Gasperini explains Roma choice for Dovbyk and Pellegrini | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini explains why he is keeping faith with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk as Roma host Verona this afternoon. ‘A lot depends on form.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is a brand new project under coach Gasperini and has so far been largely impressive, winning every game save for the 1-0 home defeat to Torino.

That includes last week’s Derby della Capitale against rivals Lazio, and the opening Europa League trip to OGC Nice on Wednesday evening.

Gasperini warning for Roma against Verona

WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

“Every game is very difficult in Serie A, as it is a very balanced league,” Gasperini told DAZN Italia.

“Verona are doing well recently and have made massive changes to their squad this summer.”

The 2-1 victory in Nice midweek was the only time that Roma have managed to score more than one goal this term, and both those came from defenders, Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini.

Dovbyk was chosen to lead the attack midweek and is confirmed again rather than Evan Ferguson.

“He is improving in terms of physical fitness, they can alternate who starts, but ultimately both are involved in every match.”

epa12073520 Roma’s Artem Dovbyk (R) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina, in Rome, Italy, 04 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI

Paulo Dybala and Leon Bailey are still out of action, so Pellegrini gets his second start of the season behind Evan Ferguson.

“He can play from the start, as a substitute, or be left out, we evaluate his condition from one game to the next. We are keeping a close eye on his development, we know his quality, but a lot depends on his form.”

Pellegrini had not played a minute of football until he was chosen to start in the Derby della Capitale, and scored the only goal of that game.