Gasperini says direct ownership involvement reduces speculation ahead of Roma-Lazio derby
Press Conference·16 May 2026·3h ago

Gasperini says direct ownership involvement reduces speculation ahead of Roma-Lazio derby

Source: Forza Roma

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on the eve of the Derby della Capitale against SS Lazio. Roma sit in contention for Champions League qualification with two matches remaining and face a Lazio side that recently lost the Coppa Italia final to Inter. Gasperini emphasized the importance of owner Ryan Friedkin's active presence at the club, stating: "The presence of ownership is fundamental—when everything works better. There are fewer people reporting things; there is the possibility of having direct relationships without intermediaries who, voluntarily or involuntarily, change opinions somewhat. And with ownership especially, decisions are fast."

Gasperini addressed several topics affecting the squad's push for the top four. On Paulo Dybala's contract renewal, he expressed optimism that both the club and player are aligned, saying "when there is willingness from both sides, a solution can be found." He highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's importance in derby matches, noting the midfielder has recovered from injury and will be assessed before the match. Gasperini also commented on Stephan El Shaarawy's recent departure, saying the player made his decision weeks ago and has Roma's remaining two matches to contribute.

The coach reflected on Roma's competitive position, noting that reaching European qualification with numerous injuries represents a strong achievement. He criticized the fixture scheduling for the derby and emphasized the psychological value of a full stadium, stating: "Football is beautiful to play. Let's remove some negative pressure and try to enjoy it a bit."

