Roma are showing signs of recovery after a turbulent week, but the injury situation is clouding what should be a confident moment for the club. The 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa on Saturday steadied nerves after the gut-wrenching 4-3 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, a match Roma led 3-1 with seven minutes remaining before conceding three goals from corners. Santiago Castro and young full-back Emanuele Lulli, scoring his first Serie A goal, stepped up in the absence of key players to deliver three points that moved Roma to third in the table with 17 points from seven games.

The bigger concern is Paulo Dybala. Gasperini has now confirmed that the Argentine's muscle injury, sustained in the Real Madrid match, is more serious than initially suggested, with a return unlikely before the November international break. Combined with Manu Kone's injury, which will also keep the French midfielder out for several weeks, Roma are navigating a demanding schedule with a stretched squad. Donyell Malen's suspension added further pressure against Genoa, though he is available again going forward.

Gasperini is now considering a tactical shift, with Castro potentially partnering Malen up front as a double striker option to compensate for Dybala's absence. Roma host Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday, a game that carries real importance after Italian clubs suffered four defeats from four in the previous European round.