Gasperini on ‘strange transfer market’ and Roma’s ‘eventful build-up’ to Atalanta clash

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is ‘pleased’ to return to Bergamo to face Atalanta despite some of his players not being fully fit and admits this January transfer window is ‘strange’ as ‘the big clubs are going all out.’

Gasperini previewed Roma’s away game at Atalanta at a press conference on Friday.

“In terms of flu, we have Pellegrini and Bailey who are injured anyway. The latest is Pisilli, who should recover. Hermoso is back, and Wesley still needs to be assessed as he’s had some knocks. It’s been an eventful build-up, but I’m confident that everyone can recover,” Gasperini told reporters as quoted by Sky Sport Italia.

Gasperini left Atalanta last summer after spending nine years at the club. During his tenure in Bergamo, Atalanta became one of the most exciting teams in Europe and even went on to win the Europa League in 2024.

“I return to Bergamo with great pleasure, I was there for nine years and it’s a beautiful story that there will be time to remember,” Gasperini said.

“The common denominator was President Antonio Percassi, with whom everything started and with whom with moved forward in great harmony. Then the ownership changed, the role of the coach was viewed differently and the objectives were achieved.

“The Europa League is not the highest point. The real anomaly was reaching certain milestones while making profits, which was truly extraordinary.

“We were able to sell Retegui, Ruggeri and Piccoli without touching a core of players from Carnesecchi, Scalvini, Lookman and others that I’ll be happy to see again. I left great value behind, and I’m happy to have come to Roma.”

Roma star Paulo Dybala is expected to start up front tomorrow.

“I like it when he scores goals and helps others score, so he has to push forward,” Gasperini noted.

“He’s also a player who can help the team when it’s struggling and give us a hand when the opponents are in our half, but the important thing is that he scores goals and sets them up.”

Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi received a warm reception at the Olimpico in the previous round, but Gasperini hopes he’ll be able to greet his former fans with a win in his pocket.

“De Rossi’s [tribute] was very nice, but I hope I don’t repeat it at the end of the match,” Gasp said, smiling.

“Knowing people from Bergamo, it will be nice to greet each other, but then it’s everyone for themselves, no prisoners.”

Roma are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements in the January window, and reports in Spain claim that Giacomo Raspadori’s move to the Olimpico from Atletico Madrid is practically a done deal.

“You have to ask in Spain…this is a team that has its own base and is doing things we like,” Gasperini said.

“Roma’s objective is to become stronger and stronger. You shouldn’t add players just for the sake of it, but bring in strong players who can add value; otherwise, we carry on as we are.

This is a strange transfer market, different from other years, as the big clubs are going all out, something that has never happened before,” continued the Roma coach.

“There’s a battle for Scudetto and European places in just a few points. You have to accept the challenge and be careful, always ready, focusing only on our own path and doing things to improve ourselves and become stronger.

“We would like to have players who are ready, but anyone arriving in January is rarely in the right condition. I don’t know how long it will take; we’ll see when they’re here, if they come. The squad exists and has also done very well; there’s no need to rush. Whoever arrives will need some time; my vision is to make Roma strong over time.”