One day until the Roma match. Gasperini spoke about Ziółkowski

Will Jan Ziółkowski play in the starting lineup for a second consecutive match? The day before Roma’s match, Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the Pole’s presence at the pre-match press conference. There was also an update on the health of the recently absent Mario Hermoso, who was replaced in the starting eleven by the 20-year-old defender last Sunday.

On Sunday, November 23rd, AS Roma defeated Cremonese 3-1 to move into the Serie A lead. Jan Ziółkowski started the match in the starting lineup. He replaced starting defender Mario Hermoso. However, he played only 45 minutes, receiving a yellow card, and at halftime, Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini brought on central midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. After the match ended, the experienced coach explained the substitution. “Not because of Ziółkowski’s offenses, but because he would have been sent off for just half a foul. There was a real risk of being sent off,” he said. Now, the topic of the Pole has returned at a press conference ahead of Roma’s next match.

Gasperini spoke out again about Ziółkowski

“I replaced Ziółkowski because of his yellow card; we couldn’t risk playing with a man down. I also brought on El Aynaoui, who is in excellent form. Hermoso played very well yesterday: today we’ll see how he does, as will Bailey and Dybala. If I call them up, it will be because they can play,” said the Italian coach, referring to the recently injured Leon Bailey and Paulo Dybala, as well as the unavailable Hermoso, who was replaced by Ziółkowski. His words were quoted by the website ilromanista.eu.

Roma will play another Europa League match on Thursday evening. This time, their opponent will be the competition’s sensation, Midtjylland. The Romans have no room for error. In their four matches so far, they have won twice (against Nice and Rangers) and lost twice (against Lille and Viktoria Plzeň).

Ziółkowski will have fond memories of this second match. On October 23rd, the Pole made his debut for Roma from the start but played only 30 minutes. He was at fault for one of the goals, so Gasperini took him off.

Time will tell if he gets a chance against Midtjylland. Kick-off is Thursday, November 27th at 6:45 PM. Ziółkowski has a crucial time ahead of him. This is because Evan Ndicka, a key member of Roma’s defense, is set to head to the Africa Cup of Nations soon. We wrote more about the competition at Roma in the center of defense here.