Massara: Roma earning ‘surprisingly good results’ under Gasperini

Frederic Massara says that Roma are achieving ‘surprisingly good early results’ under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, but insists that the club’s goal is to grow ‘over time and build for the future’. 

The Giallorossi director of Football gave his thoughts on the current state of affairs at the Stadio Olimpico ahead of Roma’s Serie A clash against Parma on Wednesday evening, which kicks off at 17.30 BST. 

You can follow the action from tonight’s Serie A matches as they unfold on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

Roma have an opportunity to draw level on points with Napoli at the top of the Serie A standings with a victory at home against Parma on Wednesday evening. 

That is despite the fact that the Giallorossi are lacking goals from their centre-forwards, with Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson scoring just once between them since the start of the season. 

Massara insists that Ferguson, who has not scored at club level in over a year, needs time to settle in following his move on loan with an option to buy from Brighton over the summer. 

“Let us not forget Ferguson is young, he has arrived at a difficult league in Italy and needs time to adapt. He also had a few fitness issues, but we are confident he can give a big contribution to the team,” Massara told DAZN Italia before kick-off.

Massara was also asked how it has been working alongside Gasperini as head coach and Claudio Ranieri as a director. 

“Gasperini and Ranieri are two legendary figures, so there is great reciprocal respect and collaboration on how to go forward for the good of Roma.”

And what does Massara expect to see from Roma during the January transfer window? 

“A big signing in January is always tough, because players who are already making the difference in their teams are hard to move. We have FFP restrictions, and it is not easy. On the other hand, we have many games to go until then, so we will be able to evaluate when and if we need to intervene and in which areas of the team.”

Friedkin family tend not to speak publicly, they delegate to other figures

“The owners are very close to us and we speak to them almost daily, so they care very much for Roma. This summer we decided on a different approach, to focus on a coach who could help create value in the squad for players with promising talent. 

“We knew it could be more laborious and will take time, also because the ideas of the coach take time to be absorbed by the players. He is having surprisingly good early results, but the intention is to grow over time and build for the future.”