Balerdi on Napoli defeat and his first Roma goal

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to the media after Napoli 1-1 Roma...

Leonardo Balerdi scored twice as Roma came away with a 3-3 draw at the Diego Armando Maradona against Napoli. The Argentine defender's brace earns him a special place in the club's history. He became the second player in Roma's history to score a double in Serie A against Napoli, following Agostino Di Bartolomei, who also scored twice on 20 February 1983. The result leaves Roma with a point from a high-scoring encounter in Naples. Balerdi's double places him alongside one of the club's most celebrated midfielders, Di Bartolomei, in the club's record books against their southern rivals. The article's remaining detail centres on the match itself and the comparison with Di Bartolomei's achievement, which came in a league fixture against Napoli more than four decades ago.

Napoli and Roma drew 3-3 at the Maradona in a wild game that Roma will see as a useful point, given how the match had gone, while Napoli feel they have been robbed. Anguissa put the hosts ahead in the first half with a spectacular acrobatic finish that left Gollini helpless. McTominay doubled the lead with a header early in the second half and Napoli pressed Roma hard. Roma responded after their substitutions. Malen and Soulé combined for the equaliser, and Soulé's curling shot made it 2-1. Five minutes later, substitute Balerdi headed Roma level. Napoli kept pushing and regained the lead in the 83rd minute, when McTominay struck a sharp shot for another brace. That was his second double after the one he scored in the Champions League against Bodo Glimt. Gasperini's side refused to give up, and in the dying seconds Balerdi rose highest to head in again. Napoli then complained about a foul, and Allegri was sent off for protesting. The result means Lazio and Inter can extend their lead at the top of the table. For Roma, the draw ends a match that looked lost at 3-2. Balerdi was the decisive figure, scoring both of Roma's late equalisers, and the team's response after the changes was the difference between defeat and a point. Soulé was also praised for another strong performance. In the match ratings, Balerdi and McTominay each received an 8, and Soulé a 7.5. The match ratings also carried the reactions from the pitch. McTominay's goals meant he now has two doubles in recent outings, and Napoli will feel the late equaliser deeply. Roma's ability to score three times away from home, and to level twice after falling behind, showed the spirit that Gasperini has asked for all season.

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to the media after Napoli 1-1 Roma...

Leonardo Balerdi scored twice as Roma came away with a 3-3 draw at the Diego Armando Maradona against Napoli. The Argentine defender's brace earns him a special place in the club's history. He became the second player in Roma's history to score a double in Serie A against Napoli, following Agostino Di Bartolomei, who also scored twice on 20 February 1983. The result leaves Roma with a point from a high-scoring encounter in Naples. Balerdi's double places him alongside one of the club's most celebrated midfielders, Di Bartolomei, in the club's record books against their southern rivals. The article's remaining detail centres on the match itself and the comparison with Di Bartolomei's achievement, which came in a league fixture against Napoli more than four decades ago.

Napoli and Roma drew 3-3 at the Maradona in a wild game that Roma will see as a useful point, given how the match had gone, while Napoli feel they have been robbed. Anguissa put the hosts ahead in the first half with a spectacular acrobatic finish that left Gollini helpless. McTominay doubled the lead with a header early in the second half and Napoli pressed Roma hard. Roma responded after their substitutions. Malen and Soulé combined for the equaliser, and Soulé's curling shot made it 2-1. Five minutes later, substitute Balerdi headed Roma level. Napoli kept pushing and regained the lead in the 83rd minute, when McTominay struck a sharp shot for another brace. That was his second double after the one he scored in the Champions League against Bodo Glimt. Gasperini's side refused to give up, and in the dying seconds Balerdi rose highest to head in again. Napoli then complained about a foul, and Allegri was sent off for protesting. The result means Lazio and Inter can extend their lead at the top of the table. For Roma, the draw ends a match that looked lost at 3-2. Balerdi was the decisive figure, scoring both of Roma's late equalisers, and the team's response after the changes was the difference between defeat and a point. Soulé was also praised for another strong performance. In the match ratings, Balerdi and McTominay each received an 8, and Soulé a 7.5. The match ratings also carried the reactions from the pitch. McTominay's goals meant he now has two doubles in recent outings, and Napoli will feel the late equaliser deeply. Roma's ability to score three times away from home, and to level twice after falling behind, showed the spirit that Gasperini has asked for all season.

