Gian Piero Gasperini Emphasises Attacking Strength For AS Roma's Season Success

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Roma's prospects for the 2025-26 season hinge significantly on their offensive capabilities, according to Gian Piero Gasperini. Under Claudio Ranieri's leadership last season, Roma achieved an impressive run, losing just once in the league from January onwards, which secured them a spot in the Europa League. Gasperini, who previously spent nine years at Atalanta, has started well with Roma, winning all three pre-season matches and scoring six goals without conceding any.

Gasperini emphasises that a strong attack is crucial for Roma's success this season. He stated, "A lot will depend on how strong we are in attack, and that can determine the strength of the squad." He believes that investing in forwards is essential as teams with top strikers tend to be more competitive. The team is shaping up well, but some positions still need to be filled.

Paulo Dybala is nearing full recovery from his injury and is expected to rejoin squad training soon. Meanwhile, Artem Dovbyk has faced challenges since joining from Girona last season. The Ukrainian striker netted 12 goals in 32 Serie A games during 2024-25 but fell slightly short of his expected goals (xG) of 12.25. His shot conversion rate stood at 19.1%, while he converted 47.6% of his big chances.

Gasperini is actively working with Dovbyk to help him adapt better to the team's playing style. "Dovbyk was a big investment," Gasperini noted. "He scored goals and showed he is a valuable centre-forward." The coach aims to enhance Dovbyk's ability to link up with teammates effectively by improving his timing and coordination within the team dynamics.

The head coach also mentioned Dybala's progress: "Dybala is with us going through his personalised training schedule, but we hope next week he can return to working with the squad." This indicates a positive outlook for Dybala's return to full fitness and integration into the team.

As Roma prepares for the upcoming season, their focus remains on strengthening their attacking prowess. With key players like Dybala returning and efforts underway to integrate new talents like Dovbyk, Gasperini aims to build a formidable squad capable of competing at high levels in both domestic and European competitions.