Win and move to the top of Serie A! Roma coach Gasperini: Chasing your dreams is a wonderful process

Roma ranked first in Serie A after defeating Cremonese 3-1. After the game, Roma coach Gasperini accepted an exclusive interview with DAZN.

Question: Today’s game scene really had mixed feelings. Although many Roma fans came, when Ferguson scored, there was one figure who was holding on to the railing to celebrate more excitedly than anyone else, and that was you. How do you feel?

Gasperini: I agree with what was said about Ferguson. We are happy for him, he has been waiting for this goal for too long. But the most important thing is that this goal gave us a 2-0 lead. We clearly had the advantage in this contest and created many opportunities. The second goal made us more confident that we would win.

Question: You once said you didn’t like the five-substitution rule... So did today’s substitutions work?

Gasperini: Of course substitutions are useful, I have used all the quota. If there are more opportunities, I will continue to change. But when it comes to the impact this has on football, I've never been enthusiastic about it. This rule was born in a special period and has been continued. But the nature of football involves endurance competition, and the team that is better prepared within 90 minutes should win. Replacing half the team certainly makes the game more balanced, but sometimes it also sacrifices enjoyment.

Question: What annoys you the most? Did Terraciano escape the yellow card, the penalty kick was canceled, or was it the referee's overall law enforcement attitude?

Gasperini: Your list is really long. All this controversy erupted in the last ten minutes of the first half and put tremendous pressure on us. I was completely silent in the second half, including on Mancini's foul call. The fourth official could have explained the basis for the penalty kick through communication, but he should never have intervened in the second half. I made two serious misjudgments. If he needed to communicate, he should have done so in the first half, and he should not have intervened at all in the second half. His two calls to the referee exposed serious problems with law enforcement near the penalty area.

Question: Please look at this portrait of your "Magician". It contains three major elements: courage, hard work and sweat. Where will these ingredients lead the team?

Gasperini: I look like a fusion of Merlin and Befana, but the concept is great. This three-flavor formula is just right and I totally agree that this is the core ingredient. Maybe we should add some spices and salt to taste.

Question: In order to continue the dream?

Gasperini: In order to continue this kind of football. Regarding dreams, I explained yesterday that in this position, it is natural to have dreams. We know that dreams rarely come true, but pursuing them is still wonderful. Since we are experiencing such a beautiful dream, it is better to pretend not to wake up and sleep for a while, trying our best to prolong this longing.