Roma Still Splintered Internally During Busy January

Gian Piero Gasperini obtained the reinforcements he wanted up front, as Roma added Donyell Malen, Bryan Zaragoza, Robinio Vaz, and Lorenzo Venturino in January, but he let it be known that he wasn’t too pleased with the timing and some choices following the Udinese loss.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the ideas of the coach don’t totally align with the higher-ups’ strategy. The gaffer would have preferred more seasoned players instead of two talented but unproven youngsters. He had indicated Joshua Zirkzee and Giacomo Raspadori way ahead of the January window, and neither was acquired.

Gasperini appreciated the efforts by the Roma hierarchy, but he wished for more swiftness. The past month was hectic and influential schedule-wise. Moreover, he would have gladly gotten rid of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson to make room for strikers he rates more highly. He personally contributed to landing Malen, while he okayed Zaragoza.

Moreover, his desire to win right doesn’t coincide with the club’s vision of investing primarily in U-23 players. Per La Gazzetta dello Sport, the manager can’t complain about the spending, as the Giallorossi have shelled out €97M since he was appointed. Plus, they have an equal sum tied up in potential obligations or options to buy. But his relationship with director Frederic Massara remains tense, as they butted heads more than a few times.

Our Take on Roma and Gasperini

Appetite comes with eating, and, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League is a much more attainable goal than before the start of the season. He’s not totally wrong, but he knew some things in advance. Moreover, he could be a tad more diplomatic, not to fuel the friction in a mercurial town.