Balerdi scores twice as Roma come from behind to draw 3-3 at Napoli

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.

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.

Napoli and Roma drew 3-3 in a chaotic Serie A match at the Maradona, a result that felt more like a reprieve for Roma than a setback. Anguissa gave the hosts the lead in the first half with an acrobatic finish that left Gollini motionless. Early in the second half McTominay headed Napoli 2-0 up, and the hosts looked in control. Roma came back after their substitutions. Malen and Soulé combined for the 2-1, with Soulé finishing with a curling shot. Five minutes later, substitute Balerdi levelled the score. Napoli kept pushing and regained the lead in the 83rd minute through a sharp strike from McTominay, his second goal of the match and another brace after the one he scored in the Champions League against Bodo/Glimt. Roma refused to give up. Almost on the stroke of 90 minutes, Balerdi rose higher than anyone to head home an equaliser again. Napoli protested that they had been fouled, and Allegri was sent off for dissent. The game ended 3-3, with each side taking a point. Gasperini's side can take some credit for a comeback, since Balerdi twice rescued them when defeat looked likely. Lazio and Inter, however, can both move further clear at the top of the table thanks to the dropped points.

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.

Leonardo Balerdi has spoken after Napoli-Roma, the eighth-round Serie A match, admitting Roma wanted the win but at least came away with a point. The Argentine defender said scoring is not something he usually does, adding: "For me it is the first time. I saw Mancini and Hermoso, I saw that it was possible to get there. We wanted to win, but at least we take a point." Balerdi also credited Gian Piero Gasperini for his growing attacking role. Asked whether the coach is teaching him to get forward, he said: "Yes, he gives me the chance to get to the byline, and I do what he asks of me." The match was Balerdi's first goal for Roma, and the draw at Napoli leaves the club to build on a point rather than the three they had hoped for.

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.

Roma came back twice from behind to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Maradona, with Antonio Balerdi scoring twice, the second in the 89th minute, to salvage a point in a chaotic big match. Napoli led through a spectacular overhead kick from Zambo Anguissa, who struck just before the half-hour mark, and an early second-half goal from McTominay in the 48th minute. Roma responded within four minutes, with Matías Soulé equalising in the 70th minute and Balerdi in the 74th. McTominay restored Napoli's lead in the 83rd minute with his personal brace, but Balerdi struck again in stoppage time to fix the final score at 3-3. The result leaves Roma on 18 points, one more than Como and one fewer than Inter and Lazio, both of whom have yet to play. Gasperini made several changes from the Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava. Gollini started in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence and Wesley and Rensch, preferred to Molina, on the flanks. De Roon and Pisilli formed the midfield pair, with Cristante pushed into the number ten role behind Soulé and Malen. Napoli were coached by Allegri, and the draw left a bitter taste for both Gasperini and Allegri. The opening exchanges were fast-paced. Rensch cleared a cross meant for Lang early on, and Soulé fired a left-footed shot just over the bar in the 8th minute, the first Roma effort on Meret's goal. Napoli came close in the 12th minute when Di Lorenzo found space behind Wesley and sent a low ball across goal, where Rensch intervened again to deny Lang, and Hojlund fired wide from the rebound. Badiashile and McTominay also tested Gollini from distance. Cristante hit a right-foot shot wide around the 20th minute, and Malen's placed effort in the box was pushed away by Meret after a pass from Soulé. Anguissa then opened the scoring just before the half-hour, volleying into the left corner from a set piece. Gollini made a crucial sortie to deny De Bruyne, who had been released by Lang, in the 35th minute. Hermoso then curled a left-foot shot narrowly past the post after a fine run by Soulé, who was again one of Roma's best players. Gollini saved well from Olivera in the 42nd minute, and de Roon cleared off the line. Cristante's header then struck the post in the closing moments of the half. Colombo blew for half-time after one added minute, with Napoli ahead. Beyond the goals, the match featured several yellow cards: Marin (Napoli), and Cristante, Rensch and Balerdi (Roma). Napoli made changes at half-time with Beukema replacing Badiashile, and later Giovane replacing Politano. Roma's substitutions came at the 58th minute, bringing on Balerdi for Hermoso, Molina for Rensch and Castro for Pisilli. The match was played at the Maradona.