Gasperini quotes legendary Italian coach as Roma objective remains ‘far from certain’
Gasperini quotes legendary Italian coach as Roma objective remains ‘far from certain’ Gian Piero Gasperini insists that Roma’s Champions League qualification is still ‘far from certain’ with one last game remaining and mentions the legendary Nereo Rocco: ‘Give me a goalkeeper who makes saves and a centre-forward who scores goals…’ Roma visit already-relegated Hellas Verona tomorrow, Sunday, May 24, in the final game of the Serie A season. The Giallorossi sit fourth in the standings, level on points with Milan, and two points below fifth-placed Como and Juventus. France international Manu Koné missed last week’s derby against Lazio, but will join the team in Verona.
Verona vs. Roma: Gasperini’s press conference BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) “Koné has recovered.
He’s been training all week, and he’s not 100%, but he’s definitely available,” Gasperini said at a press conference via Sky Sport Italia. “We’ll see if he starts or is introduced later on. Temperatures have changed, the heat is affecting, but so is the anticipation.
You need to be ready at the right time. ” Roma last played in the Champions League during the 2018-19 campaign and are now just one victory away from securing a top-four finish in Gasperini’s first season in charge. “It wasn’t an easy campaign.
I definitely brought my method, and I was lucky enough to find this group,” the coach said. “I was credible towards them. That was the secret.