Zidane leaves Manu Koné out of France squad

Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly chose encouragement over a dressing-room rebuke after Roma's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, according to Andrea Pugliese. Rather than criticising his players, the coach reportedly highlighted what had gone well in the first half, telling his squad in the dressing room: "We dominated." The message was aimed at protecting the group's confidence after Roma conceded their second Champions League comeback. Manu Koné has been left out of France's squad by Zinedine Zidane for the matches against Italy and Turkey. The decision is linked to his physical condition, allowing Roma to manage his recovery without pressure. His availability for the Sassuolo match remains in serious doubt, although Gasperini could still name him on the bench. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Mora has earned a call-up to the senior Portugal squad under Jorge Jesus. The 19-year-old has scored three goals in eight Serie A appearances and provided two assists in the Champions League, a reward for his progress at Roma and his performance against Manchester United. According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are now prepared to consider a temporary transfer for Gittens, having rejected Roma's earlier proposal. Roma had also pursued the English winger during the summer. D'Amico is looking for a quick winger capable of beating his man, and competition for the 2004-born player remains strong. Sassuolo are without two key players. Alberto Aquilani will be missing Berardi, his main attacking reference, and Volpato, the former Roma player, who will miss the return to the Olimpico, both through injury. Sassuolo arrive on a run of four consecutive defeats and have conceded 16 goals. Aquilani, returning to the Olimpico as a coach in a difficult moment, admitted his side's difficulties at his press conference and called for an immediate response. Gollini is still struggling with the back problem that ruled him out before the Manchester trip. Roma's medical staff at Trigoria are evaluating injections as a way to get him back, but the most likely option is that Devis Vásquez starts. Mile Svilar will not return until after the international break.

Pierluigi Gollini is set to miss Roma's next match against Sassuolo, with the medical staff unable to resolve his back problem in time, barring a dramatic change. Vásquez, the former Empoli and Milan goalkeeper, is in line to start for the second match running, after the defeat to Manchester United. Koné will not be called up for France, and he is hoping to return to the matchday squad. France play Italy on 12 November and Turkey on 15 November. Zidane's side top the group with ten points, three more than the Azzurri, who can catch them in the head-to-head clash at San Siro. Ndicka will return to the starting lineup in defence. Up front, the attack will be made up of Mora, Soulé and Malen.

Roma midfielder Manu Koné has not been called up by France for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey, with the decision linked to his physical condition as he continues to recover from the muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid. France coach Zinedine Zidane left him out of the list he issued. Koné had hoped to return to action as early as tomorrow against Sassuolo, partly to prove he was ready to answer the call from the Bleus. Roma, however, have consistently preferred caution and have not wanted to rush the return of one of the most important players in the squad. With the non-call-up, the uncertainty created by international commitments has also been removed. The France omission means Roma can manage his recovery without the pressure of international duty, possibly using the break to bring Koné back to peak condition. Koné has only partially resumed training with the group, and his availability against Sassuolo remains in serious doubt. Gasperini and the medical staff will assess until the last moment whether to include him at least among the matchday squad, but another setback remains a real possibility. The aim is to have him at one hundred per cent when Serie A resumes, when Roma face Parma and Paris Saint-Germain.