Gian Piero Gasperini insists Roma must continue improving before discussing a potential Scudetto challenge, despite their perfect start to the Serie A season.
Roma and Inter have both collected 12 points from their opening four matches and will meet at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, September 19. The Giallorossi have evolved significantly since suffering a 5-2 defeat at San Siro last season, but Gasperini is refusing to establish premature targets.
“Is the Scudetto the dream? That is not how you raise the bar,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Insider. “You do not raise it by setting objectives that may or may not be achievable. You raise it by improving every day, working on ourselves and using the different characteristics of our players to perform better each time.”
Gasperini explains Roma’s perfect start
Gasperini admitted he hoped Roma would begin the campaign strongly after benefiting from a full year of development together.
“I hoped for it more than I expected it,” he explained. “We believed we had a good period of preparation behind us and that the team held an advantage compared to the beginning of last season.
“We have been together longer, we know each other better and we have already absorbed many things.”
Roma have won all four of their Serie A matches this season, extending their league winning streak to nine games. The team also returned to the Champions League after securing qualification on the final day of last season.
“It certainly was not guaranteed last year,” Gasperini added. “It was not easily achievable and was not among the initial expectations.
“The Champions League forces you to overcome obstacles. It allows you to face Europe’s best teams and exposes you to more difficult and complicated football, from which you can grow. It also helps you develop greater awareness of your abilities.”
Inter, Como and Real Madrid will test Roma
The Roma coach believes the upcoming fixtures against Inter, Como and Real Madrid will provide a clearer indication of his team’s current level.
“Of course we have confidence and want to remain near the top of the table, but that is our only concrete objective at this moment,” he said.
“Against Inter, Como and Real Madrid, we will have the opportunity to measure ourselves and discover what we can do against these teams.”
Gasperini added that Roma’s ambitions should not be properly assessed until much later in the campaign.
“We understand that every possible prediction is being made around us, and that is normal,” he continued. “The supporters have their dreams and want the maximum.
“For us, however, we must look at reality. The reality is that you can only discuss objectives after approximately 20 matches. Establishing them after four or five games makes no sense.”
Gasperini praises Roma’s unity
Asked to identify Roma’s strengths and weaknesses, Gasperini joked that the team’s major flaws have already been removed.
“I find it difficult to mention the weaknesses,” he said with a laugh. “We certainly have some; otherwise, I would have nothing left to do. I will continue searching for them with increasing attention, but we have eliminated the major ones.
“Our greatest strength is the unity that has developed between the team, supporters, club and the entire environment. That helps you work well and gives you confidence to obtain the best results.”
Gasperini also described Roma as a group that continually generates its own energy.
“Everyone brings something,” he explained. “The young players provide freshness and the desire to remain ready, while the established players offer quality and set an example through how they train and what they demonstrate every day.”
Balerdi’s impact and the Baresi comparison
Leonardo Balerdi impressed during Roma’s 2-0 victory over Torino, earning praise from Gasperini and a comparison to legendary defender Franco Baresi.
“We believed we had signed a strong player,” Gasperini said. “His impact was immediately positive, despite completing only part of the preparation with us. That demonstrates he is a professional who arrived fit and prepared to contribute immediately.”
The coach clarified that the comparison concerned specific characteristics rather than the players’ overall levels.
“Balerdi reminds me of Baresi because of the speed with which Franco recovered dangerous situations, the intensity of his challenges and the confidence with which he built the play,” he explained.
“Obviously, I am discussing characteristics and not their absolute level. I enjoy making these comparisons because they give young players an idea of what they can still become.”
Why the Dybala-Malen partnership works
Gasperini concluded by analysing the increasingly productive connection between Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen.
“They are complementary and their characteristics fit together well,” he said.
“Dybala can read Malen’s movement even when it appears he is not looking at him, and the quality with which he delivers the ball is remarkable. Malen has an extraordinary ability to turn actions that appear simple—but are not—into goals. It is a partnership that works.”
Source: Sky Sport Insider
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