TRIGORIA - Roma face Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday at 9pm at the Olimpico in a key Champions League match for their points tally, but will have to do so without Paulo Dybala for another two weeks. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini announced the delay in the Argentine's recovery during the pre-match press conference, stressing the need to win at home to reach their qualification target.

The latest MRI scan conducted yesterday revealed a minor lesion that extends the attacker's absence. "We hoped the recovery would be a bit quicker, but the latest scan also highlighted a minimal lesion: the recovery will be a bit longer, a couple more weeks," declared Gasperini. The team, third in Serie A with 17 points, comes from a 2-0 win over Genoa and seeks consistency in Europe after drawing with Fenerbahce and losing to Real Madrid.

The points target and rotations

Gasperini clearly set the target for the league phase, based on last season's performance. "The target is around 10-11 points looking at last year, but to get them we must win at home, starting tomorrow, and that could be enough," explained the coach. To manage the congested fixture list, which includes Napoli away on Sunday and then Cagliari, Udinese and Manchester City, the manager plans to use rotations. He hopes not to resort to emergency solutions like using Mario Hermoso in midfield, preferring to rely on Edoardo Bove, Marten de Roon and Filippo Pisilli.

Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, present at the press conference alongside the manager, spoke of a positive team atmosphere. "The environment is calm. Regarding my role, I play where the manager asks me." Pellegrini also accepted the club's offer of a one-year contract extension, calling it a shared decision.

Context and the opponent

Roma approach the match after an intense week. Beyond the league victory, which gave Gasperini his 300th Serie A win, the club has sold 63,000 tickets for Tuesday's match, with very few seats still available. Slovan Bratislava, managed by former star Yaya Touré, arrives with zero points after two heavy defeats to PSG and Stuttgart. Despite this, Gasperini warned: "They are a dynamic team, with some very good players, athletically prepared."

Awaiting the return of Bryan Cristante, expected for training on Wednesday or Thursday ahead of the Napoli match, the Giallorossi can count on top scorer Donyell Malen, who has 6 goals in 6 appearances this season. The next away trip to Napoli, ninth in the table, is scheduled for Sunday 24 October. Tuesday's match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Arena.

This story first appeared at Sky Sport IT