Roma head into a demanding stretch of fixtures as Serie A's joint leaders, but the squad's fitness is the dominant concern at Trigoria right now. Bryan Cristante has been ruled out with a knee injury that could keep him sidelined for up to three weeks, forcing Gian Piero Gasperini to reshape his midfield at a moment when the schedule offers little room for error. Matches against Como and Real Madrid arrive in quick succession, and the absence of a player as central as Cristante sharpens the spotlight on Marten De Roon, the Dutch midfielder Gasperini brought to Rome this summer. De Roon now has a clear opportunity to justify that decision and prove his value in a high-stakes run of games.

The better news is that Donyell Malen has recovered from his knee problem and will be available for the trip to Como on October 11. The Dutch forward told the Corriere dello Sport that he feels settled at the club, describing an immediate connection with his teammates and full trust in Gasperini. That confidence matters for a Roma side that drew 2-2 with Inter in their last Serie A outing, surrendering a two-goal lead, and will need their attacking players sharp to maintain their position at the top of the table. Lorenzo Pellegrini, returning from injury and yet to feature this season, could also come into the picture as Gasperini manages his squad through what promises to be a defining period.