{"id":380750,"date":"2026-01-20T18:24:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T18:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/380750\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T18:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T18:24:11","slug":"what-went-wrong-at-as-roma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/380750\/","title":{"rendered":"what went wrong at AS Roma?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ROME,<\/p>\n

ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 23: Leon Bailey of AS Roma reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 League Phase MD3 match between AS Roma and FC Viktoria Plzen at Stadio Olimpico on October 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Leon Bailey is set to return to Aston Villa<\/a> after a disappointing loan spell at Roma, but what went wrong at the Olimpico for the 28-year-old?<\/p>\n

Roma and Aston Villa have agreed to terminate Bailey\u2019s loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico. Gazzetta dello Sport first reported the story on Tuesday<\/a>, which was later confirmed by Sky Sport Italia.<\/p>\n

Bailey returns to Aston Villa\"BIRMINGHAM,BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND \u2013 AUGUST 24: Leon Bailey of Aston Villa runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on August 24, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Bailey joined the Giallorossi last summer on a \u20ac2m loan deal with an option to buy for \u20ac22m, but his time in the capital has been massively affected by physical issues.<\/p>\n

Bailey suffered his first injury at Roma in his very first training session with the Giallorossi. It was a muscle problem that ruled him out for two months, so the Jamaican winger only made his Roma debut as a substitute on October 18 in a home 1-0 loss against Inter.<\/p>\n

One week later, he started his first and only Serie A match, playing 50 minutes in a 1-0 win over Sassuolo.<\/p>\n

\"SASSUOLO,SASSUOLO, ITALY \u2013 OCTOBER 26: Leon Bailey of AS Roma applauds the fans during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AS Roma at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on October 26, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Three days later, he replaced the injured Evan Ferguson after just seven minutes of a home game against Parma, but was replaced during the break, collecting just 38 minutes of football.<\/p>\n

In November, Bailey missed three more games due to a hamstring injury and five more between December and the start of January.<\/p>\n

He returned to action last week, starting in a Coppa Italia game against Torino, but was then omitted from the squad again for Sunday\u2019s latest Serie A fixture, also against the Granata.<\/p>\n

What Gasperini thought about Bailey\"ROME,ROME, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 13: AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini looks on during the Coppa Italia match between AS Roma and Torino FC at Olimpico Stadium on January 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Surely, injuries didn\u2019t allow Bailey to adapt to Italian football and Gian Piero Gasperini\u2019s playing style. Back in October, the Italian tactician explained his tactical plans for Bailey: \u201cHe\u2019s definitely an attacking player, a player who should spend most of his time in attack,\u201d said the Roma boss.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI think he was used to playing on the wing a lot in England, very wide, more on the right than on the left because he\u2019s left-footed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to bring him more into the centre, towards the goal, as with Soule and lots of other players. I intend to do the same with him. But he\u2019s not a player who\u2019s used to playing that way. We\u2019ll need to learn together and assess his qualities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearly, injuries didn\u2019t give Gasp the time he needed to work with Bailey, who only provided two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions at Roma, spending just 317 minutes on the pitch and missing 17 matches.<\/p>\n

Prior to Bailey\u2019s departure, Roma had signed Robinio Vaz from Olympique Marseille and Donyell Malen on loan with an option to buy from Aston Villa. The Dutch striker has had an immediate impact, scoring 26 minutes into his debut with the Giallorossi.<\/p>\n


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