‘Dybala clarification, warning for Ferguson’ after bad start

ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 23: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, offers the group directions in the course of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Part MD3 match between AS Roma and FC Viktoria Plzen at Stadio Olimpico on October 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Picture by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)

Gian Piero Gasperinini insists he cleared the air with Paulo Dybala, however warns Evan Ferguson ‘is evidently not’ giving the best response for Roma.

Their subsequent sport with Sassuolo kicks off on the Mapei Stadium on Sunday at 14.00 GMT.

The Giallorossi have been stuttering lately, because the on-going drawback scoring objectives has solely intensified, leading to back-to-back defeats in opposition to Inter and Viktoria Plzen.

That is an uncommon drawback for a group coached by Gasperini, who’s discovering actual difficulties after 9 years of Atalanta.

Gasperini struggling to get Roma objectives

“It’s true that the principle drawback is that this group isn’t accustomed to attacking the opposition penalty space, however the excellent news is that is one thing we will change with coaching,” stated the coach in his press convention.

“In assault, as in defence, we have to play as a unit with the best positions to shake off marking. We have to get everybody again to full health, then they’ve to provide a response.”

Gasperini had began the season with Ferguson as his first alternative striker, however Artem Dovbyk has lately taken the function, when Dybala isn’t performed as a False 9.

“Ferguson has to provide responses on the sphere, and to date he’s evidently not doing that,” added Gasp.

“Solely yesterday did I see him together with his first actually good coaching session. He’s 21 years outdated and isn’t accustomed to taking part in this recurrently. We want him to achieve confidence, however the one possibility is for him to work more durable.

“It’s not crucial for a centre-forward to be huge, tall and bodily, you additionally want tempo, approach, the power to shoot and to mix together with your teammates. If somebody has all these traits, then he can resolve a number of issues.”

Some Roma followers had been jeering after the Europa League defeat to Viktoria Plzen on Thursday, however there was additionally pressure when Dybala instructed the group was ‘sluggish’ and ‘underestimated’ the check.

Gasperini disagreed with that, however did say the strikers particularly needed to ‘have a look within the mirror’ and think about why they hadn’t been scoring these days.

“I meant that all of us must work collectively to know the way to play in these harmful areas, the way to assault the area and create these scoring alternatives,” defined Gasperini.

“I didn’t like Dybala’s phrases at that second, however all of us clarified our positions within the locker room. We can’t have the thought of being sluggish or underestimating our opponents.

“We settle for that this squad has limitations proper now, however doesn’t need to have their perspective referred to as into query. That will be very worrying.”

Dybala performed 90 minutes on Thursday for the primary time in lots of months.

“He can play tomorrow, he’s bought to begin entering into the penalty space extra, offering objectives and assists. He mustn’t do the work of a midfielder, he’s a striker. Now he’s discovering bodily health and that’s reassuring.”

Roma performed in a really completely different approach earlier than Gasperini arrived and he’s at pains to level out this can be a work in progress.

“Jeers need to be accepted, each by the group as a bunch and by people. We react with exhausting work. I assist whoever wears the Roma jersey, they have to know the way to react after a efficiency that was lower than par.

“We’re in an preliminary section of the method, there’s huge room for enchancment.”

Submit navigation