahead of the match. Di Michele praised Gasperini's work and emphasised the strength of the squad's collective awareness. He reflected on the modern evolution of full-back play, noting that inverted positions have become standard practice in contemporary football. "Once you played only on your own flank," he said, "but now football has changed. Even when I was playing, various coaches were experimenting with the inverted foot, and I benefited greatly from it because you have more solutions. Certainly with Gasperini I would have found myself well given what my characteristics were." Addressing Gasperini's view that a squad now comprises 20 players of equal quality rather than a division between starters and substitutes, Di Michele acknowledged the shift while noting that first-choice players remain defined when chasing major objectives. "Certainly football has changed, today you need your entire squad—that's clear," he explained. "But if we analyse it, it's obvious that when you come to play for important objectives, the starters are well defined and you change less. Over the course of an entire season it's clear you need everyone, but every team has its own reliability and its own balance with a certain formation. If you remove Dybala you don't have a substitute with the same qualities, for example."

Roma face Torino in Serie A on 14 September at 18:30, four days after their Champions League return, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini managing squad rotation following the trip to Istanbul. The starting XI appears largely settled, though midfield and the right flank remain open questions. Svilar will start in goal, with the familiar trio of Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso in defence; Ghilardi is the alternative. Wesley is expected to hold the left-back spot, while the right side is contested between Lulli and Rensch, with Lulli marginally favoured, though Gasperini indicated in his press conference that his condition would need to be assessed before the match. The main shift could come in midfield. Manu Koné picked up a knee problem against Fenerbahçe, opening the door for Nicolò Pisilli to partner Bryan Cristante; Koné has attempted recovery and remains an option. Dybala and Donyell Malen are set pieces in attack, with Matías Soulé the likely choice to complete the forward line, while Rodrigo Mora stands ready either from the start or as an in-match solution. The probable Roma formation is 3-4-2-1: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen.