Roma continues to run, but their attacking line is increasingly short. So Gian Piero Gasperini is exploring new solutions to address their attacking emergency.
One particularly interesting one is moving Wesley up front. The Brazilian was once again among the best against Slovan Bratislava, and his ability to run, attack the depth, and consistently reach the final few meters could convince the coach to deploy him even closer to goal.
The problem stems primarily from absences.
Koné is still sidelined, while Cristante is available again but is expected to start on the bench against Napoli. Up front, meanwhile, Gasperini is dealing with the absences of Dybala and Pellegrini and with options that are dwindling in number. Various options are being considered.
One still involves Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield, despite his lackluster performance in the Champions League.
Another would involve using Malen and Castro simultaneously, a solution already explored by Gasperini himself. But the most curious variation concerns Wesley himself, reports Leggo.
The Brazilian could be moved up to the offensive line, leaving Lulli and Molina the option of occupying the lower lanes.
This solution would allow Roma to add pace, one-on-one play, and the ability to attack space without necessarily having to abandon the team’s usual structure. It wouldn’t be a complete stretch either.
Wesley, despite starting on the wing, already plays the role with great freedom: he comes inside, accompanies the play, attacks the box, and often appears very advanced. Moving him a few meters further forward would mean exaggerating characteristics that Gasperini is already exploiting.
The trip to Naples could therefore represent a new tactical test. With Pisilli and De Roon still called upon to perform overtime in midfield and few natural alternatives in the attacking midfield, Wesley could become more than just a suggestion. Gasperini has always sought solutions within the squad before even looking for them on the market. And at a time when forwards are truly starting to run out, the Brazilian could be the next card to play.