Gasperini says Roma control their Champions League fate and Dybala wants to stay
Quick summary
Roma beat Lazio 2-0 in the Derby della Capitale, leaving their Champions League qualification hopes in their own hands going into the final Serie A round. Gian Piero Gasperini also said Paulo Dybala and the club both want to continue together.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceGian Piero Gasperini and Roma celebrate both the derby win and the fact ‘our fate is in our hands’ for the Champions League, but reveals Paulo Dybala ‘wants to stay.’
It was as expected a fiery occasion in the Derby della Capitale, despite the unusually early kick-off, and saw two red cards in the second half for Nicolò Rovella and Wesley.
The hero of the hour was Gianluca Mancini, as the centre-back popped up with two headers from set plays to secure the 2-0 victory, which sends them into joint third place with Milan.
Gasperini feels Roma fate in their hands ROME, ITALY – MAY 17: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri and AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini react during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on May 17, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) “We still have another 90 minutes to play, it is an extraordinary league this season with so many teams in a few points,” Gasperini told DAZN Italia .
“We’re happy, it all depends on us now next week and no longer on our opponents. Now we’ve got to concentrated on this target that we want at all costs.”
There are now just 90 minutes left to play in this Serie A season, and for the first time, Roma’s fate is in their hands away to relegated Verona.
This is thanks to the surprise 2-0 Juventus home defeat to Fiorentina , which plunged the Bianconeri down to fifth alongside Como.
“We had hoped others might slip up, today it was Juve, but we did well to concentrate on our own game against a quality Lazio side,” continued Gasperini.
“It was a tough first half, we broke the deadlock from a dead ball situation, and then did better after the break. I congratulate these lads, but now we mustn’t let ourselves get swept up in enthusiasm, because there is one more step to take in this incredible chase.
“We can celebrate today, then immediately get down to thinking about an achievement that would be truly remarkable for us.”
ROME, ITALY – MAY 17: Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on May 17, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Mancini scored both goals, and is one of the most representative players in the squad who has worn the Roma jersey for many years now.
“I always said from pre-season that he was a symbol of Roma, and this day will remain indelibly in his career. This is a squad that has many captains and he is one of them.
“We had some difficult moments this season, but the 3-3 with Juventus did ultimately make us realise we could score goals, something we struggled with in the first half of the campaign. We’ve scored with many different players to win games.”
ROME, ITALY – MAY 17: Matteo Cancellieri of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Paulo Dybala of AS Rom during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on May 17, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images) Dybala was very impressive this afternoon, but his contract is due to expire on June 30, so was this his last home game in the Roma shirt?
“That is for next week. The owners are here, fortunately, and it can all become easier if you get an immediate response,” noted Gasperini.
“Both the player and the club want to continue together. I would be very happy, for him and the many players whose contracts are running down, who showed professionalism and love for the club.
“We won the derby today, we haven’t yet achieved our objective for the season, but nobody can doubt these players now.”
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What happened
Roma defeated Lazio 2-0 with Gianluca Mancini scoring both goals from set plays in a heated derby that also produced red cards for Nicolò Rovella and Wesley. The result moved Roma into a strong position in the race for Champions League qualification, with Gasperini saying the team now controls its own destiny ahead of the final match away to Verona. He praised the squad's mentality and warned against over-celebration with one decisive game still to play. Gasperini also revealed that Dybala wants to stay and that the club shares that intention, offering a positive signal over the forward's contract situation.
Chance analysis
This matters because Roma's final-match incentive is now very high and clearly defined: win and the Champions League target remains in reach. The derby win also reinforces recent evidence of improved output from multiple scorers and strong set-piece threat, while Dybala's apparent commitment reduces near-term uncertainty around a key attacking reference. For football prediction models, Roma's motivation, confidence, and squad stability all tick upward ahead of the closing fixture.
The likely immediate effect is a positive lift for Roma's final-match outlook and a reduction in uncertainty around Dybala's near-term status.
Upgrade Roma's short-term motivation and stability signals, with added weight to derby momentum and Dybala continuity comments ahead of the final round.