Gasperini previews Inter match

Here's what the coach had to say:

How are things looking at Roma in light of the latest injuries? What shape is the team in going into this game and will you be able to get anyone fit in time?

“[Matias] Soulé has recovered and he's trained with us the last two weeks – with some difficulty in the first week but much better this last week. Obviously he was sidelined for a long time with an injury but he's up and running again now.

“Wesley and [Manu] Kone came back from international duty but they're not available. Both of them are more optimistic than the initial outlook but neither will make it for tomorrow.”

I won't ask you for solutions because ten press conferences wouldn't be enough, but what do you think is the most pressing problem that Italian football needs to deal with to get over this crisis? You've often spoken about youth academies. What's the first thing that comes to mind?

 “Given that we've failed to qualify for the World Cup three times in a row, clearly there's not a single problem and nor is there an immediate solution. It's complex, a multitude of factors, a system that clearly doesn't work.

 “I don't believe it's a grassroots problem because lots of kids play football, probably more here than in other countries that will be at the World Cup. We have the facilities and a strong football tradition.

 “It's a much wider problem – not something you can fix by changing president or coach. It's a structural problem that needs to be tackled by everyone – including the media – to rebuild a credible system that can produce footballers and a national team that can match the enthusiasm people still feel for football in our country.

 “We have to look at it globally because football is a social phenomenon too, not just a sport. The problem is not just the latest cycle; it runs a lot deeper.”

With Wesley not available, could Devyne Rensch be an option on that flank, considering also that he might be up against Denzel Dumfries? Why do you think his performances have been inconsistent, some excellent and others less good?

“It's true that he's had some very good games and others where his level of focus or motivation has dropped, but he's a positive lad who always trains really well. We have two options for tomorrow: Rensch and [Kostas] Tsimikas. We have Angelino too – he's definitely improving. Many times he hasn't looked completely ready to play but he's definitely come on a lot compared to a few months ago.”

I'd like to go back to the topic of Italy. Lots of names have been put forward for the role of head coach, including yours. How are you dealing with that?

“In this moment in time lots of names are being thrown around but it goes back to what I was saying earlier: it's not only about one position. It's a wider problem and we need a complete overhaul, a new vision to get our football, our young players and our kids up to a certain level. That's much more important than deciding who's going to be the next coach.

“The leagues could help too by offering more opportunities. There are lots of things to consider. Some clubs that produced a lot of talent are no longer around, and I don't know if that's a good thing or not. I don't think we've suddenly unlearnt how to play football. We have an incredible history.

“It involves the entire system on a national level. It's a complex matter with lots of factors involved."

After recent matches there's been a lot of talk about meetings between yourself, the sporting director and the club. Are you still all on the same page or has something changed?

“There have been no such meetings. At the moment we're focusing on the league and these eight decisive games left. We're heading into the business end of the season still in the mix, together with Juventus. That's the main concern for everyone at the moment and personally my sole concern is this season finale.”

In the last few years your teams have always finished the season strong, with great intensity. How is the team physically and have you done any specific work to be ready for this part of the season?

“We've worked well the last two weeks, albeit with not many players – just eight or nine – because the others were on international duty. But the team have never been found wanting in that sense. In recent games – against Juventus, Milan, Bologna and Napoli – we've played very well, with good energy and a good mentality. At times we've played with great intensity and enthusiasm but that hasn't always equated to victory. We've gone close though.

“The only bad week was when we lost back-to-back games against Genoa and Como, but the players have always responded well. That's all I have to say.”

How important is getting into the Champions League for the future?

“Obviously that's something that will have a huge impact on next season, regardless of how this season finishes. Of course we all want to get into the Champions League, above all for the financial benefits for the club.

“Having said that, the club is already thinking about what needs to be done in the future. Some of the situations that were inherited from previous managements are coming to a head at a crucial time and it means the club will have to make big decisions for the future.”

Staying on this topic, the first year is often seen as a settling-in period where you lay the groundwork for the future. Regardless of your final position, do you feel you've built something important? Has the club laid solid foundations for the years to come?

“We have to take stock of these things at the end because there's still a lot to play for. It almost seems like the season is over but we're entering the run-in.

“What I can say at this point is I'm very happy with the choice I made and with how this experience is panning out. I'm happy with the relationship I've built, the confidence I think I've earned from most of the fans and especially my bond with the players.

“The players have been and will continue to be the most important part of the club, regardless of results. That's how it should be: a football team should be centred around football. Of course there are financial and organisational aspects too but the priority has to be the team in my view.”

How important do you think the psychological aspect will be for the Inter and Roma players after the international matches? Have you had to work on that with Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante?

“It's something that affects all the teams: the players come back from national duty and they're instantly thrown back into the domestic league. They have to adapt quickly because they're different environments. The strength of these professionals is being able to always look forward. Tomorrow is another day, an important day, not decisive but certainly significant for the objectives of both teams.

“The margins for error are becoming smaller but to reach this stage of the season, eight games from the end, level on points with Juventus and three points off a Champions League spot, is already a great sign. We've had some ups and downs results-wise but our performances have got better, as has the lads' motivation and application.

“We're in the decisive phase now so we need to get our heads down and push as hard as we can. Eight games is a fair amount and here's space for everyone. Tomorrow will be an important match but we go into it ready to give our all.”

You said you're very happy with the relationship you've built with the fans and the players. Are you equally happy with your relationship with the club? Do you feel you have their backing?

“I have a very honest, open, sincere, mutual relationship with the club. I try to bring my ideas and experience to the table in response to what I was asked to do when I joined Roma.

“In any case, this is a fantastic experience. It's only natural that when there are difficulties people don't always see football in the same way but that's part of the game. I try to go on with my methods and ask for solutions that are compatible with the club's scope, with the aim of improving the team. As I said, for me the priority is the team: if the team works well, everything else works too. My goal is to keep improving it following my football ideas.”

Will you still be the Roma coach on 1 July? 

“I don't know. I hope so. I also hope that we can continue on a path where everyone is happy, not just me. For now let's focus on the next game against Inter.”

Bryan Zaragoza has been here two months now. How do you rate his impact? Did you expect more from him?

“I did, to be honest. We all expected a bit more. He's a player with a unique skill set. He's perhaps not the most consistent but he's got an incredible turn of pace on him, as we saw in the build-up to [Donyell] Malen's goal against Napoli.

“It's never easy to join a team in January: some players adapt instantly and quickly find form, others need more time. He's found it a bit harder so far, but hopefully in this decisive phase he can contribute in the way we thought and we believe he can.”

Are you still as convinced now as you were on the first day, or even more so, given the way you deal with difficulties?

“Football is always like this: every team goes through difficult spells. Football is a great life lesson because it teaches you how to lose and not get too carried away when you win.

“It's no different here. What really matters is being able to look forward, improve during difficulties and pick yourself up when you lose. That's true in sport as it is in life.”

What impact could Champions League qualification have on future choices, for example regarding Malen's future?

“He's won everyone over. Of course there are financial aspects that the club needs to consider but there's no doubting the quality of the player.

“I think we have a good team. It shouldn't be taken apart but improved. Perhaps we could have done a bit better this season but if we're in the position we're in, it means we have quality and solid foundations.

“Some people might think that this group is only capable of going so far but we should remember that without this group we could easily finish 12th or 13th. It's a strong, compact, professional group. As always, it needs to be added to and improved to make it even better and even stronger.”