Roma are navigating a demanding stretch of fixtures with growing injury concerns at the worst possible time. The most pressing issue is Paulo Dybala, whose muscular injury sustained against Real Madrid has proven more serious than first indicated. Gasperini has since confirmed that the Argentine's recovery will take longer than initially expected, keeping him out well beyond the immediate schedule and forcing a tactical rethink in attack.

The timing is significant. Roma had just suffered one of their most painful nights in recent memory, leading Real Madrid 3-1 at the Olimpico with seven minutes remaining before conceding three goals from set pieces to lose 4-3 in Champions League. That collapse, described as a recurring pattern similar to their late capitulation against Inter in Serie A, raised hard questions about defensive concentration and squad depth.

The response in the league, at least, was encouraging. A 2-0 win over Genoa on Saturday, secured through goals from Santiago Castro and a first Serie A strike from young Emanuele Lulli, lifted Roma to third in Serie A with 17 points from seven games. The result demonstrated that the squad can cope without its first-choice attackers, with Malen also absent through suspension and Manu Koné still sidelined by injury.

Attention now turns to Tuesday's Champions League home fixture against Slovan Bratislava, a must-improve occasion after Italian clubs suffered four defeats from four in the previous European round.