AS Roma will look to build momentum in front of their own supporters on Saturday when Sassuolo arrive at Stadio Olimpico, with both sides entering the contest off the back of very different midweek experiences.
The Giallorossi finally opened their 2026 account with a convincing away victory, while Sassuolo’s fragile recent form was laid bare once again as they were comprehensively outplayed by Juventus. For Roma, Wednesday’s success in Lecce felt significant not only for the result itself, but for the players involved.
Much of the scrutiny in recent weeks has fallen on Roma’s forward line, yet it was Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk who delivered when it mattered, each finding the net in a controlled 2-0 win. Their response earned praise from Gian Piero Gasperini, who has not been shy in challenging his attackers publicly during a frustrating spell.
That victory arrived at a crucial moment. Roma had seen their early-season momentum stall after defeats to Atalanta, Napoli, Cagliari, and Juventus, a sequence that knocked them out of the top four after previously leading the table. Despite that downturn, the numbers still paint a positive picture as Roma have already accumulated 36 points at the halfway stage, a sizeable improvement on last season’s return at the same point.
With the January transfer window now open, Gasperini is also pushing for reinforcements to sharpen his squad for the run-in. Reports linking Roma with attacking additions underline a clear intention to sustain their UEFA Champions League push rather than merely stabilise.
Sassuolo, meanwhile, travel to the capital still searching for consistency after an encouraging start to their return to the top flight. Promotion as Serie B champions was followed by a confident opening phase, during which they flirted with the top half and looked capable of causing problems for more established sides.
That early promise has faded in recent weeks. Fabio Grosso’s side have now been beaten twice by clubs from Turin either side of draws against Parma and Bologna, and their midweek defeat to Juventus was particularly damaging. After keeping things competitive for an hour, Sassuolo unravelled quickly, conceding twice in rapid succession and offering little response thereafter.
The result left them marooned in mid-table, with just one win since the last international break and attacking output drying up at an awkward time. While their historic victory at the Olimpico late last year showed Roma can be vulnerable, replicating that chaos now feels a far tougher task.
Roma arrive with renewed confidence, home advantage, and clearer attacking direction, while Sassuolo are still searching for rhythm after a bruising run. Unless the visitors rediscover their early-season fluency, this fixture appears set up for the hosts to assert control and continue their upward trajectory. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Roma will be without Artem Dovbyk on Saturday after the Ukrainian striker was forced off despite scoring in midweek at Lecce, continuing a stop-start campaign plagued by fitness issues. Lorenzo Pellegrini also remains unavailable through injury, while Bryan Cristante is suspended, depriving Gian Piero Gasperini of an experienced midfield option.
There is some relief defensively, however, as Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso return after serving one-match bans. Leon Bailey is edging closer to a comeback and is expected to resume full training, though this match may arrive too soon. Elsewhere, Roma continue to be affected by international absences, with Neil El Aynaoui and Evan Ndicka still away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
From a tactical standpoint, AS Roma are expected to stick with a 3-4-2-1 structure that has offered better balance in recent weeks. Mile Svilar should start in goal, protected by a back three featuring Gianluca Mancini on the right, Jan Ziolkowski centrally, and Mario Hermoso on the left. The wing-back roles are likely to be filled by Zeki Celik on the right and Wesley on the left, providing width and defensive cover.
In midfield, Manu Kone is set to partner Niccolo Pisilli, with the pair tasked with screening the defence and progressing play. Ahead of them, Matias Soule is expected to return to the starting lineup alongside Paulo Dybala, operating in advanced creative roles behind the lone striker. With Dovbyk sidelined, Evan Ferguson, fresh from another goal in midweek, should spearhead Roma’s attack at the Olimpico.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ziolkowski, Hermoso; Celik, Kone, Pisilli, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Ferguson
Sassuolo arrive in the capital still hampered by a lengthy absentee list. Woyo Coulibaly remains unavailable due to his involvement with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, while long-time talisman Domenico Berardi is sidelined through injury, depriving the Neroverdi of leadership and creativity in the final third.
Defensive and midfield depth is also stretched, with Yeferson Paz, Daniel Boloca, and Filippo Romagna all ruled out, while former Roma attacker Cristian Volpato is also unavailable. In attack, however, Andrea Pinamonti is certain to lead the line, and the striker will be confident given he has already scored five Serie A goals against Roma in his career.
From a structural perspective, US Sassuolo Calcio are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 system under Fabio Grosso. Arijanet Muric should start in goal, with a back four comprising Sebastian Walukiewicz at right-back, Jay Idzes and Tarik Muharemovic as the central defensive pairing, and Josh Doig operating from left-back.
In midfield, Kristian Thorstvedt is likely to play a more advanced box-to-box role, supported by the experience of Nemanja Matic in the holding position and Ismael Kone providing energy and ball recovery. The front three should see Alieu Fadera on the right wing and Armand Lauriente attacking from the left, flanking Andrea Pinamonti, who will occupy the central striker role and act as Sassuolo’s primary goal threat at Stadio Olimpico.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Thorstvedt, Matic, Kone; Fadera, Pinamonti, Lauriente
With Roma missing key attacking figures and leaning heavily on individual quality in the final third, Paulo Dybala’s influence could be decisive on Saturday night. Operating in a free role behind the striker, the Argentine is Gasperini’s primary source of creativity, capable of unlocking defences with subtle movement, quick combinations and moments of inspiration around the box.
Dybala has already been Roma’s most reliable attacking reference this season in terms of chance creation, and with Sassuolo likely to defend deep and compact, his ability to find pockets of space between the lines will be crucial. If Roma are to control the tempo and convert territorial dominance into goals, much will depend on whether Dybala can impose himself early and dictate proceedings at the Olimpico.
Roma’s midweek win should inject confidence, and despite a few absences, they look better equipped than Sassuolo to control this contest at Stadio Olimpico. With greater depth, home advantage and in-form attacking options behind the striker, the Giallorossi are well placed to capitalise on a Sassuolo side still missing several key figures.
