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 Coverage20 sources on this story
Roma travelled to Old Trafford on Tuesday 3 November, with kick-off at 21:00 Italian time, for the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase. Several outlets reported that Roma led 2-0 within the first 20 minutes. Donyell Malen scored the second from the penalty spot, and GialloRossi.net credits Matías Soulé with the first, in the 11th minute, after a Heaven handball gave Malen the spot kick. Malen also reached a personal European milestone, with four goals and two assists in this competition, surpassing the record he set with PSV in the 2020/21 Europa League.
The early start was overshadowed by injury. Devyne Rensch went down with a muscle problem and was replaced by Emanuele Lulli. The outlets differ on timing: one places the withdrawal in the 20th minute, another in the 22nd. Pierluigi Gollini was ruled out at the last minute, so Devis Vásquez started in goal, and Leonardo Balerdi came in for Evan N'Dicka. Forza Roma reported that Svilar, Koné and Dybala were all absent, and Gasperini said his side were preparing "as if we were facing the best Manchester." Forza Roma also said Roma would wear their black third kit, while another outlet reported a grey third shirt, so the kit details remain disputed.
The reports disagree on the scoreline. GialloRossi.net's headline reads "Manchester United 1-2 Roma," but its live coverage says Bruno Fernandes pulled one back in the 57th minute, after Vásquez saved his first penalty attempt and the referee ordered a retake, and that the match was still in progress. No report in the coverage confirms a final result, so the outcome of the match cannot be stated.
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.