Gasperini: ‘Dybala clarification, warning for Ferguson’

Gian Piero Gasperinini insists he cleared the air with Paulo Dybala, but warns Evan Ferguson ‘is evidently not’ giving the right response for Roma.

Their next game with Sassuolo kicks off at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday at 14.00 GMT.

The Giallorossi have been stuttering recently, as the on-going problem scoring goals has only intensified, resulting in back-to-back defeats against Inter and Viktoria Plzen.

This is an unusual problem for a team coached by Gasperini, who is finding real difficulties after nine years of Atalanta.

“It’s true that the main problem is this team isn’t accustomed to attacking the opposition penalty area, but the good news is this is something we can change with training,” said the coach in his press conference.

“In attack, as in defence, we need to play as a unit with the right positions to shake off marking. We need to get everyone back to full fitness, then they have to give a response.”

Gasperini had started the season with Ferguson as his first choice striker, but Artem Dovbyk has recently taken the role, when Dybala isn’t played as a False 9.

“Ferguson has to give responses on the field, and so far he is evidently not doing that,” added Gasp.

“Only yesterday did I see him with his first really good training session. He is 21 years old and is not accustomed to playing this regularly. We need him to gain confidence, but the only option is for him to work harder.

“It’s not necessary for a centre-forward to be big, tall and physical, you also need pace, technique, the ability to shoot and to combine with your teammates. If someone has all those characteristics, then he can resolve a lot of problems.”

Some Roma fans were jeering after the Europa League defeat to Viktoria Plzen on Thursday, but there was also tension when Dybala suggested the team was ‘sluggish’ and ‘underestimated’ the test.

Gasperini disagreed with that, but did say the strikers especially had to ‘take a look in the mirror’ and consider why they hadn’t been scoring lately.

“I meant that we all need to work together to understand how to play in those dangerous areas, how to attack the space and create those scoring opportunities,” explained Gasperini.

“I didn’t like Dybala’s words at that moment, but we all clarified our positions in the locker room. We cannot have the idea of being sluggish or underestimating our opponents.

“We accept that this squad has limitations right now, but doesn’t deserve to have their attitude called into question. That would be very worrying.”

Dybala played 90 minutes on Thursday for the first time in many months.

“He can play tomorrow, he’s got to start getting into the penalty area more, providing goals and assists. He mustn’t do the work of a midfielder, he is a striker. Now he is finding physical fitness and that is reassuring.”

Roma played in a very different way before Gasperini arrived and he is at pains to point out this is a work in progress.

“Jeers have to be accepted, both by the team as a group and by individuals. We react with hard work. I support whoever wears the Roma jersey, they must know how to react after a performance that was not up to par.

“We are in an initial phase of the process, there is enormous room for improvement.”