ROME - AS Roma face Daniele De Rossi's Genoa in a Serie A night match with a squad severely depleted by injuries. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini will be without five key players for the clash scheduled for 20:45 at the Olimpico.

Manu Koné suffered a first-degree thigh lesion after the Champions League match against Real Madrid and will miss several games, starting with this one. Paulo Dybala, with calf muscle fatigue, will be out at least until the Bratislava match. They are joined by Bryan Cristante and Mile Svilar, whose return is expected after the international break, and Denzel Malen, who is suspended. The club, third in the standings with 14 points, is looking to end a run of three matches without a win. The team has accumulated 14 points from 6 matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding only 3, but now faces a Genoa side in good form, coming off two consecutive victories.

The makeshift lineup

With these absences, Gasperini will field Rodrigo Mora and Castro in midfield, with Matias Soulé in attack. "I'm mainly worried because we have few substitutes on the bench and some Primavera players might have to give us a hand," the manager stated. The squad is being tested by the schedule, with this being the third game in seven days. The Malian captain, who has 6 goals in 6 appearances, will be missing at a time when the team has scored 14 league goals but conceded only 3.

The context and prospects

Gasperini highlighted the spirit shown in recent matches against Inter, Como and Real Madrid, despite the 4-3 defeat to the Spanish side having a psychological impact. "We have a strong squad, but with this calendar we won't be able to always play with the same lineup," he added. The club, two points behind leaders Inter, is already looking at the January market to strengthen, especially in attack. The last meeting with Genoa, a 2-1 away loss last March, adds further motivation. The appointed referee is Rosario Abisso, back in action after a federal review process. The match, valid for the 7th matchday, represents an important test for the flow of the game. The team will face Napoli after the break schedule. The next fixture against Napoli is scheduled for October 19th.

This story first appeared at ANSA Sport