Gasperini targets Champions League performance better than his Atalanta record

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has praised José Mourinho's ability to secure investment for his clubs ahead of tomorrow's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, where Mourinho currently manages. Gasperini said Mourinho "is excellent at getting his clubs to spend a lot. He deserves recognition from people" for his work in that regard. The comments came on the eve of Roma's European match against the Spanish side.

Gian Piero Gasperini deflected speculation about January transfer negotiations when asked if he would discuss Endrick with José Mourinho ahead of tomorrow's match at the Olimpico. The Brazilian forward is among the hottest names linked with Roma in the January window, though he is likely to spend the fixture on the bench. When pressed on whether he would use the occasion to broker a deal, Gasperini declined. "I don't think so," he said with a smile, before shifting focus entirely away from the market. "Right now I'm not interested in the January transfer window. We've only just started a run of matches and tomorrow's game is something we've been missing for many years," the coach added. Gasperini made clear his priorities lie solely on the pitch and away from distractions of incoming business.

Gian Piero Gasperini and José Mourinho have begun their pre-match exchanges ahead of tomorrow's fixture, with the Roma head coach delivering a pointed jab at his counterpart during a press conference. When asked which quality he would steal from Mourinho, Gasperini responded with irony: "I would steal his empathy and his ability to get himself buy extraordinary players by making his clubs spend significant sums. In that he is fantastic." The comment came as Gasperini acknowledged Mourinho's impending return to face his former club, saying he merits recognition from the crowd: "He deserves the acknowledgement of the people. Then though the match will start and feelings will be set aside." The two coaches represent profoundly different tactical philosophies, a contrast evident in how Roma has evolved over recent seasons. Despite their divergent approaches, Gasperini closed the distance between them with praise, stating: "José is judged by his results." The verbal sparring underscores the intensity building ahead of the encounter, where sentiment will give way entirely to competition on the pitch.