Gasperini: ‘Roma into final sprint with Inter, so pedal hard’
Gian Piero Gasperini gives important Roma injury updates ahead of the trip to Inter, is vague about his future, and warns they are ‘into the final sprint, so let’s get pedalling hard.’
It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
The injury crisis drags on, as Wesley picked up a muscular problem with Brazil and will be out for a month, joining Manu Kone, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson on the treatment table.
“The good news is that Matias Soulé has recovered and trained with the squad,” revealed Gasperini in his press conference.
“He’s been out for a long time, but over the last week he started to look like himself again. Wesley and Koné clearly are not ready tomorrow, but they are both feeling more positive than after the initial diagnosis.
“Without Wesley, either Devyne Rensch or Kostas Tsimikas can play there. Angelino is also improving, although he is still not entirely ready after such a long period out of action.”
Gasperini gives view of Italian football
Italy failed to reach the World Cup for a third consecutive edition, so as the last coach to win silverware when Atalanta took the Europa League, does Gasperini have any advice?
“It is certainly not a single issue problem. The entire system isn’t working, yet there are so many kids who play football, so there is talent to choose from. We must all face up to the problem, including on a social level. It’s not cyclical, it’s a structural issue.
“This is much more important than any individual coach. I don’t think we’ve suddenly forgotten how to play football in Italy, especially with the glorious past this nation had in the sport. It’s the system.”
Roma slipped down the Serie A standings with one point from three rounds and were eliminated from the Europa League by Bologna, but did get back on track with a slender 1-0 victory over Lecce.
“The team did play well in the last few games, with good fitness levels and mentality, but they didn’t always lead to victories. The two Europa League games with Bologna were not exactly lucky for us,” added Gasperini.
“The fact remains, we are in the final sprint, so let’s tighten up the straps and get pedalling hard. We’re at a stage now where there’s less and less margin for error.”
There were reports of tension behind the scenes between the coach, directors Ricky Massara and Claudio Ranieri. Do they still share the same vision?
“We haven’t had recent meetings, as we are concentrated on the league. It’s the final sprint and we are up there, so we have to be totally focused,” shrugged Gasperini, rather avoiding the question.
“Look, we all hope to qualify for the Champions League, above all for the economic boost for the club. We are already working for next season, but it’s evident that the problems of the past are weighing on the directors in the present.”
This is only his first season at the helm, so Gasperini had been hoping to lay the foundations at Roma for what is a very different idea of football to its past.
“We’ll see where we are at the end of the season, but for now I can say that I am very pleased with how things are going. I’m happy about the rapport with the squad and that a big part of the fanbase has faith in me. The team always has the priority above everything else.
“I have an honest and open rapport with the club. I try to bring my ideas to satisfy the requests of the club. It is a fantastic experience for me, clearly there are also some difficulties, but my objective has always been to improve the team.
“Football gives valuable life lessons, it teaches you to lose and to not get ahead of yourself. The most important thing is to always want to keep improving.”
Some summer signings were so poor that they were already released, while he confessed that he “certainly expected more” from January arrival Bryan Zaragoza.
“We expected him to accelerate, but it’s never easy in January, so we hope he can start now to bring what we know he can to the team.”
Gasperini was asked if he will be the Roma coach next season.
“Well I certainly hope so!” he laughed. “Meanwhile, we’re playing against Inter. Roma are a good team, not to be dismantled, but to be strengthened. I heard some criticism that with this squad we’ll manage at best fifth or sixth place, but watch out, because some might only get 11th or 12th place too.”