Gian Piero Gasperini has reached 300 Serie A wins as a coach, a landmark that places him fifth on the all-time list behind Trapattoni, Allegri, Spalletti and Rocco. Roma beat Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico, with first-time goals for Emanuele Lulli and Argentine striker Santiago Castro deciding the match. The win came straight after a painful Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, and Gasperini was more focused on his team's response than on his personal milestone.
Gasperini admitted the Real Madrid loss had been devastating, given how well Roma had played. "Losing in that way was devastating, our performance had been of absolute quality," he told Sky. "We made it difficult for ourselves in seven minutes with three corners that came from nothing. That annoyed us, but I had no doubts about the group's reaction. I deliberately chose to change a lot, because these lads had great energy. We had a very young team on the pitch, but I have to admit they were all excellent. We won a match that matters a lot."
According to Il Tempo, the decisive goals came from the young Emanuele Lulli and Argentine striker Santiago Castro, each scoring for Roma for the first time. Lulli spoke with emotion: "I'm very happy, it's a great dream coming true. I thank Gasperini and my teammates, this is a group that makes me feel at ease and encourages me to go at the opponent. All the years I spent in the youth sector and the sacrifices my family made went through my mind." Castro added: "It was a very tough match for us, the win was fundamental. Many young players who had few minutes found space. Nobody feels like a starter, we won a difficult game."
Attention now turns to Europe, with Roma hosting Slovan Bratislava at the Olimpico on Tuesday evening in the Champions League. Donyell Malen returns from his league suspension for the fixture. Paulo Dybala, absent against Genoa with a calf strain, is hoped to be available, while Svilar, Koné and Cristante remain out. Cristante is aiming for a direct return for the trip to Napoli. Hermoso and Mancini are expected to return to start in defence, with Wesley and Molina on the flanks. Matías Soulé is set to keep his place in a front three alongside Malen, with the final spot between Pellegrini and Mora.
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Roma beat Genoa 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, with Emanuele Lulli and Santiago Castro both scoring for the first time for the club. Roma News says Lulli's close-range finish, set up by Matías Soulé, came in the 68th minute. The win gave Gian Piero Gasperini his 300th Serie A victory as a coach, placing him fifth on the all-time list behind Trapattoni, Allegri, Spalletti and Rocco. It followed a painful Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, which Gasperini called devastating.
Forza Roma describes a slower match, saying Roma looked sluggish for the first hour before Castro chipped the opener, ending a run of three posts hit since the start of the season. Lulli added the second about a quarter of an hour later. Il Messaggero's Alessandro Angeloni framed it as a night for young players who know how to wait, while La Gazzetta dello Sport's Andrea Pugliese highlighted Lulli, Castro and Mora, and noted the debut of 2007-born Alessandro Di Nunzio. Lulli, who is 19, said the goal was a dream come true, and Roma News reports that talks have opened to extend his contract, which runs until 2027.
Attention now turns to Europe, with Roma hosting Slovan Bratislava at the Olimpico on Tuesday in the Champions League. Donyell Malen returns from suspension, and Paulo Dybala is hoped to be available after a calf strain, while Svilar, Koné and Cristante remain out.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Trecento vittorie in Serie A. Un traguardo prestigioso che posiziona Gian Piero Gasperini al quinto posto all-time della speciale classifica degli allenatori, alle spalle di mostri sacri come Trapattoni, Allegri, Spalletti e Rocco. Tuttavia, più che i numeri personali, al tecnico piemontese…”
Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.