Gasperini says Roma cannot afford mistakes after 4-0 win over Fiorentina
Quick summary
Roma beat Fiorentina 4-0, and Gian Piero Gasperini said the team is in strong form but cannot afford any slip-ups in the race for a top-four finish. He also stressed that returning players and January signing Donyell Malen have strengthened the squad.
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Attributed to Football ItaliaGian Piero Gasperini insists he always knew Roma could get back into the hunt for the top four after hammering Fiorentina 4-0 . ‘We cannot afford a mistake, but we’re in good shape.’
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It was a dominant performance at the Stadio Olimpico, as the Giallorossi were already 3-0 up by half-time thanks to Gianluca Mancini’s free header, Wesley, and Mario Hermoso.
The 4-0 scoreline was rounded out after the break by Niccolò Pisilli on a Donyell Malen assist, the Dutchman hitting the woodwork twice.
Gasperini always had faith in Roma ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammate Matias Soule during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) “We’ve changed our attack since midway through the season, so scored many more than in the first half, though we also conceded quite a few more too,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“It was good to score with four different players and some good moves. We are in a good period of form, though games are all very balanced and difficult, we know that we cannot afford a mistake to still have a chance, but we are in good shape.”
The coach always believed in their ability to get back into the hunt for fourth.
“I saw that we had the possibility of getting players back, that with a complete team we could get a run of results and had much stronger potential.”
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Albert Gudmundsson of ACF Fiorentina passes the ball while under pressure from Bryan Cristante of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) This result means Roma are now just one point behind fourth-placed Juventus, and within three of Milan in third, so the fight for Champions League qualification is blown wide open.
Como are also still in the running, as they are in sixth place on 62 points, just two behind the Giallorossi.
“This is a very strong squad, above all I never had to keep a tight grip on them, because from the first day I arrived they were fully focused. I never had a problem with their mentality, and the response seen in recent weeks has been even more determined.
“There is great unity between myself and the players, we will try to achieve a target that we wanted strongly from the start.”
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Donyell Malen of AS Roma is challenged by Marin Pongracic of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) The arrival of Malen in January from Aston Villa has undoubtedly transformed the squad, but the future of the Roma attack is looking very uncertain, especially as Paulo Dybala’s contract is running down.
“We were missing Dybala and Soulé for long periods this season due to injury, El Shaarawy was out for a while too, we were haemorrhaging strikers for a while, including long-term absentees like Dovbyk and Ferguson who fell off the radar,” added Gasperini.
“Despite everything, these lads gave their all in every game, so I cannot fault their attitude, and today they seem stronger than ever. There are three games to play, we know that we have to achieve the maximum and hope someone else slips up.”
Manu Kone made his return to the starting XI today for the first time since a muscular injury in mid-March.
“For long spells, this team had the best defensive record in Europe. We lost a few players and paid a price for that, but we’re starting to get everyone back now, the team that we had at the start plus Malen. In these conditions, obviously it is easier to get results.”
Considering representatives of the Friedkin family were in the stands today, is Gasperini discussing how to improve this squad for next season?
“As I said, I am focused on the present, then the moment will come when we can talk about the future.”
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What happened
Roma produced a dominant 4-0 home win over Fiorentina, moving to within one point of fourth-placed Juventus in the Serie A table. After the match, Gian Piero Gasperini said he always believed Roma could rejoin the Champions League race once injured players returned and the squad became more complete. He highlighted improved attacking output in the second half of the season, while acknowledging the team had also conceded more during that period. Gasperini pointed to better squad health, Manu Kone's return, and Malen's impact since January as key reasons for Roma's current momentum with three games left.
Chance analysis
This matters because Roma's underlying context has improved at a crucial stage: key attackers are back, Malen has added threat, and Gasperini believes the squad is closer to full strength. For football forecasting, this suggests Roma's recent form may be more sustainable than earlier-season data alone indicates, especially in short-term top-four race pricing.
Roma's outlook improves slightly for their remaining Serie A matches and Champions League qualification chase.
Upgrade Roma modestly in near-term match and top-four projections because squad availability and attacking quality have improved late in the season.