Gasperini on De Roon and Balerdi arrivals: 'Two captains and greater physicality' – Roma still seeking attacking reinforcement

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Lecce–Roma on 31 August 2026, addressing the signing of Marten de Roon from Atalanta and the club's remaining transfer business. De Roon's arrival came together rapidly over 24–48 hours after he fell out of Atalanta's plans following many years at the club. "He wanted to come to Roma very strongly," Gasperini said. "For us it is an opportunity that allows us to give El Aynaoui the chance to have another experience. Economically it is very important because it gives us the opportunity to bring interest into another role." The move also allows Roma to add depth to their defence with another captain alongside new arrival Balerdi, while the physical strength these signings bring will help compensate for having too many Argentine players in the squad, Gasperini added. Gasperini reported that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin the group on Tuesday and Pellegrini returning next week. He confirmed Roma still need to complete their squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday with a left-sided defender and an attacking winger. "We have always looked for a left-back and an outside attacker," he said. "If we can take two we would be 21 in the squad plus the goalkeepers." He noted that Matías Soulé can play on the left if needed, having done so under former manager Claudio Ranieri, but he prefers the Argentine higher up the pitch. Roma's financial restrictions under Financial Fair Play rules have prevented them from matching certain contract offers from rivals, though Gasperini praised the spirit of those who joined despite lower wages: "The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back specifically to play for Roma, and this is a great spirit, and you do not buy it in the market." On the Champions League draw and upcoming fixtures, Gasperini said: "I believe they are all prestige matches; we have drawn a good group. We will go away in hot and difficult stadiums. This is the Champions League. The objective is to stay inside the play-offs. Beyond the sporting result, it will be nice to breathe the air of the Champions League, to play in extraordinary stadiums, with Real Madrid. I believe it will enrich the squad greatly." He defended the De Roon transfer against potential fan concerns: "When you know him he is a solid person. I explained how the operation was born, and it gives us the chance to have a valuable player. It is not a prospect, but it gives us the opportunity to concentrate our efforts in another role." Regarding Nahuel Molina's fitness, Gasperini said the defender "is better, he had a good week of training. He played the World Cup final, it is just a question of finding some condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I do not know if at the start or during the game." The window closes on Tuesday; once it does, Gasperini said, "finally we can talk about football."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 30 August ahead of Roma's visit to Lecce in the second round of Serie A on 31 August at 18:30. The coach defended his recruitment of de Roon from Atalanta, explaining the move came together swiftly. "It happened very quickly, within 24–48 hours," Gasperini said. "He had that situation with Atalanta, after many years he was no longer in their plans, and there was this opportunity. I got in touch with Luca Percassi and they, for all the player has done over the years, gave him the freedom to decide and we thank them. He wanted to come to Roma very strongly. It allowed us to give El Aynaoui the chance to feel more valued. It's also economically important because it lets us bring interest to another role and we fill midfield with an intact player even if he is advanced in age. But he will enter a truly strong group that wants to be a protagonist." Gasperini also addressed the arrival of Balerdi, describing both signings as adding experience and personality. He acknowledged Roma's financial constraints: "The Roma has been hit by FFP and had to lower the wage bill necessarily. Certain players we aspired to be even stronger were not possible to reach, more a matter of contracts than spending. The club was available, but we could not go beyond a certain cap. We must thank everyone who came back to play at Roma. This is a great spirit, not something you buy on the market but something you build inside, and in this respect we are among the very first if not the first." On the squad's readiness, Gasperini confirmed that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch were unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin training on Tuesday and Pellegrini the following week. He rejected suggestions that Matías Soulé could leave: "I have never heard of a single offer for Soulé, not one all summer, like for other players discussed. Tomorrow he probably plays, but there is nothing concrete. And from his side there has been nothing in this sense either." Gasperini confirmed he expects Roma to add one more attacker and a left-footed full-back before the window closes. On Nahuel Molina's fitness after playing in the World Cup final, he said: "Much better, he had a good week of training. It's a question of finding condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I don't know if from the start or during play, but he is able to play." Gasperini praised Roma's Champions League draw, naming Parisian, Athenian, Istanbul and Manchester venues as tests ahead. "It's the Champions," he said. "The objective is certainly to stay inside, in the play-offs. The result will help the squad breathe Champions League air, go to these stadiums, play extraordinary matches in our stadium, like against Real. It can be a beautiful season and I think it will enrich the squad greatly, because you face the best and we must carry that inside us even in the league to do better."

