Gasperini analyses away win at Nice

Here’s what our coach had to say!

Aside from the late penalty incident, it seemed like you had some solid reassurance again tonight. For example, it’s very difficult to get shots away against Roma.

“Yes, without a doubt. We’ve now played a fair few games, both in Italy and abroad, and that’s clearly one of our real strengths. It was the same story tonight. Sometimes there can be an incident like the one at the end, from a ball that was basically already out. Naturally, that gives the opponents fresh energy, but I have to say the performance of many of our players was once again at a high level. The only concern is that we sometimes struggle late on, especially when the substitutes don’t always bring the energy and strength needed to give the team greater security."

In what sense? Did some players come on with the wrong mentality? 

“No, the mentality is always right, of course, but you definitely need a bit more because nowadays matches are decided in the closing stages. You have to make four or five changes to try to see games out, and tonight we really had to dig in during that spell.”

It looked like [Lorenzo] Pellegrini’s technical ability changed the dynamics of your attacking play. Is that how you saw it?

“Pellegrini’s technical qualities are undeniable. You could see it from the corner he delivered for the goal. He has that ability. In my view, he hadn’t fully recovered from the match on Sunday, which was extraordinary for him, especially after playing so much following a long spell out. He paid the price tonight, as he was clearly finding it harder.”

You’ve said [Artem] Dovbyk needs to show a certain ruthlessness, and [Evan] Ferguson made some errors after coming on. Is that where your team needs to improve most?

“Yes, but it’s in our attacking play overall that we need to develop, not just by pointing the finger at the striker. In fact, I think Dovbyk is improving physically. What we need is for everyone to get better in our build-up play, our finishing and the final ball, so we can put the strikers in more dangerous positions. The offensive phase has to be seen in a broader sense.”

Does [Kostas] Tsimikas give you an extra option on the left? What does he bring?

“We have a lot of games to play and in that role, we’ve got both Tsimikas and Angelino, who are equally reliable. Angelino has done well in recent matches and tonight it was Tsimikas, even though he’s also coming back after several months out. He had a good game.

Their strongest asset is their left foot as they both have a good strike on them. They’re similar players in terms of attributes and not being especially versatile. They don’t play at centre-back, they don’t play further forward – so they’re very specific to that role. I tend to alternate them, but with so many matches both of them give us security and reliability.”

Congratulations. With four wins in five games, it must be easier to work. Aside from the ‘avoidable’ incident you mentioned, the match seemed done and dusted.

“Yes, but that’s football. A single incident can change a game. You have to see it through to the end. Tonight, it was one of those avoidable episodes. We’ve got a very strong, solid, compact and competitive core. We need to integrate it and we need younger players to learn from those who play more regularly, to see them as examples, and to follow in their footsteps so they can reach the same high standards.”

Have you seen the penalty back?

“It was clearly a naive mistake, and it’s a shame for [Niccolo] Pisilli, but these are high standards at European level. You have to learn quickly and there’s no time to dwell on these situations. Mistakes will happen, of course, they’re very young lads. But they must adapt and learn fast.”