Gasperini insists Roma must 'fight until the end'
Gian Piero Gasperini has urged Roma to "fight until the end" in their battle for a Champions League spot, with a trip to reigning Serie A champions Napoli up next.
Roma returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Cagliari last time out, currently sit fifth in Serie A, level on points with fourth-place Juventus, and three points behind Napoli in third.
Asked if he expected to be so close to Napoli at this stage of the season, Gasperini said: "We've always thought about our own path. This is a championship with different periods, with many teams involved.
"Inter has grown a lot, as have Juventus and Milan. Napoli has had good moments and some difficulties due to defections. After 24 matchdays, we're there. Then there's Como and Atalanta.
"But this is the Italian championship. Objectives and results aren't achieved with matches to spare; we have to fight until the end."
Napoli have won three of their last four Serie A matches, beating both Fiorentina and Genoa since falling to a 3-0 loss at Juventus.
Antonio Conte is unbeaten in his last nine Serie A matches as a manager against Roma (W5 D4), with his side looking to stay close to AC Milan, who are currently four points above them in second.
But Roma will be keen to ensure they do not lose ground on the Partenopei, especially with another crunch clash against Juventus to come in two weeks' time.
"These are undoubtedly two important matches," Gasperini replied when asked if Roma's Champions League hopes hinged on the games against Napoli and Juventus.
"They're head-to-head matches and carry a higher value than other teams. They're always worth three points, and I don't think the Champions League odds vary much from one season to the next.
"They're important matches, but not decisive. They're important above all in light of what was said before, the ability to overcome certain teams."
