Guaglianone sends Roma Primavera to victory at Milan as hosts finish with nine men

Matías Soulé was Roma's standout figure in a first half at Old Trafford that ended well for the Giallorossi, before a collective drop-off after the restart. The Argentine wearing number 18 scored the opening goal with a well-timed run onto a pass from Mora, and his shot won a handball from Heaven, leading to the penalty converted by Malen. He needed just 17 minutes to dominate the match. The display confirmed his importance to Gian Piero Gasperini's project. The article notes that Soulé was among the players linked by radiomercato with a possible exit just a few months ago, after a second half of last season affected and slowed by a troublesome groin problem (pubalgia). He has since regained his continuity. Soulé, the former Juventus and Frosinone player, is at his best when he starts wide on the right and cuts inside. In the first half he also tried a Del Piero-style effort with his left foot, curling a shot towards the far post that narrowly missed the crossbar and sent the Roma fans in the Old Trafford stands into a murmur. After the interval, with Manchester United pushing forward and Roma pinned back, Soulé tried to win the ball and run at the defence alone. His efforts were admirable but fruitless, as the team was too deep and tired to support him, leaving him isolated. Gasperini had praised him after the 3-3 draw at Napoli, ahead of the Roma-Cagliari match. He said: "The performance the other evening was extraordinary, but he has always played at a high level in the previous games too. He can play not only on the right but also on the left and as a full-back. The other evening he also played as a trequartista, found the goal and did important things. He is gaining maturity, confidence and security in his game. He loses many fewer balls than in the past, but there are still aspects where he can improve. We are convinced he has further room to grow and, above all, he is a young man who works very well every day to improve himself." The article concludes that the English night left a bitter taste because of how the match ended, but Soulé's performance shows that Roma have found a player they can rely on.

Roma lost 3-2 at Manchester United's Old Trafford in a group-stage match. Rodrigo Mora was one of the Giallorossi's standout players, producing an excellent first half and providing an assist for Soulé before being replaced by Pisilli at the start of the second half. After the final whistle, Mora spoke to TNT Sports Brasil about his relationship with Wesley in the dressing room. He was asked whether he and his team-mate talk often, language considered, and what he thinks of Wesley as a player. Mora said the two of them share a common interest in Brazil and Brazilian football, which they both follow closely, and that the shared language helps them a great deal. Mora said: "Yes, I think today Wesley played another great match. He is a great player and he will reach the highest levels of football. We talk mostly about Brazil and Brazilian football, which we both follow. The language, of course, helps us a lot. He has given me a great hand in this welcome to Roma and I am really grateful to him for that."

Roma led Manchester United 2-0 at half-time in the Champions League but lost 3-2 at Old Trafford, with Soulé scoring a fine goal and Malen converting a penalty before the break. The defeat, the article argues, exposes a recurring flaw under Gian Piero Gasperini: Roma repeatedly lose control of matches after the interval. In the second half they had no shots, no big chances, no corners and just 49% possession. Manchester United, coached by Carrick, rallied to win 3-2, with Bruno Fernandes converting a penalty at the second attempt. The result is more than a setback in the Champions League race; it is another example of a pattern Roma have shown all season, in Europe and in Serie A alike. The problem is not a one-off. In 6 of Roma's 14 matches so far this season, they have conceded in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Of their 17 goals conceded this season, 6 have come between the 46th minute and the hour mark. Examples cited include Ederson in Roma-Atalanta (47'), Brown for Fenerbahce (48'), Lautaro in the big match against Inter (46'), McTominay against Napoli (50') and Zaniolo on Saturday against Udinese (48'). Roma have also been pegged back from leads against Inter, Real Madrid and now Manchester United, and in smaller fixtures against Cagliari and Udinese in recent weeks, letting opponents back into games has become a worrying habit. Cristante addressed the issue after the final whistle: "We have to understand where we are going wrong, because it is becoming too frequent." Gasperini said: "This defeat teaches us more than the one against Real." The article notes that the coach knows lessons must quickly turn into immediate solutions. Several causes are identified: fatigue, the demands of closely spaced fixtures, a short bench, lapses in concentration and a lack of players suited to managing a result. The psychological element is seen as central. When Roma lose control of a match, they struggle to break the momentum with tactical fouls, aggression or the cutting edge needed in Europe. Gasperini had made similar points after the Old Trafford defeat. The article also identifies a squad imbalance. Gasperini has a clear identity built on one-on-one duels and full-pitch pressing, which quickly won over the Roman support. However, when fatigue sets in and the tempo drops because Roma no longer control the game, the team needs alternatives and vertical breaks that the current squad, by its characteristics, does not offer. The result is two different Romas, one in the first half and another after the interval. In the short term, the article concludes, Roma must learn never to switch off.