Mancini commits to Roma for life and reflects on derby heroics

Roma face Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow evening at 21:00 in the fourth matchday of the Champions League League Phase. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at his press conference ahead of the match, warning his side not to be distracted by United's difficulties. He said: "We must not be distracted by their difficulties. I am dreaming short-term, at this moment the dream is to put in a great performance here, and I hope it is achievable." Alongside the Roma boss, midfielder Marten de Roon addressed the media. He said: "We want to give continuity, I am happy to be able to lend a hand." Asked about the supporters, he added: "I was happy about the applause against Cagliari." His remark that "the boss is unique" drew an amused reaction from Gasperini. In training, Balerdi and Cristante wore conspicuous knee strapping. If the Argentine starts on the bench, Cristante will start in the wide midfield position. Mancini and Lulli return to the starting line-up. Roma's attention now turns to Old Trafford, where a performance of quality is the stated aim for the coach and his players.

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned Roma not to underestimate Manchester United despite the Premier League club's difficulties, ahead of their Champions League clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday 3 November. Speaking at his press conference, the head coach said: "It is a strong team, there are players of absolute value, it is a hot and difficult environment. We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester." Roma face continued absences. Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Manu Koné are all unavailable, forcing the squad to adapt. Gasperini said: "In midfield we are counted. I hope it is a moment of transition." He assured that the players available are ready, while the return of the injured players could come after the international break. Gasperini also praised the wide options, saying Wesley and Lulli are doing well on the flanks, while Molina and Rensch have responded positively when called upon. Marten de Roon also spoke at the press conference on the eve of Manchester United-Roma. He said: "Gasp? I respect him enormously, his way of training us tactically is above everyone else's." According to the midfielder, the squad is developing personality, although against Real Madrid a little maturity was missing. He said: "We must defend better at certain moments. But we are growing." De Roon also commented on the applause the fans gave the team against Cagliari, stressing that performances matter most: "Results always show what you are worth, I am on the right track to earn their forgiveness." He added maximum respect for Manchester United and the atmosphere at Old Trafford, but also the desire to return home with an important result: "They are a strong team, but we want to achieve a great result." Roma will wear their third kit of the season for the Champions League trip to Old Trafford on Tuesday 3 November. The outfield players will wear grey shirts, while the goalkeeper will wear yellow. The warm-up tops will be aqua green. This differs from the last league match against Udinese, when Roma played in their traditional red shirt. Former manager Roberto Pruzzo, speaking to Radio Radio, said: "Manchester United look like a second-tier team. Against Como they performed terribly, it is a team that has switched off. It is an opportunity to seize, without thinking we are much stronger than our opponents. The team is in full health and I think there are prospects to continue doing well." Carina, also on Radio Radio, said: "It is the best moment to face Manchester. Roma have always lost: 4 times out of 4, including the emphatic 7-1. Those were always defeats that hurt, now you have the chance to do well. Roma are a pleasure to watch, they always want to score more goals and can trouble any team in the world as long as their legs hold up."

Roma's probable starting line-up for their trip to Manchester United has been revealed, with Lulli starting from the first minute and Cristante named in attack. Mancini returns to the starting back three, while de Roon and Pisilli keep their places in midfield. Soulé and Malen complete the front three. The match is a Champions League fixture for Roma, who are in the competition this season after finishing third in Serie A in 2025-26. The line-up news follows the team's official preview, with the squad building around its attacking options in a demanding European away trip. The probable line-up was published on 2 November 2026 at 19:57 by Forzaroma.info.

Roma face Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow evening at 21:00 in the fourth matchday of the Champions League League Phase. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at his press conference ahead of the match, warning his side not to be distracted by United's difficulties. He said: "We must not be distracted by their difficulties. I am dreaming short-term, at this moment the dream is to put in a great performance here, and I hope it is achievable." Alongside the Roma boss, midfielder Marten de Roon addressed the media. He said: "We want to give continuity, I am happy to be able to lend a hand." Asked about the supporters, he added: "I was happy about the applause against Cagliari." His remark that "the boss is unique" drew an amused reaction from Gasperini. In training, Balerdi and Cristante wore conspicuous knee strapping. If the Argentine starts on the bench, Cristante will start in the wide midfield position. Mancini and Lulli return to the starting line-up. Roma's attention now turns to Old Trafford, where a performance of quality is the stated aim for the coach and his players.

Roma's probable starting line-up for their trip to Manchester United has been revealed, with Lulli starting from the first minute and Cristante named in attack. Mancini returns to the starting back three, while de Roon and Pisilli keep their places in midfield. Soulé and Malen complete the front three. The match is a Champions League fixture for Roma, who are in the competition this season after finishing third in Serie A in 2025-26. The line-up news follows the team's official preview, with the squad building around its attacking options in a demanding European away trip. The probable line-up was published on 2 November 2026 at 19:57 by Forzaroma.info.

