Skip to content
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 22: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on March 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)
Gian Piero Gasperini insists he is not surprised by Bologna’s tactical experiment and refuses to be drawn on Claudio Ranieri’s Roma exit. ‘You ask me questions, I am not involved in this.’
- Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here
It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Parma-Pisa and Verona-Lecce on the Liveblog.
This is the first match since the sacking of special advisor Ranieri, who engaged in a very public row with coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
There are also growing reports that director of sport Ricky Massara will follow soon behind, as the Friedkin family give the tactician their full backing to restructure the squad in his image.
Another hint that might be the case is that Massara usually gives the pre-match interview, but this time it was the coach.
Gasperini rejects questions on Roma sacking
“You continue asking me questions about things I am not involved in. I never replied to anyone, I am focused fully on a game and we just want to get the maximum result,” Gasperini told DAZN Italia.
The Giallorossi are still smarting after their Europa League Round of 16 elimination at the hands of Bologna, after the first leg ended 1-1 at the Dall’Ara, then 3-3 at the Stadio Olimpico.
They eventually capitulated 4-3 in extra time and were knocked out of the all-Italian derby.
“We are up against a strong team, but if we have such a big advantage over Bologna in the table, then it means we haven’t been doing so badly,” added Gasperini.
“Bologna were in the Champions League last season, we recently had two very balanced games against them, so we expect it to be tough and also naturally very important.”
Vincenzo Italiano has surprisingly switched to a three-man defence this evening, something he had done during matches, but very rarely from the starting XI.
“The three-man defence is an option for almost all teams now, they can alternate between systems. We have faced teams who change their style before, it’s not an issue.”
