Champions League: how many points Roma need to reach the knockout play-offs and the top eight

Roma led Manchester United at Old Trafford for 45 minutes and played outstandingly, but lost 3-2 after a controversial penalty and a late collapse. The article argues Roma were strong in the first half despite heavy absences, including a third-choice goalkeeper in goal and a squad less deep than United's. Roma scored two goals in that opening period and came close to a third. Gasperini's side then gradually lost the ability to play out from their own half once United raised their pressing, continuing with solutions that had worked in the first half. The article says Roma needed to change approach, accept some long balls, break the rhythm and accept that defending a lead does not mean abandoning their identity. Some reserves, the article states, have not yet shown the same reliability as the starters. It describes this as not a condemnation but an observation that becomes evident when a Champions League match suddenly changes intensity. Gasperini has built a competitive side, but not yet a squad able to maintain the same level through all of its substitutions. The article, however, says this cannot excuse what happened at the 55th minute. It describes the penalty Gil Manzano awarded for contact between Mancini and Cunha as a decision that leaves observers frankly astonished: a very light touch, an attacker who seems to lose his balance alone, and a referee pointing to the spot with a certainty inversely proportional to the foul. According to a rigorous technical assessment, the article says, the penalty should never have existed. On the retake, Cristante entered the area early and intervened on the rebound from Vasquez's save, which made the rule applicable. The article calls this the paradox: VAR intervened over a marginal infringement but did not correct the original decision. After Bruno Fernandes missed and Vasquez saved, the retake led to the goal that changed the match's momentum, and United regained enthusiasm as Old Trafford came alive. The article calls the handling of that episode scandalous, while stressing that this is not a search for an alibi. Gasperini referred to the usual "rigorini" (small penalties) but did not turn the post-match into a trial of the referee. The article suggests this restraint could be read in light of Roma's delicate relationship with UEFA, given the settlement agreement and the economic monitoring to which the club is subject, though it calls this an interpretation rather than a certainty. Such a low institutional profile would be understandable, the article says, but not necessarily agreeable. Roma need no theatrics, yet should not accept every decision passively; defending their case through the appropriate channels should be a normal form of protection. The article concludes that work must now focus on Trigoria and on what the pitch revealed: physical decline, the alternatives on the bench, the inability to manage certain moments, and the two goals conceded late that turned a prestigious win at a historically cursed ground into a painful defeat. Roma must learn not to be pegged back, it says, but must not get used to being refereed this way. These are two distinct problems, and both deserve an answer.

Donyell Malen scored a cool penalty at Old Trafford to put Roma 2-0 up against Manchester United, but a late comeback by United turned the night into a nightmare for the Giallorossi. Malen's personal achievement offered little consolation. His goal made him a notable name in Roma's history. The Dutch forward became the third Roma player to score in at least three consecutive Champions League matches, joining Antonio Cassano (2004) and Edin Dzeko (2018) in the club's record books. The milestone is a significant achievement, but it does not erase the disappointment of the result. Malen's own performance was somewhat below his recent displays, which went largely unnoticed amid the collapse. The penalty was struck with the composure that has become his trademark, and it briefly gave Roma hope of a memorable night at Old Trafford. United's fightback then transformed the evening into one to forget. Malen's record is a small light in a night Roma will want to put behind them.

Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo has said the club still lacks what it needs to compete at the highest level, in comments gathered from Rome's radio stations. Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), questioned how Manchester United, as the article renders it "lo United", managed to come back into the match, and said the penalty decision had shaped how the game went. He said: "At 2-1 the difference emerged between a great side and one that still has to grow in order to compete at the highest level. In Italy you can't beat teams of your own level, while in Europe you lose against the superior ones. The substitutions brought nothing. In fact, they made the situation worse." Piero Torri, of Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), said the referee's performance had a big influence on the result, but argued that Roma, given the situation with UEFA, had chosen to play with a low profile. He also said the squad is short, and that substitutes often fail to match the quality of the starters. Torri added: "When you play matches of this level, which wear you down mentally more than physically, you need the right changes. The absence of Koné and Svilar is devastating." He also asked: "Can you imagine Mourinho last night? He would have exploded…" Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), offered a physical explanation: "Perhaps it's a question of physical stamina. In Italy the dips don't show, abroad they hurt you." He called for some criticism of Gasperini: "With Real Madrid, 3 goals from corners, not to mention yesterday and Inter. He is not untouchable, he too makes mistakes."