Former Roma left-back Max Tonetto, speaking exclusively to Retesport, said Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma share a strong identity with the side Luciano Spalletti built, with both projects built on a clear idea and a club that backs its coach. Tonetto said the results are now visible: Roma reached the Champions League in a season that brought many defeats, and the team has grown with signings made in the market. He noted that the first Spalletti team had far more difficulties. Looking ahead to Manchester United, Tonetto said the environment at Old Trafford is important, as the stadium regularly hosts Champions League football. He said Roma must impact the match in the right way, and that the first 15 minutes will be key. He added that Roma are aware of their qualities but must not give the opponent courage, because things can turn around quickly. On Gasperini, Tonetto said the coach's great philosophy is to accept no compromises: regardless of the opponent or the league position, the team always plays the same way. He said the road Gasp has taken is the right one, and that this way of playing pays off. Tonetto contrasted the two coaches: unlike Gasperini, Spalletti sought adjustments when an opponent had particular traits, while this Roma does not do that. He cited the match against Cagliari, when Mancini struggled against Fadera but the coach made no changes and kept playing the same way. The only change came in the final minutes, with Ghilardi, and Tonetto said the coach admitted he should have made it earlier. He added that all the players think in the same way. On Lulli, Tonetto called him a great discovery. He said Gasperini has worked with him since last season and that he is the ideal winger for the coach's game. He described him as the perfect stereotype: he has sprint, closes down every cross, and has an incredible engine and legs. Tonetto said he was surprised by the maturity and personality the player has shown, adding that it is not normal at his age. He said it could be a gradual path Gasperini is studying for him, or a chance from rotation, but that it will happen soon, and that the player is showing on the pitch that he is reliable, a fundamental quality for a coach. He said he did not believe there were many coaches better than Gasp at developing young players like him. Tonetto said the leap forward has been remarkable and that the fact he could be a starter is important. Tonetto also addressed the team's gaps and Niccolò Pisilli. He said the side lacks a midfielder, and that Pisilli is not, in his view, a defensive midfielder: he can do it, but lacks those characteristics, and paradoxically one would lose something in his forward movement. He called Pisilli good in many roles, adding that he will need a clearly defined identity but is on the right track with Gasp. Tonetto said he sees Pisilli as a box-to-box midfielder, closer to the trequartista zone than the holding line, and said he has already shown a lot. He said it is always pleasing to add a player from the academy, and that it is a source of pride to see him wear the captain's armband. On sending players out on loan, Tonetto said it makes sense to have this internal option, since not everyone becomes a first-rate player immediately and some need a few years, which is why the Under 23 side is useful. Asked whether Roma are a title side, Tonetto said the goal is to settle in the top part of the table. He said the same mentality must be kept, and that the final half hour of a season can make the difference in winning the Scudetto. He concluded that always being close to the top is the right path.

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned Roma not to underestimate Manchester United despite the Premier League club's difficulties, ahead of their Champions League clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday 3 November. Speaking at his press conference, the head coach said: "It is a strong team, there are players of absolute value, it is a hot and difficult environment. We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester." Roma face continued absences. Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Manu Koné are all unavailable, forcing the squad to adapt. Gasperini said: "In midfield we are counted. I hope it is a moment of transition." He assured that the players available are ready, while the return of the injured players could come after the international break. Gasperini also praised the wide options, saying Wesley and Lulli are doing well on the flanks, while Molina and Rensch have responded positively when called upon. Marten de Roon also spoke at the press conference on the eve of Manchester United-Roma. He said: "Gasp? I respect him enormously, his way of training us tactically is above everyone else's." According to the midfielder, the squad is developing personality, although against Real Madrid a little maturity was missing. He said: "We must defend better at certain moments. But we are growing." De Roon also commented on the applause the fans gave the team against Cagliari, stressing that performances matter most: "Results always show what you are worth, I am on the right track to earn their forgiveness." He added maximum respect for Manchester United and the atmosphere at Old Trafford, but also the desire to return home with an important result: "They are a strong team, but we want to achieve a great result." Roma will wear their third kit of the season for the Champions League trip to Old Trafford on Tuesday 3 November. The outfield players will wear grey shirts, while the goalkeeper will wear yellow. The warm-up tops will be aqua green. This differs from the last league match against Udinese, when Roma played in their traditional red shirt. Former manager Roberto Pruzzo, speaking to Radio Radio, said: "Manchester United look like a second-tier team. Against Como they performed terribly, it is a team that has switched off. It is an opportunity to seize, without thinking we are much stronger than our opponents. The team is in full health and I think there are prospects to continue doing well." Carina, also on Radio Radio, said: "It is the best moment to face Manchester. Roma have always lost: 4 times out of 4, including the emphatic 7-1. Those were always defeats that hurt, now you have the chance to do well. Roma are a pleasure to watch, they always want to score more goals and can trouble any team in the world as long as their legs hold up."

