Gasperini on Roma’s progress: 16 goals after seven games

Gian Piero Gasperini sees the win over Genoa as a response to the disappointment in the Champions League. Following the 2-0 victory on 17 October, the Roma manager told Sky Sport he had deliberately made wholesale changes, turning to the energy of his young players. The defeat to Real Madrid, which he felt was undeserved given the quality of their play, had left the squad bitterly disappointed.

The attacking figures support his assessment: after seven league games, Roma have scored 16 goals, compared with seven at the same stage last season. The manager links that improvement to the understanding developed through matches and greater availability among his attacking players: a year ago, Malen was not there and Dybala featured little.

Gian Piero Gasperini, Sky Sport «Our goals are generally of very high quality, as are the chances we create»

The win does not erase their early difficulties. Gasperini acknowledged the problems caused by Genoa’s long balls and the time his side needed to adapt to their opponents in the first half, before improving after the break. His decision to field a very young side nevertheless brought a positive response: Emanuele Lulli scored their second goal, his first in Serie A.

For Inter, it is a sign of a rival continuing to keep pace: as reported by Italian news agency Italpress, Roma have moved on to 17 points, two behind the Nerazzurri. Their second place remains provisional, with Lazio on 16 points and away to Juventus today.