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to the media on 30 August ahead of tomorrow's Serie A match at Lecce (18:30 kickoff, matchday 2). Roma are chasing back-to-back wins after a 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Olimpico. Gasperini confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined, though he expects both to return to the squad by Tuesday—Pellegrini's return on the day the summer transfer window closes. The coach explained the recent signings of Marten de Roon and Nicolás Balerdi as moves designed to add depth and stability. De Roon's arrival came "within 24–48 hours" after the player asked to leave Atalanta and Gasperini made contact with the club's management. "De Roon is physically intact despite his age; he will enter a strong group that wants to be protagonists," Gasperini said. "Two captains have arrived and I believe that in this respect we give the squad a strong physical shift." On Balerdi, he noted: "He is young and in the best of his career. An opportunity that gives substance to the defence, which is very strong. We have a difficult fixture list and want to complete the squad more than the starting eleven to be more competitive and cope with many matches and possible injuries." Gasperini acknowledged that Roma need further additions. He stated: "To complete we need at least one piece that closes the left side. Lulli is giving important responses but cannot be loaded with responsibility." On the possibility of signing a second forward, he said: "For the complete picture we could think of doing one in attack." The coach defended recent acquisitions from criticism, saying: "When you get to know him you will understand that he is a solid person," referring to De Roon. He also addressed links away for Matías Soulé, stating: "I have never heard of a proposal for Soulé, so there has never been one as with other chatted-about players. Tomorrow he will probably play." Gasperini criticised the fixture calendar, saying: "Finalmente Tuesday the market closes and I continue to say that the market dates are wrong. I do not know why we continue with the championship already started." On Roma's Champions League draw—which includes Manchester, Paris, and Athens—Gasperini said: "This is the Champions League, it is a nice group. The first eight are very difficult but the objective is to stay in the play-offs among the 24. Beyond the sporting result we want to breathe the air of the Champions League." He expects the Lecce match to be difficult: "The danger is the full stadium with enthusiasm. They have high morale for the start of the season and Serie A is difficult. The condition will count a lot."

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Lecce–Roma on 31 August 2026, addressing the signing of Marten de Roon from Atalanta and the club's remaining transfer business. De Roon's arrival came together rapidly over 24–48 hours after he fell out of Atalanta's plans following many years at the club. "He wanted to come to Roma very strongly," Gasperini said. "For us it is an opportunity that allows us to give El Aynaoui the chance to have another experience. Economically it is very important because it gives us the opportunity to bring interest into another role." The move also allows Roma to add depth to their defence with another captain alongside new arrival Balerdi, while the physical strength these signings bring will help compensate for having too many Argentine players in the squad, Gasperini added. Gasperini reported that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin the group on Tuesday and Pellegrini returning next week. He confirmed Roma still need to complete their squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday with a left-sided defender and an attacking winger. "We have always looked for a left-back and an outside attacker," he said. "If we can take two we would be 21 in the squad plus the goalkeepers." He noted that Matías Soulé can play on the left if needed, having done so under former manager Claudio Ranieri, but he prefers the Argentine higher up the pitch. Roma's financial restrictions under Financial Fair Play rules have prevented them from matching certain contract offers from rivals, though Gasperini praised the spirit of those who joined despite lower wages: "The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back specifically to play for Roma, and this is a great spirit, and you do not buy it in the market." On the Champions League draw and upcoming fixtures, Gasperini said: "I believe they are all prestige matches; we have drawn a good group. We will go away in hot and difficult stadiums. This is the Champions League. The objective is to stay inside the play-offs. Beyond the sporting result, it will be nice to breathe the air of the Champions League, to play in extraordinary stadiums, with Real Madrid. I believe it will enrich the squad greatly." He defended the De Roon transfer against potential fan concerns: "When you know him he is a solid person. I explained how the operation was born, and it gives us the chance to have a valuable player. It is not a prospect, but it gives us the opportunity to concentrate our efforts in another role." Regarding Nahuel Molina's fitness, Gasperini said the defender "is better, he had a good week of training. He played the World Cup final, it is just a question of finding some condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I do not know if at the start or during the game." The window closes on Tuesday; once it does, Gasperini said, "finally we can talk about football."