Gasperini insists on Paulo Dybala over Evan Ferguson and expects January reinforcements after Roma's 2-1 loss to Juventus. For punters, Dybala is likelier to start and be the primary attacking threat — consider backing Dybala anytime scorer or Roma to score with Dybala in the lineup; January signings could alter markets.
Gasperini Picks Dybala Over Ferguson as Roma Seek Answers
Gian Piero Gasperini made his preference clear after Roma’s 2-1 defeat to Juventus, saying he would "choose Dybala every time" when selecting his attacking options. Paulo Dybala started the game while Evan Ferguson came on as a second-half substitute, but Gasperini described the Irish forward as still unconvincing and reaffirmed his trust in the veteran Argentine.
Match Impact: Juventus Narrow the Gap
Roma’s loss allowed Juventus to move within a point in the Serie A table, underlining the challenge of dropping points against direct rivals. Gasperini praised his side’s spirit but admitted results against top teams — Inter, Milan, Juventus and Napoli — show Roma are “missing a step.”
Key moments and selection
Dybala led the line from the start with Ferguson introduced later as Gasperini searched for a spark. The coach’s selection stance appears to set a hierarchy in attack that could influence team sheets in upcoming fixtures.
January Window: Reinforcements Sought
Gasperini openly hopes the January transfer window will strengthen the squad. He described January as an opportunity to add attacking quality, saying it’s not certain where targets will come from but stressing the need to improve to match the club’s ambitions.
What the club needs
The coach highlighted that while current performances show promise, Roma require reinforcements to close the gap on Italy’s elite. Any incoming forward could shift tactical plans and competition for starting places.
Defensive Absences and Ziolkowski's Promise
Roma were without Evan Ndicka, who was on international duty, and Mario Hermoso, who stayed on the bench with muscle fatigue. Jan Ziolkowski stepped into the backline and earned Gasperini’s praise for a strong showing despite a few mistakes.
Young defender's development
Ziolkowski’s performance suggested real potential; Gasperini called him a player with "excellent prospects" and underlined that errors are part of the learning curve when facing top-level attackers.
Betting Implications and What Punters Should Watch
Gasperini’s public backing of Dybala increases the likelihood he starts in upcoming matches, making bets like Dybala anytime scorer or Roma to score with Dybala in the lineup more attractive. Market movement should also be monitored ahead of January, as new signings could alter Roma’s attacking options and affect odds on goals scored and starting lineups.
Short-term signals
Expect stable attacking markets favoring Dybala selections until January. Longer-term bets tied to Roma’s goalscoring or Ferguson’s breakthrough might be better timed after transfer activity or if Ferguson earns more consistent minutes.
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Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini insists he’ll pick Paulo Dybala over Evan Ferguson ‘every time’...
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