TEAM NEWS: GASPERINI CONFIRMS DYBALA, BAILEY AVAILABLE FOR ROMA VS. MIDTJYLLAND
Roma boss Gasperini confirms Dybala and Bailey are fit for the Europa League match against a strong, in-form Midtjylland side.
Gian Piero Gasperini has said Paulo Dybala and Leon Bailey should be ready for Roma’s Europa League match against Midtjylland on Thursday. He also talked about how the Danish team has gotten better over the past few years.
Gasperini on Roma vs. Midtjylland: ‘It Will Be an Open Game, Two Strong Teams Who Want to Score Goals’
Roma is on top of the Serie A table right now, but they have to focus on the Europa League on Thursday. They’re currently in 18th place after winning two and losing two of their first four games.
Midtjylland, on the other hand, has won all four of its Europa League matches and has a two-point lead.
“They’re a good team with attackers and great young players. It will be an open game with two good teams that want to score,” Gasperini mentioned.
Why are Scandinavian clubs doing so well recently?
“They work hard, are physical, and now have technique. They’ve gotten better, as you can see from the results at the club and national level. There’s no difference between them and us Italians when it comes to skill. Midtjylland has won four games, so that means something.”
How can a coach help players improve both mentally and physically?
“Football is a mix of everything,” Gasperini answered. “This team is doing well. Playing a lot helps us grow, and we’re finding more ways to win.
“We have a lot of personality, and we always play our way, even when we’re away. This has helped us get to where we are. We’re in a good spot right now, and we need to keep it going.”
Dybala and Bailey are back, which is great news: “They’re better. They’re training with the team again. If everything goes well, they’ll be ready to play. I don't know how many minutes they will play.
Gasperini was asked how he plans to handle Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui's leaving. They have to play at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He said, “They’ll leave the week before AFCON, so they might miss the Como game. I’ll miss them, but we'll deal with it. We have other players.
“We knew they would be gone. They could go far in the competition, but we don’t want them to,” he joked.
Gasperini reflected on playing Midtjylland when he coached Atalanta.
“Some might be shocked by where they are in the standings, but they deserve it. I’ve played there twice. They've improved a lot. The players are interesting. It was already hard enough before. I know how good they are.
LEEDS REJECT ELIA CAPRILE IS INTER MILAN'S TOP KEEPER TARGET
Inter Milan is searching for a new goalkeeper, with Cagliari's Elia Caprile their top target to potentially replace the underperforming Yann Sommer.
Inter Milan trails Serie A leaders Roma by just three points, but with four losses in their first 12 games, they've missed some chances.
Goalkeeping errors are a hot topic among Inter fans. Yann Sommer, 36, joined from Bayern Munich in 2023. He’s allowed more goals than expected in Serie A this season.
Second-choice keeper Josep Martinez is available. But since that terrible accident where his car killed an 81-year-old man, he hasn't had many chances to play in Sommer’s place.
Inter Milan is looking for a new goalkeeper
With Alessandro Calligaris, 20, new to the team, and Raffaele Di Gennaro injured, FCInter1908 says Sommer’s poor performance has made finding his replacement a priority.
Gianni Pampinella reports, “Elia Caprile is the top choice. Cagliari bought him this summer for €8 million. Other options include Zion Suzuki, who is a year younger than Caprile but out until at least February with a hand injury, and Noah Atubolu from Freiburg.”
Caprile, 24, has worked his way up over the past five years. He grew up at Chievo in Verona, his hometown. Leeds United signed him in January 2020.
Leeds was promoted, but Caprile never played a senior game for them in either the Championship or the Premier League. He went back to Italy and was loaned to Pro Patria in 2021/22.
His play in Busto Arsizio led to a permanent move to Bari in Serie B. A year later, he joined Napoli, who were competing for the Scudetto, in 2023.
After loans to Empoli and Cagliari, Caprile is now a regular starter in Serie A with Cagliari.
The former Leeds prospect played well on loan at Cagliari last season and was called up to the Italian national team in November.
Caprile didn’t make his international debut as Italy barely beat Moldova and lost to Norway. They now face a World Cup 2026 qualification play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland in March.
Caprile and Cagliari will be watched closely on Saturday when they visit Turin to play Juventus.
Sommer is expected to start Inter Milan’s game at Pisa on Sunday, even though some people want him dropped.
MADRID FANS ANGRY: LUKA MODRIC COMPARES MILAN'S HISTORY TO REAL MADRID'S LEGACY
Luka Modric reveals he joined AC Milan for its "Real Madrid-like" prestige. The 40-year-old is a starter and loving life at the historic Serie A club.
Luka Modric is happy to be at Milan, a club he sees as similar to Real Madrid in terms of prestige and legacy.
Modric, now playing for Milan, spoke with Arena Sport in Croatia about his initial months at San Siro.
The ex-Real Madrid player has been in the starting lineup for all 12 of Milan's Serie A matches this season, playing a role in wins against Inter, Napoli, and Roma.
Milan is currently second in the Serie A standings, tied with Napoli at 25 points, and just two points behind Roma, who lead the league.
Modric on his warm reception at Milan
Modric said the city is amazing, and he received a warm reception from people inside and outside the club.
He added that his teammates, coach, and fans are all great. Milan is a historically great club, one of the biggest on the planet. He feels it every step of the way, so he's really enjoying it.
Modric's time at Real Madrid was incredibly successful. He won four La Liga titles, six Champions League titles, and the 2018 Ballon d’Or.
The 40-year-old left Real Madrid when his contract ended last summer.
He admitted that leaving wasn't easy, as he spent 13 years, almost half his life, with one club in one city.
Modric talks about joining Milan from Real Madrid
Modric said it was one of the best times of his life. He arrived in Madrid relatively late, at 27, but at the perfect time. He was ready for it. His four years in England helped him a lot. Everything he experienced and achieved in Madrid still feels surreal.
He believes he's joined a club that is similar to Real Madrid in terms of prestige and legacy.
It’s an ideal situation for him because he loves Milan. Growing up, he loved Italian soccer, and Milan was the club he adored the most. When the chance to join Milan came up, it felt like the right choice.
Modric's contract at San Siro ends at the end of the season, but Milan has the option to keep him until 2027.