AS Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed his shock at Claudio Ranieri’s remarks from last week, which deeply affected him, culminating in an emotional end to his pre-match press conference as tears filled his eyes while reminiscing about his tenure at Atalanta.
Gasperini is set to face his former club, Atalanta, at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, in a crucial match for Champions League qualification in Serie A.
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Roma heads into this match under growing internal pressure, particularly following Ranieri’s pointed comments about the coach before last week’s fixture against Pisa.
Ranieri claimed that Gasperini was Roma’s fourth choice for the coaching position last summer after the top candidates declined the club’s offer, and he asserted that the Italian coach had approved all transfers this season.
“Ranieri’s interview on Friday took me by surprise and created some tensions,” Gasperini shared with Gazzetta.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 12: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma, seen before the Serie A match between Atalanta and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on May 12, 2025. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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“There hasn’t been any prior friction between Ranieri and me, either publicly or privately. This tone was unexpected for me. In my many years of coaching, I’ve never experienced such comments. Since then, I’ve refrained from making any statements to avoid causing more harm to the club, the team, and the fans,” Gasperini remarked.
“Tomorrow’s match is vital as we still have a chance to qualify for Europe,” he added. “I wish we could focus solely on the game.”
“I am managing my response to this media attention, but neither the team nor I will make any excuses. It’s Round 33; we are entering the final stretch, and this match is crucial for both teams, especially for us. I am concentrating entirely on the technical aspects and hope that people recognize this and continue to support the team.”
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Gasperini acknowledged that the management of injured players, including Wesley, has further contributed to tensions within the club.
“Yes, that has been an internal topic of discussion. It’s quite common,” he explained. “Wesley feels he can play, but the medical staff warns of potential risks. These discussions inevitably lead to disputes. We’ll see how things unfold tomorrow, but ultimately, I must adhere to the doctors’ recommendations. Unfortunately, we also have to cope with the loss of Pellegrini, and Pisilli suffered an ankle sprain at the start of the week. He appears to have recovered; we will evaluate him today.”
As anticipated, Gasperini faced limited questions regarding the upcoming match, with some inquiries about his future at the club.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, arrives at the stadium ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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“You keep diverting the conversation, but my focus is on the match,” he responded. “I’m eager to avoid creating any further issues, and discussing my future certainly sidetracks us.”
“The club and Ranieri have been unequivocal. I’ve always believed we could make it to the Champions League with some effort, despite the significant absences in recent months. Now that we are here, we recognize the challenge ahead against a strong opponent. When I managed Atalanta, I regarded Roma as a benchmark; now, we have the chance to become the standard ourselves.”
Gasperini Breaks Down in Tears at Press Conference
Gasperini struggled to hold back tears when addressing his time at Atalanta during the final question.
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“Rome provides everything necessary for success. In Bergamo, I thrived because we established a unified environment, and the club’s efforts were exceptional,” he reflected. “The small city fostered an ideal atmosphere. We built something remarkable together, integrating young players with a solid core. The club’s approach to reinvesting profits while competing in Europe was a unique phenomenon.”
“My success was not solely my doing but also credited to an extraordinarily capable club that worked harmoniously with its coach. However, circumstances shifted, partly due to changes in ownership and the departure of key figures like [Antonio Percassi]…” Gasperini became visibly emotional, leaving the press conference unable to contain his tears.