Gasperini Rejects Robinio Vaz: Coach Believes Forward Should Spend Two Years in Serie B

Tensions have emerged at Roma between head coach Gasperini and sporting director Massara over winter transfer target Robinio Vaz. Gasperini reportedly believes Vaz needs to gain experience away from the club rather than join Roma's squad immediately. The disagreement reflects differing views on how to best develop the player at this stage of his career. Details remain unclear regarding where Vaz might be sent to gain experience or the broader context of Roma's winter transfer strategy.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is planning a significant restructuring of Roma's medical department and wants to bring in Riccardo Del Vescovo, whom he worked with over the past three years at Atalanta. Del Vescovo was instrumental in Atalanta's historic Europa League victory in 2024. The appointment would represent a return to Trigoria for Del Vescovo, who previously served Roma from 2013 to 2019, initially as head of youth sector medical services and later as first-team medical coordinator. Del Vescovo's potential return carries historical baggage. In 2019, following his departure from Roma, he was implicated in an investigation that revealed internal unrest within the club's dressing room. A letter from Ed Lippie, the club's fitness coach and Pallotta's trusted aide, identified Del Vescovo—alongside physiotherapist Damiano Stefanini—as a key figure in advocating for Roma's "de-Tottification." The investigation detailed senior players' demands for changes to the squad, with particular focus on removing Francesco Totti from influence. Del Vescovo denied the claims at the time, stating he had never spoken to journalists and maintained his loyalty to the club. With Ranieri recently departed and Massara's exit confirmed, Gasperini has gained substantial control over Roma's direction. Complicating matters, the Friedkin family is reportedly considering bringing Totti back into the organization—potentially reviving tensions from 2019. Del Vescovo, who holds specialist qualifications in sports medicine and diagnostic imaging, has since worked with Empoli, Verona, and Atalanta, and previously consulted for several major clubs including Juventus, Milan, Lazio, and PSG.

Claudio Ranieri's comments during Roma's pre-match press conference ahead of the Roma-Pisa fixture revealed a transfer market backstory. Ranieri had reportedly identified De Rossi as his primary target for the club, but a return to Roma did not materialize. The exact reasons why the move fell through remain unclear from available details. This confirms that De Rossi was actively considered as an option during the transfer window, though other factors ultimately prevented the deal from being completed.

Tensions have emerged at Roma between head coach Gasperini and sporting director Massara over winter transfer target Robinio Vaz. Gasperini reportedly believes Vaz needs to gain experience away from the club rather than join Roma's squad immediately. The disagreement reflects differing views on how to best develop the player at this stage of his career. Details remain unclear regarding where Vaz might be sent to gain experience or the broader context of Roma's winter transfer strategy.

Roma travel to Bologna on April 25 for a Serie A matchday 34 fixture at the Dall'Ara stadium, with kick-off at 18:00. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed his squad list, with good news on the injury front: Wesley and Dybala are fit and included, while Rensch and Pisilli are also available. However, four players remain sidelined: Koné, Pellegrini, Dovbyk, and Ferguson. The match represents a crucial contest for Roma, who are fighting for a Champions League place and broader European qualification for next season. The return of Dybala and Wesley provides Gasperini with important options in attack and defense respectively, strengthening the squad depth for a fixture that could prove significant in Roma's push for continental football. Roma's full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, Gollini, and De Marzi; defenders Rensch, Angelino, Ndicka, Tsimikas, Celik, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui, and Pisilli; and forwards Malen, Soulé, Venturino, Dybala, Vaz, El Shaarawy, and Zaragoza.

