Rome’s autumn schedule has tightened abruptly for Gian Piero Gasperini. On the eve of Serie A leaders Roma travelling to Cesc Fàbregas’ Como, the club have learned that first-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar will be unavailable for at least a month, placing his Champions League meeting with Real Madrid in immediate doubt.
Svilar suffered a stress fracture in his right foot during training at Trigoria on 2 October. The Serbian international was diving to collect a shot when he sustained the injury, which affects the lower section of the fifth toe.
Quick facts
- Mile Svilar has a stress fracture in the fifth toe of his right foot.
- Roma expect the goalkeeper to miss at least one month.
- Pierluigi Gollini is set to take his place.
- Roma face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
- The Giallorossi share first place in Serie A with Inter and Lazio on 13 points.
Gasperini said the fracture has not moved, but warned that recovery will take no less than a month. Medical staff must still decide whether the foot requires additional support, potentially including a screw, a step that would push his return beyond the next international break.
“It is a major setback, although unexpected problems can arise over such a long season,” Gasperini said. Roma had begun their European campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahçe and now prepare to host Madrid in the second matchday of the league phase.
If the initial timeframe holds, Svilar could miss six Serie A fixtures and three Champions League matches. Beyond Madrid’s visit, the projected absences include the trip to Manchester United on 3 November.
The likely target for his return is Roma’s 21 November trip to Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning European champions. Svilar, widely regarded among Serie A’s strongest goalkeepers, joined Roma in 2022 and established himself as the undisputed starter at the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
Gollini, 31, will now be asked to carry the responsibility in a demanding stretch across Italy and Europe. Since arriving in the capital in January 2025, he has made only one appearance for Roma: the Europa League match against Panathinaikos last January.
Before that continental test, Roma must navigate Como while level at the top of the Italian table with Inter and Lazio, all on 13 points after five rounds. The view from Trigoria has changed quickly: a promising opening to the campaign now comes with a forced change in the position where Roma had felt most settled.
