Soccer
Gian Piero Gasperini has hinted that he and the Roma ownership are planning a long-term future together, but he has urged his side to remain focused on their Serie A campaign.
Roma host Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, with a chance to leapfrog Como and move up to fifth in Serie A after Cesc Fabregas’ side drew 0-0 with Napoli on Saturday.
Roma trail fifth-placed Como by just one point, while they are four behind fourth-placed Juventus, who drew 1-1 with Hellas Verona on Sunday.
But the Giallorossi have been marred by some off-field controversy in recent weeks, following the unexpected departure of longtime club figurehead and advisor Claudio Ranieri, after a reported breakdown in relations with Gasperini.
“Right now, there are two tracks. One is the season, which is still alive and well,” Gasperini said.
“We play a very important match against Fiorentina, a team coming off a positive streak, I think seven positive results, and who have pulled themselves out of a difficult position in the standings.
“We are absolutely focused on this match, because with four games to go, we are still in the race. We also need to look at the results of the other matches, but we all know the standings, and our focus must remain on this final stage.
“The team’s performance has been exceptional from the start, and we want to continue like this in the final four games, which will all be important, including the derby [with Lazio] in between.
“It’s clear that there has been a particular development in recent weeks, and we must give credit to the club, which likely suffered a major unexpected disappointment and was forced to take a different path than initially envisioned.
“However, I don’t believe other teams have already done everything at this point. Even those who start a little later can still get back on track.
“It’s clear that the owners will need the time and clarity to make the decisions, but they also have the ability and resources to do so in the best possible way.
“When the time comes to discuss the future, we will. It seems like [the club] is getting closer to that moment, but when it happens, everything will have to be as clear and transparent as possible.”
Fiorentina, meanwhile, are 15th in the league and extended their unbeaten streak to seven games following a goalless draw with Sassuolo last time out.
Paolo Vanoli’s side are looking to end their season on a high, having peeled away from the drop zone.
Fiorentina #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/b6vkTIgzFU
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) April 29, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Roma – Donyell Malen
Malen has scored 11 goals in 14 Serie A matches. Only Gabriel Omar Batistuta (14) has netted more goals after their first 15 matches in the three-points-for-a-win era (since 1994-95).
Furthermore, since his debut for Roma on January 18, the Dutchman is Serie A’s top scorer and the player with the most shots on target (22).
Fiorentina – Nicolo Fagioli
Fagioli has been involved in five goals (two goals, three assists) in Serie A this season, with only the 2022-23 campaign (where he picked up six with Juventus; three goals, three assists) seeing him contribute to more in a single edition.
Among midfielders in the league, only Inter’s Nicolo Barella (67) has created more chances for team-mates in the current competition than Fagioli’s 60.
MATCH PREDICTION – ROMA WIN
Roma have recorded 60 Serie A wins against Fiorentina (D62 L51), with Torino (72) being the only side against whom they have won more matches.
Conversely, Fiorentina have registered 50+ wins against five Serie A sides, including Roma (51), alongside Lazio (51), Atalanta (54), Napoli (55) and Bologna (59). Only against Inter (224) have Fiorentina scored more goals in the top flight than they have managed against Roma (213).
Roma have a strong recent record against the Viola as well. The Giallorossi have lost just three of their last 51 home Serie A matches against Fiorentina (W32 D16), who last defeated Roma at the Olimpico in April 2018.
After going unbeaten across four Serie A matches in a row against Roma (W2 D2), Fiorentina have now lost their last two league outings against them. The Viola have not suffered more consecutive defeats against Roma in the league since losing five straight between December 2019 and August 2021.
To make matters worse for Fiorentina, Roma are unbeaten in their last 19 home Serie A matches in the second half of the season (across the current and previous two campaigns), having won 13 and drawn six with 10 clean sheets during this run.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Roma – 57.2%
Draw – 22.3%
Fiorentina – 20.5%
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