Zingaretti: Roma not yet fully adapted to Gasperini's system, attacking reinforcements needed

Ottavio Bianchi, who managed Roma from 1990 to 1992, spoke on Tele Radio Stereo 92.7 about the club's recent Champions League performance. Bianchi described Roma's involvement in European competition as a pleasant surprise. The former manager's comments reflect on the team's achievement in reaching or competing in the Champions League. Details on the specific context of his remarks remain unclear from the available information.

Ottavio Bianchi, who managed Roma from 1990 to 1992, has praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for achieving Champions League qualification this season, calling it a remarkable achievement. Speaking on Tele Radio Stereo 92.7, Bianchi described Gasperini's work as "very valid" and emphasized his role as an added value, noting that "working at Roma is always very difficult and he has passed every test in a short time." Bianchi stressed that a coach cannot succeed alone, requiring strong backing from the club, support staff, and players. He used a Formula 1 metaphor to illustrate the point: "The team is a Formula 1 machine: you can be a very good driver, but if you don't have the right chassis or good tyres you never win." He highlighted that Gasperini has extracted maximum performance from available resources this season. Bianchi also acknowledged that winning at Roma remains inherently challenging due to the Roma-Lazio rivalry, which dominates local football culture. Bianchi reflected on his own Roma tenure, acknowledging it was difficult for him personally and recalling the 1991 UEFA Cup campaign—a season of strong performance that ended disappointingly. He emphasized that playing and coaching at Roma is straightforward, but everything off the pitch becomes significantly harder.

Commentary from Roma observers discusses the club's transfer strategy and upcoming schedule. One voice argues that Roma should avoid entering a competitive bidding situation for Mason Greenwood, suggesting the financial commitment would be unsustainable for the club's current position. Another commentator highlights concerns about Roma's fixture calendar, noting that the schedule presents particular challenges at both the beginning and end of the season. The remarks form part of a regular radio commentary feature covering Roma-related topics and analysis.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his expectations for Roma's upcoming season following the club's return to European football. Gasperini wants to avoid repeating previous mistakes in the transfer market by bringing in players suited to his tactical system. The coach is demanding at least 16 fit outfield players to compete across Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, recognising that European football demands significant physical and mental resources. Several players have already departed or are expected to leave during the transfer window, including Ferguson, Tsimikas, El Shaarawy, Venturino, and Zaragoza, with Baldanzi and Ziolkowski also on their way out. To maintain squad depth and protect key performers from injury during a gruelling season, Gasperini has identified specific targets: a number 10 or attacking midfielder, a deputy to Gianluca Mancini, a striker, and both right and left-sided defenders. Names under consideration include Vlasic and Greenwood, though negotiations remain in early stages. The arrival of D'Amico as sporting director is pending official confirmation, after which the club is expected to accelerate its recruitment strategy. Gasperini's priority is ensuring the squad composition aligns with his playing philosophy, having identified this as the key lesson from the previous season's recruitment process.

Roma prepare to face rivals Lazio at Stadio Olimpico in the 164th top-flight edition of the Derby della Capitale on Sunday. The Giallorossi arrive in excellent form, having mounted a dramatic comeback against Parma last weekend with goals in the 96th and 101st minutes to secure a 3-2 victory. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have extended their unbeaten league run to five matches and sit level on points with fourth-placed Milan, with a top-four finish within reach for the first time since 2017/18. They are also chasing their first league double over Lazio since 2015/16 after winning the reverse fixture 1-0. Lazio, by contrast, arrive deflated following a 2-0 Coppa Italia final defeat to Inter on Wednesday and are facing relegation to ninth place or lower if results do not improve. They trail seventh-placed Atalanta by seven points and have won just one of their last five derbies at the Olimpico. Roma boast an 11-game unbeaten run at home in Serie A, including seven clean sheets, while their recent form shows six first-half goals across their last five home league matches. Roma have received positive team news, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk both returning to full training, though Evan Ferguson, Bryan Zaragoza, and Stephan El Shaarawy remain unavailable. Lazio will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ivan Provedel and must serve a suspension for center-back Alessio Romagnoli. Roma are favored to maintain their dominant recent derby record.

