Paulo Dybala will miss AS Roma's next three matches after a minor lesion was confirmed in a recent MRI scan. The Argentine forward's recovery has been extended by a couple of weeks, dealing a blow to the team's attacking options.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini revealed the setback in his pre-match press conference. "We hoped Dybala's recovery would be a bit quicker, but the latest MRI he did yesterday also highlighted a minimal lesion, which will therefore lengthen the recovery time, a couple of weeks more, I think," Gasperini stated. The player already missed the 2-0 win over Genoa and will now be absent for the Champions League trip to Slovan Bratislava.

The schedule without the star

Roma face six fixtures before the November international break. Dybala is certain to miss the matches against Slovan Bratislava, Napoli in Serie A and Udinese. The club hopes to have him back for the home game against Manchester United on 3 November and the subsequent fixture with Sassuolo. Otherwise, his return is expected after the break, ahead of the away trip to Parma.

Sitting third in the table with 17 points, Roma must defend their position just two points behind leaders Inter. The next test is away at Napoli, who currently sit ninth. The last league meeting between the sides ended in a 2-2 draw. Gasperini's side currently averages a goal every 80 minutes in the league, a rate they will need to maintain without their chief creator. Their recent form, with 4 wins from the last 6 matches, will be tested during this period.

The attacking solutions

In the absence of their chief playmaker, Gasperini is likely to turn to the attacking midfield duo of Matias Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in the 3-4-2-1 formation. Soulé has already provided two assists in the Champions League, while Mora replaced Dybala at half-time in the 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid. Other options include Lorenzo Pellegrini and, in an emergency, pushing youngster Pisilli into an advanced role.

The coach could also consider shifting to a single trequartista system, utilising Donyell Malen and Santiago Castro once the former's suspension ends. Malen, with 6 goals, is the team's top scorer this season. Roma host Cagliari on 27 October before the midweek match against Udinese.

This story first appeared at Sky Sport IT