“Kone had an MRI scan, which revealed that he’s suffered a first-degree injury, so it’s not particularly significant. However, he’ll still need to take the required time to recover, and we hope that he’s back in action ahead of the international break. As for Dybala, there’s nothing major of note. He’s suffering from fatigue of his calf muscle, and we hope that he can play next week.”
Gian Piero Gasperini opened his press conference with that relatively good news. As both Konè and Dybala escaped serious injury. However, both will miss out on Saturday’s match against Genoa.
“At the moment, unless we turn to some of the academy kids – which I will anyway – we have [Mile] Svilar out, and the outfield players missing are Malen, who’s suspended, Kone, Dybala and Cristante. We have enough players in defence and out wide but we’re short in midfield and attack. We don’t have many alternatives but we have players who can play. All of the guys we’re talking about have played before,” said Gasperini when asked about the possibility of playing a narrow attack given the absences.
What we do know is that Santiago Castro will be given a start from the opening whistle with the absences of Malen and Dybala. Gasperini spoke highly of the Argentine in his presser.
“Castro? In the last two games we went down to ten men against Como and the other night’s game unfolded as it did. He’s a good player, who’s already done well in Serie A. Tomorrow will definitely be a good opportunity for him.”
Meanwhile, he will likely be supported by youngster Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. If that is indeed the starting attacking trio, then Soulé would be the elder statesman of the group at just 23. Gasperini was asked how the two are progressing.
“They’re both improving for sure. Mora is very young and he’s playing more and more. Soule is 23, so he’s not the finished article yet but he’s already got several seasons under his belt and he’s a valuable player. So there’s no problem at all with these lads.”
In the central midfield, Cristante has again been ruled out and with Koné now also out, the midfield depth will be tested. Gasperini said he hopes to have the Italian back next weekend for Napoli.
“As I said earlier, we’re hoping to have him available for Napoli. It won’t be easy but we’ll try and hope it works out. He’s a warrior for sure, so in a difficult situation he’ll try even harder. We’re hopeful. In any case, we don’t want to harm his recovery, which is going well. If he doesn’t make it for Napoli, it’ll be for the next game.”
With Cristante out, he may have to start De Roon four times in ten days. Or he could opt to play Lorenzo Pellegrini deeper in the midfield. Gasperini spoke about those two options.
“De Roon has played far more than four matches in ten days. He’s got consistency and despite no longer being in his prime he hasn’t struggled. He’s fit so he hasn’t had that sort of problem. I can see that this new experience is also hugely motivating for him. The goal he scored the other night is reward for the choice he made, which wasn’t an easy one. He’s a very reliable player.
“Pellegrini is different because he had surgery and was out for months. He’s a player who’s getting back to full fitness. He needs to play to regain his strength and physical condition, because being out of action is different from being sidelined due to injury. He’s on the right track, though.”
It seems like Gasperini will opt to go with De Roon and Nico Pisilli from the start, leaving Pellegrini as a versatile option off the bench.
With Svilar still out, Gollini will again man Roma’s goal. Additionally, some rotation could be made in defense with Emanuele Lulli and Leonardo Balerdi expected to step in for Nahuel Molina and Mario Hermoso respectively.
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Balerdi, Ndicka, Mancini; Wesley, De Roon, Pisilli, Lulli; Soulé, Mora; Castro.