Torri: 'Fear of failure is natural, but Gasperini knows how to do it'

Radio pundits across Rome's stations have debated whether Manu Koné should be called up by France and whether Roma are over-reliant on Malen and Dybala ahead of the match against Sassuolo. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said: "If Koné, after missing several matches, answered France's call-up, it would annoy me. He is coming back after a long stop and it would not be ideal. Everyone looks after their own interests. Zidane could also consider him available, let's see what happens, but I hope not." He added that France have plenty of alternatives and that Koné, returning from a long injury, could be rested. The debate follows the defeat to Manchester, which David Rossi of Rete Sport called unjustified. He said: "I am surprised by the negativity that has been generated after the defeat at Manchester. It is unjustifiable; you lost to teams with greater resources than yours. Wouldn't you have signed up, at this point, to have lost only to Real and Manchester? We always lose sight of the bigger picture. Roma are a very strong side, built to earn more points than last year: the starting base is 73 points. For me this is an 80-point side, which certainly means Champions League again. Contrary to what some think, that is very important. It is unacceptable to hear that Roma must leave the Champions League." Rossi also noted that a draw between Inter and Como, combined with a Napoli win over Lazio, would make the round unfavourable if Roma failed to beat Sassuolo. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport said Roma must take advantage of their chances. He said: "If that defeat to Manchester had not come, with that dynamic and yet another comeback conceded, we would now be saying Roma started clear favourites against Sassuolo. The fear is that there are more psychological than physical after-effects. The same applies as after Real: one way or another, you have to bring it home. Tactically, it is better to face Sassuolo than Genoa, because putting up barricades is not in their DNA." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Roma need to bounce back immediately. He said: "Against Sassuolo you need to restart immediately after the disappointment of Manchester. Sassuolo have conceded 10 goals in their last two matches, Aquilani is in great difficulty, and his side does not have the strength to react. Roma must face the game in the best possible way, looking for satisfaction in attack. Malen also has the odd lapse, and I back Castro, but apart from that great goal he never plays. Maybe there is room for him too. I often refer to the transfer market: you have had only reserves, there is no first-choice player apart from De Roon." Nando Orsi of Radio Radio questioned the dependence on Malen and Dybala. He said: "If Malen is in a slump and Dybala does not play, what happens? Isn't Roma too dependent on those two? Malen was scoring a lot alongside Dybala, now he seems more in difficulty. You need alternatives, because if Malen does not score, you struggle. On Dybala, perhaps Gasperini's management was wrong, making him play ninety minutes every time to prove what..." Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Sassuolo are unpredictable and that Roma are not at their brightest. He said: "Sassuolo are a team on a rollercoaster and could wake up and become the side of three weeks ago. Roma are not going through one of their most brilliant moments; I have noticed glaring flaws. This is not the Roma of three weeks ago. Sassuolo's last outing did not leave them unscathed, but if they have recovered they can put Roma in difficulty. Roma can win, but not comfortably." On Dybala, Mattioli also questioned his diet, saying: "Are we sure he is not eating something that affects his muscle tissue? I did a lot of athletics and they even controlled your food." Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said there was something about Koné's intentions that remained unclear, asking whether he wanted to play for France. He said: "I would not sincerely send him to risk it, also because France play two real matches, one against Italy. Koné knows he has strong competition in his role for his national team, but Roma pay the price. If he gets injured again, we are back to square one." Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Koné is fit and that a call-up could be justified, while Roma would have the final say. He said Roma may prefer caution, in which case Koné would be unlikely to be called up. He added that Roma would like to keep him, while the player has recovered. Pes said the decisive day was expected to be the one that followed, and on Gollini: "It's unlikely he will be available tomorrow; he will try until the end, but until yesterday it was very complicated. So I think Vásquez will play, but I don't see that much difference." The pundits' comments centre on how Roma respond to the Manchester defeat and their Sassuolo fixture, with the Koné decision and Dybala's condition still being discussed.

