Freuler: ‘I know how Gasperini plays by heart’ after 254 games together | OneFootball

Remo Freuler could be Bologna’s secret weapon in the Europa League meeting with Roma. ‘I know how Gian Piero Gasperini plays off by heart.’

The first leg of this Round of 16 tie kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

It is safe to say the two teams have few surprises in store, considering this is an all-Italian derby on the UEFA stage, but some are even more tuned in.

Gasperini and Freuler are old friends

epa11176229 Bologna’s Remo Freuler jubilates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match Bologna FC vs Hellas Verona FC at Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, 23 February 2024. EPA-EFE/ELISABETTA BARACCHI

Freuler made 254 appearances under Roma coach Gasperini when they worked together at Atalanta from 2016 to 2022, scoring 20 goals and providing 23 assists.

“I know how Gasperini plays off by heart, even if he too has changed some things in his style over recent years,” Freuler told Sky Sport Italia.

“The foundations are still more or less the same, and I will be very happy to see him again tomorrow.”

Gasperini is keeping a few decisions to the last minute, and now uses two players in the trequartista role supporting a centre-forward, especially as there are so many injuries in attack.

“I know the adjustments he makes too, whether he plays with three upfront or an extra midfielder, I know the thoughts he has in his mind. We’ll see what happens.”

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini looks on during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Freuler left Atalanta in 2022 for Nottingham Forest, but returned within a year to Serie A, where he is enjoying a new lease of life with Bologna.

This means he had already departed by the time Atalanta won the Europa League trophy, but he did experience some European success there.

“I remember how we danced after the game against Shakhtar Donetsk, when we qualified for the Champions League Round of 16. I still feel that joy, just as I do our super rapport both on and off the field,” said the Switzerland international.

“The first leg is always an important result so we can go into the decider with confidence. We want to keep going in the Europa League.

“Unfortunately, we picked Roma in the draw, who with all due respect to the others are more difficult to play against than KRC Genk.”