Roma face SS Lazio in the Derby della Capitale on Sunday 17 May at Stadio Olimpico (kickoff 12:00), with referee Maresca in charge. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has his full squad available for the first time this season, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dovbyk recovered from injury; only Ferguson remains sidelined. Gasperini is expected to field the same eleven that started against Parma, with a potential choice between Pisilli and Soulé. The coach will address the media in a press conference on the eve of the match to clarify his final tactical decisions. In a significant development, El Shaarawy's departure from Roma was officially confirmed. The winger, who joined the club in January 2016 and spent the majority of the past decade in a giallorossi shirt—apart from a spell in China—announced his farewell through an emotional video and message to the club and supporters. The derby and an away trip to Verona will be his final two matches for Roma. The confirmation of his exit follows recent speculation about his future. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal remains an ongoing priority for the club, with general manager Sogliano handling negotiations. Former Roma midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo has also discussed his own departure from the club in recent comments.

Artem Dovbyk's standing at Roma has deteriorated significantly in his second season. Purchased for €35 million, the Ukrainian striker scored 17 goals in 45 appearances during his first year—a respectable return given tactical constraints under previous managers. This season, however, has been marked by decline: in 14 matches, he has managed only 3 goals. An injury sustained against Lecce late in the campaign sidelined him for much of the remainder. The emergence of Donyell Malen as the preferred forward has further reduced Dovbyk's role, while his failure to convert key chances—including a missed penalty against Lille—has drawn criticism. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has attempted to support Dovbyk despite him not fitting the manager's preferred attacking profile. However, those efforts have yielded no turnaround. Roma now faces a difficult position: the initial €35 million investment has lost roughly half its value in just over two years. Club leadership is exploring limited options—either a permanent sale or a loan deal to restore the player's confidence and goal-scoring form elsewhere. Turkish club Trabzonspor has reportedly tabled an offer of approximately €10 million, which Roma considers insufficient at present. Dovbyk's salary of roughly €3.5 million net annually complicates potential moves, as few clubs can afford such terms. Rome's preference is to limit losses while enabling the player to rediscover form away from the Stadio Olimpico, with hopes of reassessing his future value afterward.

AS Roma secured Champions League qualification for the first time in seven years after a 2-0 victory over Verona, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini guiding the team to the European competition in his inaugural season. The win confirmed Roma's place in next season's Champions League following an earlier victory over Lazio that had left qualification in their own hands. Gasperini's achievement is notable given significant obstacles he faced during his tenure. Early public disagreements with Claudio Ranieri regarding transfer decisions created instability, and key players including Donyell Malen and Artem Dovbyk suffered injuries that left Roma without a recognised striker for extended periods. Despite these challenges, Gasperini successfully implemented his tactical philosophy while adapting to the squad's available resources. The manager demonstrated flexibility by adjusting minor elements of his system to leverage the strengths of existing players rather than rigidly imposing his approach. Gasperini's evolution as a tactician proved crucial to Roma's success. Though widely regarded as a manager with firm convictions about his methods, he showed willingness to refine his ideas throughout the campaign while maintaining core principles. Late arrivals in the transfer market, particularly Malen's January signing, eventually provided the reinforcements needed. In navigating a season with substantial potential for setback, Gasperini has established Roma's return to European football's premier club competition.

Roma are tracking Moise Kean as a potential summer signing. The club's pursuit of the forward depends heavily on whether Roma secure Champions League qualification on the final day of the season. Details of how Kean might fit into Roma's attack, potentially alongside Artem Dovbyk, remain unclear from available information. The move would likely only be pursued if Roma achieve their European target, suggesting financial and squad planning are contingent on league performance.