Gian Piero Gasperini says he would not settle for second place now, after Roma’s victory over Sassuolo offered further encouragement about what his team could achieve this season.
Speaking to Sky Sport after the match, the Roma coach praised Mario Hermoso’s opener and an outstanding performance from Matías Soulé. He also rejected the suggestion that his players needed to prove their character after the defeat at Manchester United.
For Gasperini, Roma’s performances have been consistent—even when the results in Europe have hurt.
Gasperini praises Hermoso’s quality and Roma’s patience
Asked what pleased him most about a performance featuring 28 Roma shots, Gasperini began by defending his team’s display at Old Trafford before turning to the win over Sassuolo.
“At Old Trafford we put in a great performance, then unfortunately there was that incident. After that, lots of things, all of them together. There were some remarkable performances tonight.
“Clearly Hermoso’s goal, which was a great goal, both for how he controlled the ball and how he struck it, was what opened up the match. It wasn’t easy: they were sitting very deep, but we were patient and played with quality.”
Hermoso’s contribution was another example of Roma finding goals from across the team, something Gasperini believes has become a major strength.
“There are defeats and defeats”
Roma’s ability to win immediately after a setback was put to the coach, but he stressed that the European losses should be viewed in the context of the wider run.
“Yes, that’s true, but there are defeats and defeats. In this run of matches, which has been truly incredible—nine matches in 27 days—we lost those two games against Real Madrid and Manchester, but we also put together another run of wins. We drew with Como and at Napoli, and otherwise we always won.
“Those two games hurt because of the way the defeats came about late on, but they were against teams of the very highest quality.”
“This team does not need to give answers”
Gasperini was particularly pleased that Roma maintained their approach against Sassuolo’s compact 5–4–1 rather than losing patience.
“Without doubt, this year we have greatly increased our ability to score. At the moment we are doing it in different ways, with different players.
“We have certainly reached a level of composure as well as confidence, because the goal Hermoso scores is that of a top-quality forward. But there were performances from everyone. Soulé’s performance was extraordinary.
“At the moment we have a knack for scoring goals, but we scored them in the defeats too, against Real Madrid and in Manchester.”
He then challenged the idea that the Sassuolo game had been a test of Roma’s mentality.
“I have to say I don’t really agree with this idea of a response, because this team keeps giving confirmation and does not need to give answers.
“You can lose a match, perhaps because of how things happen. Let’s remember there was an unfortunate incident involving Balerdi, and their comeback started with an absurd penalty. Perhaps it’s worth saying that too, isn’t it? On those grounds, it isn’t easy. These things can happen.”
The penalty remains a point of contention following Roma’s 3–2 defeat at Old Trafford. UEFA subsequently explained the retake by citing Bryan Cristante’s encroachment, without offering further clarification of the original award.
Gasperini would not accept second place now
Asked whether he would sign up for a second-place finish immediately, Gasperini’s answer was direct.
“Well, no. But I’ll tell you, I don’t know—it’s enjoyable to be playing in this league.
“We must never get carried away or become too disappointed. We shouldn’t get too carried away by things, but we shouldn’t become disheartened either, especially when we are following the path we are. I don’t know what we will be capable of doing.”
His answer left Roma’s ambitions open without making a prediction about where they will finish. It follows Walter Sabatini’s assessment that the Giallorossi can compete for the Scudetto until the final game.
“If Inter slip up, everyone can compete”
Gasperini still regards Inter as the favourites, but believes the teams around them have reason to remain ambitious.
“I think Inter, as everyone rightly says, are the strongest favourites, and rightly so. Beyond that, we can compete, just like all the others.
“Lazio too, if you want to include Lazio. Unless I’m mistaken, Lazio have nine wins in ten matches. I put them among those teams. And then all the others up there—I won’t name them all.
“If Inter slip up a little, everyone can compete for it.”
Asked whether he would watch Inter against Como on Sunday and who he would support, Gasperini finished with a joke.
“We won’t watch, we won’t watch, we’re not interested. We’ll all be perched there like owls.”
The Italian expression refers to watching in the hope that a rival drops points—a light-hearted ending to an interview in which Gasperini gave little indication of wanting to limit Roma’s ambitions.
Source: Sky Sport
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