Gian Piero Gasperini wants Roma to resume their Serie A campaign in the same form that left them top of the table before the international break.
Roma have won five of their opening five league matches in 2026-27, putting them above reigning champions Inter on goal difference. It is the first time since 2014-15, when they also recorded five victories, that they have avoided defeat in each of their first five Serie A games.
Gasperini has been reluctant to describe Roma as title contenders, but his side have made an impressive start. They have scored 14 goals, second only to Inter’s 15, while their three goals conceded is the joint-second best defensive record in the division. Only Cagliari, with two conceded, have done better.
“We had a pretty small number of players and couldn’t play any friendlies, so we went for continuity with the work that we did in the first week and then took a few days off,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“[Monday] is the last day of holiday, and after that, we will get back into the league mentality, which we left during a great period of results and performances. We want to start where we left off.”
The 68-year-old said the players’ attitude had helped him settle quickly after taking charge.
“There have been lots of small factors, starting with the fact that I inherited a group that gave me their availability from the very first training session,” he said.
“The team had had a good end to the previous season, but the players immediately showed a willingness to explore different paths and different types of football.
“I also had the trust from the club. I’ve been appreciated by a club that initially brought me in as an opponent and rival. There was even a bit of scepticism. Gaining the appreciation of the Roma supporters has been a great success for me; I’m truly grateful.”
Gasperini has won 299 Serie A matches and could become only the fifth manager to reach 300 when Roma face Como on 11 October.
Giovanni Trapattoni leads the list with 352 wins, followed by Massimiliano Allegri on 324, Luciano Spalletti on 305 and Nereo Rocco on 302.
Como have also started strongly under Cesc Fabregas, losing only once in five league matches while recording three wins and one draw.
“Anyone who watches football appreciates the evolution of their team, the quality of players they have and the quality of the games they play,” Gasperini said.
“Inter are still the strongest in terms of their squad and results, but Como can fight up there along with the rest of them.
“I’ve seen Fabregas say he uses Subbuteo to explain how to attack with depth. I have to use it to figure out how to stop him.”
Roma will then prepare to face former manager Jose Mourinho, who is due to return to Stadio Olimpico with Real Madrid in the Champions League next week.
Mourinho guided Roma to victory in the inaugural Conference League in May 2022, beating Feyenoord 1-0 in the final, and also took them to a Europa League final.
“Jose is, rightly, a special one, and he manages to find success on and off the pitch,” Gasperini said.
“He won the Conference League and reached a Europa League final with Roma. He might have done a bit less in the league, but most of the fans still appreciate him. That means he has something special.”
