Gasperini: Derby ‘so loud’ that Roma players ‘couldn’t hear me’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini says Lorenzo Pellegrini deserved to start in the Rome derby because of his performances in recent training sessions and reveals players could not hear him towards the end of the game because of the noise inside the Olimpico.

Roma secured a 1-0 win over Lazio on Sunday, giving Gasperini a perfect debut in the Derby della Capitale.

Pellegrini made his first appearance this season and scored his fourth goal against Lazio, giving Roma all three points.

“I see the players in training, I see how Pellegrini has been moving and working, so I had no doubts starting him today. He is a lad with great quality, we all know that, and has such great technique,” Gasperini told DAZN Italia.

Gasperini explains why he started Pellegrini

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma passes the ball 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)

“I am very happy with the performance, or at least I was until Lazio went a man down, at which point we risked compromising a match we had in hand.”

Roma have not scored more than one goal in any of their four games so far this season, so do players like Pellegrini scoring from midfield boost their options?

“Pellegrini has a good finish, he times the runs into the box well, but his focus must be on midfield and then have the opportunity to score goals.

“With the strikers, we can help them all to grow, as they are eager to learn and develop. Both Ferguson and Soule worked for the team, so did Dovbyk when he came off the bench. As they grow, the level of the whole performance will increase.

“We need everyone to improve their attacking movements, give it a little bit more, to create more goals for this team.”

Pellegrini saw the captain’s armband taken off him and was told his contract would not be extended beyond June 2026, but he remains committed to Roma. Did his status as a lifelong fan give him extra heart in this derby?

“I just met him this season, but we saw heart from everyone today, not just those who are from Rome. He is a good player, but if he can become an athlete too, then he’ll raise his level considerably,” insisted Gasperini.

“The team is in good shape, we had some difficulties last weekend against Torino where we couldn’t play with the right tempo, perhaps because we took some things for granted.

“This is a process; there will be ups and downs, so I am looking for improvements both on an individual and a team level. We’ve got to get everyone up to speed so that we can become a stronger group and have more options. I was impressed with Rensch today, for example.”

Gasperini must ‘improve’ in final 10 minutes

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Gian Piero Gasperini head coach of AS Roma gestures 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)

This was the first-ever Derby della Capitale for Gasperini as coach of Roma, so how did he feel about getting the victory?

“I am very happy with the derby, even if it was so loud towards the end that they couldn’t hear me! It was such a favourable situation for us, and we risked giving away a goal; we cannot waste what we did in those minutes against a team down to 10 men,” concluded the coach.

“I know the fans feel particularly deeply about this fixture, so we’re glad to give them this joy. Now I need to think about how to improve those final 10 minutes!”