Five Roma Starters Out as Koné Diagnosed With Muscle Injury
AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné faces a brief spell on the sidelines after sustaining a confirmed first-degree muscle injury during the 4-3 UEFA Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The diagnosis excludes him from the squad for the upcoming Serie A fixture against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico, adding immediate physical compression to the Giallorossi core.
Gasperini outlines recovery window following Koné diagnosis
The clinical assessment leaves Gian Piero Gasperini without a central anchor, though the prognosis indicates a contained recovery timeline. Koné is targeting a competitive return for the fixture against Sassuolo prior to the upcoming international break.
AS Roma
clubTactical flexibility takes a concurrent hit upfront as Paulo Dybala has also been ruled out of the Genoa match due to minor calf fatigue. The Argentine attacker is expected to rejoin team activities next week, leaving the frontline short of its primary creative link.
Absences force wholesale tactical adjustments against Genoa
The physical workload falls on secondary rotation options with five regular starters completely unavailable for selection. Beyond the immediate midfield and forward absences, goalkeeper Mile Svilar is sidelined for roughly a month due to a fractured toe finger, while Bryan Cristante is targeting his return against Napoli next week. Forward Donyell Malen serves a one-game suspension following a red card against Como.
Gian Piero Gasperini
coachGasperini addressed the medical evaluations and player availability during his media briefing ahead of the Genoa encounter.
“Koné underwent an MRI scan and has a first-degree injury. It is not particularly serious, but he needs the necessary recovery time. We hope to have him back for the Sassuolo match before the international break. There are no particular concerns regarding Dybala. He has some fatigue in his calf muscle, and we hope to have him back next week.”
With Cristante and Dybala aiming to re-enter selection contention next week, Roma must navigate the immediate weekend challenge before structural relief arrives.