Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma are preparing to welcome Manu Koné back, who was sidelined after suffering a muscle injury during the Champions League match against Real Madrid.
The French midfielder is continuing his recovery and his return appears ever closer, although the Giallorossi medical staff will continue to monitor his condition before granting the green light.
The 2001-born midfielder’s absence has deprived Gasperini of one of the most important players in the central defense, particularly his ability to provide intensity, ball recovery, and dynamism in both phases of play.
The injury dates back to October 14, during the Champions League match against Real Madrid played at the Stadio Olimpico. On that occasion, Koné was forced to leave the field after just 17 minutes, making way for Niccolò Pisilli.
Medical tests carried out in the following days revealed a grade-1 tear to his right hamstring, necessitating a layoff and the initiation of a specific rehabilitation program. Since then, the midfielder has worked to regain top physical condition, with the aim of returning to the coach’s disposal without running the risks associated with an early return.
According to Il Messaggero, Manu Koné’s return is scheduled between November 3rd and 7th, a window that includes two key fixtures for the Giallorossi season. The first is the Champions League match against Manchester United, scheduled for November 3rd, while the second coincides with the league match against Sassuolo on November 7th.
The next few days will therefore be crucial to determine whether the Frenchman will be able to recover in time for the European fixture or whether it will be necessary to wait a few more days. Gasperini is awaiting Koné’s return to regain a key option in midfield rotation, a position in which the coach has had to identify alternatives during the Frenchman’s absence.
So far, De Roon and Pisilli’s performances have not disappointed, but the return of the former Monchengladbach player would allow Roma to increase their options and rediscover a player particularly useful in managing the tempo and protecting the defensive line.