Emotional Giallorossi coach celebrates third place finish and says he believes Dybala will stay
Gian Piero Gasperini could barely contain his emotions after guiding AS Roma back to the Champions League for the first time in seven years.
Roma’s victory over Hellas Verona FC sealed an extraordinary third-place finish, prompting emotional celebrations from Gasperini, who ended the night with tears in his eyes beneath the away section at the Bentegodi.
“I found an incredible group,” Gasperini said after the match.
“Everyone wanted to have a high-level season and that was rewarding from the very beginning.”
“We earned the trust of the fans”
The Roma coach described the bond created between the squad, the supporters and the staff as the driving force behind the club’s remarkable campaign.
“We earned the trust of the fans and the media,” he explained.
“It was a difficult season in many ways, but never in the relationship with the players or the supporters. That was the powerful locomotive that carried us to this result.”
Gasperini admitted there was one specific moment during the season when doubts briefly appeared.
“The most difficult moment was after the 5-2 defeat against Inter. That was probably the only one.”
Still, he insisted he always believed Roma could compete with the top sides in Serie A.
“I raised the level of ambition because I saw how these players worked every day. Even in the direct clashes during the second half of the season, I saw enormous growth.”
“Malen changed our attack”
The Roma manager also highlighted the impact of Donyell Malen, who transformed the team’s attacking potential after arriving.
“Malen obviously gave us an incredible leap in quality up front,” Gasperini said.
Roma’s late winning streak ultimately proved decisive in securing Champions League football.
“We were waiting for this run of victories—and it arrived at the perfect moment.”
“I believe Dybala will stay”
Gasperini sounded extremely optimistic regarding Paulo Dybala’s future at the club.
“I believe he will stay. I’ve never had doubts,” the coach admitted.
He even joked about his involvement in negotiations between Dybala and the Friedkin ownership.
“I managed to put the Friedkins and Paulo in direct contact. If he doesn’t stay now, I really don’t know what else I can do,” he laughed.
Although no final agreement has been announced yet, Gasperini clearly expects a positive outcome.
“It’s not definitive yet, but I really think he’ll remain. They’ve been talking for fifteen days.”
“The Champions League changes everything”
The Roma coach also underlined the massive financial and sporting importance of qualifying for Europe’s top competition.
“That’s the beauty of the Champions League,” he explained.
“Financial Fair Play could have affected the next transfer market, but qualification changes everything.”
According to Gasperini, Champions League football will allow Roma to strengthen the squad while increasing the club’s attractiveness.
“You can play in Rome, in a permanently sold-out stadium, and in the biggest competition in Europe.”
Even with the challenges ahead, Gasperini sees enormous value in competing at the highest level.
“Maybe in the Champions League you take some heavy defeats, but you come out stronger.”
Emotional scenes with Mancini
The celebrations also overwhelmed Gianluca Mancini, one of Roma’s leaders throughout the season.
“I feel like crying. My heart is racing,” Mancini admitted.
The defender emphasized how strongly the dressing room always believed in achieving Champions League qualification despite outside criticism.
“Inside the squad we always believed it, even when people had already written us off.”
Mancini reserved special praise for the mentality built within the group.
“After several European semifinals and finals we still hadn’t reached the Champions League, but this year we did something unique and special.”
For Roma, the return to Europe’s elite feels like the beginning of something bigger—and Gasperini now looks fully at home in the Eternal City.
