Roma enter the post-international break period sitting top of Serie A on 13 points from five games, level with Inter, but the mood at Trigoria is shaped less by that position and more by a growing injury list and a punishing run of fixtures ahead. The most pressing concern is Bryan Cristante. What initially appeared to be minor knee inflammation has proven more serious, with the midfielder now facing up to three weeks out. That absence forces Gian Piero Gasperini to rethink his midfield, and the most likely beneficiary is Marten De Roon, the Dutch veteran Gasperini brought to Rome this summer. De Roon has yet to fully establish himself, but Cristante's absence hands him a chance to justify his manager's faith across a run of games that includes Como in Serie A and Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Gasperini also has Donyell Malen's fitness to monitor. The striker missed Netherlands duty with a physical problem, and his availability for the trip to Como on October 11 remains uncertain. Up front, Rodrigo Mora impressed for Portugal Under-21 during the break, though Gasperini has continued to rotate him with Soulé rather than hand him a regular starting role. Lorenzo Pellegrini, yet to appear this season after a serious injury, could make his comeback at Como, offering Gasperini a welcome option as the squad stretches thin across competitions.