Manchester United 3-2 Roma: Balerdi's slip proves costly at Old Trafford

Bryan Cristante has said Roma must review and understand where they need to improve after their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United. Speaking in the mixed zone, the Giallorossi midfielder called the loss a disappointment. Cristante said: "We need to review and understand where we must improve." He also addressed the penalty that helped Manchester United, saying: "The penalty has recharged them, but the contact was light. The defeat is a shame."

Roma led Manchester United at Old Trafford through goals from Soulé and Malen, but collapsed in the second half and lost the match. Soulé gave Roma the lead around the tenth minute with a left-footed strike, and Malen doubled it from the spot before the break. United then won a penalty in the second half. Vásquez saved the initial spot-kick, but the referee ordered a retake because Cristante had his knee on the line when he cleared the rebound. Bruno Fernandes stepped up again and scored, and Roma's concentration went with it. Balerdi's slip allowed the equaliser, and another error led to United's third goal. Roma had dominated the first half, with Soulé and Malen putting them 2-0 up. The second half turned on the disputed penalty. Roma appeared to tire after that, and a thin bench did not help. Gasperini's side had been pushed back, and the closing stages followed a familiar pattern for the club in recent weeks. The ratings were: Vásquez 6, Mancini 5.5, Balerdi 4.5, Hermoso 6, Cristante 6, De Roon 5.5, Wesley 5.5, Mora 6.5, Soulé 6.5, Malen 6 and Gasperini 5.5. Ghilardi, who came on for Mancini in the 74th minute, was rated 5.5, and N'Dicka, on for Hermoso in the 75th, was rated 5.5. Lulli, on for Rensch after 22 minutes, was rated 5.5. Rensch was not rated after playing barely twenty minutes. Pisilli, on from the 45th minute, was rated 5, while Castro, who came on for Malen in the 77th minute, was rated 5.5. Vásquez saved the first penalty but could do nothing about the retake. Mancini was booked for the penalty concession and was reportedly unhappy with the decision. Mora's pass for Soulé and his contribution to the penalty earned him the highest rating of the night, despite a couple of light touches. Balerdi was the most heavily criticised. His rating reflected a double-edged performance: some anticipations raised the pressure, but he steered well for long periods before the late errors. Cristante was praised for his control in the first half and was described as losing some sharpness after the break. The match report ends with the group stage in mind, though the source does not state a next fixture. Roma's bench and fatigue remain the central talking points.

Roma threw away a first-half lead and lost 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen had given the Giallorossi the advantage early in the match, but the team fell apart after the restart and allowed the hosts to turn the game around. The defeat came in a disastrous second half for the visitors, who had been ahead from the opening minutes.

Roma led Manchester United at Old Trafford through goals from Soulé and Malen, but collapsed in the second half and lost the match. Soulé gave Roma the lead around the tenth minute with a left-footed strike, and Malen doubled it from the spot before the break. United then won a penalty in the second half. Vásquez saved the initial spot-kick, but the referee ordered a retake because Cristante had his knee on the line when he cleared the rebound. Bruno Fernandes stepped up again and scored, and Roma's concentration went with it. Balerdi's slip allowed the equaliser, and another error led to United's third goal. Roma had dominated the first half, with Soulé and Malen putting them 2-0 up. The second half turned on the disputed penalty. Roma appeared to tire after that, and a thin bench did not help. Gasperini's side had been pushed back, and the closing stages followed a familiar pattern for the club in recent weeks. The ratings were: Vásquez 6, Mancini 5.5, Balerdi 4.5, Hermoso 6, Cristante 6, De Roon 5.5, Wesley 5.5, Mora 6.5, Soulé 6.5, Malen 6 and Gasperini 5.5. Ghilardi, who came on for Mancini in the 74th minute, was rated 5.5, and N'Dicka, on for Hermoso in the 75th, was rated 5.5. Lulli, on for Rensch after 22 minutes, was rated 5.5. Rensch was not rated after playing barely twenty minutes. Pisilli, on from the 45th minute, was rated 5, while Castro, who came on for Malen in the 77th minute, was rated 5.5. Vásquez saved the first penalty but could do nothing about the retake. Mancini was booked for the penalty concession and was reportedly unhappy with the decision. Mora's pass for Soulé and his contribution to the penalty earned him the highest rating of the night, despite a couple of light touches. Balerdi was the most heavily criticised. His rating reflected a double-edged performance: some anticipations raised the pressure, but he steered well for long periods before the late errors. Cristante was praised for his control in the first half and was described as losing some sharpness after the break. The match report ends with the group stage in mind, though the source does not state a next fixture. Roma's bench and fatigue remain the central talking points.

