Gasperini Says Roma Missed an Opportunity After Comeback Draw at Napoli

Roma came back twice from behind to draw 3-3 at the Maradona against Napoli, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini felt his side had dropped two points. Speaking after the match, he praised his team's character and growing belief, saying the performance showed Roma can compete with many sides in Italy. Roma were under pressure for much of the first half-hour and struggled to get out of their own half, with Napoli holding the upper hand. Gasperini admitted the early spell was the one part of the game he was unhappy with. His side then found a way to get to grips with the hosts, and they levelled before half-time and continued to improve after the break. Gasperini said: "There is awareness, we are playing good football. The morale is high and the feeling is that we have lost two points. But given how the match went, it is fine like this." He added: "We played against a strong Napoli and if you are competitive against teams of this calibre it means in Italy you can compete with many teams." On the early phase of the game he said: "I am satisfied, except for the first half-hour. Napoli were superior there, we suffered it, we were in difficulty and struggled to get out. They had an extra gear." He continued: "We managed to get to grips with them and we grew, already at the end of the first half. In the second we played well, we had inside us the feeling that we could win the match, with great conviction." McTominay's goal to make it 3-2 was a heavy blow, Gasperini said, because there was little time left to respond. He added: "But inside us we felt strong and we were good at taking it back again." He also singled out Soulé and Ndicka, saying: "Soulé played an extraordinary game, exactly like Ndicka." Balerdi was decisive with a brace, and the result suggests Roma have come through another high-pressure away trip, showing they can stay in matches even at the most difficult moments.

Massimiliano Allegri's post-match outburst after Napoli's 3-3 draw with Roma at the Maradona has sparked a row, with Roma hitting back that their Champions League qualification was earned on the pitch. The Napoli coach was sent off late in the match, after Balerdi's equaliser, when Napoli protested a foul in the build-up to the goal. Away from the official microphones, Allegri reportedly said: "Sempre loro… L'anno scorso gli hanno messo la Champions in tasca. L'ho pagata con il Milan". The remark refers to last season, when Roma secured Champions League qualification on the pitch while Allegri's Milan finished outside the top four. According to Fabrizio Romano, posting on his WhatsApp channel, Roma were "surprised and irritated" by the coach's comments and consider the attack "fuori luogo", or out of place. The club's position is clear: "la qualificazione alla Champions della passata stagione è stata conquistata sul campo, senza alcun presunto aiuto arbitrale", meaning the qualification was won on the pitch, without any alleged refereeing help. The response has not come through an official statement but was relayed clearly after Allegri's words began circulating overnight, and the tone shows how much the remark irritated the club. Allegri had already shown his frustration before the cameras, saying he was too angry to analyse the match clearly and contesting the referee's decision to send him off. His private comment turned a protest about the officiating at Napoli-Roma into a wider dispute, reopening a wound Allegri evidently carries from last season. Roma, however, consider that qualification the result of their own route and their consistent form across the league, and do not intend to accept insinuations of any other kind.

Roma drew 2-2 at Napoli's Stadio Maradona, and coach Gian Piero Gasperini said he was satisfied with his side's character, though a sliver of regret remained after the team let a win slip in the final minutes. Gasperini said: "There is awareness, we play good football — the coach of Roma declares —. The morale is high and the impression is that we have lost two points. But given how the match went, it's fine even like this. Certainly we played against a strong Napoli, and if you are competitive against teams of this calibre it means you can compete with many sides in Italy." The analysis, reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, highlighted the two faces Roma showed over the 90 minutes. After half an hour of early suffering, in which the side struggled to find the right exits, Roma changed their rhythm. Gasperini said: "I am satisfied with the second half. Napoli were superior there, we suffered it, we were in difficulty and struggled to get out. They had an extra gear, Politano worked very well and he is the one who created more than one problem for us. Then we managed to get our bearings and we grew already at the end of the first half. In the second we played well, we had the feeling inside that we could win the match, with great conviction. We were good at this, there was never any frenzy. We kept our way of playing and some quality goals came too." Despite McTominay's equaliser to make it 2-2, which came at the moment of greatest Roma pressure, the squad did not fall apart. Gasperini said: "It was a hammer blow because there was little time to recover. But inside us we felt strong and we were good at taking it back again. Even if the feeling of being able to turn it around had been there earlier as well." Gasperini praised the individual performances: "Balerdi scored the goals that were asked of him, Soulé reopened it, Ndicka was a giant. Three players who seem to be living a moment of grace. Soulé played an extraordinary match, exactly like Ndicka." On the impact of substitutes, he added: "The changes gave us energy. I put Leonardo on because we were exposed to the counterattack and his speed at that moment was important, also given the booking of Hermoso. Balerdi connects the play, he has crazy energy, he is a great reinforcement. He and De Roon did not take long to settle in, we are talking about two players who were leaders at their former clubs." There is also a statistical concern: McTominay's goal was Roma's fourth conceded straight after half-time this season across Serie A and cup competitions, following Inter, Atalanta and Fenerbahçe. Gasperini played this down: "Perhaps there is also a bit of coincidence — we are talking about two valuable players. But we must also remember we were up against a great team. It takes a bit of patience, but I am sure Allegri's side is destined to climb the table." Asked about the late exchange with Allegri, he smiled: "Allegri furious? I hope he wasn't angry with me, it wasn't me who sent him off..."

