Press ConferenceSquad News● AI
5h agoGasperini addresses Roma's squad depth ahead of Fiorentina opener
Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on Thursday, two days before Roma's Serie A season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday. The head coach confirmed the squad remains numerically incomplete, with two places still available in the 23-player match-day roster. Roma have signed four players in the window: Molina, a World Cup winner who featured in the World Cup final less than two months ago and has replaced Çelik; Castro, who Gasperini described as arriving by train in his eagerness to join; Koulierakis, filling a defensive gap behind Hermoso; and Mora. Dovbyk and Ferguson have departed, balanced by Castro's arrival. El Shaarawy, Venturino and Zaragoza have also left, while Angeliño and Tsimikas have gone. Gasperini said: "The squad is incomplete numerically because we have the chance to present 23 players in the lineup. At least what UEFA allows us, especially for the Champions League. We still have two free slots available. Four players have arrived, including Molina who is an important player and played in the World Cup final less than two months ago and is World Champion. He is already a mature and solid player, who came to replace Çelik. Dovbyk and Ferguson left and Castro arrived, a player of value. Then Koulierakis arrived, a player we were missing in defence behind Hermoso, and Mora. Recently, compared to May, El Shaarawy, Venturino and Zaragoza left... one arrived and I hope another arrives. Then Angeliño and Tsimikas left, I hope to replace them. We will reduce the squad, trying to make it more competitive. I am very satisfied with the players who have arrived. Players arrived who strongly wanted to come to Roma, Castro left by train to get here sooner. And so did all the others. Wages have been reduced, out of necessity, and in this respect very positive work was done. There are still ten days, we hope to complete everything."
Gasperini explained the constraints imposed by UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules, noting that Roma is currently the only Italian club operating under UEFA supervision. He acknowledged that the club's earlier expectation of resolving financial issues upon reaching the Champions League proved incorrect. "I thought that after six months or with arrival in the Champions League the situation was resolved, it is not so," he said. The squad reduction aims to increase competitiveness while managing wage bills. Gasperini praised the attitude of established players, saying: "I am very satisfied also with the attitude that Dybala and Pellegrini had in reducing their contracts. The same Cristante and those who renewed."
On young forward Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini stated: "Mora is very young, but has already reached important values. Two years ago at Porto he scored 10 goals. It is an important investment by the society, especially in perspective. He has all the characteristics to emerge and do well." Regarding Paulo Dybala's fitness, Gasperini said: "I am sure yes, because I see him not only determined as he was last year but also particularly strong. He did a preparation that perhaps for a long time he could not complete, without injuries. Clearly you always cross your fingers. Last year in my opinion he was very unlucky. I remember two injuries, kicking the penalty in Milan and the free kick against Turin. Two limiting cases, in one it cost him a meniscus and he was out three and a half months. Muscularly he seems much more toned." On the left wing position, Gasperini said: "Only if it can be added value, otherwise I do not burden myself with players just to have them. Whoever arrives is strongly wanted and wants strongly to play in Roma. Numerically the discourse is the one made before, two players can be added. But only if you can reach them with the conditions you can have. If the market offers this it will be so, otherwise we stay as we are."
Ten days remain in the transfer window, with Gasperini hoping to complete the squad overhaul. He stressed that any further departures would be swaps rather than outright sales, with no imminent exits confirmed.