Roma welcome back Strootman, Rudiger for Sassuolo clash
Luciano Spalletti can call on fit-again duo Kevin Strootman and Antonio Rudiger for Roma's match at Sassuolo.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gQQBGmcC6pXUg7txaNqt76.jpg)
Luciano Spalletti will welcome back Antonio Rudiger and Kevin Strootman for Roma's trip to Sassuolo on Wednesday.
Germany international Rudiger has recovered from the knee injury that saw him miss Euro 2016 and is ready to make his first official appearance of 2016-17, while midfielder Strootman has shaken off a back problem he suffered while on international duty with Netherlands.
"Strootman is fit again and ready to play. Rudiger is back with us as well," Spalletti said at a news conference.
"Juan Jesus is not in the squad because of a calf problem, while Mario Rui and [Thomas] Vermaelen are not ready yet.
"We hope to have Bruno Peres and Diego Perotti back for the game against Empoli."
Roma will be looking to keep the pressure on Juventus with a win over Sassuolo, but Spalletti has acknowledged a tough task awaits.
"Sassuolo are a well-drilled team with a strong club behind them," the coach said.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"They are a fearsome proposition.
"When Eusebio Di Francesco worked with me at Roma as team manager you could already see he had coaching in his blood," he added, referring to the Sassuolo coach.
Roma go into the game at Stadio Citta del Tricolore second in Serie A, two points behind leaders Juve after winning four and drawing one of their last five matches in all competitions.
Sassuolo are six points back in ninth spot, having drawn 1-1 at Bologna last time out.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack