Gasperini picking up right where Ranieri left off as Roma moves atop Serie A

By Canadian Press on October 5, 2025.

ROME (AP) — Gian Piero Gasperini is picking up right where Claudio Ranieri left off at Roma.

The Giallorossi were virtually unbeatable during the second half of last season under Ranieri and now have five wins in their opening six matches under Gasperini.

A 2-1 come-from-behind victory at winless Fiorentina on Sunday moved Roma atop Serie A, three points ahead of AC Milan, Napoli and Inter Milan.

Milan and defending champion Napoli had a chance to move back level with Roma when they faced Juventus and Genoa, respectively, later.

After Moise Kean struck first for Fiorentina, Roma came back with goals from Matias Soule and Bryan Cristante by the half-hour mark.

Ranieri hand-picked Gasperini to succeed him in his new special advisor role after retiring from coaching after last season.

Known for his high-scoring teams, Gasperini made the move to the capital after nine successful seasons at Atalanta.

Somewhat surprisingly, Roma has been better in defense than attack under Gasperini, conceding a league-low two goals in six matches — with only seven scored.

Kean opened the scoring with a long-range effort that Roma’s standout goalkeeper Mile Svilar could have done better on.

Then Soule equalized with one touch from the edge of the area and Cristante — who also played under Gasperini at Atalanta — powered in a header from a corner.

Also, Bologna routed 10-man Pisa 4-0 with goals from Nicolò Cambiaghi, Nikola Moro, Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odgaard.

Udinese and Cagliari drew 1-1.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Andrew Dampf, The Associated Press