Gian Piero Gasperini emphasizes that the focus of the Roma project should be on the club and its fans, not on himself. He noted the team's improvement following their 2-0 victory over Bologna.
Key points
Gasperini emphasizes club and fans over personal focus
Roma won 2-0 against Bologna
Donyell Malen and Neil El Aynaoui scored for Roma
Roma was previously eliminated by Bologna in Europa League
The match was a significant improvement for Roma
RomaBologna
Gasperini: ‘Roma and fans are central to project, not me’
Gasperini: ‘Roma and fans are central to project, not me’
Gian Piero Gasperini insists he is not the centre of the Roma project, but rather ‘the club and fans’ must be the focus, while he sees improvement in the 2-0 victory over Bologna.
This was a very different experience, as Donyell Malen broke the scoring in the opening minutes, with Neil El Aynaoui adding the second on the stroke of half-time.
Gasperini sees Roma improvement
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
“We must believe that we can win every game. Now we are getting important players back to fitness, so we can regularly repeat the first half performance,”
Q&A
What did Gasperini say about the Roma project?
Gasperini stated that the club and fans should be the central focus of the Roma project, rather than himself.
How did Roma perform against Bologna recently?
Roma achieved a 2-0 victory over Bologna, marking an improvement after their previous elimination from the Europa League.
Who scored the goals in the Roma vs Bologna match?
Donyell Malen scored the first goal, followed by Neil El Aynaoui who added the second just before half-time.
What was the outcome of Roma's previous match against Bologna in the Europa League?
Roma was eliminated from the Europa League Round of 16 by Bologna in a thrilling 4-3 extra time match.
Related Articles
Soccer·Recap
Man City survive Saints scare to reach fourth FA Cup final in a row
Man City survives a scare from Southampton to secure FA Cup final spot!
Sky Sports··1 min read
Sports
Salah injury threatens cruel unfinished ending at Liverpool
Mohamed Salah's hamstring injury during a crucial match could end his Liverpool career.
Sky Sports··1 min read
Sports
Serie A referee scandal: What to know as officiating assignments and VAR calls under investigation
CBS Sports Headlines·
NFL
Saints pick WR Bryce Lance, brother of Cowboys QB Trey Lance, in 4th round of 2026 NFL Draft
Saints select WR Bryce Lance, brother of Cowboys QB Trey Lance, in 4th round of 2026 NFL Draft.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
What did the Panthers get in the Adam Thielen trade?
What did the Panthers get in the Adam Thielen trade with the Vikings?
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
Potts leads Durham fightback against Lancashire
Matthew Potts' 66 helps Durham recover against Lancashire
There is also tension with director of sport Frederic Massara and he is widely expected to leave Roma before the summer too. Was it hard for him to protect the squad from this media storm?
“No, it was not at all hard, because these lads have trained hard since the start of the season, they followed me from the first day, and I have been thanking them for months. They are eager, and when we manage to get a few more players back from injury, it is obvious we are competitive.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma talks with Paulo Dybala of AS Roma during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
There was more good news, as Paulo Dybala made his comeback off the bench after three months out of action, and it was Roma’s first away victory since January.
“Malen has certainly raised our level by a lot, it is unfortunate that we were also without Matias Soulé and Dybala for long spells. What we were unable to have during those months, we hope to enjoy in these remaining games,” said Gasperini.
El Aynaoui not only scored a goal, but also provided the assist for Malen’s opening goal, so he is finally starting to deliver.
“He did very well in the first half of the season, until December when he went to the Africa Cup of Nations. That experience, Morocco in that controversial Final that is to a degree still going, it took a lot out of him. We had to wait a little longer for him to fully recover, but he had a great game today.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
The win means that Roma stay in the hunt for the top four, and must now hope that Juventus slip up in the showdown with Milan on Sunday evening.
Gasperini was asked if he feels that he is at the centre of the Roma project now that the Friedkin family confirmed their backing.
“The club and the fans are at the centre of Roma. I am a professional coach, so I deal with the technical aspects, and I thank the club for giving me that trust from the very first day, allowing me to work the way I want to.
“I hope to give my contribution along with those who work in the club. So the centre of Roma are simply the club and fans,” replied the coach.