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 30 August ahead of Roma's visit to Lecce in the second round of Serie A on 31 August at 18:30. The coach defended his recruitment of de Roon from Atalanta, explaining the move came together swiftly. "It happened very quickly, within 24–48 hours," Gasperini said. "He had that situation with Atalanta, after many years he was no longer in their plans, and there was this opportunity. I got in touch with Luca Percassi and they, for all the player has done over the years, gave him the freedom to decide and we thank them. He wanted to come to Roma very strongly. It allowed us to give El Aynaoui the chance to feel more valued. It's also economically important because it lets us bring interest to another role and we fill midfield with an intact player even if he is advanced in age. But he will enter a truly strong group that wants to be a protagonist." Gasperini also addressed the arrival of Balerdi, describing both signings as adding experience and personality. He acknowledged Roma's financial constraints: "The Roma has been hit by FFP and had to lower the wage bill necessarily. Certain players we aspired to be even stronger were not possible to reach, more a matter of contracts than spending. The club was available, but we could not go beyond a certain cap. We must thank everyone who came back to play at Roma. This is a great spirit, not something you buy on the market but something you build inside, and in this respect we are among the very first if not the first." On the squad's readiness, Gasperini confirmed that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch were unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin training on Tuesday and Pellegrini the following week. He rejected suggestions that Matías Soulé could leave: "I have never heard of a single offer for Soulé, not one all summer, like for other players discussed. Tomorrow he probably plays, but there is nothing concrete. And from his side there has been nothing in this sense either." Gasperini confirmed he expects Roma to add one more attacker and a left-footed full-back before the window closes. On Nahuel Molina's fitness after playing in the World Cup final, he said: "Much better, he had a good week of training. It's a question of finding condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I don't know if from the start or during play, but he is able to play." Gasperini praised Roma's Champions League draw, naming Parisian, Athenian, Istanbul and Manchester venues as tests ahead. "It's the Champions," he said. "The objective is certainly to stay inside, in the play-offs. The result will help the squad breathe Champions League air, go to these stadiums, play extraordinary matches in our stadium, like against Real. It can be a beautiful season and I think it will enrich the squad greatly, because you face the best and we must carry that inside us even in the league to do better."

Marten de Roon has arrived in Rome to complete his transfer from Atalanta on 30 August 2026. The 1991-born Dutch midfielder communicated his wish to join Roma to Atalanta late on 29 August, and the two clubs agreed a deal worth 1 million euros. De Roon will reunite with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and join fellow Dutch players Devyne Rensch and Donyell Malen in the squad, as well as gain access to Champions League football. De Roon considered his time at Atalanta finished and had been in talks with Bologna before Gasperini moved decisively for him. The move became possible after Roma secured the departure of Neil El Aynaoui to RB Leipzig. Speaking at Atalanta's training ground that morning, de Roon said: "For me it is a sad and difficult day, even though I should be happy. I spoke to Gasperini, it was all a bit of a lightning bolt. He wanted me strongly at Roma, and given how things were here it was the right solution." Medical examinations and contract signing were scheduled to follow his midday arrival at Fiumicino airport.