Gasperini feels ‘supported’ after meeting with Friedkin, but won’t talk about Raspadori

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini feels ‘supported’ by the club, especially after a meeting with Ryan Friedkin, but refuses to talk about January transfers.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow, and Gasperini previewed the game at a pre-match press conference on Friday.

Gasp met one of the club owners, Ryan Friedkin, earlier this week to discuss Roma’s strategies, while director Frederic Massara continued talks for Giacomo Raspadori and Joshua Zirkzee.

“The fact that the owners are here is a big signal. It means that the owners are present and want to be in control of the situation. The fact that they’ll remain for several weeks means they want to take care of the team,” Gasp said via TMW.

“I hope there will be more and more. They have many activities, but when I talk to them, we are always on the same page regarding what has to be done and the reason why I came to Roma. We can make it, even if it’s complicated. But I feel supported, and there’s concrete help to make things happen.”

Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso return to action after serving a one-game ban in the previous round, but Bryan Cristante will be suspended against Sassuolo.

“Wesley is still not ready today. Perhaps, we’ll see him tomorrow. He has the flu, but he’s strong enough, and we hope he can recover,” Gasperini said.

“We recover Mancini and Hermoso, but lose Cristante and Dovbyk. It’s an emergency situation, as it’s been for the last few games.”

Gasperini also confirmed that Angelino is still not fit to play: “It’s a medical issue on which I musta maintain the utmost confidentiality because it concerns health. It is a health problem. We all hope that he can get everything sorted out and be well, and return to playing.”

Sassuolo are winless in the last five games but are ten points above the relegation zone.

“Sassuolo are having a good season, even if they lost to Juventus the other day,” Gasperini said.

“I saw Milan risk a defeat against Genoa yesterday. I saw Juventus drawing against Lecce and Napoli drawing against Verona. Perhaps, we’ve been among the best in these types of games, but this remains a very difficult and balanced league.”

When reporters asked for updates on Giacomo Raspadori, who seems close to joining Roma from Atletico Madrid, Gasperini didn’t look impressed: “Have you ever heard me talk about transfers? Or Raspadori? Have any of you ever talked about transfers with me? You are very good and informed, and I read you. You are fantastic and do your job well, but not from me. I won’t fuel these things. I only talk about Roma players.”

Gasperini refused to talk to the media after a 2-0 win over Lecce on Tuesday, which according to Italian media highlighted his discontent with Roma’s slow negotiations in the January window.

“I thought you wanted to talk about the game and the feat made by Roma’” he explained.

“We gave a good reply in an emergency situation. It’s difficult because if I speak, like this summer, you say I complain about the strikers. If I don’t speak, it’s interpreted in all sorts of ways. I won’t talk about transfers, I’ve already said it. You already know everything, so there’s no need for me to talk about transfers too.

“Personally, I’m happy. I believe Roma have a strong and competitive core. To me, the target is to strengthen the team and make it even more competitive.

“I think we can surely add something in the January window, but games are being played now. It’s an important moment; we know we have to play many games in a month.”