Mancini says Roma never gave up, praises Balerdi's leadership

Roma came from behind to earn a point at Napoli's Maradona stadium, with the Argentines at the centre of the story. Soulé produced the first moment of quality, before Balerdi scored a brace to rescue the draw. Afterwards, Santiago Castro, who came on after the break, shared his reaction on social media. He wrote: "A great demonstration of character from the whole team, let's keep going like this always." The post drew a playful response from Leonardo, who replied: "Thanks for the assist" and added a nose emoji. The joke refers to Balerdi's second goal, which came from a fortunate touch of the face by Castro. The exchange offered a lighter moment for Roma's Argentine contingent after a hard-fought result on the road. The comeback was built on Soulé's goal and Balerdi's two strikes, with Castro's contribution in the second half adding to the good mood in the camp.

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."

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to the media after Napoli 1-1 Roma...

Gianluca Mancini said a point was a fair result after Roma's Serie A matchday 8 clash at Napoli, played at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Roma conceded three goals, the same number they had let in across the rest of the league campaign, and Mancini admitted that was a problem for the defenders. Asked about it, he said: "Quello si, purtroppo ci sono partite in cui li prendi. Dobbiamo rivedere il primo tempo dove abbiamo subito molte occasioni." He pointed to the first half, where Roma faced a lot of chances, and to the first goal, scored by Anguissa, where he felt the team could have managed the ball better. Mancini described a Roma side that refuses to give up. He said the team had never shown that habit before, apart from one game last year in Milan, and that the squad keeps creating chances in every match. He said Napoli are one of the strong sides they had to face, and that the players who came on did not lower the tempo, with the team staying reactive at its highest level. On the question of whether the new arrivals had raised the standard, he agreed that this was what the squad had been missing, adding that the newcomers were strong and young. Mancini said: "Mollare non l'abbiamo mai fatto, forse una partita l'anno scorso a Milano. Quest'anno ci crediamo sempre, creiamo occasioni, poi ci sono le squadre forti come il Napoli. Oggi chiunque è entrato non ha abbassato il ritmo della partita e la squadra rimane sempre reattiva al massimo. Siamo contenti." On the newcomers, he added: "Assolutamente sì, era quello che ci mancava. Sono arrivati tutti ragazzi forti, giovani. Leo è stato capitano in una squadra importante come il Marsiglia. Diamo tutto per questa maglia per portare a casa sempre il risultato." On the concessions, he said: "Anche sul gol di Anguissa potevamo gestire meglio la palla, sul secondo sapevamo la forza di McTominay in area e il terzo dalla distanza. Fa parte di queste partite, l'importante è reagire e non abbattersi. Per come si era messa un punto va bene."

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to Dazn after Roma's draw with Napoli, saying he feels he is getting further forward and that Gasperini is giving him more freedom to push on. Balerdi said: "What a match and what a reaction. It's the first double of my career. Now I'm getting a bit more involved, I saw it from Mancini and Hermoso. Today we wanted to win but at least we take a point home." Asked about the secret behind his current form, Balerdi credited the coach: "Gasperini is teaching me these new movements, he gives me more freedom to go forward." He also pointed to the freedom to get into the box as a key part of his game at the moment. When asked whether Roma can dream, Balerdi said: "I feel very good here, I've said it since day one. I've been welcomed really well, it feels like I've been here for three years. And that's thanks to the group."

Gianluca Mancini has said Roma never give up, speaking to Dazn after the 1-1 draw with Napoli. Asked about the team's attitude, he said: "It's a Roma that never gives up. You're right. We never give up, we only gave up against Inter last year. We create the chances and we have never been downcast. This is the sign of a great team, and it's important that the substitutes come on well and give intensity. Today I am very happy." Mancini was also asked whether Roma are stronger than last year. He said the new arrivals are strong and young, and that the club's depth has grown. He noted that Leonardo Balerdi is not young but has brought experience and leadership. "All those who have arrived are strong and have increased the value of the squad. Roma is the most important thing, we give everything for this shirt." Last season's collapse against Inter was therefore not forgotten, and Mancini framed this year's group as a response to it. On the match itself, Mancini said: "We need to review the first half. The goals we conceded are part of games like this. What matters is not to be downcast and to react. Given how the game had gone, it turned out well."

