Tomorrow evening, Roma will take on Atalanta at the Olimpico as they strive for a spot in fourth place.
It has been a tense time in the capital, with the primary focus being the strained relationship between Ranieri and Gasperini, sparked by comments made by the senior advisor before the Roma-Pisa match.
Advertisement
Today, Gasperini addressed the media ahead of the match against Atalanta, stating, “I’ll clarify something upfront because I know you’ll ask. An interview with Ranieri last Friday caused some misunderstandings; it caught me completely off guard.”
“There’s never been any discord in my interactions with Ranieri, either during our press conferences or personally. I wasn’t anticipating this shift in tone. Throughout these months, I hadn’t encountered anything like it. Since then, I’ve been focused on avoiding any reaction that could harm the team or Roma’s supporters.”
“Tomorrow’s match is crucial; we still have a chance to qualify for Europe. That’s what matters most. I wish we could focus on this topic, especially since I haven’t commented much this week. I aimed to mitigate concerns, but that proved impossible. So, let’s focus on football from this point onward.”
He added, “I’ve felt the weight of this media frenzy, albeit unwillingly. However, for me and the team, there can be no excuses. We’re at Matchday 33, in the final stretch, which is vital for both teams, particularly for us. My attention has been redirected solely to the tactical aspects. I reiterate: my priority is to protect the team.”
Advertisement
Regarding injuries, he noted, “Wesley believes he can play, but the medical staff sees risks. This leads to further discussions. We’ll see how things unfold tomorrow, but if the doctor advises against it, I must comply. There haven’t been changes in the lineup from last week, except for Pellegrini’s injury. Pisilli seems to be back from his ankle issue.”
When asked if he felt closer or further from Roma than before, he replied, “You keep discussing other matters; I prefer to concentrate on the game. I don’t want to complicate tomorrow’s match; these questions create issues. Please inquire about the team or the upcoming match. I’m done with the prior topic. If you’d like to focus on football, I’m here to answer.”
“What does Roma need to qualify for the Champions League?” he continued. “The club and Ranieri have always been clear about our goals. I believed we could achieve our target with minimal effort, and the evidence shows we’re still in the running, despite setbacks. We faced fewer issues in the first half of the season, managing to adapt. However, since January, we have encountered numerous challenges. I’ve always thought that with a few additional ideas, we could create even more opportunities. But these discussions with Ranieri have never been confrontational. If we manage to beat a competitive team like Atalanta, we’ll see what follows. They’re a formidable challenge. If we succeed, we’ll have a right to compete for a Champions League spot, with other teams ahead of us. This is the benchmark I’ve consistently set for myself. I’ve always aimed to foster improvement based on my football philosophy, advocating for certain players. My sole objective has been to enhance the team without any ulterior motives. I am committed to achieving this goal. I believe that performing well in Rome brings immense satisfaction.”
Reflecting on the differences with Bergamo, he stated, “Roma has significant advantages, particularly in terms of the squad and external support. During my time in Bergamo, we thrived because of the unity within the community; the club’s dedication was exceptional. The city, with its singular fan base, created a perfect environment, enabling us to build a strong team over time. This included nurturing young talent and making profitable transfers, enriching the club: consider players like Lookman, Ruggeri… We developed a formidable team with Gomez, Zapata, Toloi, Ilicic, Kolasinac. A solid core that persisted for years, replaced by Ederson, Koopmeiners, integrating players like Scamacca, De Ketelaere, Lookman, Djimsiti…”
Advertisement
“The overall strength of the team allowed for adaptability using resources generated through successful sales. Take Romero and Hojlund, for instance, consistently generating profits each year. That achievement was a team effort, not solely due to me, but also the club’s strategy. The dynamics changed somewhat due to ownership transitions and the absence of my father, to whom I was very close.”