Roma secured a long-awaited return to the Champions League with a composed 2-0 victory over already-relegated Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi, capping off a season of transformation under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Giallorossi needed only a point to guarantee a top-four finish, but delivered a performance that encapsulated their second-half resurgence, with Donyell Malen once again central to their attacking thrust. The win not only confirmed a seat at Europe's top table but also validated the club's decision to entrust the 68-year-old tactician with the task of rebuilding after a turbulent previous campaign.
Playing against ten men for over an hour following a Verona red card, Roma initially struggled to find rhythm, a dynamic Gasperini later acknowledged. "We made it difficult for ourselves, paradoxically when we had numerical superiority," he told DAZN. "Perhaps because of the rush, we didn't finish the few counter-attack chances and risked too much on their set-pieces." The breakthrough eventually arrived through a familiar source: Malen, the January signing snatched from Juventus' grasp, combined with Paulo Dybala before teeing up Stephan El Shaarawy to slot home the decisive goal on the counter. It was a moment of poetic symmetry, as Gasperini had given El Shaarawy his professional debut with Genoa as a teenager, and now the 33-year-old repaid that faith by firing his old mentor into the Champions League.
The Dutch forward's arrival from Borussia Dortmund in the winter window proved a masterstroke. Gasperini did not hold back in his praise: "Malen made us take an incredible leap in quality in attack." Before his signing, Roma had often lacked cutting edge against top sides, losing key head-to-heads in the first half of the season. But with Malen's pace, directness, and ability to link play, the Giallorossi transformed into a side capable of unparking deep blocks and punishing transitions. His presence eased the burden on Dybala, who had been sidelined for significant stretches during the run-in, leaving the team "short and in difficulty up front," as Gasperini admitted. The Argentine's own future is now a hot topic; the coach declared he "never had a doubt" that Dybala would stay, revealing he has been mediating between player and club for two weeks. "If he doesn't stay now, I don't know what to do," Gasperini said, suggesting a resolution is imminent.
Beyond the attacking improvements, Gasperini highlighted the mental and collective growth that powered Roma's charge. After a damaging defeat at Inter in the autumn, the squad could have crumbled. Instead, they clawed back credibility. "We won over the fans and the critics in moments of difficulty," the coach explained. "The relationship with the players and the public was the locomotive that drove the results." Even without injured stars like Dybala and Matias Soulé, those who stepped in—including El Shaarawy—showed relentless application. The team, often dismissed as a sixth-place squad, proved that with the right structure and belief, they could punch above their weight.
Financial constraints under Fair Play regulations had haunted Roma in recent mercati, but Gasperini was quick to note the transformative effect of Champions League qualification. "Champions League fixes everything and will allow us to reinforce the squad," he said. The influx of revenue—estimated at a minimum of €50 million—opens the door to signing players who previously would have rejected the club. However, the veteran coach injected a dose of realism: "You risk taking a few heavy defeats as well." The step up in competition will test Roma's mettle, but Gasperini's track record in Europe with Atalanta suggests he is prepared for the challenge.
Adding intrigue to the summer plans, sporting director Damien Comolli was reportedly spotted with a centre-forward, fuelling speculation that the club are already moving for a marquee striker. While the identity of the target remains unknown, the sighting signals ambition. Whether a new number nine arrives to compete with or complement Tammy Abraham, Roma's attack will require depth to juggle domestic and continental commitments. Gasperini, who transformed Atalanta's forward line into one of the continent's most feared, will have clear ideas on the profile needed.
The journey back to the Champions League has been arduous. Roma last featured in the competition in 2021-22 under José Mourinho, where they reached the Europa Conference League final but missed out on top-four spots. Under Gasperini, the style has shifted to a more proactive, vertical philosophy, though it took time to bed in. The slow start and defeats in direct clashes left them chasing, but a run of six victories at the crucial moment—something Gasperini had long predicted—carried them over the line. "We always had faith and energy, and once we recovered all the important players, we knew we could go until the end," he reflected.
For Gasperini, the achievement cements his legacy as one of Serie A's most innovative coaches. Having spent eight years at Atalanta turning them into European regulars, his first season in Rome has already delivered a tangible reward. The Champions League anthem will ring out at the Stadio Olimpico next season, and with a squad blending experience and hunger, Roma appear poised to be more than mere participants. The combination of Gasperini's tactical acumen, Malen's dynamism, and the cash injection from Europe's elite competition could be the catalyst for a sustainable rise.
Yet challenges loom. The rumored pursuit of a striker underscores the need for squad depth, while Dybala's fitness and renewal must be managed carefully. Gasperini's warning about "heavy defeats" is a reminder that the Champions League can expose weaknesses brutally. However, the euphoria in the capital suggests that, for now, the club can savour a job well done. From a chaotic start to a triumphant finish, Roma have reclaimed a seat at Europe's top table—and with Gasperini at the helm, they plan to stay there.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
