Gian Piero Gasperini said at his pre-match press conference in Manchester that Roma will face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday and that his side are short in midfield because of injuries. Roma beat Udinese 5-2 on Saturday, while Manchester United lost 2-0 at Chelsea on Saturday.
Gasperini's view before the match
Gasperini said: "In the league they’re going through a difficult period for results, but we can’t let ourselves be distracted. United are still a strong team, they have players of absolute quality, and it’s a hot, difficult environment. We’re preparing as if we’re facing the best Manchester United."
Asked whether Old Trafford is the “Theatre of Dreams”, he replied: "Everyone has the right to dream. I try to have dreams that can come true soon, starting tomorrow, in a fantastic stadium that’s famous all over the world. I hope it can come true."
Injuries and midfield options
Gasperini said Roma are without Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné. He said: "We’re missing Pellegrini, Dybala and Koné in the same departments, so we try to adapt a bit at certain moments. We have Castro as an alternative with Malen, but in midfield we’re short. I hope it’s just a passing phase."
Available squad members
Gasperini said: "We’ve played these seven games on a knife-edge, but we’ve always had well-prepared players who recovered quickly. Mora? He’s fine, the 17 players we have are all ready. After the international break we hope to have everyone back. It’s difficult this week."
Recent results and league position
Football Italia said Roma's win at Udinese left them third, a point off the top. Football Italia said United's loss at Chelsea piled more pressure on Michael Carrick.
Asked about Carrick’s difficult spell, and whether it compared with his short stay at Inter in 2011, Gasperini said: "Every situation is different. I don’t know United’s exactly, but I know they have strong players. You can suffer for a certain period, but then you manage to restart. Hopefully from the day after tomorrow! The comparison with me at Inter? I really wasn’t there long, three games, so I wouldn’t make that comparison."
