Roma's Champions League start and the weeks ahead drew a run of comments from pundits on Rome radio and online outlets, gathered by Romanews.eu in its daily column. Roberto Pruzzo, speaking to Radio Radio, said Sassuolo were probably the right opponent for a Roma side that must pick itself up and reach the international break without forcing back players who have been out for a long time. He added: "Injuries, unfortunately, are now part of a football that is increasingly frantic, forcing players into rhythms and efforts unthinkable a few years ago."
The sharpest remarks came from Corsi, speaking to TeleRadioStereo, who recalled the talk that Como had beaten Manchester United because they were at home. He said: "Things like that get said by people who love Roma passionately and fiercely. But how can you say something like that? We went to a stadium where protest was ready, and at Old Trafford it felt like a great funeral. Before the comeback at Old Trafford it looked like a funeral." He also said: "There are plenty of people who have to save the president. Business is going very well for him, so we are happy. Como are an extraordinary side, very strong, and the Champions League seems made for them."
Trevisani, speaking to Mana Mana Sport, was blunter about Roma's own performances. He said: "Roma made mistakes in the Champions League that Como did not make. Roma could easily have had six points. They deserved to draw with Manchester and Real Madrid." He praised Como's coach, saying he holds the same regard for him as for Gasperini, "a genius", and that "it feels like he is the third heir to Guardiola and Luis Enrique." Trevisani argued that the results against those sides must be analysed in context: "Without the best goalkeeper, without Dybala, and with refereeing and individual errors too. The team makes mistakes as it grows, but the focus must be on the clear growth."
Piero Torri, speaking to Mana Mana Sport, said: "Roma's squad is short and will stay that way for another couple of months, because the market reopens only in January. Serie A and the Champions League demand a lot, and that inevitably has a cost. If we add the injury problem, the weight on the team becomes even more evident."
Pes, speaking to TeleRadioStereo, was impressed by Como's nine Champions League goals and said their European style suits the competition. He noted that Como have yet to face top-level opposition, with PSG and Barcelona still to come.
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Roma lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League, their second defeat of the season after a loss to Real Madrid. Roman radio pundits broadly agree that the squad is too thin. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said the squad will stay short for another couple of months because the market reopens only in January, and that injuries add further strain. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Sassuolo are the ideal next opponent, and that Roma must reach the international break without forcing back long-term injured players.
The outlets differ sharply on what went wrong. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo argued that on Como's fixture list Roma would have earned one more Champions League point than Como, while Valentina Catoni said Svilar in goal would have won Roma six more points. GialloRossi's Gianluca Piacentini said the side had "dramatic highs" and that the first half was strong before the second half changed everything, a view Fabio Petruzzi shared. Mario Corsi dismissed the idea that Como beat Manchester United because they were at home, describing Old Trafford as "like a big funeral." Corsi also criticised Balerdi's lapse in concentration, while Mario Mattioli blamed the collapse mainly on mental issues and Pisilli's positioning. Torri questioned the substitutions and a penalty that was ordered retaken.
Attention has also turned to the coach and the market. Torri said he was not sure the club wanted to continue with Gian Piero Gasperini, whose contract expires at the end of the year, and that the doubt rested on mutual affinity rather than results. Checco Oddo Casano discussed Kvernadze, reportedly with a 4 million euro clause valid in the summer, saying a deal could be reached in January or terms agreed to sign him in June.
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