Gian Piero Gasperini praised Roma’s performance against Fenerbahçe but admitted the team must improve defensively after conceding another goal early in the second half.
Roma began their Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahçe in Istanbul.
Bryan Cristante opened the scoring for the Giallorossi, but the hosts responded after halftime to deny Roma victory on their return to Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Following the match, Gian Piero Gasperini analyzed the performance during an interview with Sky Sport.
Gasperini: “It Was Not Easy Here”
Gasperini was satisfied with Roma’s overall display against opponents who defended deeply and attempted to exploit their speed on the counterattack.
“We played a good match. It was not easy here. They defended very deep and tried to counterattack with extremely quick players. We came away with a draw that will also be useful for the standings.”
Roma controlled significant periods of the match but were unable to protect the advantage provided by Cristante’s goal.
Roma Must Improve When Defending Deeper
Gasperini acknowledged that Roma’s positioning contributed to Fenerbahçe’s equalizer, particularly during the move involving Archie Brown.
“We came out badly. It happens more often when we are sitting deep and organized behind the ball. We certainly need to work on that because you cannot always play high up the pitch. Sometimes you find yourself having to defend deeper.”
The coach also identified a developing concern after Roma struggled immediately following halftime for the second consecutive match.
“Two indications make proof—is that how the expression goes? Not everything in football can be explained because sometimes there is also an element of chance. We need to be careful at the beginning of the second half because it has cost us something in the last two matches.”
Gasperini Defends Roma’s Substitutes
Gasperini rejected the suggestion that his substitutions had failed to influence the game positively.
“No, I would not say that. Balerdi and Molina came on very well, as did Pisilli. Mora struggled a little. I hoped his quickness could cause problems around the edge of the area, but it was not easy.”
The Roma coach believes the replacements still contributed during the closing stages and praised the collective attitude within his squad.
“I think the changes gave us something towards the end. This year, from that perspective, everyone has the right approach.”
Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar also felt the Giallorossi played the better football, although he described the final result as fair.
Gasperini Confirms Manu Koné Injury Concern
Gasperini also confirmed that Manu Koné was substituted because of a physical problem.
The French midfielder was replaced by Niccolò Pisilli during the second half, although the coach did not provide further information about the nature or potential severity of the issue.
“Koné came off because of a physical problem. We missed him in the second half, although perhaps we would have struggled anyway.”
Gasperini admitted that the match became more complicated after the interval but refused to attribute Roma’s difficulties entirely to Koné’s absence.
“The game became more difficult in the second half, and we nearly gave away a penalty. It was not only because of Koné, especially because Pisilli played well and has finally returned.”
Koné’s condition will now need to be assessed ahead of Roma’s Serie A match against Torino on Monday.
Source: Sky Sport
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