Gasperini Prepares Roma for Crucial Champions League Match Against Manchester United
Gian Piero Gasperini emphasized that AS Roma will treat a struggling Manchester United with the utmost respect ahead of their Champions League encounter at Old Trafford on Tuesday. The Roma manager acknowledged his team’s challenges in midfield due to a shortage of players.
With quotes via the Corriere dello Sport, Gasperini addressed reporters during a pre-match press conference in Manchester, where he expressed optimism following Roma’s impressive 5-2 victory over Udinese, which has propelled the team to third place in the league, just a point behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Manchester United faced a setback, losing 2-0 to Chelsea that same day, which has increased scrutiny on manager Michael Carrick.
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“Although they are going through a tough phase in the league, we must stay focused,” Gasperini remarked. “United still possesses exceptional players and the atmosphere will be intense. We are preparing for this match as if we are facing the best version of Manchester United.”
When asked if Old Trafford represents the “Theatre of Dreams,” he responded, “Everyone has the right to dream. I aim to achieve dreams that can come to fruition, starting tomorrow in this globally renowned stadium. I hope that can become a reality.”
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 24: Gian Piero Gasperini AS Roma head coach before the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 24, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
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Gasperini Addresses Injury Concerns for Roma
Gasperini finds himself missing key players, including Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala, and Manu Koné. This situation has resulted in the club calling up Primavera players to help bolster the squad.
“We are lacking Pellegrini, Dybala, and Koné in the same areas, so we need to adapt at times. We have Castro and Malen as alternatives, but we are quite short in midfield and I hope this is merely a temporary phase,” he noted.
“We have played in a challenging manner over these seven matches, but our players have been quick to recover. Mora? He’s fine; the 17 players available are all ready. After the international break, we hope to have everyone back. This week presents a tough challenge.”
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between AS Roma and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio Olimpico on October 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
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Gasperini also highlighted the contributions of his wing-backs, stating that Lulli and Wesley have been performing exceptionally well. “Molina required playing time, and Rensch has also done admirably. It’s taxing for them as they cover considerable ground with both speed and acceleration,” he remarked.
Regarding the pursuit of perfection in football, he said, “Perfection is unattainable, for both the top teams and us. Our strength lies in our continuous effort to improve. We recognize our abilities, but we understand there is always room for enhancement.”
When discussing Carrick’s challenging tenure at United and comparing it to his brief stint at Inter in 2011, Gasperini stated, “Every situation is unique. I can’t speak exactly to United’s circumstances, but they have talented players. There may be periods of struggle, but eventually, there is a rebound. Hopefully, it will be soon!”
“As for my brief time at Inter, I only managed a few games, so I don’t see much value in that comparison.”
