Gian Piero Gasperini was glad Roma got their first Champions League victory against Slovan Bratislava, but also ‘worried’ by a new injury to Lorenzo Pellegrini.
The Giallorossi were frustrated after two Champions League games, as they held Fenerbahce to a 1-1 draw away, then were 3-1 up against Real Madrid until conceding three almost identical goals from corners in seven minutes for a 4-3 defeat.
They knew tonight that Slovan Bratislava represented a must-win game and emerged with a comfortable 4-0 victory thanks to Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina, Niccolò Pisilli and the Donyell Malen penalty.
Gasperini wants more from Roma
“Undoubtedly the team is in good shape, but it mustn’t rest on its laurels,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“It has to do the essentials consistently, and on nights like this, it ought to be a little more precise too.”
Goal difference could be essential for qualification at the end of the league phase, so hosting a side that lost 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain inevitably feels like an opportunity to bump that up.
“It was important for us to have the right approach from the start, both because we needed three points, and also that there are no easy games in the Champions League. I liked the way we played, and rotating we had no excuses about fatigue.”
Roma rotated the squad partly due to injuries, but also lost tonight’s captain Pellegrini to a muscular issue at the start of the second half.
“I saw very important responses from the squad, because the fixture list is packed and I need everyone to be up to the task,” continued Gasperini.
“This allows us to go forward with confidence and expand the list of potential starters in this team. My only worry is that now we’ve got Bryan Cristante back on the bench, we risk losing Pellegrini for a while.”
Roma are gaining confidence and have some huge Champions League tests coming up away to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
“They are incredible tests and give us the opportunity to grow even more. This is the spirit with which we will approach those games.”