Why Gasperini is watching Roma vs. Napoli from the stands

Roma are hosting Napoli in a top-of-the-table six-pointer in Serie A on Sunday evening, but Giallorossi head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is not in the dugout and is watching. 

Roma had led the Serie A table at the beginning of the weekend but came into this tie sitting in third following wins for Milan and Inter on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Napoli were third at the start of the weekend, but kicked off in fourth. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

Gasperini is serving a one-match suspension after being shown a red card during Roma’s 3-1 win away against Cremonese last weekend. 

The Giallorossi tactician was shown a yellow card for dissent last weekend, continued his protests, and so was shown an almost immediate second yellow and was given his marching orders. 

His suspension is for one match rather than two, which means that he should be back on the bench for Roma’s league match away against Cagliari next weekend.

Gasperini is still at the Stadio Olimpico, watching from the ‘quiet room’ behind the press box in the south stand. He was spotted occasionally waving to supporters at the beginning of Sunday’s game.