Roma vs Sassuolo – News and Probable Lineups

After a disappointing performance midweek, Roma will be looking to bounce back as they host Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening.

Following another disappointing result in the Champions League, the Giallorossi are eager to respond quickly, as they face the league’s top scoring team against its weakest defence.

Match overview

Three weeks since squandering a prime opportunity to overcome the formidable Real Madrid, Roma found themselves in a similar predicament against a different prestigious opponent on Tuesday night.

On this occasion, the Giallorossi relinquished a two-goal advantage at Old Trafford, ultimately collapsing to a defeat of 3-2 against a struggling Manchester United.

Consequently, Roma only remains in the Champions League playoff positions based on goal difference, facing a challenge as they strive to avoid elimination in the group stage.

While their return to UEFA’s top-tier competition has not gone as planned, they are still one of only four teams across Europe’s elite leagues that remain unbeaten, joining city rivals Lazio and German powerhouses Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

The capital club recently followed an exhilarating 3-3 draw in the Derby del Sole against Napoli with convincing 4-2 and 5-2 wins over Cagliari and Udinese, placing them third in Serie A, albeit trailing surprise leaders Lazio by four points.

Although Roma have begun to concede goals—10 during their last four matches in all competitions—they maintain the most effective attacking unit in Italy’s top division.

They have recorded 28 goals across their opening 10 league fixtures, which is a new club record, with Atalanta being the last team to match such a scoring rate back in 2019 when Gian Piero Gasperini was at the helm.

Now, following a challenging visit to England, Gasperini aims to maintain Roma’s dominance over Sassuolo in their upcoming match and head into the international break with a positive outcome.

Despite Sassuolo’s status as the underdogs in Serie A, they have achieved only two victories from 24 encounters against Roma, with four consecutive losses in their recent matchups.

During that stretch, their only triumph at Stadio Olimpico came in March 2023, when Armand Lauriente netted twice and provided an assist.

Lauriente also scored twice in a tumultuous 4-2 defeat to Fiorentina this past Monday, as Sassuolo’s fourth straight loss has left them in 17th place.

They previously faced a 6-2 defeat against Lazio, just a few days after conceding four goals to Frosinone, marking them as the team with Serie A’s worst defensive record.

With 26 goals conceded this season, they have recorded the highest total allowed at this stage of any top-flight season, including their relegation campaign of 2024-25.

As such, with their last away victory dating back to February, it poses a significant challenge for Alberto Aquilani to overcome his former club in Rome.

Team News

Following their challenges at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Roma can find some comfort in the return to training of Manu Kone and Paulo Dybala.

It remains uncertain if either player will be deemed fit for this weekend, and Lorenzo Pellegrini along with Mile Svilar will continue to be unavailable.

Pier Luigi Gollini, who filled in for Svilar, is also a doubt after missing the trip to Manchester due to a back injury, while Dutch wing-back Devyne Rensch will be sidelined for the next three weeks.

Donyell Malen sits joint-second in the Capocannoniere rankings with eight Serie A goals, currently leading all scorers in Europe’s top leagues for 2026 with 22.

In contrast, Sassuolo’s attackers Kieron Bowie and Sebastiano Esposito have not been as effective, with only midfielder Vasilije Adzic registering more than two goals this season.

Lauriente, despite the team’s struggles, managed to score a brace against Fiorentina and has previously contributed to four league goals against Roma.

Meanwhile, Kristian Thorstvedt is back from suspension, but the visitors will travel south without Fedde Leysen, Ismael Kone, Daniel Boloca, as well as former Roma winger Cristian Volpato.

Roma probable starting XI:

Vasquez; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soule, Mora; Malen

Sassuolo probable starting XI:

Turati; Cinquegrano, Cande, Idzes, Obrador; Adzic, Matic, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Esposito, Lauriente

Spurred on by another slip in the Champions League, a high-scoring Roma is expected to return to form on their home ground.

Conversely, struggling Sassuolo—who have garnered only a single point from their previous seven away matches—are likely to face a fifth consecutive defeat in Serie A.