Gasperini's comments following Udinese v Roma

Here are the words of Giallorossi coach.

Was there perhaps a bit of a lack of quality?

“Without a doubt, it wasn’t easy. We lacked a bit of precision in the final third, and maybe a bit of luck as well, especially with the goal we conceded. But this is a team that always comes off the pitch with its head held high and finds the strength to keep improving”.

Today, there were two dangerous chances. What are the reasons for this step backwards?

“It was a tight game, difficult for both sides. They also had a couple of shots from a distance. When you get four or five players into the box, those become chances. I think overall we did much more”.

How satisfied are you with the transfer window?

“I agree with the analysis of the match — these are difficult games, decided by moments. The transfer window is closed now, and we have these four months ahead of us. I didn’t expect to have so many difficulties in bringing in a few players in specific roles we’ve been looking for since the summer. That said, Malen has arrived, Zaragoza has arrived, and we also have very young lads who will certainly give their all”.

Is there a player you would have liked to sign? A final cherry on top?

“No, no. Look, dozens of names were mentioned. I’m very happy because, in a very short space of time, the opportunity to sign Malen came up and then, in the final two days, also Zaragoza. I realize the January transfer window is never easy, but that’s how it is and how it went. These two players will definitely help us. Then players like Venturino and Vaz arrived as well, but they represent the future — we can’t expect them, at this moment, to be competitive for such high objectives. The most important thing is to avoid injuries. That would be crucial, and to get Dybala, Koné and a few other players who are still out back fit. Then we’ll continue on the path we’ve followed so far, because this is a group that definitely works hard”.

Do teams play too much, as Conte says?

“Football inevitably leads to injuries. Muscle strains have always existed, just like sprains to the knees and ankles. Today, they may be a bit more frequent because we play twice as many matches, but if you look at the percentages, probably injuries have always been the same: subluxations, bruises, knee and ankle problems. Science has never managed to halve recovery times — when there is a muscle injury, you still need at least three weeks, just like years ago. Today, we have much more accurate diagnoses and sometimes also a bit of bad luck, which leads to players being sidelined for apparently minor issues, and that is a topic. There are clearly a lot of games being played. That’s what television and the public want, so the system goes on like this. These are the risks, effectively. However, there is nothing that proves with certainty that doing things differently would prevent injuries. It’s a statistical observation, but not an absolute certainty”.