Gianluca Mancini said a point was a fair result after Roma's Serie A matchday 8 clash at Napoli, played at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Roma conceded three goals, the same number they had let in across the rest of the league campaign, and Mancini admitted that was a problem for the defenders. Asked about it, he said: "Quello si, purtroppo ci sono partite in cui li prendi. Dobbiamo rivedere il primo tempo dove abbiamo subito molte occasioni." He pointed to the first half, where Roma faced a lot of chances, and to the first goal, scored by Anguissa, where he felt the team could have managed the ball better. Mancini described a Roma side that refuses to give up. He said the team had never shown that habit before, apart from one game last year in Milan, and that the squad keeps creating chances in every match. He said Napoli are one of the strong sides they had to face, and that the players who came on did not lower the tempo, with the team staying reactive at its highest level. On the question of whether the new arrivals had raised the standard, he agreed that this was what the squad had been missing, adding that the newcomers were strong and young. Mancini said: "Mollare non l'abbiamo mai fatto, forse una partita l'anno scorso a Milano. Quest'anno ci crediamo sempre, creiamo occasioni, poi ci sono le squadre forti come il Napoli. Oggi chiunque è entrato non ha abbassato il ritmo della partita e la squadra rimane sempre reattiva al massimo. Siamo contenti." On the newcomers, he added: "Assolutamente sì, era quello che ci mancava. Sono arrivati tutti ragazzi forti, giovani. Leo è stato capitano in una squadra importante come il Marsiglia. Diamo tutto per questa maglia per portare a casa sempre il risultato." On the concessions, he said: "Anche sul gol di Anguissa potevamo gestire meglio la palla, sul secondo sapevamo la forza di McTominay in area e il terzo dalla distanza. Fa parte di queste partite, l'importante è reagire e non abbattersi. Per come si era messa un punto va bene."

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to Dazn after Roma's draw with Napoli, saying he feels he is getting further forward and that Gasperini is giving him more freedom to push on. Balerdi said: "What a match and what a reaction. It's the first double of my career. Now I'm getting a bit more involved, I saw it from Mancini and Hermoso. Today we wanted to win but at least we take a point home." Asked about the secret behind his current form, Balerdi credited the coach: "Gasperini is teaching me these new movements, he gives me more freedom to go forward." He also pointed to the freedom to get into the box as a key part of his game at the moment. When asked whether Roma can dream, Balerdi said: "I feel very good here, I've said it since day one. I've been welcomed really well, it feels like I've been here for three years. And that's thanks to the group."

Gianluca Mancini has said Roma never give up, speaking to Dazn after the 1-1 draw with Napoli. Asked about the team's attitude, he said: "It's a Roma that never gives up. You're right. We never give up, we only gave up against Inter last year. We create the chances and we have never been downcast. This is the sign of a great team, and it's important that the substitutes come on well and give intensity. Today I am very happy." Mancini was also asked whether Roma are stronger than last year. He said the new arrivals are strong and young, and that the club's depth has grown. He noted that Leonardo Balerdi is not young but has brought experience and leadership. "All those who have arrived are strong and have increased the value of the squad. Roma is the most important thing, we give everything for this shirt." Last season's collapse against Inter was therefore not forgotten, and Mancini framed this year's group as a response to it. On the match itself, Mancini said: "We need to review the first half. The goals we conceded are part of games like this. What matters is not to be downcast and to react. Given how the game had gone, it turned out well."

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to Dazn after Roma's draw with Napoli, saying he feels he is getting further forward and that Gasperini is giving him more freedom to push on. Balerdi said: "What a match and what a reaction. It's the first double of my career. Now I'm getting a bit more involved, I saw it from Mancini and Hermoso. Today we wanted to win but at least we take a point home." Asked about the secret behind his current form, Balerdi credited the coach: "Gasperini is teaching me these new movements, he gives me more freedom to go forward." He also pointed to the freedom to get into the box as a key part of his game at the moment. When asked whether Roma can dream, Balerdi said: "I feel very good here, I've said it since day one. I've been welcomed really well, it feels like I've been here for three years. And that's thanks to the group."

