TL;DR AS Roma faces Atalanta with key players Wesley and Lorenzo Pellegrini ruled out due to injuries. Niccolo Pisilli is likely to return, while the starting XI includes Neil El Aynaoui and Stephan El Shaarawy.
ROME, ITALY - APRIL 10: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Pisa SC at Stadio Olimpico on April 10, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images) | AS Roma via Getty Images
ROME, ITALY - APRIL 10: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Pisa SC at Stadio Olimpico on April 10, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images) | AS Roma via Getty Images
âYes, sometimes there are internal conversations and debates, but thatâs quite normal. In this case, Wesley feels he can play, because heâs incredibly willing. He wants to be able to play. He can run, sprint and shoot, but the medical department believes, perhaps rightly, I donât know, that there are risks or they donât want to take risks. Thatâs where discussions and problems can emerge sometimes. Wesley is desperate to be involved in this game and on the other side heâs being held back. Weâll see tomorrow but if the doctors say no, I canât do anything. Iâve always abided by the medical advice. Iâve never forced anything. Of course, I can say that we should try to make something happen, but thatâs part of the normal dialogue, trying to be a bit courageous, but I canât force situations. All coaches depend on the doctorsâ green light before using a player.â
With that, Gian Piero Gasperini seemed to rule out the possibility of Wesley returning for Romaâs crucial match against Atalanta on Saturday. In addition, Lorenzo Pellegrini was ruled out. However, it appears as if Niccolo Pisilli is ready to go.
âThe choices are the ones we know about. Apart from the players who are out or recovering, nothing has changed since last week, apart from us losing [Lorenzo] Pellegrini, which is a real shame, also given the nature of the injury. The squad is what it is. [Niccolo] twisted his ankle at the start of the week but he seems to have recovered quite well. We need to look at him today but we know what the options are and we wonât be doing much different.â
The absence of Pellegrini likely opens a starting spot for . The absence of Wesley means will take the left flank opposite Zeki Ăelik. Meanwhile, Neil El Aynaoui is favored to start in the center of the park alongside . Nevertheless, the availability of Pisilli, even if off the bench, could be crucial for Gasperini, who will have a thin bench to work with.
The one position where Gasperini has his full array of options is at center back where Mancini, , and Hermoso are expected to start in front of . Rounding out the XI will be and MatĂas SoulĂ© who will be relied on to provide the attacking impetus.
**ROMA (3-4-2-1):** Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Ăelik, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Rensch; SoulĂ©, El Shaarawy; Malen.