Roman radio pundits have debated Roma's current form ahead of their match against Sassuolo, with several insisting the club must win but cannot afford to play badly. Ugo Trani said: "Gasperini will have to deal with those who are not well. Ghilardi could play in place of Mancini, and Mora has a chance to start. Sassuolo will come to shut up shop, and Roma will have to play well in front. Right now there are three teams doing more than their value: Frosinone, Lazio and Roma. Como are doing their part, Roma are not. When de Roon arrived, people insulted whoever signed him, and now you cannot take him off the pitch." The debate also centred on Manu Koné's position with France. Piero Torri said: "There is something about Koné we do not know: does he want to go to the national team or not? Because if he wants to go to the national team, he is pushing... Honestly, I would not send him to risk it, especially since France play two real matches, one against Italy. Koné knows he has strong competition in his role in the national team, but Roma pay for it. Because if he gets hurt again, we are back to square one, and we cannot allow that." Lorenzo Pes said: "Koné is fine and in my opinion the call-up can happen. If they prefer caution, avoiding both Sassuolo and France, that would be the right choice. The final word belongs to Roma: if Roma want caution, he will hardly be called up and go to the national team. Koné, however, is not someone uninterested in the national team. On one side Roma would like to keep him, on the other there is the evidence that the player has recovered. We will see, let us wait for today, which should be the crucial one." On Gollini, Pes added: "It is unlikely he will be available tomorrow. He will try until the end, but until yesterday it was very complicated. So I think Vásquez will play, but I do not see all that much difference." Mario Mattioli said: "Given how Sassuolo are built, the rollercoaster is normal. They could also wake up. In my view, Roma are not going through one of their most brilliant moments either. I have seen cracks, and I do not know whether they come from a tiredness that is understandable or from something else. It is not, however, the Roma of three weeks ago. If Sassuolo recover, they can cause difficulties. But I believe Roma must and can win it, not comfortably, but they can do it." Asked about Dybala, Mattioli wondered: "Could the problem be diet? Are we sure he is not eating something that affects his muscle tissue?" Roberto Pruzzo said: "Roma need to bounce back immediately after the disappointment in Manchester. Sassuolo are clearly in difficulty, starting with Aquilani. The black-and-green side is not giving any more signals. This should allow Roma to manage the match or at least administer it in the best possible way. Castro is a player I back, but apart from that great goal he practically never plays: who knows, there could be room for him too." Nando Orsi questioned Roma's dependence on Dybala and Malen: "Is Roma not a little too dependent on Dybala and Malen? When Dybala was there, Malen scored a lot of goals. Today, he seems to be struggling a bit. If he does not score, an alternative is needed. Dybala will not score, but he makes assists. With Dybala, perhaps Gasperini's management was wrong, this idea of always having him play ninety minutes to prove what..."

Roman radio debate has focused on Roma's Champions League defeat at Manchester United and the club's league-phase standing, with several pundits arguing Roma would have collected more points on Como's fixture list. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said: "If Roma had had the exact same calendar as Como, Leipzig at home, Feyenoord away, Manchester at home and Lens away, would they have got the same points in the Champions League? In my opinion they would have got one more point than Como... I'm not saying they would have got 12 points, but 10 yes, and so one more than Como." The debate follows Roma's second defeat of the season, a 2-1 loss at Old Trafford, after an earlier defeat to Real Madrid. Rete Sport's David Rossi said he was disappointed and frustrated by the result, but that it did not signal a deeper problem. He said the Lazio result was what disrupted his assessments, noting that had Lazio not done what they did, Roma would be second, one point behind Inter, and people would be talking about a title push. Rossi questioned why Roma did not play the ball out or break up the game when the score was 1-2 against Manchester, adding: "Everyone does it, everyone, only we never do." Tele Radio Stereo's Valentina Catoni argued that with Svilar in goal, Roma would have taken six more points in the Champions League, since they would have won both the games against Real Madrid and Manchester United. She said Svilar would not have conceded the three goals in similar fashion against Real Madrid, and that Roma did not need a change of calendar to make 10 points. Francesca Ferrazza said she was tired of seeing Como above Roma, adding: "I say these things precisely because I would like Roma to be stronger than Como, not to let themselves be pulled back from comebacks and to have a more important squad. It doesn't seem to me that this means being against them." Lorenzo Pes said Como had impressed him with nine goals in the Champions League, playing a very European style of football, and that they would now face PSG and Barcelona. Mario Corsi said the idea that Como had beaten Manchester United because they played at home was nonsense, describing the atmosphere at Old Trafford as "like a big funeral". Petruzzi said the Manchester defeat did not make him step back, seeing a continuous path of growth, while admitting the team were not yet perfect and still had steps to take. He said he was optimistic about the league, where Roma would be in the top places. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport raised the future of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, whose contract expires at the end of the year. He said he was not sure the club wanted to continue with him, not on results but on mutual affinity, while praising him as a coach who had left a mark on European football. Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Roma must lift their heads and reach the international break without forcing the returns of long-term injured players, pointing to Sassuolo as the ideal opponent. Nando Orsi said Gasperini could have made better changes, but that the main issue was the team's stamina over 90 minutes. On the transfer front, Checco Oddo Casano discussed Kvernadze, reportedly with a 4 million euro clause valid in the summer, and said that a deal could be reached in January, or Roma could agree terms with the player to sign him in June for 4 million, which he said would not suit Frosinone.

