Roma led Manchester United 2-0 at half-time in their Champions League league-phase fourth matchday clash at Old Trafford, with Paulo Dybala's teammate Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen on the scoresheet. Soulé opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a fine pass from Mora, and Malen doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Heaven handled Soulé's shot. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back for United in the 57th minute, after the hosts had been handed a penalty that Vásquez saved before the referee ordered a retake. Roma came into the game with four points from their first three European matches, following a convincing win over Slovan Bratislava, while United, under Michael Carrick, were on three points and in a difficult spell.
Gian Piero Gasperini made changes to his starting lineup. Gollini was ruled out at the last minute, so Vásquez started in goal. Balerdi came in for Ndicka at centre-back, and Rensch won the battle for the right-back spot over Molina. Malen and Soulé were confirmed up front with Mora in support. On the United side, Lammens started in goal, with Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and Diallo behind Cunha.
Roma dominated the first half and had further chances to extend their lead. Soulé came close with a left-foot effort that went narrowly wide, and Cristante released Malen, whose right-foot shot was tipped away by Lammens. Bruno Fernandes also fired over from a good position. Roma's defence was tested after Rensch was forced off in the 22nd minute, with Lulli coming on in his place. Malen was booked in the 41st minute for a foul, and Lulli was booked in the 35th minute for handball. Soulé and Bruno Fernandes were both shown yellow cards in the 20th minute after a flare-up on the pitch.
In the second half, Gasperini brought on Pisilli in place of Mora at the restart. Baleba was injured in the 47th minute and was replaced by Tielemans in the 50th minute. United then received a penalty in the 55th minute, when Mancini's arm contacted the ball and Cunha went down under contact. Vásquez saved Bruno Fernandes' spot kick, but the referee ordered it to be retaken, and Fernandes made no mistake the second time, in the 57th minute. Shortly afterwards, Mbeumo struck the woodwork twice. By the 65th minute, the momentum had shifted towards United, with the home crowd lifted and United reinvigorated.
The match was refereed by Jesús Gil Manzano from Spain, with Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero as assistants, Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official, and Carlos del Cerro Grande on VAR. The match remained in progress at the time of the live coverage, and Roma's position in the league phase will depend on how the second half ends.
Story Coverage16 sources on this story
Roma face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday 3 November in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with kickoff at 21:00 Italian time. Outlets agree that Pierluigi Gollini was ruled out before kickoff, so Devis Vásquez started in goal. Devyne Rensch then went off with a muscular problem early in the first half and was replaced by Emanuele Lulli, who made his Champions League debut. Forza Roma puts the substitution at 22 minutes, while Roma News says 20.
The reports are not all from the same moment. GialloRossi.net describes Roma 2-0 ahead at half-time, with Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen scoring. It places Soulé's goal in the 11th minute, while Forza Roma says the 9th. Malen's penalty came after Heaven handled Soulé's shot, and Bruno Fernandes pulled one back in the 57th minute, after Vásquez saved his first spot kick and the referee ordered a retake. Forza Roma gives Fernandes' goal as the 53rd minute. GialloRossi.net's last update left the match in progress, so this coverage does not confirm a final result.
The fixture carries a difficult history. Roma have lost all four previous visits to Old Trafford, conceding 15 goals according to GialloRossi.net, including a 7-1 defeat in 2007 and a 6-2 loss in 2021. Roma News counts 13 goals across those two games. Michael Carrick, now United's manager, scored twice in 2007. Before the game, Gasperini said, "We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester," and Il Corriere della Sera described Malen as a player who felt misunderstood at Aston Villa.
AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Notte di Champions League all’Old Trafford, dove questa sera la Roma di Gian Piero Gasperini affronta il Manchester United di Michael Carrick nella quarta giornata della League Phase. Una sfida affascinante in uno degli stadi simbolo del calcio europeo, con i giallorossi a caccia di punti pesanti…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.