Capello: Roma must start winning again; Gasperini can compete with Inter

Aleandro Rosi, a former Roma defender who trained under Gian Piero Gasperini at Genoa, has said Roma have the credentials to fight Inter for the Serie A title despite their Champions League loss to Real Madrid. Rosi told Retesport that Roma dominated the match but Real Madrid exploited a collapse to score three goals with ease. He drew a parallel to last season's defeats against Inter and Juventus, describing the capitulation as unacceptable at Champions League level. Rosi identified defensive substitutions as a critical issue. "I would not have removed the centre-backs, Mancini and Hermoso, as happened against Inter," he said. "Central defenders should only come off when they are dying on the pitch." He also highlighted set-piece vulnerability, noting that zonal marking proved ineffective and suggesting Gollini, at 190cm tall, could have taken greater command of the area with his fists or a punch clear to support his teammates. Rosi observed that Roma played a "sensational" 70 minutes, similar to the Inter fixture, but changes in personnel made the difference. On Wesley, Rosi suggested the right-back "expresses himself better on the left side alongside Molina on the opposite flank," though he acknowledged Roma lack Mancini currently. Rosi praised Gasperini's tactical approach, saying: "He is a field animal. Perhaps he has gained more awareness of his work. I like this coaching style very much; as a coach I will draw inspiration from him since I am studying to begin a new career." Asked whether Roma can be Inter's main challengers, Rosi replied: "Roma have all the cards to fight to the end. Gasperini is not afraid of anyone. Inter have something more but Roma will be able to trouble them—they are candidates to compete for the title."

Gasperini's summer calls for squad reinforcement are being validated by the performance of the players he requested. All the recruits the coach asked for in the current window are performing well, strengthening the case that deeper investment in the squad is necessary. The hope is that Gasperini's pitch has resonated with the Friedkin Group ownership and will lead to further backing for additions to the playing staff.

Gian Piero Gasperini has reopened tensions with José Mourinho in his pre-match press conference before Roma's fixture against Genoa tomorrow, continuing a row that flared after Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Gasperini said of the Genoa challenge: "For fortuna we play tomorrow, with several absences and against a team that may not have the champions from the other night but certainly has superior organisation and a superior capacity to close down and cover spaces. It will be another type of difficulty." The comment was a direct response to Mourinho's post-match assessment at the Olimpico, when the Real Madrid manager claimed he had taken advantage of a "dead Roma" unable to sustain the intensity required over 90 minutes. Gasperini had immediately disagreed, arguing that Roma had "outclassed Real Madrid" on the pitch; his measured analysis suggests he remains convinced of that view. The friction between the two coaches, once on better terms, has now become plain to see.