Gasperini: ‘Roma big leap ahead with Malen,’ Champions League after 7 years

Gian Piero Gasperini explains how Roma secured their first Champions League qualification in seven years, admitting Donyell Malen’s arrival in January ‘was an enormous leap ahead.’

The Giallorossi knew {that a} would suffice for a prime 4 end, and it took some time to interrupt that impasse towards a staff that was already relegated weeks in the past.

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Donyell Malen’s penalty was parried, however put it again into his path to attain on the rebound, then sealed it in stoppages together with his final match for the membership.

Gasperini success in debut Roma season

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gamers of AS pose for a photograph after profitable their match and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League following the Serie A match between and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Might 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)

“It was an exquisite night, a troublesome one, as Verona have fought onerous these days towards everybody, and paradoxically we struggled extra once they went right down to 10 males,”

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“Maybe there was pressure, the strain to complete off the sport, so we didn’t create many possibilities, then didn’t take them, leaving the danger that one thing may occur.”

Roma are again within the Champions League after seven years away, eliminating golf equipment like and , as they are going to be accompanied within the match by .

Following the heavy defeat to , that they had gave the impression to be in disaster, however then received six of their subsequent seven video games.

“From the beginning, this group labored actually onerous, you would see they needed to have a season on the highest degree, which was gratifying. We began properly, received over some critics, however above all gained credibility with our followers, seeing the stadium all the time packed,” famous Gasperini.

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“It was a troublesome season in some ways, however not for the rapport with the group, and that was a locomotive powering us on to this outcome.”

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, pose for a photograph together with his teaching employees after the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Might 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)

Roma had not certified for the Champions League in seven years, so whereas different coaches insisted they had been aiming low, Gasperini all the time mentioned his goal was the highest 4 end.

“I see the way in which these lads work, and regardless of some dangerous ends in the head-to-head matches, we received the sensation we had been rising and getting nearer.

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“Malen clearly gave us an enormous leap ahead together with his arrival, however on the identical time we misplaced Dybala, Soule and Dovbyk to damage, so there have been few choices in assault.

“We talked amongst ourselves and mentioned that to get into the Champions League, we wanted a run of six or seven victories in a row. We had by no means managed it throughout the marketing campaign, however we saved it for the best second.”

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, interacts with Donyell Malen after being substitued off throughout the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Might 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)

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Roma and Como enter the Champions League, leaving out golf equipment like Juventus and Milan.

“I’m additionally really glad for Como, as they’ve performed great soccer this season, they set the instance and are all the time a pleasure to look at.”

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