Gian Piero Gasperini said Roma need to win at home against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Roma have taken one point from two matches in the competition so far this season after a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce and a 4-3 defeat against Real Madrid.
What Gasperini said about Slovan Bratislava
“They’re a dynamic team, well prepared athletically and they have some excellent players. They might not be ‘top-tier’ compared to some of the other teams in the Champions League, but like all games in this competition, it will be tough. We will not underestimate our opponents because we need to win,” said Gasperini at the beginning of his press conference on Monday afternoon.
Dybala injury update
“I hoped Dybala would have recovered quicker. The tests he had yesterday showed a small injury, it will take a few more weeks,” Gasperini responded when asked about Dybala’s fitness.
Selection options in attack and midfield
Football Italia said Roma beat Genoa 2-0 with Santiago Castro playing at centre-forward in place of the suspended Donyell Malen. Gasperini said of Castro: “scored a great goal. He and Malen can play together with their characteristics, but I don’t know if I’ll start him or bring him on during the game. I don’t want to interrupt a team that is doing well in attack just so that we can see them together. I don’t need to look for other solutions at the moment, but he could be one.”
Football Italia said Roma have been short of midfield options while Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné recover from injury, and that centre-back Mario Hermoso has occasionally had to fill in there.
“We’ve seen Hermoso play there, but it was an emergency and I hope we won’t need him to play there again. De Roon is playing a lot, so is Pisilli. Lorenzo can play in an advanced role or as a midfielder while we’re waiting for Cristante. We hope to have Bryan available again against Napoli,” Gasperini commented.
Points target in the Champions League
“For the last few years, the points target has always been around 10 or 11. We have to win our games at home, it’s always difficult in away games. That’s our goal,” he replied.