Gasperini angrily defends Pellegrini: ‘Leave him alone’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini lashed out at reporters in his press conference after Roma’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Bologna, urging them to ‘leave Lorenzo Pellegrini alone.’

The midfielder came off the bench during today’s Round of 16 tie at the Stadio Dall’Ara and scored the potentially decisive equaliser, cancelling out a Federico Bernardeschi opener.

It came just a few days after a disappointing performance against Genoa, so when Gasperini was pressed on the former captain’s situation, he showed irritation.

Gasperini stands up for Pellegrini

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, gestures during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Poor lad, leave him alone,” replied the coach.

“Some games he plays well, others less so, the same as everyone. It’s not that because he scored today that changes how we evaluate him.

“One must always be objective.”

Pellegrini is only under contract to June 30, and it seems unlikely that Roma will be able to agree a new deal with the midfielder, who spent almost his entire career at the Stadio Olimpico.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Gasperini was also questioned on the injury situations for Manu Koné and Matias Soulé, as they were not even on the bench today.

“Realistically, I think Soulé won’t be back until after the break for international duty, but even then it’s difficult to make predictions.

“As for Koné, this is the first time he has missed a European match with us. He was struggling to fully recover after the game with Genoa, and we preferred not to take risks, seeing as we’ve got Como coming up and then the second leg with Bologna.”