Mancini: Roma will always come first

Gian Piero Gasperini expressed optimism following Roma's victory against Bologna, which keeps the club's Champions League hopes alive. The coach said: "We must believe we can win every match from here to the end. We are not yet dead, there are these 4 matches to play. And we are recovering important players, which makes us more competitive and puts us in a position to produce first halves like this one at Bologna. What we lost in the second round of fixtures due to many and long absences we will try to recover in this final stretch of the season." Gasperini praised Donyell Malen's impact since joining the squad, crediting the forward with significantly raising Roma's level of play. He also highlighted El Aynaoui's recent improved form, noting the player had struggled after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco. The coach acknowledged internal criticism but clarified his role: "The centre of Roma is not me, but the club and the fans. This is an aspect that must be very clear. I only deal with the technical side, nothing else. But I thank the club for the great confidence it has always shown me. This is a powerful club that can do great things." Malen has scored eleven league goals since January, continuing an impressive run that demonstrates Roma's attacking potential as they pursue qualification for European football.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to media following Roma's 2–0 away win at Bologna, expressing confidence in the club's ambitions and the squad's commitment. The coach acknowledged that while Roma produced a strong first half, the team struggled somewhat in the second period and must improve for upcoming matches. He emphasized the importance of maintaining belief: "We must believe we can win every match. We are in a condition to play a first half like today, in the second we struggled a bit. We must improve on this for the next game." Gasperini highlighted Donyell Malen's impressive performance and noted that absences of Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala had affected Roma's depth. He also praised a player named El Ayanoui for his display, noting that the player had returned from African Cup of Nations duty with Morocco and had earned recovery time before stepping in. The coach underlined his professional responsibility for tactical matters while expressing gratitude for the club's backing since his arrival. Reflecting on the organisation at Roma, Gasperini stated: "The Roma are a powerful club that will be able to do great things, and I hope to contribute on the technical side." He credited the Friedkin Group with demonstrating consistent trust and commitment to the project from day one, framing the technical direction as his primary focus moving forward.

Gian Piero Gasperini praised Roma's 2–0 victory over Bologna, with goals from Malen and El Aynaoui, highlighting strong defensive play in the first half. Gasperini expressed confidence in Malen's abilities, noting he had already identified him as the ideal player for the role during pre-season. He commended El Aynaoui's performance after the striker's return from Africa Cup of Nations duties, saying he remained physically and emotionally affected by the extended competition but has since shown his quality. Gasperini acknowledged Roma's injury struggles throughout the season, citing absences of key players including Wesley, Soulé, Dybala, and Koné. He noted that Dybala had not played since 25 January, while Soulé missed 40 days. Despite these setbacks, he praised the squad's resilience, highlighting solid performances even against stronger opponents like Atalanta and Juventus. The head coach attributed some difficulties to unfortunate circumstances, including Wesley's red card at Como. Regarding the summer transfer window, Gasperini stated: "If I have technical responsibilities, it is fair that I get what I want." He indicated he holds ideas on how to elevate Roma's level and strength, though he deferred detailed market discussions to the coming season. With four matches remaining, Gasperini expressed determination, saying the team still has opportunities ahead.

Roma secured a convincing 2–0 victory away at Bologna, with winger Donyell Malen delivering an outstanding performance to decide the match. The win marks an important step in Roma's pursuit of European qualification. Defender Gianluca Mancini also impressed, particularly in the first half, combining aggressive defending with composure. Paulo Dybala returned to action during the encounter. This was Roma's first match after Claudio Ranieri's departure, and the team showed a level of performance the fans have long awaited. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar made crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet, including a late intervention to deny Bologna a consolation goal. Mancini began nervously but quickly settled, neutralising Bologna's threat with physical but controlled defending. Fellow defender Ndicka had a far more comfortable evening compared to recent European fixtures, while Hermoso displayed the aggressive, dominant style that attracted coach Gian Piero Gasperini's attention. The defensive collective held firm despite increased pressure in the second half, with substitute Ghilardi entering during Bologna's most intense spell and coping admirably. Roma's convincing display away from home demonstrates the team is building momentum under its new tactical direction, with multiple players delivering well-balanced performances across both phases of play.

Gianluca Mancini spoke ahead of Roma's match against Bologna, addressing the recent transition in leadership at the club. When asked about the statement in Claudio Ranieri's farewell message that "Roma is above everything," Mancini reaffirmed the club's values: "It's true, Roma is above everything. When you wear this shirt you have to know that and give your all. Roma will always come first before anything else." The defender acknowledged the quality of Bologna as an opponent, having faced them multiple times already this season. On Roma's tactical approach under new leadership, Mancini stated: "We face a strong team, and they have important qualities up front, but our way of playing is that one. We know we're facing a good team but we'll go out on the pitch to do what the manager asks us to do." His comments reflect continuity in Roma's playing identity despite the managerial change, with the squad focused on executing their principles regardless of external circumstances.

Roma faced Bologna at the Dall'Ara stadium on April 25, 2026, with Gasperini selecting his starting XI following the previous Saturday's draw against Atalanta. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso, and Wesley returning to the right flank alongside Celik on the left. The midfield pairing of Cristante and El Aynaoui anchored the side, with Niccolò Pisilli and Matías Soulé deployed behind the sole striker Donyell Malen. Paulo Dybala was among the substitutes after recovering from a recent issue. This fixture represented a critical moment for Roma as the season entered its final stretch, with points still to play for in the title race. Gasperini had also recovered Wesley and defender Rensch from their previous unavailability. The match provided an important test for Roma's form and their prospects for the remainder of the campaign. Bologna, managed by Italiano, fielded a 3-4-3 formation featuring Ravaglia in goal, with Castro and Rowe leading their attacking line. The contest between these two sides carried significance for both teams' final-season ambitions.