Gasperini’s pre Stuttgart press conference

Here’s what our boss had to say:

How do you plan on approaching tomorrow's match, taking into account your players’ fitness?

“The lads are doing well, except for [Mario] Hermoso, who is injured. Then there are the other players with their ailments who you already know about, and the obvious absences of the two new signings. Otherwise, I'd say that the squad is in good shape physically. Obviously tomorrow's match is quickly followed by a game on Sunday against Milan, which on paper is a more demanding fixture. We're in a good position in the Europa League, and we know that we have a good chance of avoiding the playoffs. At the same time, it's clear that given the results during the last Serie A matchday the league is the competition we're focusing most on right now.”

How has Paulo Dybala managed to be so consistent in his performances? Has this Roma team reached the standard you expected?

“The team have stood out with this mentality right from the start. When I came in I immediately saw that this group of players was really motivated and keen to have a great season. They’ve also been really willing, something we've seen in them since early on in the campaign. What I hope is that as the season progresses - considering that 21 Serie A matchdays is already a significant milestone – we can also improve our quality, especially in attack, as that’s been our weakness in some matches. 

“In terms of performances, there have been very few games in which the team hasn't responded well in terms of showing great mentality and motivation. I think Paulo had already done very well at a certain point this season. First he had the flu and then a fitness issue, which are situations that take him longer to recover from. He's a player who’s now fit, fully recovered and is capable of making his contributions. It's clear that as the years go by things can change. He may lack the pace he had a few seasons ago, but he has the ability to make things happen. With the support of his team-mates he can be a decisive player.”

In the last 18 years, Roma have won only one trophy - the Conference League. How much would you like to win a trophy? The Europa League could also serve as a shortcut to the Champions League.

“I'm not focusing on winning the Europa League. Do you know how long it's been since an Italian team won the Europa League? The last time was Atalanta two years ago, and before that we’d have to go back to the 1990s (Parma in 1999, ed.). Inter also won the Champions League in 2010. If you only think in these terms, you end up being perpetually disappointed and missing the wider point. Winning a European trophy nowadays has become really difficult for Italian clubs. Just look at yesterday's games. As for Roma, if this became our only yardstick we’d always risk ending up very disappointed. I believe we need to shift our focus for a moment. We need to look at ourselves, improve and develop by taking advantage of every opportunity, be it the transfer market, the league, Europe or cup competitions. We must aim to continuously grow as a team. When you truly feel like you’re a decent side then maybe you’ll even end up winning something.”

After the results in the last round of Serie A games has the belief of achieving fourth place increased, or has it always been there from the start?

“We've always played to get the best possible result. It's clear that at the start of the season both Roma and every other team didn’t know what their true status in the league was. We’re 21 matchdays into the season and nothing is set in stone. It’s a long season but we've earned the position we have today - no one handed it to us. 

“We play to get the best possible results. We know that, aside from Inter, who are top right now, there are many teams very close to us. There’s Milan - who we'll face on Sunday - Napoli, Juventus and even Como, who still have a decent points lead over Bologna and Atalanta. They're all teams aiming for those league positions and they’ve got formidable squads. For example, Bologna and Atalanta were in the Champions League last season. That being said, we've earned our league position in recent months. It's clear that we'll do everything we can to hold onto it and, if possible, improve upon it. However, it all boils down to one key matter – our self-esteem has grown, and that’s a big deal.”

Why was Leon Bailey's loan terminated? Can we expect any more activity in the transfer market?

“Unfortunately, Bailey's experience was negative, for both him and us. He got injured on his first day of training and that was the start of a real ordeal. He took a long time to recover, he then saw some action, but just as it seemed he was getting up to speed he relapsed. It was a big shame, because we thought he could really contribute to the team. I believe injuries were the main factor in this decision, including what happened in our last match in Turin, when he had to sit out again. As he was on loan it’s clear that a decision had to be taken. Maybe if he’d been a Roma player we would’ve probably just got on with things. This opens up a vacancy in the squad, obviously. I don't know what will happen in the last ten days of the transfer window. We'll weigh things up. I think that if opportunities arise that can improve the team, as happened with the [Donyell] Malen situation, then we should seize them. Otherwise, we'll continue as we are.”

How's Evan Ferguson doing?

“He’s recovered from the serious bruise he suffered in our last home game, so he'll be available tomorrow. He's currently a Roma player, and every opportunity he gets is a chance for him to perform well. He's been showing positive signs lately and has even scored a couple of important goals. Tomorrow I expect a performance in line with his recent ones.”

In the next few hours, the travel ban for Roma fans following Sunday's motorway incident could be made official. What's your opinion on the matter?

“This is a perennial problem, where thousands of fans who passionately follow a team end up being punished due to the fault of a few individuals. It's clear that no one wants to see incidents like those that occurred the other day on the motorway – they have no place in sport and football. It must be said that fortunately they happen less frequently than in the past, but these are the measures taken. When we go and play away, as was the case in Turin, seeing so much passion and so many people following the team is really positive. That's exactly why it's equally disappointing. I don't know if this is the best solution or the fairest punishment. As far as I'm concerned it isn’t, because it ends up penalising the passion of thousands of people.”

Can young players like Niccolo Pisilli, Jan Ziolkowski and Daniele Ghilardi be considered new signings to expand the squad?

“What I think and what I'd like to develop here at Roma - and I hope it’ll be possible - is to establish a strong core of 15 or 16 highly competitive players. I’m after a group that, even with substitutions, means we suffer as little as possible. Based on this, the idea is to develop other young players, like those mentioned. I want these players to supplement and strengthen what I see as the core of a team that wants to play in cup competitions, be protagonists and to really compete. The development of young players isn't linear and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and exclusively through performances, nothing else. This principle allows for the club's continuous and also sustainable growth, because when you have players who are developing and ready to fill in for other players you aren't forced to make expensive signings. Or, if you do, you can be more restrained.

“This is the approach we're trying to pursue. When I became coach I was faced with a reality of a team with few players who were truly willing, many whose contracts were expiring and many who were on loan. It takes a bit of time, but that's the aim. Only then can we talk about Champions League qualification or winning a cup. Without these foundations nothing can be done, because one bad month is enough to jeopardise everything. Pisilli is the prototype and the best example - he comes from the youth academy, and it would be ideal to have a youth system capable of producing players for the first team.

“He’s improved since the start of the season, especially in his attitude on the pitch. It's not always necessary to send a young player out on loan, as there’s a risk they won’t play or they may face other issues. If a player can develop at Roma then I see that as the best option. The time will come for Pisilli or for the others that someone may have to leave, but the aim is for him to become as valuable as [Manu] Kone, [Bryan] Cristante and the other players. Pisilli is the perfect prototype - he needs to gain experience here, he needs improve here. I hope that happens.”