Roma were coasting at the Stadio Olimpico, leading Sassuolo 3-0 in their Serie A eleventh-round match. Hermoso opened the scoring at 26′ with a left-footed strike under the crossbar, and Sassuolo's Walukiewicz turned a Malen shot into his own net at 30′. Rodrigo Mora made it three at 58′, cutting inside, beating a defender and finishing across Muric after a pass from Malen. The result came straight after Roma's painful comeback defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side were looking to bounce back immediately and stay in the upper reaches of the table. Gasperini was without several players: Svilar, Dybala, Pellegrini and Rensch were all out, while Gollini was not yet fully fit, which meant Vásquez started in goal again. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrived without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Roma named Vásquez; Balerdi, Ndicka and Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Konè and Wesley; Soulé and Mora; and Malen. Konè started alongside Cristante, with Balerdi replacing the injured Mancini in defence. Sassuolo lined up with Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Caleta-Car and Cinquegrano; Sulemana, Matic, Thorstvedt and Doig; Laurienté and Esposito. Roma struggled to find space in the first half against a compact Sassuolo side, which made Hermoso's opener all the more important. Sassuolo's only real danger before half-time came late through Idzes, whose diagonal shot tested Vásquez. Roma missed several chances to extend the lead. Soulé failed to score from close range after a 48′ breakaway, Malen had a 54′ effort that Muric saved, and Malen again wasted a 70′ opportunity with a soft touch that did not beat the keeper. Molina also fired a 68′ shot wide, and Pisilli saw a 78′ strike blocked by Muric. Sassuolo made changes at the break, with Van der Brempt replacing Matic. Roma did not change at half-time. Gasperini made several substitutions later in the match: at 65′ De Roon and Pisilli came on for Konè and Mora, at 76′ Castro replaced Malen and Koulierakis replaced Hermoso, and at 84′ Ghilardi came on for Balerdi. Sassuolo brought on Adzic and Lipani for Thorstvedt and Esposito at 69′. The match was officiated by referee Di Bello of Brindisi, with assistants Peretti and Scatragli, fourth official Abisso, VAR Pezzuto and assistant VAR Guida. The live coverage ran from the pre-match build-up until the final whistle, with team news and in-game updates throughout.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A's eleventh matchday, looking to bounce back quickly from the painful comeback they suffered against Manchester United in the Champions League and to stay in the top reaches of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Mile Svilar, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, while Pierluigi Gollini is not yet fully fit and is expected to give way again to Devis Vásquez. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrive without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Gasperini is expected to keep Vásquez in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence. Nahuel Molina is favoured on the right flank, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen up front. Manu Koné is back available and is expected to start. The probable Roma formation is a 3-4-2-1: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. The Roma bench lists De Marzi, Kilvinger, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio, Castro, Arena and Maccaroni. Sassuolo line up in a 3-4-2-1 as well: Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé; Cinquegrano, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Esposito, Laurienté; Bowie. Their bench includes Muric, Satalino, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Caleta-Car, Obrador, Ghion, Sulemana, Adzic, Lipani, Dominguez, Pierini and Skjellerup. The match is refereed by Di Bello of Brindisi, with Peretti and Scatragli as assistant referees, Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as assistant VAR.

Manu Koné is back in contention for Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma after more than 20 days out with the injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and he is set to start against Sassuolo. The midfielder has recovered from the thigh (flexor) injury and will begin from the first minute. The return is a timely boost for Gasperini, who has also lost Mancini to injury. Dybala, Svilar and Gollini remain sidelined, so Koné is the only player returning at the last minute for the fixture. The news matters all the more given the demanding run ahead: Roma play seven matches in 29 days after the international break. Koné will stay at Trigoria for the whole break after not being called up by France, giving him time to work back to full fitness. The aim is for him to be at his best for the trip to Parma on 21 November, and above all for the following Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.

