Roma wing-back Wesley Franca insists that the incident that led to his sending off throughout Saturday’s Serie A defeat in opposition to Como ‘wasn’t a foul’, and says that the Giallorossi want ‘100% focus’ if they’re to beat Bologna within the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Wesley reacts to Como purple and previews Bologna second leg
The Brazilian wideman joined head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for Wednesday’s pre-match press convention forward of the second leg of the Europa League spherical of 16 tie between Roma and Bologna on the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening. The tie is presently degree after a 1-1 draw on the Dall’Ara final week.
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For Wesley, this was additionally a chance to assessment his most up-to-date Serie A match. Roma have been in an enormous sport within the race for the Champions League positions, and the Brazilian was controversially despatched off simply over an hour in with the scores nonetheless degree at 1-1.
Wesley was despatched off for a second bookable offence, however he insists that there was no foul in his conflict with Como’s Assane Diao.
Just like the incident that led to Pierre Kalulu’s wrongful sending off within the Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter in February, the incident couldn’t be referred to VAR for assessment because it was a second yellow card offence and never a straight purple. For a similar cause, neither Kalulu nor Wesley’s suspensions have been overturned both.
“It wasn’t a foul. I used to be conscious I used to be on a reserving and didn’t need a purple,” Wesley protested (through ).
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“I used to be on his facet, leaning on him as a result of he was falling on prime of me. I used to be satisfied afterwards that I hadn’t dedicated a foul, however for others, I did. It was a decisive incident which modified the sport.”
Shifting on from the Como incident, Wesley went on to clarify why he has been in a position to hit the bottom operating so comfortably in Italy after becoming a member of Roma from Flamengo over the summer season.
“Italian soccer is totally different to Brazilian soccer, however with lots of focus, it’s troublesome for others to get previous me, simply because it’s simpler for me to dribble in opposition to them,” he defined.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Wesley of AS Roma through the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photograph by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)
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“The coach asks me to assault, to not make errors and to make the fitting choices. I’m enhancing and enjoying helps that.”
And waiting for Thursday’s conflict in opposition to Bologna, he added: “For me, it’s a dream to play in Europe. We care lots. Careers are inbuilt these tournaments, it requires 100% focus. We have now to be prepared tomorrow.”
And on his particular person battle with Federico Bernardeschi through the first leg, Wesley stated: “He’s very robust with some nice traits. The duel was nice. We’ve performed in opposition to lots of robust gamers, however he’s superb.”