← All stories
Wesley on tactical flexibility: 'I'd play anywhere to be in the starting XI'
·19 September 2026·2h ago

Wesley on tactical flexibility: 'I'd play anywhere to be in the starting XI'

Source: GialloRossi.net

Wesley has explained his tactical transition under Gian Piero Gasperini, revealing how he has adapted to playing on the left wing despite preferring his natural right-hand side. Speaking to ESPN Brasil, the Roma defender discussed the positional shift that Gasperini has progressively developed over recent months.

Wesley described his willingness to fulfil whatever role the coach demands. "The manager saw I had potential there… and I don't ask questions, right? 'Why have you put me on the left?' I go on the pitch and just do what he asks," he said. On his preference, he added: "As for my adaptation to the left: I feel comfortable, only I prefer to play on the right, obviously. But I'd play anywhere, in every position, it doesn't matter. I just want to be in the starting eleven, that's all."

The positional change has refined his attacking approach. Wesley explained that he is working particularly on improving his final third: "What I'm improving, and what I still need to improve, is my last third. And I know that. Now on the left it's much easier for me, because I cut inside and cross or cut inside and shoot. So I train a lot. And my adaptation to the left has been about that." The versatility gives Gasperini flexibility across both flanks, with Wesley now capable of operating on either wing without compromising his availability or commitment to the team.

● AI Generated Summary

This summary was generated by an AI model. Always read the source for complete and accurate information.

Testo Originale / Source Text

Wesley racconta la sua trasformazione tattica sotto la guida di Gian Piero Gasperini. In una breve intervista concessa a ESPN Brasil, l’esterno della Roma ha parlato dello spostamento sulla corsia sinistra, una soluzione provata dal tecnico già nella scorsa stagione e diventata progressivamente…

Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.

Read original on GialloRossi.net

More Squad News

Mancini watches Roma take on Inter at the Olimpico
Serie ASquad News AI
just now

Mancini watches Roma take on Inter at the Olimpico

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A's fifth matchday. The fixture has sold out, with Italy national team coach Roberto Mancini in attendance following the announcement of his squad for the Nations League. Three Roma players feature in Mancini's call-up: Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante and Daniele Ghilardi, all confirmed for the upcoming international matches.

Cagliari coach compares Romano to Strootman after impressing with Giallorossi youth product
Transfer NewsSquad News AI
1h ago

Cagliari coach compares Romano to Strootman after impressing with Giallorossi youth product

Alessandro Romano, a Roma academy graduate who departed for Cagliari a few weeks ago, has impressed his new club sufficiently to earn a call-up to the Italy national team at the behest of coach Mancini. Cagliari manager Pisacane highlighted Romano's development after his side's victory over Udinese, drawing a comparison to a former Roma midfielder. Pisacane told Sky: "Romano? I don't think he even knows how strong he is himself. He's a complete player—if I have to give an example, he's a player like Strootman but with more physical impact. Perhaps Strootman had a more educated left foot, but he's a player who understands the game, has sacrifice, has dedication, knows how to play football. He's a complete player. He needs to play a lot, even if he makes mistakes: he surprised me—compared to Palestra, who made two or three mistakes at Udinese, he seems a player much more mature than his age would suggest."

D'Amico on Balerdi signing and the Inter challenge ahead
Press ConferenceSquad News AI
1h ago

D'Amico on Balerdi signing and the Inter challenge ahead

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to reporters ahead of the fifth Serie A match between Roma and Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on 19 September 2026, with both sides unbeaten. On the acquisition of Leonardo Balerdi, D'Amico explained the club's reasoning and confirmed the deal's timing: "We needed to strengthen the defence with an experienced player, although he is still young. He has physical strength and pace. We have been following him for years, and in the last week we had the opportunity to acquire him on good terms as well. We are very happy. We have known him for years, we know the human values too, which are very important to us in building the squad." D'Amico stressed that Inter remain the benchmark as defending Serie A champions. "Inter is the reference team, Italian champions, strong and complete. For us it is a great motivation to test ourselves against the best," he said. When asked about the criticism surrounding Luca Percassi, D'Amico deflected focus to the immediate challenge: "In a pre-match like this, with a stadium like this, we think about enjoying this match, which will be difficult but I hope beautiful for us. We think about today and the future." On Manu Koné's recovery and availability for the fixture, D'Amico was positive: "Manu is well. We are happy with the whole squad. We know that whoever is called every Sunday always gives their contribution. After the break we will have many matches and we will need everyone. We hope Manu plays well tonight too."

GialloRossi.netRead original →

More on Wesley

Player profile →
Wesley on left-back switch and development under Gasperini
Squad News AI
2h ago

Wesley on left-back switch and development under Gasperini

Wesley has spoken about his adaptation to left-back in an interview with ESPN Brasil, ahead of Roma's match against Inter on 19 September 2026. The defender recalled being deployed on that flank for the first time in last year's corresponding fixture and outlined how his role has evolved under head coach Gasperini. "The manager saw that I had potential there," Wesley explained. "I don't ask questions—'Why have you put me on the left?'—I just go out and do what he asks. I'm comfortable there, but I prefer to play on the right, obviously. But I'd play anywhere, in any position—it doesn't matter. I just want to be among the starters, that's all." On his offensive development, Wesley said: "What I'm improving on, and what I still need to improve, is my final third. I know that. And now on the left it's much easier for me because I cut inside and cross or cut inside and shoot. So I train a lot. That's been my adaptation to the left."

Roma host Inter in title clash before international break; Hermoso and Molina start, Zielinski to cover for Inter
Serie ASquad News AI
2h ago

Roma host Inter in title clash before international break; Hermoso and Molina start, Zielinski to cover for Inter

Roma and Inter meet in the final fixture before the international break on 19 September, both sides unbeaten and top of Serie A on maximum points. Gasperini has announced all his players are available but is monitoring the condition of Wesley and N'Dicka, signalling that Balerdi will start; Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski drafted in to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute before kickoff to Sandro Mazzola, the Inter legend and Italy internationalist who died at 83 overnight. The match represents a statement game between the league's two strongest starts to the 2026-27 campaign. Roma's defensive contingencies suggest caution in their approach, while Inter's midfield reshuffle highlights their own injury burden as the window closes on the first international break of the season.

Il Messaggero – RomaRead original →
Gasperini names unchanged Roma XI for Inter clash; Soulé preferred to Pisilli
Match ReportSerie A AI
2h ago

Gasperini names unchanged Roma XI for Inter clash; Soulé preferred to Pisilli

Gian Piero Gasperini made only one change in midfield for Roma's Serie A clash against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, selecting Matías Soulé ahead of Niccolò Pisilli in the attacking midfield role. The head coach favoured continuity against Cristian Chivu's side in matchday five, keeping the core of the team that had started the season well. The defensive line remained settled: Mile Svilar in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley operated on the flanks, while Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante held the midfield. Donyell Malen, who had been prominent in Roma's opening fixtures, led the attack, supported by Paulo Dybala and Soulé. Leonardo Balerdi dropped to the bench. Roma's starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

TeleRadioStereoRead original →
Feedback