Rodrigo Mora has said he is delighted with his goal in Roma's match against Sassuolo, the eleventh round of Serie A, which marks his third goal in a row. He thanked Donyell Malen for the pass that set up the strike. Mora said he was not surprised by how strong Roma have looked this season. "When I arrived here I immediately saw that we were a very good team. In training I noticed how hard my teammates work." He added that football is unpredictable: "One day you don't play and the next day you do. You always have to be ready. This is my third goal in a row, and that is important. I always have to make sure I am ready." Asked about a notable hesitation he showed before shooting at goal, Mora thanked the studio journalists for their support. The interview was given to SkyCi.

Roma eased past Sassuolo 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in their Serie A matchday 11 fixture, a comfortable win that was never in serious doubt. Gian Piero Gasperini's side took the lead through Mario Hermoso, who controlled the ball in the area, set it onto his left foot and drove it into the net, a goal that broke open a difficult game. Malen's cross-field play led to an own goal that doubled the lead, and Rodrigo Mora finished off the 3-0 scoreline in the second half. The result came against a Sassuolo side that offered little in attack. Roma struggled to break down their wall for long spells, which made Hermoso's finish all the more important. Gasperini's team were not at their most fluent, but they controlled the match and showed the qualities and organisation that have marked their season. Arriving at the international break with this level of performance, despite a crowded fixture schedule and several absences, is a strong return for the squad. In the player ratings, Hermoso earned a 7.5 for his goal and a display of quality, with openings and illuminating touches. Balerdi was rated a 7 for a commanding performance, going close with a central run that Muric turned behind for a corner. Koné also received a 7, providing balance in midfield and offering dangerous central runs, while Cristante rose to a 7 after a shaky start, taking control of the midfield in the second half. Mora, also rated 7, was described as having a special touch, with a finish in the second half that was far from straightforward. Gasperini himself was given a 7. Ndicka and Molina both earned 6.5, Ndicka for a solid defensive display and Molina for growing into the game after a quiet first half. Wesley and Soulé were each rated 6.5. Wesley worked tirelessly but lacked the final ball, while Soulé kept possession well without a goal or assist. Vásquez received a 6, having had little to do. Malen was rated a 6, having wasted an incredible number of chances despite his involvement in the opening goal, the own goal and the assist for Mora's third. Pisilli, who came on in the 65th minute, was also rated a 6 after several efforts that Muric stopped, and De Roon, also introduced on 65 minutes, earned a 6 for his composure in midfield. Koulierakis and Castro came on in the 76th minute, and Ghilardi replaced Balerdi in the 84th, with no ratings given for their short appearances. The result leaves Roma with a clean sheet and three goals, with Gasperini's side described as having made a significant step forward. The next Roma fixture is not covered in the report.

Roma beat Sassuolo 3-0, with Mario Hermoso earning the top rating of 7.5 for a commanding display that included a goal at a crucial moment. Our rundown of the player ratings from the match highlights the performances across the side. Goalkeeper Devis Vásquez was rated 6 after shaking off the nerves from Manchester, where Roma played last week. The Colombian returned to Serie A after a year and a half away and was called into an early save to deny Matic. It was his only real intervention in a match without any real scares. Balerdi was rated 6.5 and was quick to put the errors of Manchester behind him. He went close twice in the opposition box, though a goal from his third of the season was stopped on the line by Caleta-Car, then he was denied by a save from Muric. Ndicka was rated 6.5 for controlling the centre of defence, neutralising Esposito with ease. Hermoso scored at an important moment and was rated 7.5. Koné was rated 6.5 and was excellent in the middle of the park, showing a wide range of passing and the sharpness to get into the Sassuolo box after six minutes. Cristante was rated 7, winning his duel with Matic and taking control of the midfield before providing a perfect pass to Soulé early in the second half. Wesley was rated 6.5, looking often for Mora and getting forward between Sassuolo's weak lines. Soulé was also rated 6.5, creating danger and troubling Muric from distance, though he was too unselfish when one-on-one with the keeper in the second half. Malen was rated 6.5, involved in both first-half goals: first with a pass for Hermoso's run down the channel, then with a shot deflected by Walukiewicz. He missed an open goal from Soulé's invitation but made amends with an assist for Mora.

