From cast-off to comeback, Gollini seizes his shot to shine in Roma’s Europa League journey.
From Outcast to Unexpected Chance
Pierluigi Gollini’s journey with Roma has been anything but smooth. When he arrived in January as a backup to Mile Svilar, hopes were high for fresh competition between the posts. Yet under Claudio Ranieri, the Italian never truly found his footing. Then came Gian Piero Gasperini, and things spiraled further downhill, sidelined from training, excluded from the pre-season camp in England, and left in the shadows.
Roma, determined to move him on, tested the waters. Galatasaray showed interest, while a potential swap with AC Milan’s Marco Sportiello briefly looked promising before collapsing. Cremonese even had a deal in place, with Gollini set to join on loan in July, but last-minute salary disputes blew it apart. Those failures meant he missed vital minutes in summer matches against Bologna and Pisa, feeding the narrative of a goalkeeper stuck in limbo.
Gasperini Extends a Lifeline
Then, almost out of nowhere, the script flipped. Gollini’s name appeared on Roma’s UEFA Europa League squad list a surprise inclusion. His rival, Vasquez, did not cut. The Venezuelan keeper, unconvincing across preseason and limited to just one appearance, faltered at the wrong time. The door, previously bolted shut for Gollini, creaked back open.
From Backup to European Nights
Now, reports from inside Roma suggest Gollini has edged ahead of Vasquez in Gasperini’s plans. He is still Svilar’s understudy, but there’s a twist—European football. On September 24, against Nice, Gollini is expected to feature in the Europa League. For a player once written off, this is not just redemption; it’s a platform to remind the footballing world of his quality.
Conclusion
Gollini’s story at Roma has been marked by rejection, failed transfers, and frustration. Yet through resilience and circumstance, he has clawed back relevance. Still second choice domestically, his Europa League role could breathe life into a career many thought was finished at Roma. For Gollini, survival has turned into revival—and the real test begins under the European spotlight.
