Malen returns to Roma ready for Gasperini after World Cup

Roma's Argentine defenders gave the side a lift off the bench, with Leandro Balerdi scoring twice against Napoli. Balerdi is only the second Roma defender to score a brace against Napoli, after Agostino Di Bartolomei in 1983, according to Andrea Pugliese in La Gazzetta dello Sport. Nahuel Molina also brought energy to the left flank after coming on. The Argentine contingent has been a talking point in the dressing room. Molina said: "Having five Argentines in the squad is wonderful. We give our blood, we always want to win, even when we start from the bench." He was speaking after a draw with Napoli, a result he considers fair. Molina added that he has no problem with the rotation, explaining: "I've always played on the right, but if the coach asks me to go to the left, that's fine too." He said Napoli had also played a very good match and that a point on that ground could prove important. Looking ahead, Molina was asked about Roma's ambitions. He said: "I believe a lot in this team, but we have to work and keep thinking about winning every match. If we all have the same desire, there will be great possibilities."

Leonardo Balerdi has spoken to DAZN after Roma's win over Napoli, admitting that scoring a brace was a first for him. He said the goals were not chance and credited head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for giving him the freedom to make attacking runs. Asked whether he expected to be a key figure in the match, Balerdi said: "No, it is the first time I have scored a brace." Asked whether Gasperini is teaching him these attacking movements, he replied: "Of course, he gives me this freedom. I try to do what he asks me." Balerdi also reflected on how settled he feels at the club. He said: "I am very happy here, I said it from the first day. They welcomed me very warmly. I feel that I have been here for 2-3 years thanks to them. This gives me the strength to play the way I am playing."

Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli spoke to Dazn before the match against Napoli, saying the team arrives at the game full of energy after playing well in recent fixtures. "We have played well in the last few matches. We arrive with a lot of energy and we want to do well," he said. Pisilli, a Roma academy product, was asked about his increased responsibilities after wearing the captain's armband in the most recent match. He said: "It was an honour to wear the armband, but I am focused on today's match." The midfielder, who is a Roma academy product and has never signed for another club, is now taking on a more prominent role in the squad as the team seeks momentum against a strong Napoli side. Asked whether he is a fan of the bordocam, the close-up camera used to show the players' bench and dressing area, Pisilli smiled and said: "Yes, I don't watch it straight away, but I always see them all."

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 came from behind to draw at Napoli's Stadio Maradona, with Balerdi scoring a brace off the bench to rescue a point in a match that began badly for the Giallorossi. It is the third draw in three big league matches for Roma, following a goalless draw at Como. Malen was absent from the lineup, and Soulé lit up the comeback. The Italian newspapers rated the performances. Soulé was the standout performer, earning 7.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport, 7 from La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera, and 8 from Il Tempo. Balerdi, who came on for Hermoso at half-time, was the match-winner from the bench, rated 8 by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Tempo, and 7.5 by Il Corriere della Sera. Ndicka was the only starting defender to earn consistent praise, rated 7 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport. Gasperini received a 7 from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport, and 6.5 from Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, Il Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo. Gollini was rated 6.5 by most outlets and 7 by La Repubblica. Cristante earned a 7 from Il Messaggero and 6.5 from Il Tempo. Molina came on for Rensch at half-time and was rated 6.5 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Tempo, and 6 by La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera. Castro, who replaced Pisilli, was rated 6.5 by Il Corriere dello Sport and 6 by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo. Malen was rated between 5 and 6 across the papers. Mancini and Wesley received mixed marks, while Mora and Ghilardi came on late without ratings. The ratings show the sharpest debate over the central defensive and attacking performers, with Balerdi's impact from the bench the most discussed. The papers agree that Roma's fight in the second half changed the match.

Roma came back from behind to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Maradona in a thrilling Serie A clash, with Leonardo Balerdi scoring the decisive equaliser late on. Napoli, who went ahead through Anguissa's spectacular overhead kick, were pegged back after the break as Soulé pulled Roma level. Gasperini's switch, bringing on Balerdi, paid off immediately: the Argentine defender, just on the pitch, scored the leveller and took advantage of a Napoli wobble. McTominay restored Napoli's lead before Roma struck again. Balerdi got his second goal of the match in the final minutes, in a finish that was protested by the home side after the equaliser was contested. The game was billed as one of the best seen so far in Serie A for pace, tactical approach and twists. Massimiliano Allegri abandoned caution, deploying De Bruyne as a number ten, a move the report describes as a happy intuition, and McTominay gave Napoli the lead. Anguissa opened the scoring with a magnificent overhead kick. Napoli played the best match of their season, facing Roma openly, but Malen missed a clear chance one-on-one with Meret. Napoli's familiar dip in tension at the start of the second half allowed Roma back into the contest. After the final whistle, tension ran high. Allegri, visibly furious about a red card and the refereeing, said: "Them again, they had it in their pocket. An instinctive reaction that silences you when, with calm heads, you analyse the match," said the Livorno-born coach. "A very good game from both teams, but there are also moments when you have to defend. Unfortunately, we let them come back many times and tonight we threw two points away. I said nothing to the referee, but whichever way I move, they send me off. This time, with the fine, we'll do some more charity." Gasperini lamented the chances his side wasted, while praising their spirit: "We felt we could win it, but in the end it's fine like this. I saw a Napoli side that is growing a lot, but for me the glass half full is something he simply doesn't see. The result, our only declared target, is missing." The draw leaves Roma's high league position intact and confirms their steely character.