Nahuel Molina has said he is happy to accept rotation with his fellow wide players and that he came to Roma to help the team in every way possible, following the 0-0 draw at Napoli...

Nahuel Molina has spoken at a press conference after Roma's draw with Napoli, saying the point is fair and important for the club on a difficult ground. Molina has been used both on the right and, at times, on the left of the back line, and he says he is happy wherever the coach asks him to play. Roma are keeping pace near the top of the table, and Molina admits the result was a helpful one given the club's ambitions. Asked how he feels about rotating with his fellow wide players, Molina said: "Bene, tranquillo. Sappiamo che ci sono tante partite quindi sono tranquillo e contento se gioca un altro compagno. Siamo una squadra." He was signed to play on the right, and he has also featured on the left, a switch the coach asked him to consider when he arrived. "E' una scelta del mister. Mi ha chiesto se potevo giocare anche a sinistra quando sono arrivato. Ho sempre giocato a destra, ma mi trovo bene anche a sinistra. Dove gioco sono contento, sono venuto per aiutare la squadra in tutti i modi." On the result, Molina said: "Alla fine penso che il pareggio sia giusto. Anche il Napoli ha fatto una grande partita. Volevamo vincere e portare punti a casa, ma alla fine è un punto importante in questo campo per restare sopra." Asked how hard it is to come on in a complex situation, he replied: "Non lo so. Ci alleniamo tutti i giorni per questo e penso che tutti dobbiamo essere concentrati per il nostro momento, non si sa mai cosa possa succede. Sono entrato nel secondo tempo e per fortuna è andata bene." Roma have played Como, Inter and Napoli recently. Asked which of the three sides had caused them most problems, Molina said: "Non so dirtelo. Sicuramente in tutte e tre le partite potevamo fare meglio e più punti. Non abbiamo perso. Dobbiamo continuare così e migliorare ogni partita per essere sopra fino alla fine." Speaking to DAZN, Molina added: "Si certamente. Avevamo tanta voglia di portare punti a casa. Anche loro hanno fatto grande partita, penso che il punto sia buono per noi. Soprattutto se vogliamo essere lassù." On whether Roma can dream of more, he said: "Io ci credo tanto in questa Roma, però bisogna lavorare e continuare a pensare di vincere ogni partita. Abbiamo un grande gruppo e tutta la gente dietro che lavora con noi. Io la penso così, se tutti abbiamo la stessa quadra abbiamo grandi possibilità." Finally, on the Argentine group at the club, Molina said: "Questo è bellissimo, trovarsi tanti argentini in questo gruppo è bello. Siamo in cinque. Noi pensiamo a vincere, non importante se siamo in panchina. Noi portiamo il sangue e siamo sempre a disposizione del mister."

Roma came from behind twice to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A matchday eight, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side were rescued by Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench and scored a brilliant brace. Giallorossi.net's player ratings, written by Andrea Fiorini, gave Balerdi an 8 and Gasperini a 7 for a difficult away trip made without several important players. Gollini was rated 6, with a superb save from Olivera standing out, though he was uncertain with crosses into the box and could have done more on McTominay's shot. Ndicka was rated 6.5 for winning a physical duel with Hojlund, who had little impact. Hermoso, also 6.5, attacked often and tried several times to shoot, but his efforts were always deflected for corners, and Politano often took him on. Mancini was rated 5.5, lacking quality in attack and pace in defence, improving slightly after the break. Rensch, rated 6, made a crucial intervention on Lang but was rated as playing with the handbrake on, offering little going forward. Molina, who replaced him at 58', was rated 6.5 after Gasperini deployed him on the left, where his runs brought energy to the flank. De Roon, rated 6.5, grew into the game and was a wall in the second half. Pisilli was rated 5.5 and was not especially bright, with disappointing set-piece deliveries. Castro, who came on for him at 58', was rated 6 and gave the team a jolt, unsettling the Napoli defence. Wesley was rated 6, described as confused but running tirelessly, with a fine cross for Cristante that hit the post, and an assist for Balerdi's equaliser late on. Cristante was rated 6.5 for his physicality and a few good chances, though he lacked quality with the final pass. Soule was rated 7.5, a constant threat who troubled Napoli and set up Malen inside the area, though Malen wasted the chance. In the second half Soule struck a stunning left-foot shot that revitalised Roma and changed the momentum of the match. Malen was rated 6, wasting a penalty by hitting a weak effort in the area, and was saved only by his assist for Soule. Mora came on late without a rating. Gasperini was praised for his substitutions, which proved decisive in the final 3-3.

