Gian Piero Gasperini insists that Serie A is precedence at this stage of the season, regardless of their upcoming Europa League decider in opposition to Panathinaikos, and has defined why Evan Ferguson is ‘not very fortunate’.
The Giallorossi head coach addressed the media at his pre-match press convention forward of the ultimate Europa League league part match, which comes away in opposition to Panathinaikos on Thursday night. Kick-off is about for 20.00 GMT.
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Roma discover themselves in sixth place within the Europa League standings heading into the decisive last match, in opposition to the Nineteenth-placed Panathinaikos. A win will assure a spot within the spherical of 16. A draw could or might not be sufficient to complete within the prime eight.
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears on throughout the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Part MD5 match between AS Roma and FC Midtjylland at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Picture by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photos)
“We are going to attempt to get a end result. We’ve certified for the highest 24 and if we handle to get into the highest eight, we’ll be even happier as a result of we get to skip the play-off spherical,” Gasperini advised the press (through ).
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“Proper now, the clear precedence at this stage of the season is the league. Having stated that, tomorrow is an important match and we’ve to be ready to the fullest.”
Gasperini on Dybala, Ferguson, want for UEFA rule change
Gasperini was unwilling to disclose any secrets and techniques referring to tomorrow’s beginning line-up, however he was in a position to present an replace on star man Paulo Dybala.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma celebrates a aim throughout the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
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“I’m not in a position to inform you the formation at present. I by no means inform you, however even much less possible at present. We’ll see tomorrow, I don’t know but. Dybala got here out of the Milan sport with a small knock to his knee, he was doing a lot better yesterday. He was nonetheless feeling a little bit of discomfort at present, however we’ll consider tomorrow.”
Gasperini was requested how he’s discovered himself in a state of affairs the place he has 5 strikers in his squad, however none obtainable for Thursday evening.
“Sure, however we’ve received fairly just a few completely different conditions,” he stated. Dovbyk has had an operation and can be out for months. Area is 16 years outdated. He made a really constructive debut, and scored, however that wasn’t a part of the plan.
“As for the remaining, there are another conditions with the gamers: Malen has simply arrived and isn’t on the (UEFA) squad record. It’s all fairly clear. What’s slightly unlucky is the damage to Ferguson, who received that within the final sport in opposition to Stuttgart on the final minute. He’s positively not a really fortunate man!”
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Gasperini went on to present his evaluation of Roma’s season within the Europa League to this point.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Matias Soule of AS Roma celebrates with teammates, after Liam Scales of Celtic (not pictured) concedes an personal aim ensuing within the first aim for AS Roma, throughout the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Part MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Picture by Ian MacNicol/Getty Photos)
He stated: “We’ve tried from the start to do effectively on this competitors, and to remain concerned in each competitors: The league, in Europe and the Coppa Italia. Our aim has all the time been to play in all of them to the most effective of our potential.
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“We had a few missteps at house initially of the season in fact, we additionally had a little bit of extraordinary dangerous luck, lacking three penalties.
“This can be a group that has grown massively by way of high quality, by way of the play over the course of the season. We had some problem in scoring, much more in changing penalties and creating harmful conditions. Nonetheless, it appears to me that the group is producing far more and getting wonderful outcomes, whereas sustaining wonderful defensive stability.”
Gasperini was additionally requested in regards to the state of affairs meaning he’s not in a position to discipline both of his new January signings, Donyell Malen or Robinio Vaz, on Thursday as a result of reality he’s solely in a position to change his UEFA squad record after the league part has completed.
“The window has been open because the starting of January, however you’re not allowed to alter your squad record in Europe. The very fact is that it’s associated to the brand new format, which is barely in its second 12 months. One thing will in all probability must be reviewed,” he stated.
Donyell Malen holds up his Roma shirt after becoming a member of the Giallorossi on mortgage with a possible obligation to purchase from Aston Villa (image through www.asroma.com)
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“Now there’s a danger of attending to decisive matches, like tomorrow’s, with out having your entire gamers as a result of some have left and a few have are available. Absolutely one thing must be checked out there.”
Assessing the duty at hand on Thursday evening, Gasperini added: “Panathinaikos is an efficient group that has had a wonderful run in Europe. They’ve had a pair extra difficulties within the league, however they’re nonetheless an organised group that is aware of easy methods to do effectively on the pitch. Like us, additionally they have just a few personnel issues.”
Roma ‘not anxious’ about prospect of Europa League play-offs
Gasperini was additionally requested about his earlier assertion about Serie A being his present precedence. One reporter urged that prioritising tomorrow’s match would ease the workload in Serie A, given {that a} victory means they’d keep away from an additional two video games within the Europa League play-off spherical.
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He replied: “Naturally, we’ll must do our greatest to qualify. We’ve reached the ultimate day and we’re nonetheless in (the highest eight), in order that’s positively a aim. Having stated that, I’m not anxious about the potential for having to play an additional spherical. We’ve received higher by enjoying the quantity of video games we’ve, which has allowed us to develop by way of high quality. I don’t suppose the additional shifts we’d must tackle could be an enormous downside.”
And lastly, Gasperini commented on his relationship with Panathinaikos head coach Rafa Benitez.
“A very good relationship,” he stated. “We haven’t frolicked a lot, however we’ve received to know one another over time. I feel he’s an awesome skilled. He’s a coach who has been a winner in a number of completely different nations. It is going to be a pleasure to face him and I’m to see the end result. It is going to be a correct sport both method.”