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Le parole del tecnico giallorosso alla vigilia del derby sottolinea l'importanza della presenza della proprietà: "Così c'è un rapporto diretto, senza intermediari che cambiano le opinioni". Poi sul rinnovo di Dybala Redazione 16 maggio - 13:09 La forza delle idee: servono più Malen A Trigoria si alza l'attenzione per il secondo derby stagionale dopo quello vinto all'andata. La Roma è in pienissima lotta per la Champions League e ha bisogno di una vittoria per continuare a sognare fino all'ultima giornata. Gasperini ha quasi tutta la rosa a disposizione e affronta una Lazio reduce dalla finale di Coppa Italia persa con l'Inter, in casa giallorossa c'è la consapevolezza di una grande occasione da sfruttare. Alla vigilia dell'ultima partita casalinga della stagione, alle 13.30 ha preso la parola in conferenza stampa il tecnico giallorosso. Scegli tu cosa leggere: metti Forzaroma tra le tue fonti Google Gasperini in conferenza stampa prima del derby Roma-Lazio Il caos pre-Derby è rappresentativo del caos del calcio italiano? Le ha causato problemi? "Noi siamo così motivati e dentro questa rincorsa, questa possibilità di giocare per il quarto posto - anche se siamo quelli meno accreditati per rispondere - avremmo giocato in qualsiasi ora. Non è stato un esempio di programmazione, ma soprattutto dispiace per i tifosi, anche per quelli delle altre città. Qui c'è un derby, ma altrove si devono muovere dei tifosi in trasferta e ha creato disagio. Giocare cinque partite in contemporanea è molto bello, emozionante per tutti. Se arrivi a giocare alle 12 della domenica non è il massimo". Quali sono le insidie? "La Lazio è un'ottima squadra, hanno finito la stagione e la loro unica motivazione forte è impedire alla Roma di raggiungere il massimo del traguardo. Noi abbiamo motivazioni molto più vere e forti, più legate al risultato, ma ciò non toglie le motivazioni della gara. Il derby è difficile per tutti, poi la Lazio è un'ottima squadra". Quanto è fiducioso sul rinnovo di Dybala? "Intanto è importante che entrambe le parti, proprietà e giocare, abbiano questa idea. Io lo trovo molto positivo, quando c'è la volontà da entrambe le parti si può trovare la soluzione". Quando arriva la proprietà a Roma succede sempre qualcosa, a gennaio ad esempio è arrivato Malen. La presenza di Ryan Friedkin quanto sta accelerando la situazione in ottica mercato e non solo? Sta rispecchiando una sua centralità nel progetto e nella visione della Roma? "Al centro del progetto Roma c'è la società, è molto più ampio e completo. A partire dallo stadio, dal futuro, dalla continuità che può dare la società, non solo negli investimenti ma soprattutto nella programmazione. Io mi occupo della parte tecnica, la mia responsabiltà è limitata alla costruzione migliore possibile per questa squadra, renderla soddisfacente per tifosi e società per raggiungere i traguardi migliori possibili. Il mio ruolo è questo. La presenza della proprietà è fondamentale, quando c'è tutto funziona meglio. C'è meno gente che riporta le cose, c'è possibilità di avere rapporti diretti, senza intermediari, che volontariamente o involontariamente cambiano un po' le opinioni. E con la proprietà soprattutto le decisioni sono veloci. Io mi auguro che Ryan, è già successo in questi giorni, oltre ad avere la velocità abbia anche un rapporto di conoscenza di questa squadra e dei giocatori che stanno dando il massimo. Indipendentemente dal futuro dei singoli giocatori la conoscenza diretta è fondamentale per la proprietà e per i giocatori. Si vive anche di questi valori, quello che rappresentano i calciatori del passato, qualcosa che le società si portano dietro e trasmettono, così la proprietà può assaporarlo ancora meglio". Sarri alla fine verrà. "No, ha detto che non viene (ride, ndr). L'ha convinto la squadra? Nono, la squadra la ritira il presidente (ride, ndr)". Il sistema calcio sta faticando e ha dimostrato tante falle, voi allenatori dovete far sentire la vostra voce anche attraverso questi gesti? "Io penso che il calcio sia bello giocarlo. Sarri aveva la sue motivazioni, anche giustificate, ma il calcio è bello quando si gioca, quando c'è lo stadio pieno, togliamo un po' di pressioni negative, cerchiamo di divertirci un po'. Poi noi ci giochiamo molto. Torniamo sempre al fatto che lo stadio pieno e la partita deve essere uno spettacolo. Quando trovi lo stadio pieno è anche uno spettacolo più bello delle partite. Cerchiamo di far diventare anche le partite più piacevoli per la gente". Crede negli uomini derby? Ad esempio uno come Pellegrini... Può influire nelle sue scelte? "Ci credo che alcuni giocatori, magari che sono nati e cresciuti nella squadra di appartenenza e giocano dei derby li sentono in maniera diversa rispetto a uno che arriva da fuori e ha meno percezione del contorno, di quanta emozione c'è. Emotivamente ci sono giocatori che lo sentono molto di più, a volte emoticamente li porta a non fare buone prestazioni, altre ad esaltarsi. Sicuramente Pellegrini è uno che nei derby è stato spesso determinante. Lorenzo arriva purtroppo da un infortunio, si è allenato tutta la settimane e oggi valutiamo. Ma se lui sta bene ed è a posto, all'inizio o a gara in corso, è un giocatore su cui faccio molto affidamento". I tifosi della Lazio non entreranno: questo influirà sulla partita? "Noi ora giochiamo contro noi stessi. La Lazio è un'ottima squadra, poteva anche essere un'altra squadra, ma noi abbiamo un traguardo da raggiungere che fino a poco fa sembrava difficilissima. La nostra concentrazione è sul campo, sappiamo che vincendo domani ci mancherebbe qualche 'coppo'. Dobbiamo avere questa forte attenzione alla gara, è un derby ma per noi è una partita da vincere per ottenere il massimo". Questi sono giorni importanti anche per la costruzione del futuro. In questi confronti di questi giorni ha la sensazione che si seguano le sue idee? "La società è qua, sta facendo molto. Ora siamo nel momento del campionato, ci sono due giornate, ci arriviamo con l'Europa League matematica ed è un bel traguardo. Abbiamo lasciato indietro squadre importanti come il Bologna, l'Atalanta, la Lazio stessa, ce la stiamo giocando col Milan, la Juve, siamo a 3 punti dal Napoli a due giornate dalla fine. Se vogliamo la considerazione è che abbiamo raggiunto un bel traguardo ma questo non deve toglierci la fame di provare a fare ancora di più in queste ultime due giornate". Per lei è una sorpresa che a due giornate dalla fine ci siano ancora tante squadre in corsa per la Champions e che segnale è per il campionato? Chi vede più in difficoltà? "Non si può dire, siamo tutte sul filo. C'è anche il Como che è stata la sorpresa positiva di questo campionato per qualità di gioco e prestazioni. L'Inter ha fatto corsa a sé, le altre sono tutte molto vicine. Avere la Roma col Napoli, il Milan, la Juve, il Como lì, è sintomo di un campionato equilibrato. Io ho sempre pensato per terzo e quarto posto si sarebbe arrivato alla fine, di solito la seconda è più avanti, ma se vogliamo è anche un segnale di merito per noi che con tanti infortuni e problemi siamo così vicini. Questo ci dà ancora più forza e motivazione". Ieri El Shaarawy ha salutato il club: ha parlato con lui? Pellegrini e Celik si augura di allenarli ancora ed è ottimista come per Dybala? "C'è la proprietà qui. Sono situazioni che potevano essere molto pesanti avere tanti giocatori in scadenza che potevano accordarsi con altri. Questo è un grande segno di attaccamento alla Roma e professionalità quello che hanno fatto questi giocatori. La proprietà sta cercando di risolvere queste situazioni e sono fiducioso. Con El Shaarawy ho parlato qualche settimana fa, lui ha deciso questo. Gli dirò che ci sono ancora due partite, lui domani ha ancora opportunità e l'attenzione va messa su questo. Poi il suo percorso verrà giustamente celebrato, ma prima ci sono due partite".

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