Gasperini has laid out conditions for remaining at Roma that include significant summer transfer activity and a change in sporting director, likely moving away from Ricky Massara. The club faces the challenge of restructuring multiple departments as numerous players will leave on free transfers by the end of August. In defense, Roma will make minimal changes if Mile Svilar stays. Ghilardi has impressed and will remain, while the club needs at least one new center-back, with targets including Balerdi (Marseille), Troilo (Parma), and Jhon Lucumì (Bologna). Midfield could see Manu Koné depart for €40-45 million to meet Financial Fair Play requirements, necessitating a replacement like Aseko (Bayern Munich) or Frattesi. The wings are a critical area for Gasperini's 3-4-2-1 formation—Wesley is the only reliable option, so two fullbacks are essential. Targets include Bernasconi (Atalanta) and Sessegnon (Fulham). Attack requires the most significant overhaul. Paulo Dybala will leave on a free transfer, while Gasperini prioritizes speed and dribbling ability. Donyell Malen is the primary cornerstone, with Matías Soulé and Robinio Vaz providing depth. The priority is signing a left-footed right winger or attacking midfielder; targets include Antonio Nusa, Kerim Alajbegovic, and Julian Brandt. Satisfying Gasperini's demands presents both economic and sporting challenges, but significant changes are necessary to move Roma beyond their current mid-table position.

Roma will travel to Bologna in a crucial Serie A match as the club chases Champions League qualification. Manager Gasperini has several key players available for selection, with Brazilian winger Wesley expected to return to the starting lineup. Paulo Dybala is fit but will begin on the bench, leaving the main tactical question centered on the left-wing position. The primary selection debate involves choosing between El Shaarawy and El Aynaoui on the flank, with midfielder Pisilli's positioning dependent on that decision—he could operate in midfield or shift forward as a number 10 depending on the final lineup. Italian newspapers have published their predicted lineups ahead of the fixture, with most outlets favoring El Shaarawy in the starting XI. Gasperini faces this match during a period of organizational upheaval at the club, though Roma cannot afford further slip-ups if they are to maintain their top-four hopes. The Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, and Il Tempo all predict a 3-4-2-1 formation with El Shaarawy starting, while Tuttosport and Corriere della Sera suggest alternatives involving El Aynaoui in the midfield. The expected lineup includes goalkeeper Svilar, defensive trio of Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso, with Malen leading the attack.

Roma will travel to Bologna's Dall'Ara stadium for a Serie A encounter on 25 April as Gian Piero Gasperini's side looks to bounce back after recent turbulence at the club. The match represents a crucial fixture in Bologna's pursuit of European qualification, with the home side sitting eighth, six points behind seventh-place Atalanta in the Champions League race. Roma's squad will be depleted by absences, with Koné, Pellegrini, Dovbyk, and Ferguson unavailable. Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation with Svilar in goal behind a defensive line of Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso. Wesley returns to the starting lineup at wing-back alongside Celik, with Cristante and Pisilli anchoring midfield. In attack, El Shaarawy and Soulé will support Malen, while Dybala is available as a potential substitute option. The probable squad composition suggests Roma will operate with a balanced defensive setup while maintaining attacking options off the bench. Roma's last two home matches produced contrasting results: a decisive victory over Pisa and a frustrating draw against Atalanta. The Bologna fixture carries heightened significance as both clubs pursue distinct objectives—Bologna seeking to secure European football for next season, and Roma looking to maintain momentum under their new tactical direction.

Roma travel to Bologna on April 25 for a Serie A matchday 34 fixture at the Dall'Ara stadium, with kick-off at 18:00. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed his squad list, with good news on the injury front: Wesley and Dybala are fit and included, while Rensch and Pisilli are also available. However, four players remain sidelined: Koné, Pellegrini, Dovbyk, and Ferguson. The match represents a crucial contest for Roma, who are fighting for a Champions League place and broader European qualification for next season. The return of Dybala and Wesley provides Gasperini with important options in attack and defense respectively, strengthening the squad depth for a fixture that could prove significant in Roma's push for continental football. Roma's full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, Gollini, and De Marzi; defenders Rensch, Angelino, Ndicka, Tsimikas, Celik, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui, and Pisilli; and forwards Malen, Soulé, Venturino, Dybala, Vaz, El Shaarawy, and Zaragoza.