Gasperini identifies Champions League flaw: Rules ‘will have to be reviewed’

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has commented on a significant flaw in the new Conference, Europa and Champions League format, which means that he is unable to field any of his new signings for Thursday night’s decisive clash against Panathinaikos: ‘Something will have to be reviewed’. 

Roma currently sit in sixth place in the Europa League table heading into Thursday’s final league phase match against Panathinaikos. A victory will guarantee the Giallorossi a spot in the round of 16, but it remains to be seen whether a draw will be enough to cling onto a place in the top eight of the table. 

During his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Gasperini was asked about the fact that he is unable to field either of his new signings, Donyell Malen or Robinio Vaz, against Panathinaikos. 

This is due to the fact that teams are unable to change their UEFA squad lists after the league phase has ended. 

Under the previous Champions League, Europa League and Conference League formats, teams were able to update their UEFA squad lists after the completion of the group stages, which typically ended in December. 

Now, teams are able to update their UEFA squad lists after the completion of the league phase, which tends to finish at the end of January, when the transfer window has already been open for several weeks. 

“The window has been open since the beginning of January, but you’re not allowed to change your squad list in Europe,” Gasperini told the press on Thursday. 

“The fact is that it’s related to the new format, which is only in its second year. Something will probably have to be reviewed,” he said. 

“Now there is a risk of getting to decisive matches, like tomorrow’s, without having all of your players because some have left and some have come in. Surely something will have to be looked at there.”