Gasperini: ‘It’s never easy to win away, Ferguson needs patience’

Gian Piero Gasperini insists that patience is the key for Evan Ferguson and Roma’s young players after their 3-0 victory away against Celtic in the Champions League on Thursday evening: ‘You play against different sorts of teams in Europe compared to Italy’. 

The Giallorossi got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory away against Celtic in Europe on Thursday evening: An own goal from Liam Scales sending them ahead after six minutes, which was added to by a first-half brace from Evan Ferguson. Those were the Irishman’s first goals in European competition. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

“It’s never easy to win away, on these beautiful, historic pitches,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia after full-time.

“Pisilli, Ferguson and all the other changes put in good performances. They give us an option to expand the squad. This is a moment in which we need to make important assessments, and we have to make them in games that matter.

“Playing here isn’t easy. They were coming off a series of victories. You have to play against different sorts of teams in Europe compared to in Italy. As a result, you can end up against very strong strikers. It’s a different type of football in Europe.”

Gasperini was asked what he made of Ferguson’s performance. The 21-year-old is on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion with a hefty option to buy, but there have already been suggestions that Roma could look to terminate his deal ahead of schedule. A brace this evening is a step in the right direction, though. 

“During the game. he did what he often does in training. He’s a young lad and we have to be patient,” Gasperini said. “His second goal was beautiful. His performance was great, and it’s important that he plays with this spirit and shows his qualities.”

And on Roma’s potential business in the January transfer window, Gasperini added: “We have to be patient. These young guys could come good. Maybe it’s better that way rather than relying on the market. We’ll talk about the January window moving forwards, now, we have several important games to play.”

How will Roma cope with losing Neil El Aynaoui and Evan Ndicka for the Africa Cup of Nations? 

“We’ll know (when they’ll leave) tomorrow, both for El Aynaoui and Ndicka. We would like to have them with us for the game against Como, but either way, we will have other matches where we’re left without two key figures. We’ve seen tonight that they’re both important. I’m happy for Pisilli in midfield, he’s growing and doing well. I’m happy for him.”