Roma's Dybala set for further weeks out as Gasperini provides injury update
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that forward Paulo Dybala is still one to two weeks away from a return to action, while several other key players are nearing fitness. The update came during Gasperini's press conference ahead of Roma's Serie A match against Pisa at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night.
Gasperini stated that defenders Gianluca Mancini and midfielder Manu Koné, alongside striker Wesley, could potentially return to availability as soon as next week. The situation is more protracted for the club's star attacker, Dybala. "Dybala is training and is already going quite well, but I think he needs another one to two weeks," Gasperini said, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Argentine has been sidelined with a muscular issue, contributing to a lengthy injury list that has hampered Roma's campaign.
The absence of Dybala is a significant blow for a team currently outside the European qualification places in Serie A. Since his arrival on a free transfer from Juventus in 2022, the 30-year-old has been the creative heartbeat of the side, though his impact has been consistently limited by fitness problems. His technical quality and ability to decide tight matches are assets Gasperini has been forced to do without during a congested fixture schedule.
Gasperini also addressed the form of midfielder Oussama El Aynaoui, suggesting the player has experienced a dip following his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. "Before the Africa Cup he played consistently and well, then he had a drop," the coach noted. "Lately he hasn't had the same performance as before, but he is a healthy boy and I am counting on him." This indicates that while El Aynaoui is available, his place in the starting lineup against Pisa is not guaranteed as Gasperini seeks to manage his squad's fitness and form.
The injury news casts a shadow over Roma's final run-in of the 2025-26 season. With European qualification still a target, the potential return of Mancini, Koné, and Wesley next week would provide a timely boost to a depleted squad. However, the continued absence of Dybala means the responsibility for goals and creativity will fall on others, increasing the pressure on players like Tammy Abraham and Lorenzo Pellegrini to step up in his stead.
For Dybala personally, the recurring layoffs are a frustrating theme in his Roman tenure. Each return requires a period of rebuilding match sharpness, making it difficult for him to sustain the run of games needed to reach his world-class best. The coming weeks will be crucial for both the player's recovery and the club's ambitions, as they navigate a critical period without their most gifted attacker.