Roma suffered another damaging Champions League defeat, losing 3-2 at Old Trafford to Manchester United after leading by two goals. Gian Piero Gasperini's side dominated the first half, with Matías Soulé opening the scoring and Donyell Malen converting a penalty. The lead looked set to give Roma a magical evening, but they collapsed mentally in the second half and allowed the Red Devils back into the game. United's comeback began with a missed penalty that was ordered to be retaken, and Bruno Fernandes converted the second attempt. Roma's problems deepened when Leonardo Balerdi made a clamorous error that gave Cunha the equaliser for 2-2. Three minutes later Cunha scored again to make it 3-2, sending the Old Trafford crowd into ecstasy. The result, following a similar collapse against Real Madrid, makes Roma's path through the Champions League considerably harder. The match ratings gave Cunha 7.5 for turning the game around, Soulé 7 for his goal, which was not enough to save the result, and Balerdi 5 for his decisive error.

Mora stood out for Roma in their match at Old Trafford against Manchester United, earning high marks in the player ratings. Leonardo Balerdi had a disastrous game and was among the lowest-rated Roma players.

Roma led Manchester United at Old Trafford through goals from Soulé and Malen, but collapsed in the second half and lost the match. Soulé gave Roma the lead around the tenth minute with a left-footed strike, and Malen doubled it from the spot before the break. United then won a penalty in the second half. Vásquez saved the initial spot-kick, but the referee ordered a retake because Cristante had his knee on the line when he cleared the rebound. Bruno Fernandes stepped up again and scored, and Roma's concentration went with it. Balerdi's slip allowed the equaliser, and another error led to United's third goal. Roma had dominated the first half, with Soulé and Malen putting them 2-0 up. The second half turned on the disputed penalty. Roma appeared to tire after that, and a thin bench did not help. Gasperini's side had been pushed back, and the closing stages followed a familiar pattern for the club in recent weeks. The ratings were: Vásquez 6, Mancini 5.5, Balerdi 4.5, Hermoso 6, Cristante 6, De Roon 5.5, Wesley 5.5, Mora 6.5, Soulé 6.5, Malen 6 and Gasperini 5.5. Ghilardi, who came on for Mancini in the 74th minute, was rated 5.5, and N'Dicka, on for Hermoso in the 75th, was rated 5.5. Lulli, on for Rensch after 22 minutes, was rated 5.5. Rensch was not rated after playing barely twenty minutes. Pisilli, on from the 45th minute, was rated 5, while Castro, who came on for Malen in the 77th minute, was rated 5.5. Vásquez saved the first penalty but could do nothing about the retake. Mancini was booked for the penalty concession and was reportedly unhappy with the decision. Mora's pass for Soulé and his contribution to the penalty earned him the highest rating of the night, despite a couple of light touches. Balerdi was the most heavily criticised. His rating reflected a double-edged performance: some anticipations raised the pressure, but he steered well for long periods before the late errors. Cristante was praised for his control in the first half and was described as losing some sharpness after the break. The match report ends with the group stage in mind, though the source does not state a next fixture. Roma's bench and fatigue remain the central talking points.

Roma threw away a first-half lead and lost 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen had given the Giallorossi the advantage early in the match, but the team fell apart after the restart and allowed the hosts to turn the game around. The defeat came in a disastrous second half for the visitors, who had been ahead from the opening minutes.

Roma suffered another damaging Champions League defeat, losing 3-2 at Old Trafford to Manchester United after leading by two goals. Gian Piero Gasperini's side dominated the first half, with Matías Soulé opening the scoring and Donyell Malen converting a penalty. The lead looked set to give Roma a magical evening, but they collapsed mentally in the second half and allowed the Red Devils back into the game. United's comeback began with a missed penalty that was ordered to be retaken, and Bruno Fernandes converted the second attempt. Roma's problems deepened when Leonardo Balerdi made a clamorous error that gave Cunha the equaliser for 2-2. Three minutes later Cunha scored again to make it 3-2, sending the Old Trafford crowd into ecstasy. The result, following a similar collapse against Real Madrid, makes Roma's path through the Champions League considerably harder. The match ratings gave Cunha 7.5 for turning the game around, Soulé 7 for his goal, which was not enough to save the result, and Balerdi 5 for his decisive error.

