The Roma coach reflected on the club’s title ambitions, UEFA restrictions, the missing winger and the qualities of Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Mora.
Gian Piero Gasperini has discussed Roma’s excellent start to the season, the club’s complicated summer transfer window and the attacking players driving the Giallorossi forward.
In an extensive interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Roma coach refused to suppress dreams of challenging for the Scudetto but insisted that conclusions should not be drawn at the beginning of September.
Gasperini also explained how UEFA’s financial restrictions affected Roma’s attempts to sign players such as Mason Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville.
Gasperini on Roma’s Scudetto Dream
“Dreams should never be suppressed,” Gasperini said when asked about the Scudetto.
“The important thing is understanding that when the alarm rings, reality is something different. Then, if you experience reality in the right way, you can also make it coincide with your dreams. But these are not conversations to have at the beginning of September.”
Roma have started the Serie A season with consecutive 4-0 victories over Fiorentina and Lecce, scoring eight times without conceding.
The performances have generated considerable excitement, but Gasperini believes Roma supporters possess enough football knowledge to maintain a mature perspective.
“The passion has always been there,” he explained. “Now I see enthusiasm, but it is mature and conscious—more than people outside Rome may believe.
“You cannot easily fool Roma supporters. They have seen great champions and great teams. They understand football. Today, they are satisfied supporters. That is my greatest gratification: seeing them satisfied.”
UEFA Restrictions Complicated Roma’s Transfer Window
Gasperini admitted that he initially believed Roma’s qualification for the Champions League had resolved the club’s outstanding financial issues with UEFA.
The reality became clear when the Giallorossi attempted to pursue Greenwood and Summerville.
“In June, I thought we had resolved the problems with UEFA through the money earned from qualifying for the Champions League,” Gasperini said.
“When we tried to sign Greenwood and Summerville, I understood that this was not the case. The summer was torture—continually revising our transfer ideas and giving up on players who were enthusiastic about joining Roma because of wage-bill considerations.
“Within the financial limitations, the ownership did everything possible.”
Roma eventually completed six first-team signings, but sporting director Tony D’Amico acknowledged that the club remained one attacking player short during his first press conference evaluating the summer transfer window.
Gasperini Praises Roma Players Who Made Sacrifices
The coach said his disappointment over certain failed transfers was balanced by the commitment demonstrated by several members of Roma’s existing squad.
“My regret over certain transfer situations was compensated for by the desire to stay shown by a group of players who reduced their salaries and placed their love for the shirt and the city above everything else: Dybala, Hermoso, Mancini, Cristante, Pellegrini, Lulli…
“This spirit is our strength. It does not happen everywhere.”
D’Amico also praised Roma’s established players during his press conference, revealing that several accepted reduced financial terms to remain in the capital.
Gasperini Has No Intention of Protecting Dybala
Paulo Dybala completed Roma’s preseason preparation and has started the new campaign in excellent physical condition.
Gasperini rejected the idea of unnecessarily restricting the Argentine’s playing time when he is fit and enjoying his football.
“Dybala completed the entire preparation in the best possible way,” Gasperini said. “He is strong and he is well.
“There are words that I hate: preserve, save, rest… I ask Paulo, ‘Do you still want to play?’ If he answers, ‘Yes,’ I keep him on the pitch even when we are winning 4-0.
“Never stop a player who is enjoying himself and enjoying playing. How many matches did Messi miss?”
Dybala has been instrumental in Roma’s perfect start, including three assists during the opening victory over Fiorentina.
Malen Can Challenge Higuain’s Record
Donyell Malen has scored five goals in Roma’s opening two league matches, following his hat-trick against Fiorentina with another two goals against Lecce.
Gasperini explained that the Dutchman’s first touch convinced him that the forward could become devastating when positioned closer to goal.
“What made me fall in love with Malen was his first touch, which he uses to create space,” the coach said. “With the second, he prepares himself. With the third, he fires.
“I said to myself: if I move those three touches closer to the goal, he becomes lethal.”
Despite Malen’s prolific start, Gasperini believes the forward must maintain his hunger and avoid moments of carelessness.
“Where can he improve? He must maintain his hunger, even when he has already scored two goals. You can make mistakes, but there are different ways of making them. In Lecce, he did it too casually.
“How many goals do I expect? If he challenges Higuain’s record of 36, I would not be surprised.”
Malen was named the match’s most valuable player following the 4-0 victory over Lecce and has since expressed his hope of leading Roma through their encouraging run.
Gasperini: “Rodrigo Mora Is the Real Deal”
Rodrigo Mora also earned significant praise from the Roma coach after scoring his first Serie A goal in Lecce.
“Rodrigo Mora? He is the real deal,” Gasperini said. “Every time he touches the ball, something happens—just as it does with the great players.”
The Portuguese teenager has immediately demonstrated the technical quality and creativity that convinced Roma to make a major investment in his potential.
His emergence gives Gasperini another option behind the striker alongside Dybala and Matías Soulé, although the coach warned that Mora should not be viewed as a direct replacement for the winger Roma failed to sign.
Gittens and Luiz Henrique Were Roma’s Final Attempts
Gasperini confirmed that Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Luiz Henrique were the club’s final two targets for the missing attacking position.
“The winger who did not arrive would have given us another player for the rotation and an attacker with different characteristics,” he explained.
“Gittens and Luiz Henrique were our final attempts. Signing an ordinary player simply for the sake of making a signing would not have made sense.”
Chelsea did refused to sanction Gittens’ departure under Roma’s preferred loan structure, while technical complications prevented the Giallorossi from completing an agreement for Luiz Henrique despite reaching terms with Zenit and the player.
Roma are expected to assess the free-agent market before potentially revisiting their attacking targets in January. The club has already scheduled discussions concerning available free agents and its winter transfer strategy.
Gasperini Praises Lulli, Molina and Roma’s Champions League Potential
Gian Piero Gasperini also praised Emanuele Lulli’s extraordinary physical qualities while explaining where the young Roma wing-back must continue improving.
“I already had Lulli training with us last season,” Gasperini told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “In terms of athletic qualities, speed and stamina, he is superior to everyone—even Wesley. He is a force of nature and a wonderful young man. He must improve technically.”
Gasperini also provided an update on Nahuel Molina, who is approaching full fitness after returning from the World Cup and adapting to Roma’s more aggressive tactical system.
“Molina is coming off a World Cup that drained him and from different tactical habits that were less aggressive,” Gasperini explained. “But he is almost ready. He will often play on the left so that he can use his excellent right foot when he cuts inside. If I had not switched Rensch’s flank in Parma, we would not be in the Champions League.”
The Roma coach believes the Champions League will allow the Giallorossi to measure themselves against elite European opposition, with Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon providing valuable international experience.
“The Champions League? It is an opportunity to learn more about ourselves,” he said. “We already know that we can compete in Italy. Now we will discover whether we can also compete in Europe. Balerdi and De Roon’s international experience will give us additional help. In any case, it will be a starting point for us.”
Gasperini concluded by expressing his happiness in the Italian capital: “Roma have given me new objectives. I am happy here.”
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport
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