TRIGORIA - AS Roma have finalised preparations for Como with a test match against Sorianese and the full availability of forwards Donyell Malen and Wesley. The pair, who missed international duty with physical issues, trained regularly with the group and are ready for Sunday's 12:30 kick-off at the Sinigaglia.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side, who top Serie A with six points and eight goals scored with none conceded, used the morning for a friendly with the Eccellenza-level team managed by Gian Piero Chirieletti. The aim was to regain match sharpness and assess players returning from injury and international commitments. Malen, the season's top scorer with six goals in five appearances, and Wesley played regular minutes in the test, which Roma won.

The midfield puzzle

Bryan Cristante's absence, with the midfielder stating "I hope to recover for Como, but it will be difficult", forces Gasperini to reconfigure his midfield pairing. The favourite to partner Manu Koné is Marten de Roon, who stayed at Trigoria during the break and trained continuously. It would be the Dutchman's first start for Roma.

Meanwhile, the three Argentines Matías Soulé, Franco Castro and Leonardo Balerdi have also returned to work following the long journey back from Buenos Aires after national team games. The trio only completed a recovery session and did not feature in the test match. Koné and youngster Pablo Mora, however, started the friendly.

Gasperini still has three days to resolve the remaining selection doubts, including the central defensive partnership where Evan Ndicka is ahead of Balerdi. The manager must also decide who will support Paulo Dybala in the attacking midfield role, with Soulé holding a slight edge over Lorenzo Pellegrini and Mora. Youngster Riccardo Pisilli, back from Under-21 duty, is being considered as a potential impact substitute.

The clash against Cesc Fàbregas's Como, eighth in the table, represents an important early test for Roma after their perfect league start. In the last meeting in March, the Lombardy side won 2-1. The updated squad list is available in the squad section.

This story first appeared at corrieredellosport.it