Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to DAZN after Roma-Cagliari (4-2) . The Giallorossi coach commented on his team's victory: “It's going very well like this. Undoubtedly, we had some players struggling who hadn't fully recovered. Then it's clear that some of their new players caused us some difficulties. That was the only reason. We always played with the same players in midfield and we were a bit tired, so it's even more creditable that we won. Especially at 1-0, we had an excellent game and then also at the end.”
The Roma manager on Ghilardi: "He's had some great games. He probably should have come on earlier, but then there were some situations where it was difficult to make that substitution, otherwise he would have been the first one after halftime. He's improved a lot since last year and will continue to find more space."
Gasperini on the conditions of Balerdi and Hermoso and the absentees: "Balerdi and Hermoso weren't fit to play. It's not easy to play so many games without Dybala, Koné, and others. Cristante returned after a month and played two 90-minute games in three days. The win against Cagliari is a great achievement, as they are a tough team to face."
Gasperini on DAZN
Gian Piero Gasperini spoke about Gollini: "He was a goalkeeper who also played in the Champions League and achieved important goals. Back then, he was younger and more exuberant, less motivated to work and improve. We met again in Rome, and I never had any doubts about his qualities. He trains very well, and I'm happy with what he's done in recent matches. He's extraordinary up close, but he concedes goals from distance, but he's an excellent goalkeeper."
The Giallorossi coach on Lulli and Pisilli: "They're extraordinary guys. I have to say that there's always something great going on in the youth academy. There are some guys who are very attached to Roma, and this is leading them to dream of making their first-team debuts, and that's a very positive thing. They're absolutely talented guys. Lulli scored with a header, and we were training yesterday."
The Grugliasco general on Mora's goal: "I saw him score a header against Porto: he's small but he jumps really well. Look at the way he hit the ball: he's almost standing still and he whips it in and scores a great goal."
Gasperini at the press conference
The Grugliasco coach on Rodrigo Mora: "I'm lucky enough to see him in training. The fact that he hasn't played a few games, or at least played very little, has allowed him to perform at his best. He's very young, he needs to develop physically to last 90 minutes. Right now, used like this, he's a loose cannon. He was that today, but also in Naples. He's definitely developing, as demonstrated by his header despite his height. These are signs."
Gasperini didn't like the defensive performance after conceding the second goal: " Yes, but also in other situations. It happens when you play so many games continuously. You can find some players a little tired, against opponents who are doing well, like Maldini. Even in the first half, they caused us more problems than other times. Luckily, we have a lot of resources: that's why we rotate. Today Koulierakis played and did well. Hermoso and Balerdi couldn't play due to some ailments. It's a credit to win this match. Cristante himself is still not 100% fit, having played 180 minutes in three days. We won, with these goals, he's a great strength."
The Giallorossi coach is pleased to see a Gasperini-led team : "It's a great reward. I'm happy for the lads; no one feels dissatisfied with their performances in matches, and these values shine through. Everyone in the squad is involved and decisive, even Gollini. This is one of our strengths."
Gian Piero Gasperini spoke about the conditions of Dybala and Koné: " He won't be in Udine. I was confident, but Paulo always takes a little longer to recover from injuries. We thought it would be enough time, but that's not the case. I don't think he'll be in Udine. Maybe he'll be there against Sassuolo, along with Koné, but I don't know."
Gasperini on Sky Sport
Gian Piero Gasperini on the young players who were crucial in today's match: "They gave us an incredible hand. It was a tough match, we had the leftovers from the Napoli game. The introduction of not only Mora, but also Lulli and everyone else in the first half allowed us to win this very difficult match."
The Giallorossi coach on Roma's many late goals: "Fundamentally, they're a team that doesn't lose their composure even when the score isn't favorable, and they just keep playing. This gives us the confidence to score and win the match."
The Roma manager on his squad's qualities: "We have strong characteristics that have allowed us to get results. Now we're struggling more because we're playing consistently without key players, who are especially important in rotation. Cristante was out for a month and played two 90-minute games in three days, which is taking its toll on us."
Gasperini concluded by discussing the late goals that prompted Roma to respond: "We haven't conceded many goals. We have one of the best defenses in the league. We've conceded eight goals in total, I think 23. We've conceded a few more recently, but we've faced strong teams. Tonight we conceded a few too many, but we also had Hermoso and Balerdi out who couldn't play. We're one of the teams that have gone the longest without conceding. Having recovered from games like Napoli and today puts us in a position to overcome the idea that we suffer late comebacks."
However, you had Ghilardi on the bench, you can't always let him play the final 10 minutes, you need to give him a bit of faith.