Gian Piero Gasperini insists that there’s ‘no clear distinction’ between the 2 sides as Roma put together to host Bologna for the second leg of their Europa League spherical of 16 tie on the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.
Gasperini previes Roma vs. Bologna second leg: ‘Consideration is essential’
The tie is stage on the midway stage after a 1-1 draw between the 2 sides on the Dall’Ara final Thursday. The winner of tomorrow’s decider will go on to face both Lille or Aston Villa within the quarter-finals.
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Roma have been the stronger of the 2 sides over in Serie A this season, main Bologna by 9 factors and two positions within the league desk, however Vincenzo Italiano’s aspect boast the higher type, with 4 wins from their final 5 league matches, whereas Roma have solely received as soon as in that interval.
Concerningly for the Giallorossi, Manu Kone, who missed out on the primary leg final week, is a doubt once more forward of the second leg.
“There’s just a little danger and a little bit of precaution, we’ll see. Kone’s doing a bit worse,” head coach Gasperini mentioned throughout his pre-match on Wednesday.
Gasperini went on to explain tomorrow’s match as: “A decisive sport, totally different from the league. There’s no draw. There’s a risk of going past the 90 minutes. These are totally different video games that at all times fascinate me.”
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Gasperini was additionally requested for his ideas on Roma’s latest hunch in Serie A outcomes.
“Followers’ reactions have to be accepted,” he mentioned. “We have now to work to our greatest, get outcomes and produce happiness to the supporters. We have now the whole dedication of the gamers and we’re calm. What they’re doing is optimistic.
“We’ve additionally had some good video games over these final 40 days. In fact, there have been video games the place we’ve gone underneath just a little. We had some personnel difficulties, however these aren’t excuses. In Genoa and Como, there have been additionally incidents that impacted the video games.
“Now we’re not in our greatest second, we’ve needed to pay for accidents and numerous different conditions, however we’ve by no means had the improper angle. We would have gamers who don’t play properly at occasions, however there’s one other sport tomorrow and we need to do our greatest.”
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Reverting his consideration to the duty at hand within the Europa League, Gasperini mentioned: “These are video games the place incidents might be much more decisive.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, appears to be like on previous to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Spherical of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
“That is the second leg, so consideration is essential. It’s like a last, a one-off match. We have now to be strong and related. I believe these are two groups that may deliver a little bit of pleasure to our (Italian) soccer on this scenario.”
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On the position that the Stadio Olimpico crowd should play tomorrow evening, Gasperini mentioned: “It’s at all times been pink scorching. There could be one thing much more tomorrow given the significance of the sport.”
And on Stephan El Shaarawy, he added: “He was out for 40 days. He’s had a few weeks of restoration, he performed on Sunday. We received’t be capable of rely on Venturino tomorrow both. We make decisions based mostly on who’s accessible. Stephan could possibly be a vital participant.”
Lastly, Gasperini was requested what he makes of the opinions from the Bologna camp that Roma stay the favourites heading into Thursday’s second leg.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, embraces Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, previous to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Spherical of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
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“The ambition is similar for everybody,” he insisted. “Bologna are behind within the league however are recovering now. They had been within the Champions League final yr. There’s no clear distinction between the 2 groups. We perceive the significance of the sport.”