After leading his team to a 4-0 away victory over Lecce on Matchday 2 of Serie A, Roma manager Gasperini was interviewed by DAZN.

Manager, I have just one question to start: did you expect your team to show such a positive attitude in such a difficult away environment today? Roma showed strong aggression from the start and quickly took control of the match...

How do I put it? The fact is, after our experience last season, our entire team has accumulated very rich and valuable experience at several very difficult away stadiums, even "intimidating" ones. Last season, we even went to a stadium like Dortmund's for a pre-season match. You know, there were 80,000 spectators there, and the atmosphere was very impressive.

It's precisely because of these experiences that the team has gradually accumulated stronger confidence and a greater sense of security in its tactical approach and ability, while also displaying a more composed and calm demeanor on the pitch. This transformation in attitude actually goes hand in hand with the development of our squad. We've started to have a very important, very strong, and capable group of players. At least from this perspective, our recruitment work and squad reinforcement have been very successful, and the squad has gradually improved.

Of course, beyond that, Paulo Dybala's consistent performances and Donyell Malen's stable and continuous offensive contributions on the pitch have clearly been very inspiring and motivating for the entire team's fighting spirit. Because our other players, like Soule, the midfielders, the defenders, and everyone else, are always present and performing very consistently. And now, we finally have the ability and firepower in attack to deliver decisive blows and finish matches.

Yes, manager, great to see you, congratulations! I think these two wins have been absolutely remarkable, as reflected in what we saw on the pitch—you truly dominated the game. This achievement is also the result of your work last season—finishing third last season gave you confidence, and it aligns with your philosophy of "continuous improvement" as a manager. Manager, where is the next level of improvement for your team? Because it's hard to tell from the outside, that is, which aspects do you want to see further improvement in to keep elevating your level? After all, you seem to be starting this season with very ambitious goals...

No, no, our current priority is to strengthen the squad and improve its overall competitiveness. In defense, we welcomed the early arrivals of Koulierakis and the newly joined Balerdi; in midfield, De Roon undoubtedly gives us strong presence and physical strength; in attack, we welcomed the very capable Rodrigo Mora, as well as Castro and Molina, whom we have high hopes for.

Compared to last season, we do have slightly fewer players, but now we're preparing to welcome back Pellegrini, and I also hope Rensch can return as soon as possible. Although the number is slightly smaller, in terms of quality, my goal is to elevate the level of these players. This way, even when we face situations like N'Dicka's sudden injury during warm-up today, we can successfully fill the gap without lowering the team's overall level. This is our main objective—to have 20 to 21 players with balanced quality.

Manager, it's truly amazing watching Donyell Malen play from the wing because he has extraordinary physical qualities and explosive speed that only a few players possess. I have to ask you: is he the strongest striker you've ever coached? Because he's incredibly lethal in front of goal, averaging nearly a goal every 90 minutes under your guidance, which is absolutely remarkable and always a pleasure to watch. I must ask you to confirm this...

I've been fortunate to coach many great strikers. From my time at Genoa, I think you remember Milito, right? Wherever I've coached, like at Atalanta, I've always had Serie A's top scorers or top strikers under my management.

Malen is perhaps somewhat different. Although he reminds me of Milito, his characteristics are somewhat different from other strikers. He has the ability to control the ball, shoot, and accelerate explosively over very short distances, allowing him to directly beat defenders and create space for himself. This is an extraordinary quality for a striker. I believe we both want him to play in this position, and we've done some very good experiments, and it seems to be working very well now.

Yes, I think this message has already been conveyed to his new national team manager, Xavi, in the Netherlands. After all, Malen was often played on the left wing during the World Cup. Manager Gasperini, my question for you is: when you were talking about Malen just now, there was a slight smile on your face. So, what makes you happier: Roma's outstanding performance in these first two matches, or the fact that there are only 23 hours left until the transfer window closes? Also, did you receive any updates from Toni D'Amico when you returned to the dressing room? Because there's not much time left before the window shuts...

No, I don't know anything. I still have to call him. I came straight here, so you probably know more than I do. What made me smile more is Malen and the performance of the entire team. I'd say it's Dybala's consistency, Rodrigo Mora's first goal—he's a remarkable young talent—and Soule's performance. In attack, we're trying to maintain competitiveness and squad depth. Obviously, if we know Dybala and Malen can always maintain this level of performance, everything would be easier, but we also know that's not always possible.

Manager, before I let you go, I want to ask about N'Dicka's physical condition, as we saw him get injured during warm-up and he was limping after the match. Also, I want to show you a poll we conducted among fans: 75% of fans believe Roma are Inter Milan's biggest challengers for the Serie A title this season. It seems everyone's appetite has been whetted...

No, it's very normal for fans to be pleased with these two wins and a perfect start to the league. Regarding the title race, I always say that Inter Milan has a direct advantage over everyone else. Then there are other teams that have also made big signings, and in some ways, even more than us. Among them, Como certainly can no longer be considered a dark horse; they must have a high level. Then there are the traditional giants—Napoli, Juventus, and Milan—these teams are always there. We must currently focus on our own path, our own journey, be happy with our performance, and try to do our best.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

Situs web AF kini hadir! Lihat berita lengkap, komentar, detail pertandingan, dan statistik di komputer Anda. Kunjungi: www.allfootballapp.com