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Lecce–Roma on 31 August 2026, addressing the signing of Marten de Roon from Atalanta and the club's remaining transfer business. De Roon's arrival came together rapidly over 24–48 hours after he fell out of Atalanta's plans following many years at the club. "He wanted to come to Roma very strongly," Gasperini said. "For us it is an opportunity that allows us to give El Aynaoui the chance to have another experience. Economically it is very important because it gives us the opportunity to bring interest into another role." The move also allows Roma to add depth to their defence with another captain alongside new arrival Balerdi, while the physical strength these signings bring will help compensate for having too many Argentine players in the squad, Gasperini added. Gasperini reported that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin the group on Tuesday and Pellegrini returning next week. He confirmed Roma still need to complete their squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday with a left-sided defender and an attacking winger. "We have always looked for a left-back and an outside attacker," he said. "If we can take two we would be 21 in the squad plus the goalkeepers." He noted that Matías Soulé can play on the left if needed, having done so under former manager Claudio Ranieri, but he prefers the Argentine higher up the pitch. Roma's financial restrictions under Financial Fair Play rules have prevented them from matching certain contract offers from rivals, though Gasperini praised the spirit of those who joined despite lower wages: "The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back specifically to play for Roma, and this is a great spirit, and you do not buy it in the market." On the Champions League draw and upcoming fixtures, Gasperini said: "I believe they are all prestige matches; we have drawn a good group. We will go away in hot and difficult stadiums. This is the Champions League. The objective is to stay inside the play-offs. Beyond the sporting result, it will be nice to breathe the air of the Champions League, to play in extraordinary stadiums, with Real Madrid. I believe it will enrich the squad greatly." He defended the De Roon transfer against potential fan concerns: "When you know him he is a solid person. I explained how the operation was born, and it gives us the chance to have a valuable player. It is not a prospect, but it gives us the opportunity to concentrate our efforts in another role." Regarding Nahuel Molina's fitness, Gasperini said the defender "is better, he had a good week of training. He played the World Cup final, it is just a question of finding some condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I do not know if at the start or during the game." The window closes on Tuesday; once it does, Gasperini said, "finally we can talk about football."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 30 August ahead of Roma's visit to Lecce in the second round of Serie A on 31 August at 18:30. The coach defended his recruitment of de Roon from Atalanta, explaining the move came together swiftly. "It happened very quickly, within 24–48 hours," Gasperini said. "He had that situation with Atalanta, after many years he was no longer in their plans, and there was this opportunity. I got in touch with Luca Percassi and they, for all the player has done over the years, gave him the freedom to decide and we thank them. He wanted to come to Roma very strongly. It allowed us to give El Aynaoui the chance to feel more valued. It's also economically important because it lets us bring interest to another role and we fill midfield with an intact player even if he is advanced in age. But he will enter a truly strong group that wants to be a protagonist." Gasperini also addressed the arrival of Balerdi, describing both signings as adding experience and personality. He acknowledged Roma's financial constraints: "The Roma has been hit by FFP and had to lower the wage bill necessarily. Certain players we aspired to be even stronger were not possible to reach, more a matter of contracts than spending. The club was available, but we could not go beyond a certain cap. We must thank everyone who came back to play at Roma. This is a great spirit, not something you buy on the market but something you build inside, and in this respect we are among the very first if not the first." On the squad's readiness, Gasperini confirmed that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch were unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin training on Tuesday and Pellegrini the following week. He rejected suggestions that Matías Soulé could leave: "I have never heard of a single offer for Soulé, not one all summer, like for other players discussed. Tomorrow he probably plays, but there is nothing concrete. And from his side there has been nothing in this sense either." Gasperini confirmed he expects Roma to add one more attacker and a left-footed full-back before the window closes. On Nahuel Molina's fitness after playing in the World Cup final, he said: "Much better, he had a good week of training. It's a question of finding condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I don't know if from the start or during play, but he is able to play." Gasperini praised Roma's Champions League draw, naming Parisian, Athenian, Istanbul and Manchester venues as tests ahead. "It's the Champions," he said. "The objective is certainly to stay inside, in the play-offs. The result will help the squad breathe Champions League air, go to these stadiums, play extraordinary matches in our stadium, like against Real. It can be a beautiful season and I think it will enrich the squad greatly, because you face the best and we must carry that inside us even in the league to do better."

