Gasperini: ‘Roma need to learn fast from mistakes’ after 2-1 victory in Nice | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini has regrets over the ‘avoidable’ OGC Nice penalty, as while Roma won in the Europa League, they ‘need to learn fast from these mistakes.’

The Giallorossi got off to an ideal start in their Europa League campaign, earning a 2-1 victory at the Allianz Riviera against Nice.

Although they had more possession as the away team, it wasn’t until the second half when two goals in three minutes from defenders Evan N’Dicka and Gianluca Mancini broke through.

Terem Moffi set up a tense finale when converting a penalty, given away by Nicolò Pisilli’s avoidable foul on Antoine Mendy.

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on August 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“We have played several games and it is certainly true that we have a strong defence that doesn’t allow many shots on target,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“The penalty was a mistake born of naivety, as the ball was already going out of play. I feel bad for Pisilli, but these are high levels and they need to learn fast from these mistakes.

“It was a performance of a high level, the problem is how we approach the final stages of the matches. Those who come off the bench don’t always have the right energy and determination to make the difference. It’s not a matter of mentality, but we need a little more, because games are decided in the final minutes now.

“In modern football, you can make four or five changes to bring that fresh energy in and take home results, but we suffered towards the end today.”

Gasperini wants to grow level of Roma squad

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates after scoring goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images)

Lorenzo Pellegrini hadn’t played a minute of football this season until starting the Derby della Capitale, where he scored the only goal to defeat Lazio.

Today, he came off the bench and his corner was nodded in by N’Dicka.

“Pellegrini has these undoubted technical qualities, his corner was excellent, but he hadn’t fully recovered from Sunday’s game that was extraordinary for him. He had been out for many months, so he was certainly struggling more today just with his stamina.”

This was the first time all season that Roma have scored more than one goal, but they were two central defenders who were on target, so when will we see the strikers begin to deliver for Gasperini?

“It’s not just the strikers, it’s the whole attacking movement of the team. Dovbyk is improving his fitness levels, we must try to all improve in the construction, the final ball, and put the strikers in a condition to be dangerous.

“We need to take a look at the whole attacking phase globally. It’s not right to just point the finger at the centre-forwards.”

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Kostas Tsimikas had his first Roma start and provided the assist for the Mancini goal.

“We have so many games to be played, we’ve got Tsimikas and Angelino for the left, both are reliable and have similar characteristics. Tsimikas had been out for a few months too, so he needed time. I will have to alternate them, because they aren’t particularly versatile, but I have great faith in them both,” said Gasperini.

There was a little squad rotation this evening with Tsimikas and Neil El Aynaoui coming in, but the coach continues to focus on the core group.

“Football is like that, all you need is a moment to turn a game around. You’ve got to take the result home. The penalty was an avoidable incident, but in general we have a very solid and competitive nucleus of players, so we need to get more of the others to step up and reach the level of those who have been so consistent this season,” concluded Gasperini.