Gasperini reacts after 3-1 Roma victory over Cremonese

Gian Piero Gasperini revealed the reason for his wild celebrations after Evan Ferguson’s first Roma goal against Cremonese, criticising the fourth official his behaviour towards him.

The coach hit out at the official for being ‘a terrible presence who behaved badly.’

With and without Gasperini, Roma eased past with a 3-1 victory, with goals coming from Matias Soulé, Wesley, and Evan Ferguson.

The victory leave them on top of the table.

The coach was sent off from  the touchline during this 3-1 victory at the Stadio Zink for dissent. As he was walking up towards the Roma directors, Ferguson scored for 2-0, and he was seen celebrating wildly at the Republic of Ireland international, finally getting his first goal for the club.

Gasperini told DAZN Italia that the club is happy for Ferguson, as he had been waiting for his first goal long time. He added that the goal was also important because it doubled their lead.

“We had been playing well and with very good opportunities, so this goal made us realise we were on the right path to victory.”

Due to the injury crisis with Ferguson, the striker was named on the bench as Gasperini changed things up, deploying Matias Soulé, Tommaso Baldanzi, and Lorenzo Pellegrini in the attack.

Speaking on his likeness for Baldanzi, the tactician said the attacker moves in attack and works on quick passes. 

“We made a few mistakes at first, but then started to play with quality. Baldanzi might have atypical characteristics, but you can play as a centre-forward with these qualities.

“When you score this type of goal, it means you have turned a corner. We have more belief now and try more interesting things to score goals,” he added.

Gasperini, who is not a huge fan of squad rotation, voiced his opinion on the five substitutions that had remained after COVID-19, saying it might make the game more balanced and even, but also less exciting.

According to the manager, who is no stranger to a red card, he was particularly furious at his dismissal, receiving the first yellow card, repeatedly stating “I didn’t say anything” until he immediately saw a second booking.

He said he was angry about a lot of things within the last ten minutes of the half-time, but after the break, he said nothing about the foul on Mancini, as the fourth official could’ve punished him for his protests in the penalty incident, but not the second half.

Gasperini pointed out the two mistakes made by the official, saying that if he needed to say something, it should’ve been in the first half, but he failed to do so.

*So, the fourth official made himself a terrible presence. He behaved really badly this time.”

The coach said Roma want to keep playing this way and it’s only right to dream in these positions.