Roma led Manchester United at Old Trafford through goals from Soulé and Malen, but collapsed in the second half and lost the match. Soulé gave Roma the lead around the tenth minute with a left-footed strike, and Malen doubled it from the spot before the break. United then won a penalty in the second half. Vásquez saved the initial spot-kick, but the referee ordered a retake because Cristante had his knee on the line when he cleared the rebound. Bruno Fernandes stepped up again and scored, and Roma's concentration went with it. Balerdi's slip allowed the equaliser, and another error led to United's third goal. Roma had dominated the first half, with Soulé and Malen putting them 2-0 up. The second half turned on the disputed penalty. Roma appeared to tire after that, and a thin bench did not help. Gasperini's side had been pushed back, and the closing stages followed a familiar pattern for the club in recent weeks. The ratings were: Vásquez 6, Mancini 5.5, Balerdi 4.5, Hermoso 6, Cristante 6, De Roon 5.5, Wesley 5.5, Mora 6.5, Soulé 6.5, Malen 6 and Gasperini 5.5. Ghilardi, who came on for Mancini in the 74th minute, was rated 5.5, and N'Dicka, on for Hermoso in the 75th, was rated 5.5. Lulli, on for Rensch after 22 minutes, was rated 5.5. Rensch was not rated after playing barely twenty minutes. Pisilli, on from the 45th minute, was rated 5, while Castro, who came on for Malen in the 77th minute, was rated 5.5. Vásquez saved the first penalty but could do nothing about the retake. Mancini was booked for the penalty concession and was reportedly unhappy with the decision. Mora's pass for Soulé and his contribution to the penalty earned him the highest rating of the night, despite a couple of light touches. Balerdi was the most heavily criticised. His rating reflected a double-edged performance: some anticipations raised the pressure, but he steered well for long periods before the late errors. Cristante was praised for his control in the first half and was described as losing some sharpness after the break. The match report ends with the group stage in mind, though the source does not state a next fixture. Roma's bench and fatigue remain the central talking points.

Roma threw away a first-half lead and lost 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the fourth matchday of the Champions League League Phase. Soulé gave Roma the lead with a delightful control and a cool left-foot finish in front of Lammens, and Malen doubled the advantage from the penalty spot. United fought back through Bruno Fernandes, whose penalty came after a contested decision by referee Gil Manzano, and then a Cunha double sealed the comeback. Roma dominated the first half but could not hold on after the break, as the home crowd swelled and United grew in confidence. The collapse came after the interval, when Roma lost possession, shape and composure. Vásquez saved Bruno Fernandes's first penalty, but the referee ordered it retaken and he could not stop the second. Mancini was involved in the contact with Cunha that led to the spot kick, which the report describes as a very debatable call. Balerdi had been outstanding for more than 80 minutes, dominating the defence with authority, precision and quick recoveries, before missing the ball at the centre of the box from a Bruno Fernandes cross, which gave Cunha the equaliser. Hermoso also struggled after the break, fading along with the rest of the back line. Rodrigo Mora was rated 7 for his vision and passing, and his interval withdrawal was felt keenly, with Roma losing quality, unpredictability and the ability to frighten United. Soulé was also rated 7 for his first-half display, though he faded in the second. Malen scored his penalty with composure but faded after the break. Cristante was rated 6.5 for a commanding first half, and Wesley was praised for his defensive covers, though he was too erratic going forward. Pisilli, who came on for Mora at 46 minutes, was rated 5 and was described as having failed to add quality or energy to midfield. Rensch played only 22 minutes and was not rated, as he was injured, and Lulli came on for him and was rated 5. Ghilardi replaced Mancini at 75 minutes and Ndicka replaced Hermoso at the same time, both rated 6, while Castro came on for Malen at 78 minutes and was rated 5.5. De Roon was rated 5.5 after a first half in which he was tireless but a second half in which he was overrun. Gasperini was rated 5. The report said Roma were a side of two faces and that the coach's changes did not work, with Mora's withdrawal costing the team offensive quality and the substitutions of Pisilli and Lulli failing to pay off. It said the recurring problem was that Roma fell apart as soon as they conceded, losing their identity and confidence once their opponents gained courage. The report concluded that Gasperini would have much to reflect on after a defeat that left a bitter taste.

Roma led Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford before losing 3-2, as Bruno Fernandes' penalty and a Matheus Cunha double turned the match around. Roma came into the Champions League fixture missing Gollini, so Devis Vásquez started in goal, with Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso at the back and Rensch and Wesley on the flanks. Cristante and De Roon formed the central pair, with Mora, Soulé and Malen as the front three. Roma dominated the first half. Mora played the ball through for Soulé, who controlled it in the box and beat Lammens at his near post. In the 16th minute Heaven blocked a shot from the same Argentine with his arm, and the referee pointed to the spot. Malen sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0. Rensch then pulled up with a muscle problem and was replaced by Lulli. Malen and Soulé both came close to a third goal before the interval, and Roma went in ahead 2-0 after a near-perfect first half. The second half changed the match. In the 54th minute Gil Manzano awarded a highly disputed penalty for contact between Mancini and Cunha. Vásquez saved Bruno Fernandes' effort, but the spot-kick was ordered retaken for a early entry into the area, and the Portuguese scored at the second attempt to make it 1-2. The penalty decision has provoked controversy. Mbeumo then hit both posts in the same United move, and Roma dropped deeper. Gasperini made changes, bringing on Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Castro, but United struck late. In the 82nd minute Cunha took advantage of an error by Balerdi to equalise, and shortly afterwards he exploited another defensive lapse to complete the comeback at 3-2. The defeat leaves Roma on four points and drops them to 19th in the table. Having dominated for 45 minutes and come close to a famous result, the club leave Old Trafford still searching for a first win there.