Balerdi came off the bench to score a brace and Roma salvaged a 3-3 draw at Napoli after trailing 2-0 and then 3-2, with McTominay's goal coming late in the game. Soulé was the outstanding attacking performer, with a stunning left-footed strike from distance among his contributions. Gasperini's side had to respond twice in a match that swung back and forth, and the equaliser came in a dramatic finish. The match was a test of character for a Roma side that had dropped in the first half-hour. Gasperini was not satisfied with the team in the opening thirty minutes, and the coach's tactical changes at half-time helped turn the game. Cristante returned to the lineup and brought variety to the midfield, providing Roma's first shot on goal. Gollini was at the centre of the defensive effort, making a Neuer-style rush off his line to deny De Bruyne and then a Svilar-like save from a cross by the same Belgian. Match ratings from the Italian report: Gollini 6, Mancini 6 (replaced by Ghilardi at 82 minutes), N'Dicka 6, Hermoso 6.5, Rensch 6 (replaced by Molina 6.5 at 57 minutes), Pisilli 5.5 (replaced by Castro 6 at 57 minutes), De Roon 6.5, Wesley 5.5, Cristante 7, Soulé 7.5, Malen 6.5 (replaced by Mora at 83 minutes), Gasperini 7. Balerdi, who came on for Hermoso at 57 minutes and was booked soon after, was rated 8. The report said Balerdi produced a double inside half an hour, with his finish summed up as the Argentine 'claw of the lion'. De Roon was credited for clearing a Hojlund shot off the line and for the cross that set up Balerdi's header. Soulé was praised for his dribbling, his defensive work, and his winning strike. The report noted Hermoso's ambition, including a long-range shot that struck the crossbar and a challenge on Hojlund, and Malen's assist for Soulé. Wesley was described as being under pressure from Politano on the right, while Pisilli was criticised for shyness in the first half and for his corner delivery. Gasperini's side finished the game with a point after Roma came back from a two-goal deficit and then from a 3-2 scoreline to draw level.

Roma head to Napoli with their unbeaten Serie A run intact and aim to keep it going today. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on his line-up for the clash with Antonio Allegri's side, who need a response after a heavy defeat at Venezia. Roma's starting XI is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, de Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Cristante plays further forward, alongside Soulé behind Malen. Napoli line up Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Marín, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang, in a 4-3-3. Roma's bench includes Vasquez, De Marzi, Lulli, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro and Camara. Napoli's bench features Meret, Contini, Beukema, Gilmour, Giovane, Lobotka, Lucca, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola and Vergara.

Gasperini's Roma face Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli in Serie A's eighth round this afternoon at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Kickoff is at 18:00, with the turnstiles open from 15:30. Roma travel without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini. Gasperini does have Cristante available again, and Malen is back in the starting frame after serving a one-match suspension. Cristante is the favourite to start in a more advanced role ahead of Mora. Napoli are expected to rely on Højlund, supported by Politano and Lang. In Roma's expected line-up, Lulli is favoured over Molina on the right flank. Cristante is set to play further forward, with Soulé and Malen completing the attack. The choice over Cristante's role is the main open question before the team sheets are released. Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Højlund, Lang. Substitutes: Meret, Contini, Beukema, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola, Gilmour, Lobotka, Vergara, Giovane, Lucca. Coach: Massimiliano Allegri. Roma (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Substitutes: Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro, Camara. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini. The referee is Colombo of Como, with assistants Bindoni and Rossi M. Fourth official: Sacchi J.L. VAR: Aureliano. Assistant VAR: Meraviglia.