Gasperini set to recall Mora and hand Molina debut start for Fenerbahçe clash

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.

Roma drew 3-3 with Napoli, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said his side had been clinical and composed throughout, despite conceding the lead in the opening half hour. Speaking to DAZN after the match, Gasperini admitted Napoli were the better side for the first 30 minutes before Roma took control. "Absolutely yes, apart from the first half hour where Napoli were superior." Roma came back from 3-2 down to earn a point, and Gasperini praised the mental approach shown by his players. "You kept your composure even at 3-2, it wasn't just the desire to win it. You kept clarity in your ideas." Gasperini added: "Absolutely, we were good at that, there was no frenzy. The goals were of quality, we arrived well with several players and also thanks to the energy of the players who came on. Also the position of Soulé, who had an extraordinary match, him as well as the others. We are in a great moment, we have great conviction and we play good football. Our morale is high, and even from this match we feel more that we have lost two points, but that's fine." The result was Roma's third draw in Serie A this season. Gasperini said each of the three stalemates felt different but in every one the team had sensed it could compete. Against Inter, Roma came close to winning, and against Como they played a spell with ten men. Gasperini said that, given the quality of Napoli, coming back to draw was "a nice injection" for the squad. He also highlighted the impact of Balerdi and De Roon, who had been signed as leaders. "When they arrived I said we had signed two leaders, and in these weeks their contribution has been extraordinary from the start." He said De Roon's role could have been difficult, but that Balerdi knows the game well, and singled out his brace in this match. Asked about Balerdi's two goals and whether they recalled Caldara's brace in an earlier Roma win at the same ground, Gasperini said the current squad was a different team, as Balerdi's Atalanta days were at an early stage for him. He added: "Napoli have always been a reference team. You know well that if you are competitive against Napoli, you can have the confidence to compete with many teams." Gasperini was also asked whether he had crossed paths with Massimiliano Allegri, who appeared very agitated. He replied: "Yes, I saw him, I hope not with me, I did not throw him out."

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.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini was pleased to salvage a point from a 3-3 draw at Napoli's Maradona stadium, speaking to DAZN after the match. He admitted Napoli were the better side for the first half hour, with Roma struggling to get out from their own half and to create chances, with one exception involving Donyell Malen. Roma finished the first half well and the second half was, in his words, a very good game with several chances and a real sense that they could win it. Gasperini said: "Yes, apart from the first half hour where Napoli were superior and we were in difficulty in our build-up and in creating situations, except for one with Malen. A good end to the first half and then in the second half it was a very beautiful game with several chances and the feeling we could win the match. The third goal could have destroyed us, but instead we showed great strength and we believed in the three points." On his side's composure, Gasperini praised his team's discipline. He said: "We were good, there was no frenzy, we kept our roles and our way of playing. The goals were of quality. We arrived well with many players, and good for those who came on, like Balerdi. Soulé had an extraordinary game, both in the first half and the second, as did Ndicka. We are in a great moment, we have conviction and we play good football, we have high morale, and in the final stages we felt more like we had lost two points, but given how it went, that's fine." Gasperini also looked back on Roma's three draws this season, against Inter, Como and Napoli. He said: "All three different. In all of them we had the sense of being competitive against teams who are the best. With Inter we came close to winning, with Como we played with 10 men for the whole second half. This match, considering the value of today's Napoli, has been a good shot of confidence for us for coming back to draw it." On Balerdi's two goals, Gasperini said: "He and De Roon are two players who were captains in their teams. Their contribution has been extraordinary from the start. The Argentine knows football and has fantastic energy, he is a great reinforcement for us." He also compared this side with the Atalanta team of the past, saying: "Clearly this is a different team, we even won 3-0. Napoli have always been a reference team, having won 2 Scudetti. If you are competitive with them, you can have the strength and confidence to play with many teams." Gasperini closed with a remark about Massimiliano Allegri's reaction to the end-of-match tensions: "I hope not with me, I didn't throw him out."

Nahuel Molina has said he is happy to accept rotation with his fellow wide players and that he came to Roma to help the team in every way possible, following the 0-0 draw at Napoli...

