Roma host Genoa in Matchday 28 of Serie A today, and Gian Piero Gasperini used his pre-match press conference to give the clearest public update yet on his squad’s injury situation. The headline: Artem Dovbyk is out until late April at the earliest, and Evan Ferguson will not feature again this season.
What Gasperini Said
On Dovbyk and the striker situation:
“It is clear that we are in a difficult position if Dovbyk and Ferguson continue to remain on the injured list. Dovbyk has not played for months — hence the operation. If everything goes well, he could return at the end of April or beginning of May. We cannot keep considering him as unavailable forever.”
On Ferguson specifically:
“It is similar with Ferguson: he will end the season here and then have an ankle operation, which leaves him no time to recover before the end of the season.”
On the available players:
“With the others, the situation is better under control: Malen is ready, Venturino is available, El Shaarawy is fit again alongside Pellegrini, and Zaragoza is also an option. We have the strength to continue moving forward as before. Of course, Sule has been absent for weeks, and some others have not had much playing time either.”
Reading Between the Lines
Gasperini’s framing is notable. He is not just providing a medical update — he is explicitly asking for Dovbyk and Ferguson to be mentally removed from the squad count. “We cannot keep considering him as unavailable forever” and “these two should have been taken off the list long ago” signal that Gasperini has reorganised his attacking structure around their absence rather than waiting for them to return.
That is a meaningful distinction. A manager who says “we’re coping until they come back” is running a depleted squad. A manager who says “take them off the list, here is who we have” has made peace with a smaller, defined group and built his shape around it. Gasperini has done the latter.
The availability update for today’s match against Genoa is therefore: Malen, El Shaarawy, Pellegrini and Zaragoza are all available, with Venturino also in the picture. Roma have attacking options — just not their primary striker.
What This Means for Betting
Roma vs Genoa — Today’s Match
The absence of Dovbyk — Roma’s first-choice striker — is the defining team news for this fixture. His goals and hold-up play are central to how Roma build attacks, and his absence shifts the attacking profile significantly.
Goals markets: Roma without Dovbyk have produced fewer goals per game than Roma with him in the starting eleven. The attacking responsibility falls on Malen and El Shaarawy, who are both wide attackers by nature rather than central finishers. This suppresses Roma’s expected goals in the central areas.
- Under 2.5 goals deserves consideration — Roma’s attacking output without a natural striker is reduced, and Genoa away from home tend to set up compactly
- BTTS No is also worth noting — Roma’s clean sheet rate at the Olimpico under Gasperini remains reasonable, and Genoa’s away scoring record in 2026 is modest
Roma to win (without handicap): Despite the injury list, Gasperini’s framing is confident — “we have the strength to continue moving forward as before.” Roma’s home record under him has been solid. A straightforward home win market may still be reasonable depending on current prices.
Dovbyk’s Return: Serie A Top Scorer and Outright Markets
Dovbyk’s late April / early May return has implications for any live season-long markets you hold on Roma:
Serie A top scorer: If you have a position on Dovbyk for the Golden Boot or top scorer market, today’s confirmation materially reduces his chances. With roughly eight to nine rounds remaining in the Serie A season, returning in late April means he has a maximum of three to five matches available. Check your bookmaker’s current price and whether the odds have already moved to reflect the extended absence. If not, the market has not fully adjusted.
Serie A top four / European finish: Roma’s European qualification push depends heavily on results across March and April without their first-choice striker. If the top-four picture is tight, Dovbyk’s absence across the most compressed fixture period of the season is a significant handicap. Monitor Roma’s outright price for European qualification — if their odds have not moved following this confirmation, there may be a value lay opportunity.
Ferguson: Season Over
The confirmation that Evan Ferguson will have ankle surgery and miss the remainder of the season is also significant for any Ferguson-related markets. If you hold any active bets on Ferguson for goals, assists or appearances at Roma, the operator should have already voided or settled them — but check your open bets to confirm.
Roma’s Remaining Season: Key Context
With Gasperini now effectively working with a striker-light squad for the rest of the campaign, Roma’s results in March and April will heavily depend on whether Malen can perform as a false nine or whether Zaragoza and El Shaarawy can generate goals from wider positions. Gasperini has shown tactical flexibility throughout his career, but the absence of a central striker is the kind of constraint that tests even experienced managers.
For match-by-match betting on Roma: check the confirmed lineup 60–75 minutes before kickoff via Roma’s official channels. On days when Malen starts centrally, Roma’s goal expectation shifts notably compared to when he operates wide. The lineup is the single most important pre-bet check for Roma fixtures between now and Dovbyk’s return.
Source: Gian Piero Gasperini pre-match press conference, 8 March 2026. Odds indicative — verify with your bookmaker before placing.