Gian Piero Gasperini speaks his mind: backing Francesco Totti, siding with Daniele De Rossi, and facing Roma’s injury crisis
No filters, no hedging. On the eve of Roma’s league match against Cagliari, Gian Piero Gasperini turned his press conference at Trigoria into a manifesto—half irony, half conviction.
Asked about the possibility of Francesco Totti returning in any capacity, Gasperini smiled and delivered the line that immediately went viral: “If Totti comes back? I’d play him straight away. He just needs to train a bit first.” A joke, yes—but also a statement of reverence toward Roma’s most iconic figure.
“De Rossi is right about penalties”
Gasperini was far more serious when the topic shifted to refereeing and penalties, echoing recent criticism voiced by Daniele De Rossi.
“I agree with him completely,” Gasperini said. “This version of football doesn’t appeal to coaches or to fans. Too often the game rewards those who look for contact instead of playing. That’s not sport.”
He went further, calling on managers to collectively make their voices heard: “We need to come together as coaches. Football is meant to be fair. Chasing fouls, cards, or penalties is drifting away from what this game should be.”
Squad management and contract situations
On the pitch, Gasperini remains focused on navigating a complex squad situation. Several key players—Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, El Shaarawy, and Zeki Çelik—are approaching contract expirations.
“These aren’t football issues, they’re economic ones,” he explained. “But I trust these players completely. They care deeply about Roma, and I’m sure they’ll stay motivated until the end.”
Injury updates: cautious optimism
Roma’s injury list remains crowded, but there are signs of progress. Dybala and Hermoso are hoping to be available after recent knocks, while young talents like Venturino and Vaz are close to rejoining full training. Angelino, sidelined for weeks, is steadily improving physically and medically—“we’ve missed him badly,” Gasperini admitted.
Eyes on Cagliari
Despite the off-field noise, the message ahead of Cagliari was clear: focus and intensity.
“It won’t be easy,” Gasperini warned. “But our motivation is extremely high.”
Between sharp opinions, dry humor, and an unshaken belief in his group, Gasperini once again showed why Roma knew exactly what they were getting: a coach who never hides, and never plays it safe—on or off the pitch.
