Roma have been dealt a significant blow during the Christmas period as medical tests have confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini will be out for around a month following a muscle injury.
The midfielder picked up the problem during a training session on Christmas Eve, and further examinations revealed a second-degree injury to his left hamstring. As a result, Pellegrini is set to miss a demanding run of fixtures, starting with the upcoming match against Genoa.
Matches Pellegrini is expected to miss
Current assessments suggest Pellegrini could be absent for six or even seven matches. These include Serie A games against Genoa, Atalanta, Lecce, Sassuolo and Torino, as well as the Coppa Italia clash with Torino scheduled for mid-January. If his recovery goes smoothly, he could return either at the end of January against Milan or in early February versus Udinese.
Roma’s options without Pellegrini
Pellegrini’s absence forces Roma to rethink their attacking setup. Against Genoa, the coach may decide to drop Paulo Dybala slightly deeper into an attacking midfield role alongside Soulé. Up front, Baldanzi currently appears to be the favourite to start, competing with Dovbyk for a place in the XI.
A recall for Ferguson seems unlikely given recent criticism and the growing possibility of his return to Brighton. On a more positive note for Roma, Hermoso and Bailey are both expected to rejoin full training, offering additional depth as the team navigates this challenging period without their captain.
