Gasperini questions Roma’s Champions League credentials, Norway should beat Italy ‘at ice hockey’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini says Claudio Ranieri contacted him for the first time in December 2024, but feels the Giallorossi still aren’t Champions League material, despite being the joint-table leaders in Serie A.

Roma coach Gasperini spoke about the first few months as the new Roma coach in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.

The Italian tactician has had an immediate impact, bringing the Giallorossi to the top of the Serie A table alongside Napoli.

Giallorossi and Partenopei have earned 15 points in the opening six games of the season, but Roma have the best defence in the league with just two goals conceded.

Gasperini signed a three-year deal with Roma last summer, leaving Atalanta after nine seasons.

Gasperini: Ranieri contacted me in December

epa12094855 Roma�s coach Claudio Ranieri and Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini smile as they pose ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma, in Bergamo, Italy, 12 May 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

“Ranieri contacted me last December. I already had the feeling it would be my last season at Atalanta. The same thing happened with Napoli the year before, but then I stayed after winning the Europa League, as we thought we could win even more,” the Italian coach said.

“In the first few months, both the players and the team have impressed me. Everyone feels responsibility. In Rome, there’s an incredible passion, something that can only be compared to Naples when they win. I signed for three years, and as long as there’s passion, I’ll keep going.

“Without results, all you get is talk. I’ve always believed in playing effective football to achieve victory. My real growth came in Bergamo, playing in Europe. Now my playing style is well-known; it’s become a reference point.”

Gasperini didn’t get all the reinforcements he hoped for last summer, but prefers to focus on the players at his disposal and doesn’t expect big changes in January.

“I prefer to talk about the ones I have. Some are out of contract soon, others are on loan, but there’s always great unity,” he said.

“Usually, the January window is just about players who haven’t played much moving from one team to another. I’ve never overhauled a squad during that transfer window. For me, the market should close before Serie A starts, or the coach should be allowed to decide whether to continue or not.”

Quite surprisingly, the Giallorossi have been struggling up front, scoring just seven goals in Serie A. Their centre-forward, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson have only combined for one goal.

Gasperini expects a different ‘attacking presence’ as injured players return

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Olimpico on September 28, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“We’ll get there. It’s a shame Dovbyk had to leave for international duty. I can see he’s improving, and I want to get him to top condition,” said Gasperini.

“With Pellegrini, Dybala and Bailey back, we’ll have a different attacking presence.

“My team isn’t a Champions League side, and this only increases the players’ credit. Today, everyone focuses on attacking, even in the transfer market. The top Italian clubs have all bought strikers. At Atalanta, we signed Zapata and reached the Champions League, with Muriel, we got back there, and with De Ketelaere and Scamacca, we won the Europa League.”

Gasperini also agreed with Alessandro Del Piero that technical skills are often overlooked in favour of strong physicality.

“He’s right. Clubs choose players based on physique now. Skills are no longer valued, unlike in Spain. Norway scored three goals against us; they should be winning at ice hockey, not football.”