GASPERINIBALL FM 26 WON THE TREBLE WITH AS ROMA

Hi guys
welcome back to my tactic emulations. This time I will show you my second emulation in Football Manager 2026, Gasperini's AS Roma 2025-26.
Let's see the tactical analysis

TACTICAL ANALYSIS: GASPERINI’S A.S. ROMA 2025-26

ntroduction and Initial Tactical Setup

Gian Piero Gasperini's AS Roma playing model is founded on principles of extreme dynamism, aggressiveness in open play, and a constant search for verticality.

 

• Starting System: 1-3-4-2-1.
• Floating Formations (Possession Phase - FDP): 1-2-3-4-1 or 1-3-2-4-1.
• Floating Formations (Non-Possession Phase - FDNP): 1-5-4-1 or 1-5-3-2.

The initial lineup features a defensive unit composed of physical and combative players. The central midfield wide players (wing-backs) are required to cover the entire flank, contributing equally to both phases. The central midfielders are characterized by a high capacity for ball recovery and a tendency to widen during the offensive phase. The attacking midfielders (trequartisti), possessing notable technical quality, are the main creators of opportunities. The centre-forward serves as a fundamental 

physical reference point

, predominantly acting as a link-up player, given the team's inclination to immediately accelerate toward the goal.

I. ATTACKING MOMENT (Possession Phase)

A. Play Initiation and Build-up Strategies

The 

Giallorossi

 adopt a variety of build-up patterns, calibrated according to the opponent's defensive approach. The basic concept is to favor the 

external flow of play

 (the flanks), while also maintaining the option of 

direct play

 towards the attacking reference.

Options for Exiting the Defensive Third:

• Lateral Passing: The defenders (Ndicka and Mancini) and the goalkeeper (Svilar) are tasked with circulating the ball, preferably directing it toward the wide channels.
• Direct Verticalization: In case of difficulty overcoming the opponent's first press, they resort to a long ball from the goalkeeper or a defender, aimed at the centre-forward (Ferguson) to exploit his ability to shield the ball and play flick-ons.

Positional Dynamics (Risk/Opportunity):

The principle of 

positional interchangeability

 is constant. The central midfielders (Cristante and Koné) tend to abandon the central area to widen and offer a passing option in the lateral channels, seeking 

numerical density in wide areas

 and deliberately leaving the centre momentarily vacated. This strategy is functional for rapidly moving the ball.

B. Progression and Development

The guiding principle in the development phase is 

rapid forward progression

, always focused on the flanks. Here, the combined work of the defensive "braccetto" (wide CB), the central midfielder, and the attacking midfielder in that zone is aimed at creating 

lateral numerical superiority

, in order to then 

attack the depth

.

The defender 

Hermoso

, in particular, does not restrict himself to his position but often moves into the midfield with 

deep-lying playmaker duties

. From this position, his primary solutions are the 

switch of play

 or the 

high ball

 over the opponent's defensive line.

C. Decisive Actions and Finishing

The final third set-up is crucial. The central striker acts as a 

reference point for lay-offs

 (Ferguson excels at defending and winning duels), and the attacking midfielders (Dybala, Soulé) must be ready to receive the pass or pick up second balls.

Avenues for Finishing:

Roma leverages its superiority on the flanks and the participation of many players in the move to finish in various ways:

1. Crosses and Deliveries: This is the most frequent method. The box is flooded with numerous players: the striker, one or both attacking midfielders, a central midfielder, and even the opposite wing-back. Sometimes, even a defender launches forward after releasing the ball.
2. Runs and Depth: The attack into space is sought by the central striker and the central wide players (wing-backs).
3. Individual Solutions: Technically gifted players like Soulé and Dybala, after a successful dribble or a winning triangulation, do not hesitate to attempt a shot from distance.

II. TRANSITION PHASE

A. Offensive Transition (Post-Recovery)

Winning the ball immediately triggers the 

search for verticality

. The intent is to move the ball toward the opponent's goal as quickly as possible, exploiting the spaces conceded by the opposition. The primary objective of the striker is to 

shield the ball and act as a support

 or, if possible, 

attack the depth

. The attacking midfielders, on the other hand, are tasked with driving the ball toward the box, looking for the overlapping wing-back.

B. Defensive Transition (Post-Loss of Possession)

Upon losing possession, an 

immediate press

 (

Gegenpressing

) on the ball-carrier is activated, capitalizing on the high number of players who accompanied the attacking move. The team remains compact, and the defensive line stays high, facilitating aggression and anticipation. However, if the opponent manages to quickly bypass this press, the high number of players in the offensive zone can leave the team 

unbalanced

, offering 

dangerous spaces

 for the counter-attack.

III. DEFENSIVE MOMENT (Non-Possession Phase)

A. Initial Pressing and Man-Marking

Gasperini's defensive approach is based on an 

all-out press

 with 

systemic man-marking

. The goal is to deprive the opponent's ball-carrier of time and space, forcing them into an error or a long ball.

Every Roma player matches up with an opponent and tracks them across every zone of the pitch. To facilitate 

high ball recovery

, the defenders operate on a very advanced line (often near the midfield) and are authorized to step out forcefully to follow their mark even beyond the halfway line.

B. Staggering and Defensive Dynamics

The defensive setup is constantly 

fluid and fragmented

 due to the individual duels.

• Midfield: The central midfielders (Koné and Cristante) position themselves based on the movements of their direct opponents. It is not uncommon to find them aligned with the striker or even ahead of him, as their priority is to mark the opponent's playmakers.
• Wing-backs: The wide midfielders position themselves further away from their direct marks (compared to other teammates) to manage a potential long ball. They drop and aggressively close down only if the mark receives the ball.
• Defence: The defensive line is constantly broken by the aggressive challenges of the individual defenders on their direct opponent. In the case of a vertical pass to the striker, the paired defender aggressively challenges him upfront to prevent him from turning toward the goal. Inside the box, marking is strictly man-to-man, while also seeking numerical superiority in the ball zone.

C. Wide Defensive Play

Defence on the flanks results in a series of 

one-on-one duels

 across the entire width of the pitch, demanding maximum dedication. Attacking midfielders and wide players make sacrifices, tracking back to their own box to follow their man and support the wide centre-back. The wing-back can drop back to form a back five in certain situations, with nearby teammates (central midfielder, attacking midfielder) marking adjacent supporting players.

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