Parma 2-3 Roma – Gasperini cagey on Dybala future & hails ‘incredibly motivated’ Malen

Gian Piero Gasperini was in jubilant but measured mood after Roma’s extraordinary 2-3 comeback win at Parma, praising the spirit of his squad while remaining deliberately vague on Paulo Dybala’s future after the Argentine suggested the derby would be his final home appearance for the club.

According to his post-match interviews with DAZN and Sky Sport, via RomaNews.eu, Gasperini admitted the closing stages had tested even his nerves.

“It has happened very rarely to me to turn a game around in stoppage time from 2-1 to 3-2,” he said.

“It is testament to the heart these boys have. For the first time I did not watch the penalty, I was looking at the crowd, but there was the scoreboard and I saw it anyway.”

When told that Dybala had publicly stated the derby would be his last home match, Gasperini was carefully non-committal.

“He said that? Well, maybe, who knows,” he said. “He was excellent again today, coming back after a long time out and giving us real quality. It is a shame not to have had him for so much of the season.”

Gasperini was more expansive on Donyell Malen, whose penalty proved the decisive moment.

“On the penalty, it is technique, everyone went for Dybala and they disturbed him, but he hit the post,” he said. “On Malen, he is a calm and not very expansive person. He integrated into the dressing room and has been extraordinary. He has incredible motivation and has raised our level.”

The Roma coach also singled out the impact of his substitutes as evidence of collective growth.

“The fact that we can change games with the players who come on means we are more prepared,” he said. “Rensch scored and won the penalty, that was the decisive change. But compliments to the players for how they came on. This group has shown its character from the first day.”

On the broader picture, Gasperini acknowledged Roma had been fortunate at moments, with Suzuki producing several stunning saves to keep Parma level before the late turnaround. “It seemed like a bewitched match,” he said. “Then everything happened in the final minutes.”