Hermoso: Gasperini has given us a great mentality

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to the media after Napoli 1-1 Roma...

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...

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."

Leonardo Balerdi has spoken after Napoli-Roma, the eighth-round Serie A match, admitting Roma wanted the win but at least came away with a point. The Argentine defender said scoring is not something he usually does, adding: "For me it is the first time. I saw Mancini and Hermoso, I saw that it was possible to get there. We wanted to win, but at least we take a point." Balerdi also credited Gian Piero Gasperini for his growing attacking role. Asked whether the coach is teaching him to get forward, he said: "Yes, he gives me the chance to get to the byline, and I do what he asks of me." The match was Balerdi's first goal for Roma, and the draw at Napoli leaves the club to build on a point rather than the three they had hoped for.

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.

Balerdi came off the bench to score a brace and Roma salvaged a 3-3 draw at Napoli after trailing 2-0 and then 3-2, with McTominay's goal coming late in the game. Soulé was the outstanding attacking performer, with a stunning left-footed strike from distance among his contributions. Gasperini's side had to respond twice in a match that swung back and forth, and the equaliser came in a dramatic finish. The match was a test of character for a Roma side that had dropped in the first half-hour. Gasperini was not satisfied with the team in the opening thirty minutes, and the coach's tactical changes at half-time helped turn the game. Cristante returned to the lineup and brought variety to the midfield, providing Roma's first shot on goal. Gollini was at the centre of the defensive effort, making a Neuer-style rush off his line to deny De Bruyne and then a Svilar-like save from a cross by the same Belgian. Match ratings from the Italian report: Gollini 6, Mancini 6 (replaced by Ghilardi at 82 minutes), N'Dicka 6, Hermoso 6.5, Rensch 6 (replaced by Molina 6.5 at 57 minutes), Pisilli 5.5 (replaced by Castro 6 at 57 minutes), De Roon 6.5, Wesley 5.5, Cristante 7, Soulé 7.5, Malen 6.5 (replaced by Mora at 83 minutes), Gasperini 7. Balerdi, who came on for Hermoso at 57 minutes and was booked soon after, was rated 8. The report said Balerdi produced a double inside half an hour, with his finish summed up as the Argentine 'claw of the lion'. De Roon was credited for clearing a Hojlund shot off the line and for the cross that set up Balerdi's header. Soulé was praised for his dribbling, his defensive work, and his winning strike. The report noted Hermoso's ambition, including a long-range shot that struck the crossbar and a challenge on Hojlund, and Malen's assist for Soulé. Wesley was described as being under pressure from Politano on the right, while Pisilli was criticised for shyness in the first half and for his corner delivery. Gasperini's side finished the game with a point after Roma came back from a two-goal deficit and then from a 3-2 scoreline to draw level.