Gian Piero Gasperini spoke before Roma's Serie A game against Cagliari after Roma's 3-3 draw with Napoli, addressing reports about Massimiliano Allegri and providing a fitness update on Paulo Dybala. The draw took Roma to 18 points, lifting them into third place in Serie A, four points behind leaders Inter.
Allegri reports after the Napoli draw
Napoli head coach Massimiliano Allegri was dismissed during the closing stages of the match and has subsequently been handed a two-match touchline ban.
Reports surfaced shortly after the final whistle suggesting that Allegri had continued his protestations in the tunnel area, allegedly making pointed comments regarding Roma's qualification for the Champions League last season.
As reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, Gasperini told reporters: "I didn't hear them, you reported them. The numbers are the sum of everything that we did last year. I didn't read any comments about that, which was certainly unfortunate."
Dybala could make the bench
Paulo Dybala has missed Roma's last three matches due to calf problems.
Gasperini explained to the gathered media: "In terms of recovery, the only one that might be possible is Dybala, we'll try things out this afternoon to see if we can have him with us on the bench. That in itself would be a positive. I have a lot of confidence."
Selection decisions before Cagliari
Roma's next Serie A match is against Cagliari.
Addressing his selection process, the Roma coach added: "In terms of rotations, today is our first training session and it's already the eve of the game, so I'll have to decide today. Probably yes, but we'll see based on our assessment of the opponent. We have a squad that is capable of rotating well."
Roma's run in Serie A
Roma have gone through their last 15 Serie A matches without defeat.
The manager concluded: "We have continuity and we have to move forwards. Our goal is to continue improving and there's never a limit. We've been able to repeat the things we want to do on the pitch which is bringing us results over time. We continue to go about matches in the same way. Our squad is growing and we have a club that pushes us to be proactive and courageous."