Roma came from behind twice to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A matchday eight, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side were rescued by Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench and scored a brilliant brace. Giallorossi.net's player ratings, written by Andrea Fiorini, gave Balerdi an 8 and Gasperini a 7 for a difficult away trip made without several important players. Gollini was rated 6, with a superb save from Olivera standing out, though he was uncertain with crosses into the box and could have done more on McTominay's shot. Ndicka was rated 6.5 for winning a physical duel with Hojlund, who had little impact. Hermoso, also 6.5, attacked often and tried several times to shoot, but his efforts were always deflected for corners, and Politano often took him on. Mancini was rated 5.5, lacking quality in attack and pace in defence, improving slightly after the break. Rensch, rated 6, made a crucial intervention on Lang but was rated as playing with the handbrake on, offering little going forward. Molina, who replaced him at 58', was rated 6.5 after Gasperini deployed him on the left, where his runs brought energy to the flank. De Roon, rated 6.5, grew into the game and was a wall in the second half. Pisilli was rated 5.5 and was not especially bright, with disappointing set-piece deliveries. Castro, who came on for him at 58', was rated 6 and gave the team a jolt, unsettling the Napoli defence. Wesley was rated 6, described as confused but running tirelessly, with a fine cross for Cristante that hit the post, and an assist for Balerdi's equaliser late on. Cristante was rated 6.5 for his physicality and a few good chances, though he lacked quality with the final pass. Soule was rated 7.5, a constant threat who troubled Napoli and set up Malen inside the area, though Malen wasted the chance. In the second half Soule struck a stunning left-foot shot that revitalised Roma and changed the momentum of the match. Malen was rated 6, wasting a penalty by hitting a weak effort in the area, and was saved only by his assist for Soule. Mora came on late without a rating. Gasperini was praised for his substitutions, which proved decisive in the final 3-3.

Balerdi came off the bench to score a brace and Roma salvaged a 3-3 draw at Napoli after trailing 2-0 and then 3-2, with McTominay's goal coming late in the game. Soulé was the outstanding attacking performer, with a stunning left-footed strike from distance among his contributions. Gasperini's side had to respond twice in a match that swung back and forth, and the equaliser came in a dramatic finish. The match was a test of character for a Roma side that had dropped in the first half-hour. Gasperini was not satisfied with the team in the opening thirty minutes, and the coach's tactical changes at half-time helped turn the game. Cristante returned to the lineup and brought variety to the midfield, providing Roma's first shot on goal. Gollini was at the centre of the defensive effort, making a Neuer-style rush off his line to deny De Bruyne and then a Svilar-like save from a cross by the same Belgian. Match ratings from the Italian report: Gollini 6, Mancini 6 (replaced by Ghilardi at 82 minutes), N'Dicka 6, Hermoso 6.5, Rensch 6 (replaced by Molina 6.5 at 57 minutes), Pisilli 5.5 (replaced by Castro 6 at 57 minutes), De Roon 6.5, Wesley 5.5, Cristante 7, Soulé 7.5, Malen 6.5 (replaced by Mora at 83 minutes), Gasperini 7. Balerdi, who came on for Hermoso at 57 minutes and was booked soon after, was rated 8. The report said Balerdi produced a double inside half an hour, with his finish summed up as the Argentine 'claw of the lion'. De Roon was credited for clearing a Hojlund shot off the line and for the cross that set up Balerdi's header. Soulé was praised for his dribbling, his defensive work, and his winning strike. The report noted Hermoso's ambition, including a long-range shot that struck the crossbar and a challenge on Hojlund, and Malen's assist for Soulé. Wesley was described as being under pressure from Politano on the right, while Pisilli was criticised for shyness in the first half and for his corner delivery. Gasperini's side finished the game with a point after Roma came back from a two-goal deficit and then from a 3-2 scoreline to draw level.