Roma brace for nine games without Svilar, Gollini given chance

Roma head into a daunting nine‑match run starting tomorrow against Fabregas’ Como, after goalkeeper Antonio Svilar suffered a stress fracture that will keep him sidelined for several weeks, prompting coach Gian Piero Gasperini to hand the starting role to Andrea Gollini. The injury, affecting his little toe, may require a screw and a month of recovery.

Svilar's injury and its impact

“Svilar lo perderemo per alcune settimane,” the despondent coach said, adding that the fracture is not displaced but will need about a month to heal. He explained that doctors are debating whether to insert a screw, which would extend the timetable. The loss means Roma will navigate nine fixtures without perhaps the most decisive player in the squad.

Gollini given the chance

Gasperini assured that “Gollini will play and will have the chance to become the important goalkeeper he once was.” He recalled that Gollini, who last featured as a starter in March 2024, was once the third‑choice keeper for the Italian national team while at Atalanta. “He has always trained well and has value,” the coach added, stressing the need for collective confidence.

Gasperini also confirmed that midfielder Koulierakis will miss tomorrow’s game after a national‑team knock, though the injury is a simple contusion and he returns on Monday. Meanwhile, veteran centre‑back Cristante, alongside Pellegrini and de Roon, are described as fully ready to start.

De Roon earns first start as Roma rely on experience against Como

The coach highlighted the difficulty of the upcoming fixture, calling Como a “very tough stop” under Fabregas. He noted that Inter sit slightly above Como in the table and that matches against Juventus, Milan, Napoli and Atalanta will also shape the race for the top spots. “We have several possibilities and variants,” he said, adding that tactical shifts such as a three‑man defence have been tried but are not decisive.

Addressing defensive frailties, Gasperini said, “We are particularly attentive to the goals we concede early in the second half, but I am satisfied with the goals we score in the first period.” He described the early‑second‑half concessions as isolated errors rather than a team‑wide attitude problem.

In a side note, the article mentions that readers are encouraged to “choose as the favourite source on Google,” noting the outlet appears less cheerful than usual. This reflects the gloomy mood surrounding Roma’s squad news.

Malen back in action, De Roon hopes for a starting place at Roma

Finally, Gasperini reflected on the club’s broader ambitions, citing the Friedkin family’s involvement and the potential sale of Everton as part of a larger investment strategy. He expressed hope that Roma can continue to grow both domestically and internationally under such ownership.