Bologna vs Roma – Kone in the stands after muscle strain persists | OneFootball

Roma were dealt a midfield blow ahead of tonight’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Bologna, with Manu Koné ruled out of the squad entirely after failing to recover from a muscle strain.

The French midfielder will not even make the bench, instead watching from the stands as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side look to establish an advantage in what promises to be a fiercely contested all-Italian tie.

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Manu Kone with his teammates of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Bologna vs Roma – Kone misses out with muscle strain

He was initially named by UEFA as being on the bench but that quickly changed, and he will sit the match out completely.

Koné has been an important figure in Roma’s midfield this season, and his absence will require Gasperini to reshuffle his options in the centre of the park for a match that carries enormous weight in the Europa League.

You can follow all the action, as it happens, on our Live Blog.

The coach will be hoping the setback is minor enough to allow the midfielder to return swiftly, with the second leg to follow and a potentially lengthy European run still ahead.