Roma receive a timely fitness boost as Manu Koné returns to full training ahead of Monday’s Serie A showdown with Fiorentina, while captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and striker Artem Dovbyk remain doubts — leaving Gasperini to balance a near-complete squad, a potential Dybala–Malen–Soule attacking reunion and fine defensive choices ahead of a pivotal capital clash.
Koné back in training, Pellegrini and Dovbyk sidelined
Manu Koné has rejoined full training at Trigoria after a thigh layoff and is pushing for a place in the matchday squad against Fiorentina. His return restores a much-needed box-to-box option in midfield and gives Gasperini flexibility to rotate without destabilising the balance of the team.
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk trained separately and are not expected to be risked on Monday; internal hopes point to returns later in the week. Those absences remove leadership and a forward option from immediate selection, forcing tactical adjustments in the final third.
Projected XI and squad picture
Svilar looks set to start in goal behind a three-man defence anchored by Gianluca Mancini and Mohamed-Ali Cho Ndicka, with a selection question between Pablo Hermoso and Matteo Ghilardi. The wingback roles are also competitive, with a contest on the right between Denzel Rensch and Kostas Tsimikas, while Wesley provides consistent width on the left.
A plausible lineup: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Pisilli; Malen. Unavailable: Dovbyk, Ferguson, Pellegrini.
What the numbers and positions suggest
Koné’s presence allows Cristante more license to shepherd the tempo without being overexposed defensively. With Pellegrini out, the creative burden slides toward Giacomo Pisilli and the returning pocket that Dybala traditionally occupied — a setup that naturally nudges Gasperini toward a 3-4-2-1 shape.
The likely front three — Soulé, Dybala and Malen — would combine pace, craft and finishing. Reuniting those elements for the first time in months could inject a spark, but cohesion will be tested given limited recent minutes together.
Tactical implications: defence, width and risk management
The Hermoso-versus-Ghilardi choice is more than personnel: it reflects tactical intent. Hermoso offers ball-carrying and experience; Ghilardi would be the marginally more aggressive, line-managing option. That selection will determine Roma’s comfort in building out from the back against Fiorentina’s pressing triggers.
On the right, Rensch’s balance and verticality contrast with Tsimikas’s offensive thrust and crossing. Gasperini’s pick there will shape how much Roma stretch the play versus conserve structure, especially with Pellegrini absent to link midfield and attack.
Attacking cohesion versus match fitness
Reviving a Dybala–Malen–Soule axis is the tantalising prospect for Roma but also a management challenge. The trio can unlock stubborn defences, yet their effectiveness depends on timing and minutes together — both of which have been in short supply. Expect Gasperini to ramp up pressing and quick transitions to capitalise on the trio’s strengths while shielding potential rustiness.
Fiorentina’s context and game stakes
Fiorentina arrive with their own absentees, altering opposition plans and making Monday’s fixture a tactical chess match rather than a pure talent showcase. For Roma, the match is a chance to consolidate momentum at home and test rotation ahead of a congested schedule.
Why this game matters
Koné’s return shifts Roma from coping to planning: it gives depth, reduces burnout risk and allows Gasperini to approach selection with nuance. Losing Pellegrini and Dovbyk, however, is a reminder of squad fragility — Roma must find creative balance without forcing returns.
Delivering a controlled performance while integrating returning players will tell us more about this Roma side than raw results alone. If the front trio clicks early, Roma could convert absences into an aggressive assertion; if not, Gasperini will need to rely on defensive solidity and midfield discipline to grind out a positive result.
What to watch next
How Gasperini manages minutes for Koné, Dybala and Malen — and whether he resists pushing Pellegrini back — will be the match-level story. Defensive selection between Hermoso and Ghilardi, and the right wingback choice, will reveal whether Roma prioritise ball progression or structural caution against Fiorentina’s threats.
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Expect updates on Pellegrini and Dovbyk after the gameweek; their timely returns would immediately alter roster calculus and give Roma a fuller tactical palette heading into the next round.
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