Gasperini: ‘Roma need to win three of our next five matches’ in the Europa League

Gian Piero Gasperini has made it clear what he needs to see from his Roma players in their next few Europa League matches after losing their last two matches in the competition: ‘We need to win at least three of our next five to qualify’. 

Roma will take on Rangers at Ibrox on Thursday evening in an attempt to get their Europa League campaign back on track. 

The Giallorossi have started strongly in Serie A, sitting just one point off league leaders Napoli after 10 games, but have lost their last two in the Europa League, both of which have been at home, which leaves them in 23rd place in the standings. As things stand, Roma are only in the all-important top 24 due to the number of away goals they have scored. 

Gasperini believes that Roma are in for a tough test when they go up against Rangers in Glasgow on Thursday night, partly due to the atmosphere that awaits them, but also due to the recent appointment of Danny Rohl as head coach. 

“The games are always difficult when you come and play in these types of grounds: You come up against very fired-up, intense atmospheres, against dynamic teams,” Gasperini said during his pre-match press conference (via TMW). 

“We haven’t seen much of Rangers after the change of coach. The last two have been excellent games, so we expect a very demanding game from an athletic point of view.”

Gasperini also confirmed that centre-forward Artem Dovbyk will be available for selection. He feels that the Rangers game isn’t necessarily make or break for the Ukrainian, though. 

“Fortunately, he’s not among the injured, so he will be available. It’s not a ‘decisive’ moment for him. Every moment is important, tomorrow will also be important in the Europa League.” 

Gasperini went on to predict how many wins Roma will need to qualify for the Europa League knock-out stage. 

“The last two home games mean that we have to be very careful, because we need to win at least three of our next five to qualify. 

“The matches are complicated and difficult, because teams are very well prepared in Europe. We’ve seen across Italian football that teams have difficulties playing at a pace that is definitely a bit different in Europe compared to our league.”  

Gasperini did not take too kindly to the suggestion that he could look to ‘rest’ players in order to focus on the team’s Serie A commitments, though. 

“I’m focussed on tomorrow’s game because this is a different competition, and then we’ll think about Sunday’s game afterwards.” 

Gasperini was asked if he thinks any players in particular are in need of a rest, to which he replied: “What does it mean ‘to rest’? Why do we have to rest? We’ll rest tonight, we won’t when we play tomorrow.

“I find it difficult to accept this culture of ‘rest’. If someone is doing well, then they play. If you’re talking about the turnover of matches, maybe sometimes another player will come in, sometimes they’ll be doing fine anyway. To rest is just … We rest at home.”

Gasperini was asked if he thinks that Matias Soule’s performances depend on whether he is playing alongside Paulo Dybala or not. 

Gasperini replied: “In my opinion, no. He’s someone who thinks on his own. Soule has put in some excellent performances. We have to understand that it’s not always easy for forwards to give consistency in their performances at such a high level. 

“He’s always played, sometimes he’s a little more tired than on other occasions. He’s been taken off in those games, but has always played again in the following matches. He brings value to this team. I don’t believe in the Dybala thing, the opposite if anything. 

“Dybala is an important player on a technical level, he doesn’t just help himself, but helps those who play close to him. This is a characteristic of strong players.”