Leonardo Balerdi earned the top rating in the Italian newspapers after scoring a brace that rescued Roma in their 3-3 draw at the Maradona. Matías Soulé was next best, with his goal starting the comeback and a performance full of quality. Molina also received a solid mark of 6.50. Among the players rated below par, Pisilli had the lowest average at 5.25, followed by Rensch on 5.50 and Hermoso and Malen on 5.58. Gasperini finished with an average of 6.60. The newspapers largely agreed on the key refereeing decisions in the Napoli 3-3 Roma match. Balerdi's first equaliser for the 2-2 was ruled valid, with Castro striking the ball with his face in the build-up. The final 3-3 also stood, as the contact between the Argentine and Beukema was judged too light to justify a penalty. Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both gave Colombo 6.5, Il Messaggero awarded him a 6, and Il Romanista was harsher with a 5.5. Il Romanista's verdict on Colombo read: "He irritates everyone, but in the end he does not directly affect the result."

Balerdi scored the first brace of his career as Roma fought back to take a point at the Maradona, with the Argentine defender turning into an extra forward once he came on around the hour mark in an attempt to avoid defeat. Balerdi arrived in the final days of the transfer window on loan for €1 million, and he has made an immediate impression with his pace, sense of anticipation and two goals. The performance has been one of the standout moments of Roma's start to the season, and it came at a delicate time for the club. The Argentine is quick to credit the coaching staff for the freedom he has been given. He has been working on timing his runs into the box in the way that Mancini and Hermoso do, and he said he had settled in quickly at the club. Gasperini has also been pleased with the defender's influence, and he said that Balerdi and De Roon had not needed long to fit in, with their contribution being extraordinary. For Roma, the outcome has added depth and attacking options from the back line at a crucial point in the campaign. Balerdi, the former Marseille defender, told DAZN: "The coach is teaching me to get into the box like Mancini and Hermoso do. He gives me the freedom to go forward and get close to the opposition goal. We wanted to win, but at least we're bringing a point home." On his goals, he said: "It's the first time I've scored a brace. I feel really good in this team. They welcomed me in the best way from the first day. It feels like I've been here two or three years, and that has given me the strength to play the way I am." Gasperini said: "He and De Roon didn't take long to settle in, and their contribution has been extraordinary. Balerdi knows football, and he has crazy energy. He's a great reinforcement for us." Balerdi, in the words of the coach's praise, looks like the summer's standout signing so far, an extra starter who has made an immediate difference.

Roma came from behind to draw 3-3 at Napoli's Maradona stadium, their third consecutive draw in a big Serie A match after a goalless game at Como. Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench, scored a brace, while Matías Soulé was the standout performer in attack. The evening began badly for Roma, but the team refused to give up and fought back to level the match. Italian newspapers gave Soulé between 7 and 8 out of 10, and Balerdi between 7.5 and 8. Evan Ndicka was the only member of the starting defence to come out with credit, rated 6 to 7. Gollini earned 6 to 7, Cristante 6 to 7, and de Roon 5.5 to 6.5. Malen was below par and was rated between 5 and 6. Hermoso's marks ranged from 4.5 to 6.5. Wesley was rated between 5 and 6.5, and Mancini between 5.5 and 6. Gasperini was given between 6.5 and 7 for his handling of the game. Roma made several changes during the match. At the 58th minute, Balerdi replaced Hermoso, Molina came on for Rensch, and Castro replaced Pisilli. Ghilardi entered for Mancini in the 83rd minute, and Mora came on for Malen at the same point. Molina was rated 6 to 6.5, Castro between 5 and 6.5, and Balerdi, as a substitute, was rated 7.5 to 8.

