Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini hails Morocco midfielder Nael El Aynaoui

AS Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has praised the resurgence of Moroccan midfielder Nael El Aynaoui after his standout display in the sides 2-0 victory over Bologna in the Serie A.

The enterprising midfielder exploded, helping his outfit to secure a crucial away victory over their opponent at the weekend.

Speaking after the match, Gasperini expressed satisfaction with El Aynaoui’s performance, highlighting the midfielder’s impact and steady development since the start of the campaign.

He noted that the Moroccan international had been one of Roma’s most consistent performers in the early part of the season before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations

“He did very well in the first half of the season,” Gasperini told DAZN. “He adapted quickly and gave us excellent performances before leaving for AFCON.”

However, the Roma coach admitted that El Aynaoui struggled to regain rhythm upon his return, citing both physical fatigue and the off-field noise surrounding that period. According to Gasperini, the club deliberately allowed the midfielder time to recover and rediscover his best condition after the intense demands of international duty.

“He was affected after coming back—not just physically, but also by the situation around that time,” he explained. “We needed to be patient with him after the effort he put in.”

That patience paid off in emphatic fashion against Bologna, as El Aynaoui delivered arguably his most complete performance of the season. The 22-year-old played a decisive role in the victory, first setting up Donyell Malen for the opening goal just seven minutes into the match with a precise assist.

He then crowned his display by scoring Roma’s second goal in first-half stoppage time—his first in Serie A this season—latching onto a well-delivered cross and calmly finishing inside the box to double his side’s advantage.

Gasperini was quick to underline not just the technical quality of the midfielder, but also his character.

“He’s a good player and a positive personality,” the coach said. “What he showed today confirms he is back to his real level. He gave a great performance and made an important contribution to the win.”

The victory strengthens Roma’s position as they push to close the season on a high, with El Aynaoui’s return to form offering a timely boost. After a challenging spell following international duty, the Moroccan appears to have rediscovered his rhythm—just when his team needs him most.