The coach on the eve of the match against the Tuscan side: “He would add value to us, but it’s also a huge opportunity for him. If he doesn’t understand that, it’s not a problem. Pellegrini? He’ll be called up. I’ve restarted the dialogue between him and the club.”

After their successful debut against Bologna, Gasperini’s Roma are looking for their first away win in Pisa, where Serie A has been absent for 34 years. The Giallorossi coach tried to avoid the many questions about the transfer market during the press conference, but it was inevitable that some hot topics would come up. “The transfer window closes at 8 p.m. on Monday, and for now, it’s all just talk. Let’s focus on Pisa and Gilardino, who is an excellent coach. Then there will be time to talk about the transfer market once it’s over,” Gasp said. But obviously, the focus remains, and the former Atalanta coach sent some signals.

Starting with the Sancho issue. “If you have his number, call him and ask him why he has doubts,” he smiles at a journalist. “But it seems to me that you know everything. I don’t know if there’s any margin, but we don’t have to beg anyone to come here. That goes for Sancho and others. I don’t know what margin there is left. He can certainly add value, but above all, it’s a huge opportunity for him. If he understands that, it makes sense, otherwise he’ll stay where he is, and that’s not a problem.“ Gasp certainly expects reinforcements on the left. ”How many signings are missing? The team needs to have as strong and solid a group as possible,“ replies the coach. ”I’m fine with young players; in fact, I’d rather have more of them than heavy salaries and contracts. This allows us to look beyond just the top players and develop players who can become top players. It’s a different philosophy that allows you to be sustainable. But you need to have a foundation, otherwise it’s difficult to develop young players. We now have priorities in the transfer market. Ten players have left, and there’s a reshuffle that needs time, but that’s no excuse. I know I have limited time, so what can be done must be done immediately. We have no more time to waste.“ The reference to young players also includes Ziolkowski, who has just arrived at Fiumicino. ”He’s a Massara signing,“ Gasp points out. ”And I trust his market intuition; it’s his job, and in any case, his profile is good. I’ve only seen him on video, but I think he’s right to complete the defensive package. We’ll see how he develops in the future.”

Tricky cases—  Then we move on to the tricky cases involving departures. Above all, the one concerning Pellegrini. Gasperini reiterates his position and leaves it up to the club to resolve the matter: “Pellegrini will be called up tomorrow because he has finished his rehabilitation. We need to find the best solution for both parties. I take credit for reopening the dialogue between him and the management. Pellegrini is a guy who is attached to Roma and is willing to make other choices to pursue his goals. The problem is his contract, but the world is full of these stories. A better place will be found for him, and I wish him all the best. There are three days left until the transfer window closes. On September 2, we will see if this issue, which I have only inherited, will be resolved. If they resolve it.“ News is also expected on the Dovbyk front, but the Ukrainian will be in Pisa tomorrow as usual. ”Dovbyk has been a very positive guy with me,“ Gasperini says seriously. ”He has always worked very hard in training, and I have no complaints. Whether he plays from the start tomorrow or not, I expect him to bring all his energy. Hermoso should be an example: he didn’t even have to return to Trigoria, but he showed extraordinary willingness and played an excellent game on the right. That’s what I want from everyone; that’s the basis for a good season. Tomorrow, our attack will consist of all the players we have in the squad: Ferguson, Dovbyk, Dybala, Soulè, El Shaarawy, and Baldanzi. We’ll add Arena from the Primavera because he’s intriguing me.”

draw—  Finally, a few words on Dybala and the Europa League draw. “I believe that Roma exists. Paulo is an added value if he is fit and has no physical problems. He is undoubtedly a great player with an extraordinary foot. Not many players can create such an important gap, but no player, no matter how strong, can be disruptive to the team’s identity.” On the draw: “It’s a tough group, we’ll have to fight hard. Lille and Stuttgart are among the best teams in the competition. Away games are always difficult, whether in Glasgow, Nice, or Athens. We’ll have to work hard right from the start, the important thing is to finish in the top 24.”