Roma's squad depth is under scrutiny after Lorenzo Pellegrini suffered a new injury that is expected to keep him out for a long spell, with Gasperini having earlier spoken of a 20-day absence for the midfielder. Radio pundits across Rome have questioned whether the club can cope with the current setup.
Pellegrini had stopped playing on 10 April for a long recovery, and according to Pes, talk of a new injury with a lengthy spell out is an emergency for Roma. Pes also said that a wider debate has opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract and how fragile players such as him can shape the composition of the squad. Dybala, Pellegrini and Koné are often sidelined, and Pes said Roma must deal with the first two. Carina said Pellegrini had made a strong return, with a good half-hour at Como and a solid showing against Slovan.
Carina said Roma have a qualitatively strong squad but lack numbers. Roma travel to Napoli with 16 outfield players: 11 plus 5 substitutes, and they play every three days. Carina added: "Con Gasperini non puoi avere una rosa così corta." He said that with a coach like Gasperini, who carries muscular injury problems with him, the squad should be 22 players rather than 20. Pes put the outfield count at 17, which he called very few.
Max Tonetto, speaking on Radio Bruno, called Pellegrini's injury a tremendous blow at an already difficult moment without Dybala. He said Lulli looks perfect for Gasperini's style of football, while Mora needs patience: he has talent and is in safe hands with Gasp. Tonetto said the Napoli match will be a balanced battle, and that the club must reach January tightening their teeth before intervening in the market, because if Malen catches a cold it becomes tough. On the centenary, he said: "Una Roma senza Totti, De Rossi e Conti semplicemente non esiste."
Pruzzo, on Radio Radio, said Soulé is showing growth but must step up a gear. He asked what role Castro could play, as he can currently be the alternative, and said Mora seems too far behind. He said the key is managing matches, reaching January still in contention, and then signing players in the market. Pes added that Gasperini had likely intended to skip some matches given the number of fixtures, and that he had insisted on keeping Dybala and Pellegrini.
Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, asked whether every club should rush to the market each time it suffers an injury, and said Roma should have anticipated that Gasperini's training was not what the club was used to. Di Giovambattista, also on Radio Radio, said under Mourinho and Ranieri Roma trained less, with Ranieri training the mind.