Soccer, Gasperini: “Roma’s goal is to avoid the Europa League playoffs”

Milan, Jan. 28 (LaPresse) – “Our intention is to avoid the playoffs. We are still in the top eight, but the last day is the most treacherous. Everyone is a little breathless and aching, and there’s no point denying that the league is a priority over Europe at the moment.” So said Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini, speaking to SkySport on the eve of the final day of the Europa League group stage. “We are short on numbers, it will be difficult. We have a lot of wingers and few strikers. We will try to do our best because the game deserves it and it would be better to avoid the playoffs. Angelino has had an excellent recovery in the last ten days, and we hope he can return to his former self as soon as possible,“ he added regarding the match at Panathinaikos. ”Who will play center forward? I’m thinking of Mancini or Ndicka, who are really good up front,” Gasperini replied, joking about the many absences in the attacking phase. Speaking about the team’s current form, Gasperini said: “We’ve been trying to do our best and stay in all competitions since the beginning. The team is growing, and even in difficult moments, there has been a further acceleration on the part of the group.” Finally, the transfer market. “January is always unpredictable. All in all, at this point, the sooner it closes, the better,” he concluded.