Gasperini: "Roma and Lazio at the top? A surprise for everyone"

Gasperini praised Roma's surprising title challenge alongside Lazio, crediting the club's competitive environment and the city's passion for football.

At the Stelle nello Sport charity event, where he received the "un cuore da leone" award, Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini reflected on the Serie A season's unexpected landscape. With Lazio leading on 29 points and Roma second on 27, both Roman clubs sit atop the table — a development Gasperini called "a surprise for everyone" but also "a value and recognition for the city."

Gasperini highlighted Roma's packed stadium and the city's extraordinary enthusiasm for football as key factors in the team's competitive form. "We've managed to be competitive for several months now," he said. "Italy has helped us grow. Last season's second half was strong, this season it's still early — eleven games aren't many, but they're significant for the team's behaviour. The environment gives us great fuel to perform well."

While stopping short of explicit title proclamations, Gasperini acknowledged the scudetto ambition: "My ambition is always to look ahead. We'll take advantage of the break now, but after that the direction is to continue on the path we've started." He also noted that Inter's strength and Como's competitive showing underline a balanced and extraordinary championship.