Gian Piero Gasperini does not need reminding that Roma need three points against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League if they are to keep their hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 alive, and has told reporters that Paulo Dybala will require another few weeks before he is able to return from injury.
Gasperini’s pre-match press conference ahead of Roma vs. Slovan Bratislava
Roma are in Champions League action at home against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday evening and Gasperini has given his customary pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of the Slovakian side to the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma have played two matches and picked up one point in the Champions League so far this season after a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce and a 4-3 defeat against Real Madrid last time out: A game that the Giallorossi had been winning 3-1 until the 83rd minute.
For the last two seasons, teams have required 16 points to finish in the top eight of the Champions League league phase, which earns a guaranteed spot in the round of 16. This leaves the Giallorossi requiring five victories from their next six league phase fixtures if they are to realistically finish in the top eight.
Roma will go into Tuesday’s game as the clear favourites against Slovan Bratislava, but Gasperini warns that his players cannot afford to underestimate the task at hand.
“They’re a dynamic team, well prepared athletically and they have some excellent players,” said Gasperini at the beginning of his press conference on Monday afternoon.
“They might not be ‘top-tier’ compared to some of the other teams in the Champions League, but like all games in this competition, it will be tough. We will not underestimate our opponents because we need to win.”
Roma beat Genoa 2-0 with Santiago Castro playing at centre-forward in place of the suspended Donyell Malen. Gasperini believes that the two strikers are capable of playing up front together, but he hinted that they are unlikely to both be included in Tuesday’s starting line-up.
“[Castro] scored a great goal. He and Malen can play together with their characteristics, but I don’t know if I’ll start him or bring him on during the game. I don’t want to interrupt a team that is doing well in attack just so that we can see them together. I don’t need to look for other solutions at the moment, but he could be one.”
Roma have also been slightly short in midfield options while Bryan Cristante and Manu Kone have been recovering from injury. Centre-back Mario Hermoso has occasionally had to fill in there.
“We’ve seen Hermoso play there, but it was an emergency and I hope we won’t need him to play there again,” Gasperini commented. “De Roon is playing a lot, so is Pisilli. Lorenzo can play in an advanced role or as a midfielder while we’re waiting for Cristante. We hope to have Bryan available again against Napoli.”
Gasperini was asked if he knows how many points he thinks Roma will need in order to qualify for the Champions League knock-out rounds.
He replied: “For the last few years, the points target has always been around 10 or 11. We have to win our games at home, it’s always difficult in away games. That’s our goal.”
There was also a question on the fitness of Dybala, to which Gasperini responded: “I hoped Dybala would have recovered quicker. The tests he had yesterday showed a small injury, it will take a few more weeks.”
Gasperini also expressed his delight at the recent performances of academy graduate Emmanuele Lulli.
“I’d already spotted him last year and I often brought him over to train with us. He has excellent physical characteristics, his ability, speed and endurance are of the highest level, higher than the average in Serie A.
“He’s also humble and has that desire to improve. He has a lot of growing to do, but a few of his characteristics are above average. When we have situations like these, we have to take them forwards.”
And on Pierluigi Gollini, who earned a rare start in goal for Roma in Serie A over the weekend, Gasperini said: “Gollini has always been an excellent goalkeeper: We’ve spent a lot of great seasons together. He has lacked the maturity that I think he has now reached in certain points up until now. That happens. He’s now proving that he’s a good goalkeeper.”
And lastly, on Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini commented: “Mora has always played. He has a particular physique. He’s small, but he has talent that is immediately noticeable. We want to help him grow. He needs a bit more structure, but technically, he’s on another level.”