Roma Vs Cremonese — Gasperini press conference and Hermoso setback in roma vs cremonese
Gian Piero Gasperini spoke in a pre-match press conference as Roma prepare for the roma vs cremonese fixture, and the team suffered a last-minute blow when Mario Hermoso pulled out during the warm-up. Daniele Ghilardi was named to replace Hermoso after the Spanish central defender re-emerged with problems minutes before kick-off.
Match preview: Roma Vs Cremonese
The match is scheduled for 8: 45 PM ET at the Stadio Olimpico on Matchday 26 of Serie A. Roma will host Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese in a home game Gasperini called one the team must approach with determination: “Getting three points against Cremonese is essential. We need to be at our best and very determined because the points are important in every match and they're always difficult to earn. We can't look beyond this game. ”
The manager also warned about the tight end-of-season calendar and recent league positions: the Giallorossi sit fourth in the table, one point above Juventus, who were due to play in Turin against Como. The club’s schedule shows MatchDay 25 Serie A 2025-26 15 Feb 20: 45 NAP 2 - 2 ROM and MatchDay 27 Serie A 2025-26 1 Mar 20: 45 ROM v JUV.
Hermoso late withdrawal and replacement
During the warm-up, Gasperini received bad news about Mario Hermoso. The Spanish central defender had returned to action after 20 days out because of a hematoma on his instep but pulled out again just minutes before kick-off. His condition and the exact nature of the problem remain to be seen. Daniele Ghilardi will replace him in the line-up.
Gasperini on Dybala, Soulé
Gasperini confirmed Paulo Dybala will not be involved against Cremonese: “Dybala won't be involved against Cremonese. He's continuing his treatment and I'm really sorry for him, as I am for the others who are working to get back. He's doing everything he can to make himself available but he still has this niggle that's holding him back. He's fully determined to recover as quickly as possible. ”
The manager also said Matias Soulé “hasn't trained all week so he won't be involved. Hopefully he'll make it for our upcoming games. ” In a separate remark Gasperini added that Soulé and Dybala are among absences the group must manage.
Bookings, squad depth and injuries
When asked about selection with Wesley, Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini one booking away from suspension, Gasperini reiterated the priority: take the three points. He addressed the broader injury picture at length, saying injuries are part of the game and are more frequent now because of the congested calendar and high tempo. He noted he has “14 or 15 players who have basically never been injured – touch wood –” but listed players who have been sidelined for long periods and had a big impact: Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Leon Bailey, Dybala, Stephan El Shaarawy and others.
Gasperini illustrated the cumulative effect: when you add up the matches and months missed by those players it has an impact, and over 40, 50 or even 60 games someone may have to miss a game or two, like [Manu] Kone. The real problem is when injuries drag on for weeks or months. He also warned that cup games return in 20 days and the team will face periods when they must play once every three days.
Young options, Malen and transfers
Gasperini emphasised the need to give time to Bryan Zaragoza and to integrate young signings. On Zaragoza: “We need to give him a bit of time. He hasn't been here long and we threw him straight in, giving him playing time and responsibility. He has some very good qualities and he's already shown a bit of what he can do, but it takes a few games to properly adapt to the team and to become consistent. ” He also said about Lorenzo Pellegrini that “Pellegrini has been playing regularly but it can happen that you experience a dip in form and lose a bit of sharpness. However, I expect him to start playing a decisive role again, starting with this game against Cremonese. He's always made a big, consistent contribution to the team. ”
On the younger duo Gasperini described Lorenzo Venturino and Robinio Vaz as “two very young players who were thrown into the action soon after arriving, partly out of necessity and partly to get a gauge of their maturity. They're very different. Venturino is on loan. He played a few games for Genoa last season and scored a few goals but hasn't played much this year. He plays in a position where we were short on numbers and I think with time he can help us. Vaz is a big investment the club has made. He's very young too and has only really made substitute appearances so far, but he's already scored some goals. The price tag is a bit of a burden for him because naturall” (text cuts off in the original).
Gasperini also explained how he convinced Donyell Malen to join from Aston Villa in January by telling him “You’ll play. ” Malen has made a rapid impact, scoring five goals in his first five Serie A matches. Club plans mentioned include activating Malen’s buy option and dropping Zirkzee ahead of the summer. With Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson out of action, Gasperini said he could use either Manu Koné or Niccolò Pisilli in a more advanced position.
Additional comments around the match build-up included Ranieri’s endorsement — “Gasperini is the perfect coach for Malen. ” — and Ranieri’s remark on relationships: “The Friedkins have always been very correct with me. ” Goalkeeper Svilar was quoted prior to kick-off saying: “We want to get to the Champions League. ”
Closing: Roma head into the roma vs cremonese game with late selection changes, notable absences and a stretched squad; Gasperini urged focus on securing three points while the club manages injuries and integrates younger players.
