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Former Roma defender Vincent Candela believes Gian Piero Gasperini can lead the club to the Scudetto, saying the coach is "special" and that the side can go all the way in the title race against Inter. Speaking to La Repubblica, Candela backed Roma's ambitions at a time when Gasperini has made clear the club is not content with second place, stating: "La Roma non firma per il secondo posto in campionato" ("Roma do not settle for second place in the league"). Candela said Gasperini "is a special coach" and that he is convinced the Giallorossi can bring the Scudetto back to Trigoria, adding that the title race with Inter will be fought out until the end. He acknowledged that Inter remain a stronger and better-balanced side than Roma. On Roma's struggles in Europe, and their recurring problems with late collapses, Candela pointed to the need to widen the squad, in line with what the coach himself has said. He considers it natural that Roma lost to Real Madrid and Manchester United, and believes the club is not yet ready to face Europe's elite on equal terms. Asked which current player stirs memories of his own playing days, Candela named Paulo Dybala without hesitation: "Ogni volta che Dybala tocca il pallone mi batte il cuore e ringiovanisco. Paulo andrebbe proclamato patrimonio mondiale del calcio" ("Every time Dybala touches the ball my heart beats faster and I feel younger. Paulo should be proclaimed a world football treasure"). Candela's comments capture Roma's dual position: competitive enough to chase the Scudetto, yet still needing greater depth to match Europe's major powers.

Former France defender Vincent Candela has said Roma are not yet ready to compete on equal terms with Europe's biggest clubs, while expressing belief that Gian Piero Gasperini can deliver the Scudetto. Speaking in an interview with La Repubblica, Candela praised the head coach and his style of play, and said he is convinced Gasperini could take the title to Trigoria, though he added that Inter remain a stronger and more balanced side than Roma. Asked whether he would still play for the club if he could, Candela said: "Playing in Gasperini's Roma would be a dream. I'm convinced I would be a starter." On the club's recurring struggles to come back from behind, particularly in Europe, he said: "As the coach says, it is important to broaden the squad, but it is natural to lose against Real Madrid and Manchester United. Roma are not yet ready to face Europe's big clubs on equal terms." Candela also spoke about Francesco Totti, saying: "Francesco and I are now also colleagues in writing. I hope to see him back at the club soon, which this year will fight for the Scudetto until the end. With Totti, I am sure Roma would become even stronger." Asked which player brings back memories of his own playing days, he named Paulo Dybala: "Every time Dybala touches the ball my heart beats and I feel young again. Paulo should be proclaimed a world football heritage."

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has said that a return of Francesco Totti to the club's management would make Roma even stronger, and that Gian Piero Gasperini can bring the Scudetto back to Trigoria. Speaking to La Repubblica, Candela said: "Ormai io e Francesco siamo anche compagni di penna. Spero di rivederlo presto nel club, che quest'anno lotterà per lo scudetto fino alla fine. Con Totti, sono sicuro che la Roma diventerebbe ancora più forte." Candela refused to accept that Roma should settle for second place. He praised Gasperini as a "special" coach and said he was convinced the manager could deliver the title, but he stressed that the race would go to the end against Inter, whom he described as a stronger and better-balanced side than Roma. Asked whether he would play for Roma again if he could, Candela said: "Giocare nella Roma di Gasperini sarebbe un sogno. Sono convinto che farei il titolare." On Roma's recurring problem of late collapses, especially in Europe, he said: "Come dice il tecnico, è importante allargare la rosa, ma è fisiologico perdere contro Real Madrid e Manchester United. La Roma non è ancora pronta per fronteggiare alla pari le grandi del calcio europeo." Finally, asked which player brings back his memories of playing, Candela pointed to Paulo Dybala: "Ogni volta che Dybala tocca il pallone mi batte il cuore e ringiovanisco. Paulo andrebbe proclamato patrimonio mondiale del calcio."