Roma’s push for a long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League is back on track as pressure mounts on Juventus and AC Milan in the race for a top-four finish in Serie A.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Parma, Roma sit just one point behind fourth-placed Juventus after an impressive run of form reignited their European hopes.
A heavy defeat to newly crowned champions Inter Milan last month appeared to end Roma’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2018.
However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side responded brilliantly, collecting 10 points from their last four league matches to climb back into contention.
“We’re doing well, but we know we cannot afford mistakes if we want to reach the Champions League,” Gasperini said after Roma’s dominant win over Fiorentina last weekend.
“We have three matches left to get right and we need other results to go our way.”
Roma’s resurgence has also strengthened Gasperini’s position after tensions with former senior advisor Claudio Ranieri threatened to destabilise the club earlier this season.
The Friedkin family has chosen to fully support Gasperini despite his public disagreement with club legend and lifelong Roma supporter Claudio Ranieri.
Ranieri was removed from his advisory role two weeks ago following a heated fallout with the Roma manager shortly before the club’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Pisa — a result that sparked their current unbeaten run.
Supporters have largely stayed behind Gasperini, with belief growing that he can guide Roma back into Europe’s elite competition.
Roma’s late-season surge comes as both Juventus and AC Milan struggle for consistency.
Milan, currently third, are only two points ahead of Roma after collecting just seven points since their derby win over Inter Milan two months ago.
That victory briefly revived Milan’s title hopes, but Massimiliano Allegri’s side have since scored only once in their last five matches.
Adding to Milan’s concerns, influential midfielder Luka Modric has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a fractured cheekbone. His absence was evident during last weekend’s disappointing result against Sassuolo.
Meanwhile, Como are also emerging as surprise contenders and sit only three points outside the top four.
Roma’s remaining fixtures appear favourable, with Parma safe from relegation and Verona already relegated heading into the final weeks of the season.
However, the crucial Rome derby against Lazio could prove decisive in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Lazio will be eager to damage their rivals’ ambitions in one of Italian football’s fiercest rivalries.
Netherlands forward Donyell Malen has been instrumental in Roma’s revival since arriving on loan from Aston Villa in January.
The striker has scored 12 goals and quickly become one of Gasperini’s most important attacking weapons, drawing comparisons to former Atalanta stars such as Ademola Lookman and Alejandro Gomez for his pace, movement, and direct style.
