Gian Piero Gasperini praised Roma’s display in their narrow 1-0 friendly win over German side Kaiserslautern. Although it was only a summer test, the Italian coach highlighted the team’s structure and room for growth. “The match served as a good preparation,” Gasperini commented post-game, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. “We’ve already developed some identity, but there’s space to improve across the board, including physical form.”
He noted the changes in rhythm after half-time, particularly due to several substitutions. Younger talents were introduced in the second half, altering the flow of the match. The team, he said, did not actively target the opposing keeper with high pressure, instead managing their energy by pressing only at times.
Ferguson’s contribution and tactical adjustments
Gasperini had words of encouragement for Evan Ferguson, who recently joined from Brighton on a loan deal with a purchase option. “Evan has the qualities to press and create opportunities,” he observed. “Winning possession high up the pitch opens up chances to score.”
However, the coach stressed the need for better integration of the striker. “There were moments when we should have looked for him more. We must improve in involving our forwards,” he added, stating that he plans to work on this aspect during upcoming fixtures.
Calls for reinforcements and transfer frustrations
Despite the encouraging signs, Gasperini reiterated his concern about the squad’s incompleteness. Asked how many reinforcements were still needed, he deflected: “You tell me. I’ve been doing the math since May. It’s straightforward.” He emphasized that his concerns weren’t excuses but simply facts: “Just look at who’s gone and who’s not here.”
Besides Ferguson, Roma have secured Neil El Aynaoui from Lens, while Wesley from Flamengo arrived in Rome on Sunday for medical checks and to finalize paperwork. He is set to return to Brazil briefly to complete the administrative side of his transfer.
Gasperini acknowledged the challenge of synchronizing pre-season with the ongoing transfer market. “Every coach wants their team settled early. Otherwise, what’s the use of pre-season if players are leaving?” he remarked. “I hope what we’ve envisioned together with the club can come to fruition, but we’ll see how long it takes.”