Nahuel Molina has spoken at a press conference after Roma's draw with Napoli, saying the point is fair and important for the club on a difficult ground. Molina has been used both on the right and, at times, on the left of the back line, and he says he is happy wherever the coach asks him to play. Roma are keeping pace near the top of the table, and Molina admits the result was a helpful one given the club's ambitions. Asked how he feels about rotating with his fellow wide players, Molina said: "Bene, tranquillo. Sappiamo che ci sono tante partite quindi sono tranquillo e contento se gioca un altro compagno. Siamo una squadra." He was signed to play on the right, and he has also featured on the left, a switch the coach asked him to consider when he arrived. "E' una scelta del mister. Mi ha chiesto se potevo giocare anche a sinistra quando sono arrivato. Ho sempre giocato a destra, ma mi trovo bene anche a sinistra. Dove gioco sono contento, sono venuto per aiutare la squadra in tutti i modi." On the result, Molina said: "Alla fine penso che il pareggio sia giusto. Anche il Napoli ha fatto una grande partita. Volevamo vincere e portare punti a casa, ma alla fine è un punto importante in questo campo per restare sopra." Asked how hard it is to come on in a complex situation, he replied: "Non lo so. Ci alleniamo tutti i giorni per questo e penso che tutti dobbiamo essere concentrati per il nostro momento, non si sa mai cosa possa succede. Sono entrato nel secondo tempo e per fortuna è andata bene." Roma have played Como, Inter and Napoli recently. Asked which of the three sides had caused them most problems, Molina said: "Non so dirtelo. Sicuramente in tutte e tre le partite potevamo fare meglio e più punti. Non abbiamo perso. Dobbiamo continuare così e migliorare ogni partita per essere sopra fino alla fine." Speaking to DAZN, Molina added: "Si certamente. Avevamo tanta voglia di portare punti a casa. Anche loro hanno fatto grande partita, penso che il punto sia buono per noi. Soprattutto se vogliamo essere lassù." On whether Roma can dream of more, he said: "Io ci credo tanto in questa Roma, però bisogna lavorare e continuare a pensare di vincere ogni partita. Abbiamo un grande gruppo e tutta la gente dietro che lavora con noi. Io la penso così, se tutti abbiamo la stessa quadra abbiamo grandi possibilità." Finally, on the Argentine group at the club, Molina said: "Questo è bellissimo, trovarsi tanti argentini in questo gruppo è bello. Siamo in cinque. Noi pensiamo a vincere, non importante se siamo in panchina. Noi portiamo il sangue e siamo sempre a disposizione del mister."

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.

Roma head to Napoli with their unbeaten Serie A run intact and aim to keep it going today. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on his line-up for the clash with Antonio Allegri's side, who need a response after a heavy defeat at Venezia. Roma's starting XI is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, de Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Cristante plays further forward, alongside Soulé behind Malen. Napoli line up Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Marín, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang, in a 4-3-3. Roma's bench includes Vasquez, De Marzi, Lulli, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro and Camara. Napoli's bench features Meret, Contini, Beukema, Gilmour, Giovane, Lobotka, Lucca, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola and Vergara.

Gasperini's Roma face Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli in Serie A's eighth round this afternoon at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Kickoff is at 18:00, with the turnstiles open from 15:30. Roma travel without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini. Gasperini does have Cristante available again, and Malen is back in the starting frame after serving a one-match suspension. Cristante is the favourite to start in a more advanced role ahead of Mora. Napoli are expected to rely on Højlund, supported by Politano and Lang. In Roma's expected line-up, Lulli is favoured over Molina on the right flank. Cristante is set to play further forward, with Soulé and Malen completing the attack. The choice over Cristante's role is the main open question before the team sheets are released. Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Højlund, Lang. Substitutes: Meret, Contini, Beukema, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola, Gilmour, Lobotka, Vergara, Giovane, Lucca. Coach: Massimiliano Allegri. Roma (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Substitutes: Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro, Camara. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini. The referee is Colombo of Como, with assistants Bindoni and Rossi M. Fourth official: Sacchi J.L. VAR: Aureliano. Assistant VAR: Meraviglia.

Roma are expected to stick with their 3-4-2-1 formation for tonight's trip to the Maradona to face Napoli, kicking off at 18:00. Gian Piero Gasperini is likely to rely on players who featured in recent matches. Gollini is set to start in goal, with Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso forming the back three. Emanuele Lulli is increasingly likely to be confirmed on the right flank, with Wesley on the opposite side. In midfield, the most probable pairing is De Roon and Pisilli. Further forward, Gasperini appears inclined to use Cristante in an advanced role alongside Soulé, leaving Donyell Malen to lead the line. Rodrigo Mora is the most important option among the substitutes. The indications all point to a starting eleven built above all to provide balance and physicality in midfield, as Roma look to contain a Napoli side at home. The probable Roma line-up (3-4-2-1) is: Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante, Soulé; Malen. Rodrigo Mora is expected to provide the main alternative from the bench, should Gasperini need an change during the match.