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to the media on 30 August ahead of tomorrow's Serie A match at Lecce (18:30 kickoff, matchday 2). Roma are chasing back-to-back wins after a 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Olimpico. Gasperini confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined, though he expects both to return to the squad by Tuesday—Pellegrini's return on the day the summer transfer window closes. The coach explained the recent signings of Marten de Roon and Nicolás Balerdi as moves designed to add depth and stability. De Roon's arrival came "within 24–48 hours" after the player asked to leave Atalanta and Gasperini made contact with the club's management. "De Roon is physically intact despite his age; he will enter a strong group that wants to be protagonists," Gasperini said. "Two captains have arrived and I believe that in this respect we give the squad a strong physical shift." On Balerdi, he noted: "He is young and in the best of his career. An opportunity that gives substance to the defence, which is very strong. We have a difficult fixture list and want to complete the squad more than the starting eleven to be more competitive and cope with many matches and possible injuries." Gasperini acknowledged that Roma need further additions. He stated: "To complete we need at least one piece that closes the left side. Lulli is giving important responses but cannot be loaded with responsibility." On the possibility of signing a second forward, he said: "For the complete picture we could think of doing one in attack." The coach defended recent acquisitions from criticism, saying: "When you get to know him you will understand that he is a solid person," referring to De Roon. He also addressed links away for Matías Soulé, stating: "I have never heard of a proposal for Soulé, so there has never been one as with other chatted-about players. Tomorrow he will probably play." Gasperini criticised the fixture calendar, saying: "Finalmente Tuesday the market closes and I continue to say that the market dates are wrong. I do not know why we continue with the championship already started." On Roma's Champions League draw—which includes Manchester, Paris, and Athens—Gasperini said: "This is the Champions League, it is a nice group. The first eight are very difficult but the objective is to stay in the play-offs among the 24. Beyond the sporting result we want to breathe the air of the Champions League." He expects the Lecce match to be difficult: "The danger is the full stadium with enthusiasm. They have high morale for the start of the season and Serie A is difficult. The condition will count a lot."

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Lecce–Roma on 31 August 2026, addressing the signing of Marten de Roon from Atalanta and the club's remaining transfer business. De Roon's arrival came together rapidly over 24–48 hours after he fell out of Atalanta's plans following many years at the club. "He wanted to come to Roma very strongly," Gasperini said. "For us it is an opportunity that allows us to give El Aynaoui the chance to have another experience. Economically it is very important because it gives us the opportunity to bring interest into another role." The move also allows Roma to add depth to their defence with another captain alongside new arrival Balerdi, while the physical strength these signings bring will help compensate for having too many Argentine players in the squad, Gasperini added. Gasperini reported that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin the group on Tuesday and Pellegrini returning next week. He confirmed Roma still need to complete their squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday with a left-sided defender and an attacking winger. "We have always looked for a left-back and an outside attacker," he said. "If we can take two we would be 21 in the squad plus the goalkeepers." He noted that Matías Soulé can play on the left if needed, having done so under former manager Claudio Ranieri, but he prefers the Argentine higher up the pitch. Roma's financial restrictions under Financial Fair Play rules have prevented them from matching certain contract offers from rivals, though Gasperini praised the spirit of those who joined despite lower wages: "The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back specifically to play for Roma, and this is a great spirit, and you do not buy it in the market." On the Champions League draw and upcoming fixtures, Gasperini said: "I believe they are all prestige matches; we have drawn a good group. We will go away in hot and difficult stadiums. This is the Champions League. The objective is to stay inside the play-offs. Beyond the sporting result, it will be nice to breathe the air of the Champions League, to play in extraordinary stadiums, with Real Madrid. I believe it will enrich the squad greatly." He defended the De Roon transfer against potential fan concerns: "When you know him he is a solid person. I explained how the operation was born, and it gives us the chance to have a valuable player. It is not a prospect, but it gives us the opportunity to concentrate our efforts in another role." Regarding Nahuel Molina's fitness, Gasperini said the defender "is better, he had a good week of training. He played the World Cup final, it is just a question of finding some condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I do not know if at the start or during the game." The window closes on Tuesday; once it does, Gasperini said, "finally we can talk about football."