Roma will be missing midfielder Neil El Aynaoui for their Serie A match against Como tonight after losing an appeal to keep him. The Moroccan Football Federation denied permission for El Aynaoui to stay, as he is required for the Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21.
El Aynaoui’s absence comes despite Roma’s request to retain him for the match at Stadio Olimpico, scheduled at 19:45 GMT. Since the game is held on a Monday, it falls outside the window that would allow clubs to keep players called up for AFCON duty.
Ndicka and Diao Allowed to Play
In contrast, defender Evan Ndicka and Como’s Assane Diao were granted permission to participate. Ndicka’s Ivory Coast team faces Mozambique only on December 24, allowing him to remain with Roma for this fixture. Como also confirmed Diao’s availability despite a conflict, as Senegal start their AFCON campaign on December 23.
Roma had formally sought clearance from both Morocco for El Aynaoui and Ivory Coast for Ndicka. While Ivory Coast approved Ndicka’s participation, Morocco successfully appealed to FIFA to have El Aynaoui join their squad.
Impact on Roma’s Squad and Upcoming Fixtures
El Aynaoui’s exclusion from tonight’s line-up limits Roma’s midfield options against Como. With AFCON set to commence soon, clubs are managing the balancing act of league fixtures and international commitments.
The situation highlights the strict regulations governing player availability around AFCON, especially for matches scheduled beyond the standard midweek weekend period. For clubs like Roma and Como, this means adapting line-ups with some key players absent due to national team duties.
This scenario reflects a growing challenge for Serie A teams as AFCON dates overlap increasingly with league matches, complicating squad planning during the busy December schedule.
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