Former Roma winger Diego Perotti believes Gian Piero Gasperini’s influence is becoming increasingly visible and admits Donyell Malen’s outstanding form has surprised him.
Diego Perotti remains deeply connected to Roma years after leaving the club, and the former Giallorossi winger is optimistic about the team’s prospects under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Speaking to Sportitalia during the Legends Show padel event in Patti, Perotti praised the work conducted by Gasperini and the quality available throughout Roma’s squad.
Perotti sees Gasperini’s influence
Roma have opened the Serie A season with three consecutive victories, scoring 10 goals and conceding only once.
After comfortable 4-0 wins over Fiorentina and Lecce, the Giallorossi demonstrated a different side of their character by scoring twice during the closing minutes to secure a dramatic 2-1 comeback against Atalanta.
Perotti believes Gasperini’s tactical influence is becoming increasingly evident.
“I think that, little by little, we are beginning to see Gasperini’s influence and what he already accomplished last season despite missing some players through injury.
“Now everyone is healthy and at 100%, and you can see it. You can see when a team is functioning and when you have someone who makes them play this way.”
Gasperini has now guided Roma to eight consecutive Serie A victories across the end of last season and the beginning of the current campaign.
Perotti confident Roma can enjoy a successful season
The former Roma player also emphasized that Gasperini has a talented group capable of executing his ideas.
“The players on the pitch are strong. They are all good players and they have quality, so everything becomes much easier.
“I am very happy and very confident. Hopefully—and I don’t want to say too much—it can be a great year for Roma.”
Roma will now attempt to carry their domestic momentum into Europe, with their Champions League campaign beginning against Fenerbahçe in Istanbul on September 10.
Perotti: “There is no limit to dreaming”
Perotti was also asked whether Roma supporters could begin dreaming about a possible Serie A title challenge.
The Argentine refused to place any limits on the team’s ambitions following its perfect start.
“We always dream. We dreamed when I was playing and even after I retired. There is no limit to dreaming.
“They have certainly started extremely well.”
Perotti’s comments echoed Gasperini’s assessment following the Atalanta victory. The coach said the dramatic comeback demonstrated that Roma’s players believe until the end.
Malen’s impact surprises Perotti
Donyell Malen has been one of Roma’s leading performers during the opening weeks of the season.
The Dutch striker scored a hat-trick against Fiorentina before adding two more goals against Lecce, giving him five goals from Roma’s opening three matches.
Perotti admitted he was unfamiliar with Malen before his arrival but has been impressed by the forward’s immediate adaptation to Serie A.
“Paulo has always been a player I have had a soft spot for. I wanted him to remain, and I am extremely happy that he renewed his contract and will stay for another year.
“Malen surprised us. He was not a player I knew particularly well or had watched very often, and he is doing something that is not easy when you arrive in a new league—especially the Italian league.
“Hopefully they can all continue like this: the two of them and the entire team. This gives us a reason to dream.”
Malen was unable to score against Atalanta, but Roma’s attacking alternatives ultimately decided the match. Matías Soulé contributed a goal and an assist, while Santiago Castro struck the woodwork twice after replacing the Dutchman.
Source: Sportitalia
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