Gian Piero Gasperini stated that Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk are constantly vying for a starting position. He also confirmed that Leon Bailey and Paulo Dybala are the sole players unavailable for the upcoming match against Hellas Verona.
The Roma coach, Gasperini, delivered a press conference on Saturday, offering insights ahead of Sunday`s Serie A fixture against Hellas Verona.
Two Roma Players to Miss Verona Game
“Aside from Dybala and Bailey, there are no other injury concerns. All other players have recovered and are at my disposal,” Gasperini confirmed, as reported by TMW.
He emphasized the squad`s depth, stating his preference against extensive rotations. “Players who are fit will play, particularly during this period where consistency is crucial to solidifying our tactical patterns. The team is showing continuous improvement with each match,” he explained. Gasperini also highlighted the importance of five substitutions, which help maintain the team`s competitiveness and freshness. He acknowledged the possibility of minor rotations due to the demanding schedule of playing on Sunday, Thursday, and then Sunday again, but reiterated his general philosophy against significant team alterations.
Roma has enjoyed a strong start, securing four wins from their first five matches across all competitions, including recent victories against Lazio in Serie A and Nice in the Coppa Italia.
When questioned if this represented the best start to a season in his career, Gasperini responded, “I don`t know if it`s the best. I never focus on statistics.”
“While it`s undoubtedly a positive start regarding results, my primary focus is on witnessing the team`s growth and continuous improvement in every game. We are pleased with our achievements so far, but we must not dwell on them. We need to look forward, aiding the team in developing, playing better, and becoming more robust and self-assured,” he added.
During his nine-year tenure at Atalanta, Gasperini predominantly employed a three-man defense, occasionally shifting to a four-man backline. However, the Italian tactician suggests it`s premature to implement such a significant tactical alteration at Roma at this stage.
“Currently, our priority is to solidify existing certainties before progressively introducing new elements. A match like tomorrow`s presents significant dangers,” he cautioned. “If we play without intensity, we`ll lack the drive, energy, and power to pose a threat. Opponents like Verona possess rapid attackers and players who can strike well, making them formidable. We must approach this game with enthusiasm, strength, and energy, ensuring we play at a higher tempo than we did against Torino.”
Gasperini: Ferguson and Dovbyk `Always Competing`
The starting striker position remains uncertain, with both Ferguson and Dovbyk still searching for their first goals of the current season.
Gasperini commented, “Neither player is definitively ahead; they are always in competition, influenced by specific periods, moments, and the nature of our upcoming matches.” He added, “Dovbyk appears to be making athletic strides, showing significant improvement compared to the season`s outset. He needs to maintain peak physical condition to offset any current technical challenges. Should he achieve optimal fitness, his technical abilities are also expected to improve.”
