Roma moved a step closer to a Champions League return after a 2-0 Derby della Capitale victory over Lazio, yet Gian Piero Gasperini urged calm, warning that qualification is not secured while one Serie A match remains and stressing that focus must now turn quickly to the decisive trip to Hellas Verona.
The win at the Stadio Olimpico lifted Roma to fourth place with 70 points, two clear of Como and Juventus before the final round, after Juventus suffered a 2-0 home defeat to struggling Fiorentina that opened the door for the Giallorossi in the race for Europe’s elite competition.
According to the Opta supercomputer, Roma now hold a 73.4% probability of finishing in the Champions League spots, since the last fixture takes them to already-relegated Hellas Verona, meaning Champions League qualification depends entirely on Roma’s own result rather than others, a position Gasperini still treated with caution despite the derby success.
Roma’s latest league run is also notable historically, with the 70-point tally marking their best Serie A total since the 2019-20 campaign under Paulo Fonseca, while the current sequence of four straight league wins is their longest within a single Serie A season since a seven-game streak between February and March 2025.
Gasperini underlined how tight the table remains. “We still have another 90 minutes to play. It is an extraordinary league this season with so many teams in a few points,” Gasperini told DAZN Italia, stressing that concentration must hold for one final game despite the emotional lift of defeating city rivals.
The Roma head coach described how the group has embraced the situation. “We’re happy, it all depends on us now next week and no longer on our opponents. Now we’ve got to concentrate on this target that we want at all costs,” Gasperini said, outlining the squad’s mindset before the Verona trip.
Gasperini also reflected on the day’s wider results and Roma’s response. “We had hoped others might slip up. Today it was Juve, but we did well to concentrate on our own game against a quality Lazio side. It was a tough first half. We broke the deadlock from a dead-ball situation, and then did better after the break,” Gasperini added.
Derby della Capitale, Serie A performance and Roma control
Central defender Gianluca Mancini scored in both halves against Lazio, deciding a tense derby that was finely balanced before the opening goal, and Roma’s set-piece strength helped unlock Maurizio Sarri’s side, with the second period controlled more comfortably as the Giallorossi protected their advantage and limited Lazio’s attacking threat.
Gasperini praised the squad but reiterated the need for restraint. “I congratulate these lads, but now we mustn’t let ourselves get swept up in the enthusiasm, because there is one more step to take in this incredible chase. We can celebrate today, then immediately get down to thinking about an achievement that would be truly remarkable for us.”
Dybala impact, Roma attack and Champions League hopes
Paulo Dybala again played a central role against Lazio, creating two chances and making 11 passes in the final third, and the Argentine has now contributed to at least one goal in consecutive Serie A matches for the first time since October 2025, underlining Dybala’s influence at a crucial stage of Roma’s season.
Across Dybala’s Roma career, the 32-year-old has made 139 appearances in all competitions, scoring 45 goals and providing 26 assists, figures that underline why Roma view Dybala as essential to maintaining Champions League-level performances, even as uncertainty around Dybala’s future continues because contract talks have not yet taken place.
Before kick-off, Dybala admitted there had been no discussions about a new deal, prompting questions about whether this could be Dybala’s last home appearance for Roma, and Gasperini acknowledged that the situation needs clarity, while also highlighting that Dybala’s attitude remains professional despite the unresolved contract issue.
Gasperini on Dybala, Roma squad and Champions League goal
When asked about Dybala’s future, Gasperini looked ahead to the coming days. “That is for next week. The owners are here, fortunately, and it can all become easier if you get an immediate response. Both the player and the club want to continue together,” Gasperini said, expressing optimism that a solution will emerge.
Gasperini broadened the praise to several teammates nearing the end of contracts. “I would be very happy for him and the many players whose contracts are running down, who showed professionalism and love for the club. We won the derby today, we haven’t yet achieved our objective for the season, but nobody can doubt these players now.”
Roma therefore approach the final Serie A round with Champions League qualification within reach, needing a result at Hellas Verona to secure a return to Europe’s top competition for the first time since reaching the round of 16 in 2018-19, with Gasperini demanding the same discipline and composure that delivered victory over Lazio.
Story first published: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 20:27 [IST]
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