Balerdi scored the first brace of his career as Roma fought back to take a point at the Maradona, with the Argentine defender turning into an extra forward once he came on around the hour mark in an attempt to avoid defeat. Balerdi arrived in the final days of the transfer window on loan for €1 million, and he has made an immediate impression with his pace, sense of anticipation and two goals. The performance has been one of the standout moments of Roma's start to the season, and it came at a delicate time for the club. The Argentine is quick to credit the coaching staff for the freedom he has been given. He has been working on timing his runs into the box in the way that Mancini and Hermoso do, and he said he had settled in quickly at the club. Gasperini has also been pleased with the defender's influence, and he said that Balerdi and De Roon had not needed long to fit in, with their contribution being extraordinary. For Roma, the outcome has added depth and attacking options from the back line at a crucial point in the campaign. Balerdi, the former Marseille defender, told DAZN: "The coach is teaching me to get into the box like Mancini and Hermoso do. He gives me the freedom to go forward and get close to the opposition goal. We wanted to win, but at least we're bringing a point home." On his goals, he said: "It's the first time I've scored a brace. I feel really good in this team. They welcomed me in the best way from the first day. It feels like I've been here two or three years, and that has given me the strength to play the way I am." Gasperini said: "He and De Roon didn't take long to settle in, and their contribution has been extraordinary. Balerdi knows football, and he has crazy energy. He's a great reinforcement for us." Balerdi, in the words of the coach's praise, looks like the summer's standout signing so far, an extra starter who has made an immediate difference.

Roma came from behind to draw 3-3 at Napoli's Maradona stadium, their third consecutive draw in a big Serie A match after a goalless game at Como. Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench, scored a brace, while Matías Soulé was the standout performer in attack. The evening began badly for Roma, but the team refused to give up and fought back to level the match. Italian newspapers gave Soulé between 7 and 8 out of 10, and Balerdi between 7.5 and 8. Evan Ndicka was the only member of the starting defence to come out with credit, rated 6 to 7. Gollini earned 6 to 7, Cristante 6 to 7, and de Roon 5.5 to 6.5. Malen was below par and was rated between 5 and 6. Hermoso's marks ranged from 4.5 to 6.5. Wesley was rated between 5 and 6.5, and Mancini between 5.5 and 6. Gasperini was given between 6.5 and 7 for his handling of the game. Roma made several changes during the match. At the 58th minute, Balerdi replaced Hermoso, Molina came on for Rensch, and Castro replaced Pisilli. Ghilardi entered for Mancini in the 83rd minute, and Mora came on for Malen at the same point. Molina was rated 6 to 6.5, Castro between 5 and 6.5, and Balerdi, as a substitute, was rated 7.5 to 8.

Roma drew 2-2 at Napoli's Stadio Maradona, and coach Gian Piero Gasperini said he was satisfied with his side's character, though a sliver of regret remained after the team let a win slip in the final minutes. Gasperini said: "There is awareness, we play good football — the coach of Roma declares —. The morale is high and the impression is that we have lost two points. But given how the match went, it's fine even like this. Certainly we played against a strong Napoli, and if you are competitive against teams of this calibre it means you can compete with many sides in Italy." The analysis, reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, highlighted the two faces Roma showed over the 90 minutes. After half an hour of early suffering, in which the side struggled to find the right exits, Roma changed their rhythm. Gasperini said: "I am satisfied with the second half. Napoli were superior there, we suffered it, we were in difficulty and struggled to get out. They had an extra gear, Politano worked very well and he is the one who created more than one problem for us. Then we managed to get our bearings and we grew already at the end of the first half. In the second we played well, we had the feeling inside that we could win the match, with great conviction. We were good at this, there was never any frenzy. We kept our way of playing and some quality goals came too." Despite McTominay's equaliser to make it 2-2, which came at the moment of greatest Roma pressure, the squad did not fall apart. Gasperini said: "It was a hammer blow because there was little time to recover. But inside us we felt strong and we were good at taking it back again. Even if the feeling of being able to turn it around had been there earlier as well." Gasperini praised the individual performances: "Balerdi scored the goals that were asked of him, Soulé reopened it, Ndicka was a giant. Three players who seem to be living a moment of grace. Soulé played an extraordinary match, exactly like Ndicka." On the impact of substitutes, he added: "The changes gave us energy. I put Leonardo on because we were exposed to the counterattack and his speed at that moment was important, also given the booking of Hermoso. Balerdi connects the play, he has crazy energy, he is a great reinforcement. He and De Roon did not take long to settle in, we are talking about two players who were leaders at their former clubs." There is also a statistical concern: McTominay's goal was Roma's fourth conceded straight after half-time this season across Serie A and cup competitions, following Inter, Atalanta and Fenerbahçe. Gasperini played this down: "Perhaps there is also a bit of coincidence — we are talking about two valuable players. But we must also remember we were up against a great team. It takes a bit of patience, but I am sure Allegri's side is destined to climb the table." Asked about the late exchange with Allegri, he smiled: "Allegri furious? I hope he wasn't angry with me, it wasn't me who sent him off..."