“Koulierakis rejoined the group yesterday and trained with those who didn’t play in Como. Cristante needs a bit more time. Yesterday we had a good session with those not involved in Como, while all those who did play will have their first session now, after this press conference. We don’t have any particular issues. We just need to see how well they’ve recovered because the Como game took a lot out of them, having to play most of it with ten men. That said, morale is good and we’re ready to play this kind of match.”
Those were the injury updates provided by Gian Piero Gasperini in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s big match against Real Madrid. That means Roma will again be without Cristante in the midfield and it’s expected that Gasperini goes with his trusted veteran, Martin De Roon, against Los Blancos. Additionally, with Svilar still out, Pierluigi Gollini is penciled in for his second straight start after a strong showing between the sticks against Como.
There is one likely change from Sunday’s match as Matías Soulé is expected to replace Lorenzo Pellegrini in the attacking midfield. Soulé is expected to partner fellow Argentine Paulo Dybala as the primary creators for striker Donyell Malen. Meanwhile, there is another possible, but less likely change in defense as Leonardo Balerdi could be given the go ahead of Mario Hermoso. However, indications are pointing toward Gasperini keeping Sunday’s defensive trio of Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso intact.
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Konè, de Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.