Gasperini: ‘Atalanta a strong team, but Roma goal problem is not a coincidence’

Gian Piero Gasperini insists Roma ‘are not diminished’ by the 1-0 defeat to Atalanta, but recognises failure to convert chances is a serious problem. ‘It’s evidently not a coincidence.’

It was an emotional night for the coach, who returned to Bergamo for the first time as an opponent after nine incredible years at the club, where he won the Europa League and qualified five times for the Champions League.

Giorgio Scalvini put La Dea in front with a header when Mile Svilar failed to clear the corner, colliding with teammate Devyne Rensch, then Gianluca Scamacca had a second goal disallowed for an earlier offside position.

“I haven’t seen the goal yet, so couldn’t judge from the touchline. It’s a pity we conceded in that situation after going so close to taking the lead twice against a very strong Atalanta side, but I knew that already,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“In any case, I am pleased with the chances that we created, it’s difficult against a tough Atalanta team, but we were not inferior.”

The transfer window is now open and the discussion inevitably is around strikers, with reports of an agreement for Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori, and talks on-going for Manchester United man Joshua Zirkzee.

“There are physical, strong opponents, so it’s not easy. Roma played our game, probably created more chances to score overall, it’s a pity we didn’t convert any of them. These matches are balanced and decided by incidents, which didn’t go our way.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Atalanta 1-0 Roma

Roma did have a huge scoring opportunity when Ederson misplaced a back-pass, but Paulo Dybala failed to make the most of it. Is his age showing?

“That’s unfair, I’ve seen 20-year-olds make similar mistakes,” replied Gasperini. “What I can say is that inevitably these incidents change a game and you’ve got to convert them.

“I want to make clear that Atalanta were built over the years, are solid and in the Champions League, while we are at the beginning of our journey. Roma do not emerge diminished from this defeat, because don’t forget Atalanta finished third last season and are still a very strong squad. The fact we are ahead of them in the table is something to be proud of right now.”

It is their sixth 1-0 defeat, confirming that when Roma do not score, they tend to lose, as there have not been any draws this season.

“It’s evidently not a coincidence if it happened this often. We need to keep working and improving. We tend to go so close to equalising and don’t, whereas when we go in front, we tend to win. Clearly, this is a characteristic after 18 rounds, but it is something to work on,” concluded Gasperini.

There are problems going forward too, as both Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso were booked, so will be suspended for the midweek round against Lecce.

Considering Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui are still at the Africa Cup of Nations, that leaves very few alternatives.