Roma were coasting at the Stadio Olimpico, leading Sassuolo 3-0 in their Serie A eleventh-round match. Hermoso opened the scoring at 26′ with a left-footed strike under the crossbar, and Sassuolo's Walukiewicz turned a Malen shot into his own net at 30′. Rodrigo Mora made it three at 58′, cutting inside, beating a defender and finishing across Muric after a pass from Malen. The result came straight after Roma's painful comeback defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side were looking to bounce back immediately and stay in the upper reaches of the table. Gasperini was without several players: Svilar, Dybala, Pellegrini and Rensch were all out, while Gollini was not yet fully fit, which meant Vásquez started in goal again. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrived without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Roma named Vásquez; Balerdi, Ndicka and Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Konè and Wesley; Soulé and Mora; and Malen. Konè started alongside Cristante, with Balerdi replacing the injured Mancini in defence. Sassuolo lined up with Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Caleta-Car and Cinquegrano; Sulemana, Matic, Thorstvedt and Doig; Laurienté and Esposito. Roma struggled to find space in the first half against a compact Sassuolo side, which made Hermoso's opener all the more important. Sassuolo's only real danger before half-time came late through Idzes, whose diagonal shot tested Vásquez. Roma missed several chances to extend the lead. Soulé failed to score from close range after a 48′ breakaway, Malen had a 54′ effort that Muric saved, and Malen again wasted a 70′ opportunity with a soft touch that did not beat the keeper. Molina also fired a 68′ shot wide, and Pisilli saw a 78′ strike blocked by Muric. Sassuolo made changes at the break, with Van der Brempt replacing Matic. Roma did not change at half-time. Gasperini made several substitutions later in the match: at 65′ De Roon and Pisilli came on for Konè and Mora, at 76′ Castro replaced Malen and Koulierakis replaced Hermoso, and at 84′ Ghilardi came on for Balerdi. Sassuolo brought on Adzic and Lipani for Thorstvedt and Esposito at 69′. The match was officiated by referee Di Bello of Brindisi, with assistants Peretti and Scatragli, fourth official Abisso, VAR Pezzuto and assistant VAR Guida. The live coverage ran from the pre-match build-up until the final whistle, with team news and in-game updates throughout.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A's eleventh matchday, looking to bounce back quickly from the painful comeback they suffered against Manchester United in the Champions League and to stay in the top reaches of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Mile Svilar, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch, while Pierluigi Gollini is not yet fully fit and is expected to give way again to Devis Vásquez. Sassuolo, coached by Alberto Aquilani, arrive without Berardi and Volpato and after four consecutive league defeats. Gasperini is expected to keep Vásquez in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence. Nahuel Molina is favoured on the right flank, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen up front. Manu Koné is back available and is expected to start. The probable Roma formation is a 3-4-2-1: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. The Roma bench lists De Marzi, Kilvinger, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio, Castro, Arena and Maccaroni. Sassuolo line up in a 3-4-2-1 as well: Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Candé; Cinquegrano, Matic, Thorstvedt, Doig; Esposito, Laurienté; Bowie. Their bench includes Muric, Satalino, Van der Brempt, Odenthal, Caleta-Car, Obrador, Ghion, Sulemana, Adzic, Lipani, Dominguez, Pierini and Skjellerup. The match is refereed by Di Bello of Brindisi, with Peretti and Scatragli as assistant referees, Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto as VAR and Guida as assistant VAR.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without centre-back Gianluca Mancini for this evening's match against Sassuolo, after the defender picked up a muscle strain in his right hip flexor. The injury adds to a growing list of absences for Roma, following the unavailability of Svilar, Gollini, Rensch, Dybala and Pellegrini. The problem is not considered serious. Mancini trained normally with his teammates yesterday, but he does not yet feel ready to play, and Gasperini has decided not to risk him. Roma's selection for the fixture is therefore a choice between Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi to fill the centre-back spot Mancini would have occupied. Mancini will not be in the Italy squad for the forthcoming matches against France and Belgium, which gives him the international break to recover fully. The break offers him a chance to return to full fitness before Roma's next fixtures.