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 30 August ahead of Roma's visit to Lecce in the second round of Serie A on 31 August at 18:30. The coach defended his recruitment of de Roon from Atalanta, explaining the move came together swiftly. "It happened very quickly, within 24–48 hours," Gasperini said. "He had that situation with Atalanta, after many years he was no longer in their plans, and there was this opportunity. I got in touch with Luca Percassi and they, for all the player has done over the years, gave him the freedom to decide and we thank them. He wanted to come to Roma very strongly. It allowed us to give El Aynaoui the chance to feel more valued. It's also economically important because it lets us bring interest to another role and we fill midfield with an intact player even if he is advanced in age. But he will enter a truly strong group that wants to be a protagonist." Gasperini also addressed the arrival of Balerdi, describing both signings as adding experience and personality. He acknowledged Roma's financial constraints: "The Roma has been hit by FFP and had to lower the wage bill necessarily. Certain players we aspired to be even stronger were not possible to reach, more a matter of contracts than spending. The club was available, but we could not go beyond a certain cap. We must thank everyone who came back to play at Roma. This is a great spirit, not something you buy on the market but something you build inside, and in this respect we are among the very first if not the first." On the squad's readiness, Gasperini confirmed that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch were unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin training on Tuesday and Pellegrini the following week. He rejected suggestions that Matías Soulé could leave: "I have never heard of a single offer for Soulé, not one all summer, like for other players discussed. Tomorrow he probably plays, but there is nothing concrete. And from his side there has been nothing in this sense either." Gasperini confirmed he expects Roma to add one more attacker and a left-footed full-back before the window closes. On Nahuel Molina's fitness after playing in the World Cup final, he said: "Much better, he had a good week of training. It's a question of finding condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I don't know if from the start or during play, but he is able to play." Gasperini praised Roma's Champions League draw, naming Parisian, Athenian, Istanbul and Manchester venues as tests ahead. "It's the Champions," he said. "The objective is certainly to stay inside, in the play-offs. The result will help the squad breathe Champions League air, go to these stadiums, play extraordinary matches in our stadium, like against Real. It can be a beautiful season and I think it will enrich the squad greatly, because you face the best and we must carry that inside us even in the league to do better."

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to the media on 30 August ahead of tomorrow's Serie A match at Lecce (18:30 kickoff, matchday 2). Roma are chasing back-to-back wins after a 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Olimpico. Gasperini confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined, though he expects both to return to the squad by Tuesday—Pellegrini's return on the day the summer transfer window closes. The coach explained the recent signings of Marten de Roon and Nicolás Balerdi as moves designed to add depth and stability. De Roon's arrival came "within 24–48 hours" after the player asked to leave Atalanta and Gasperini made contact with the club's management. "De Roon is physically intact despite his age; he will enter a strong group that wants to be protagonists," Gasperini said. "Two captains have arrived and I believe that in this respect we give the squad a strong physical shift." On Balerdi, he noted: "He is young and in the best of his career. An opportunity that gives substance to the defence, which is very strong. We have a difficult fixture list and want to complete the squad more than the starting eleven to be more competitive and cope with many matches and possible injuries." Gasperini acknowledged that Roma need further additions. He stated: "To complete we need at least one piece that closes the left side. Lulli is giving important responses but cannot be loaded with responsibility." On the possibility of signing a second forward, he said: "For the complete picture we could think of doing one in attack." The coach defended recent acquisitions from criticism, saying: "When you get to know him you will understand that he is a solid person," referring to De Roon. He also addressed links away for Matías Soulé, stating: "I have never heard of a proposal for Soulé, so there has never been one as with other chatted-about players. Tomorrow he will probably play." Gasperini criticised the fixture calendar, saying: "Finalmente Tuesday the market closes and I continue to say that the market dates are wrong. I do not know why we continue with the championship already started." On Roma's Champions League draw—which includes Manchester, Paris, and Athens—Gasperini said: "This is the Champions League, it is a nice group. The first eight are very difficult but the objective is to stay in the play-offs among the 24. Beyond the sporting result we want to breathe the air of the Champions League." He expects the Lecce match to be difficult: "The danger is the full stadium with enthusiasm. They have high morale for the start of the season and Serie A is difficult. The condition will count a lot."