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned Roma not to be distracted ahead of their trip to face Manchester United, describing the Premier League side as strong despite a difficult run of results. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on the eve of the fixture, the Roma coach said: "Manchester in the league is going through a moment of difficulty in results, but we cannot be distracted. In any case, it is a strong team, there are players of absolute value, it is a warm and difficult environment. We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester." Asked what his side still lacks, Gasperini said: "Perfection does not exist for the very big teams, and not for us either. Our quality is that we always try to improve. We know our characteristics, but we know that in some situations we can do better." On the subject of dreams, he added: "Everyone has the right to dream. I try to make dreams achievable in the short term, starting from tomorrow, in a fantastic stadium famous all over the world. I hope it is achievable." Gasperini outlined the immediate problems. "If you are missing Pellegrini, Dybala and Koné in the same areas, we try to adapt a little at certain moments. We have the alternative of Castro with Malen, and in midfield we are counted. I hope it is a passing moment. We have played these seven matches on a knife's edge, but we have always had prepared players who have recovered quickly." On Mora, he said: "He is well. The 17 who are here are all ready. After the break we hope to get everyone back. It is difficult this week." On defensive options, Gasperini praised Wesley alongside Lulli, saying: "In that area Wesley is also doing very well alongside Lulli. Molina needed to play, and Rensch has also done very well. For them it is demanding, they cover a lot of ground with acceleration and speed." Asked about Manchester United's struggles under Carrick and how a big club can turn things around, Gasperini said: "Every situation is different. I do not know the Manchester situation precisely, but they have strong players. You can suffer for a certain period, but then you can restart, hopefully from the day after tomorrow. At Inter I was really there too briefly, three matches, so I would not make that comparison." On whether Italian football has closed the gap with England on a technical and tactical level, he said: "We will have to see from the results. The last time it went better, the day before not well for the Italian clubs. Italian football is expressing a good quality of play, with many teams giving satisfaction to their fans and many good matches." Gasperini admitted United's current difficulties make them dangerous: "We hope so, but it is always a big unknown. They are teams made up of very strong players who, especially in the league, have had difficulties. But you can always expect reactions and the ability to find the path they have not found until now. We hope for the opposite and to accentuate their difficulties." On his team selection, he said: "Let's see. We play so intensely between one match and the next that we have to wait until the last day to decide." Asked about Svilar, Koné and Dybala, he added: "We are travelling one step at a time. For now we play this match, then on Wednesday we return to Rome and we will assess all three to see whether it is possible to recover them for Sassuolo or after the break."

Gian Piero Gasperini has told reporters that Roma must not be distracted by Manchester United's struggles as the Giallorossi prepare for Wednesday's Champions League League Phase fourth-matchday fixture at Old Trafford, which kicks off at 21:00. Roma arrive in Manchester after a commanding 5-2 Serie A win over Udinese, and the match comes at the end of a particularly demanding run of fixtures. The Giallorossi.net editorial team is covering the head coach's press conference live from Manchester, which begins at 18:20 Italian time. Gasperini acknowledged that United are going through a difficult period in the league, but he stressed that his side cannot afford to take their opponents lightly. "Manchester is in a difficult moment in their results, but we cannot be distracted. However, it is a strong team, there are players of absolute quality, it is a warm and difficult environment. We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester." On whether Roma are yet perfect, Gasperini said: "Perfection does not exist for the very great teams, nor for us. Our quality is that we always try to improve ourselves. We know our characteristics, but we know that in some situations we can do better." Asked about the dream of playing at Old Trafford, the so-called Theatre of Dreams, he said: "Everyone has the right to dream. I try to make dreams that are achievable in the short term, starting from tomorrow, in a fantastic stadium famous all over the world. I hope it is achievable." On injuries, Gasperini admitted the squad is stretched. "If you are missing Pellegrini, Dybala and Koné in the same areas, we try to adapt a little at certain moments. We have the alternative of Castro with Malen, and in midfield we are counted. I hope it is a passing moment. We have played these seven matches on a knife edge. But we have always had prepared players who have recovered quickly. Mora? He is well, the 17 we have are all ready. After the break we hope to have everyone back. Difficult this week." On defensive options, he praised Lulli and Wesley. "In that area, Wesley is also doing very well alongside Lulli. Molina needed to play, and Rensch has also done very well. For them it is demanding, they cover a lot of ground with acceleration and speed." Gasperini was also asked about his own past in England and the contrast with Michael Carrick's current difficulties at United. "Every situation is different. I do not know the Manchester situation precisely, but they have strong players. You can suffer for a certain period, but then you can restart, hopefully from the day after tomorrow. I was at Inter for really too short a time, three matches, so I would not make that comparison." He was further asked whether Italian football has closed the gap with England on the pitch. "We will have to see from the results. The last time it went better, the previous day not well for the Italian sides. The Italian championship is expressing a good quality of play, with many teams giving their fans satisfaction and many good matches." On whether United's current form makes this the right moment to face them, Gasperini replied: "We hope so, but it is always a great unknown. They are teams made up of very strong players, who in the league in particular have had difficulties. But you can always expect reactions and the capacity to find the path they have not found until now. We hope the opposite, and to accentuate their difficulties." Asked whether Mora or three midfielders will start, he said: "We will see. We play so intensely between one match and the next that we have to wait until the last day to decide." Finally, on Svilar, Koné and Dybala, Gasperini said: "We are travelling one step at a time. For now we play this match, then on Wednesday we return to Rome and we will assess all three to see whether it is possible to recover them against Sassuolo or after the break."