Gasperini: ‘Roma missing something, but can build future on strong foundations’

Gian Piero Gasperini admits Roma have a terrible record in the big matches and ‘are evidently missing something’ compared to Juventus, but ‘there are strong foundations to build the future.’

It was yet another disappointing defeat in the big games for the Giallorossi so far this season, although at least Tommaso Baldanzi did manage to get a goal back late on after the run of 1-0 losses.

Francisco Conceicao’s angled drive and a Lois Openda tap-in after Mile Svilar’s save on Weston McKennie proved decisive against a totally reshuffled defence.

“We misplaced too many passes in attack, as otherwise we had all the conditions required to create more chances,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“At the end of the match, we had more energy, but were again lacking precision. We know that, but I would also put an exclamation mark on the performance of many players who weren’t regulars, facing off against a very strong Juventus side.

“Roma should leave this evening feeling hopeful, because we have strong foundations in place here to build a great squad. I am convinced we can do well.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 2-1 Roma

Mario Hermoso and Artem Dovbyk were out injured, with Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui at the Africa Cup of Nations, so Jan Ziolkowski got only his third start for the club, with Devyne Rensch pulled into the back three to plug the gaps.

“We were up against Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao, players who know how to take men on and run into space,” pointed out Gasperini.

“Unfortunately, we conceded right at the end of the first half, but we allowed very little until then. Once we went behind, Juventus had more space to play in, but overall it was a good performance, especially from those like Rensch and Ziolkowski who hadn’t played as much. With these foundations, we can do well.”

Roma seemed largely toothless in attack, as Paulo Dybala in the False 9 role and Matias Soulé made little impact, so why did Evan Ferguson not start in attack?

“Ferguson is still not convincing me, including in the second half today. It’s not just his technique, he and a few other new signings still haven’t settled fully into the spirit of this team,” explained Gasperini.

“We have a very solid team, with Dybala and Soule they didn’t have the right service tonight, but their technical quality is far beyond the others. I would’ve made the same choices again, certainly.”

Leon Bailey came on as a substitute, only to limp off again 20 minutes later with yet another new muscular issue.

Roma have a dreadful record in the big games, and it is starting to really take a toll on their position in the table.

“It’s true we lost a lot of these head-to-head clashes, but we beat Como, Bologna, Lazio, all teams who are just behind us. If you lose three or four of these games, then evidently it means you are missing something compared to these clubs,” confessed Gasperini.

“However, there is a strong club behind us, we have solid foundations, and were not out-played in any of these games. We only started this process a few months ago, so we have to focus on building a great future for Roma based on its present.”

This result means that Roma are still in fourth place, but only one point clear of Juventus, and risk falling further behind the top three once they return from Supercoppa Italiana commitments to play their Serie A Week 16 fixtures in January.