Napoli-Roma VAR review: Marin's challenge on Wesley draws a yellow card

Matías Soulé was Roma's standout performer in a match against Napoli, with his close control and dribbling in tight spaces giving the side its most dangerous moments in the first half. The Argentine's runs down the flank and his willingness to track back when Napoli broke quickly stood out, and the writer argues his performance deserves credit regardless of the scoreboard. Soulé's best moment came with a stunning goal, a left-footed bending strike on a millimetre-perfect line. Just when it seemed the game was gone, he halved Napoli's lead, sounding the charge and turning the Maradona crowd's enthusiasm into a murmur of doubt, which became uncertainty and then genuine fear after Balerdi's goal. The writer insists that a Roma performance is judged by the team's overall play rather than individual moments of fortune, and that the result would not have diminished Soulé's display even had the game finished 3-2. The author's conclusion is that the decisive moments were ultimately settled by Balerdi, with the defensive failures to neutralise those episodes the real cause of the problem. Soulé's contribution, he argues, remains the thing worth saving from the match, whatever the context and final score.

Napoli took the lead against Roma at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in their Serie A 2026-27 matchday 8 fixture, with Frank Anguissa scoring in the 28th minute. The goal ended Roma's run of away-day shutouts, as the Giallorossi had kept a clean sheet in all three of their previous away league games this season. The strike came from a free kick taken by Politano in the 28th minute, which Anguissa converted. Roma had gone into the match with a record of not conceding on the road, and that run came to an end at Napoli's ground. Roma have now conceded their first goal in an away match this campaign, having kept the door shut in their first three trips of the 2026-27 Serie A season.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke after Napoli-Roma, the eighth matchday fixture of Serie A, which finished 3-2. He admitted Napoli were the better side for the first half hour, with Roma struggling to get out of their own half and to create chances. Roma improved late in the first half, and Gasperini said he was pleased, adding that the team had felt they could win. He said the third Napoli goal could have undone them, but that Roma did well to come back. Gasperini praised his side's calm approach. He said there was no panic, that the team kept its own way of playing, and that the goals were of good quality. He said the side had arrived with several players, and that the energy of those who came on from the bench had made a difference. He singled out Soulé as outstanding and said many players had played a good game. Roma, he said, are in a good moment, playing good football and aiming to push on as far as they can, with high morale. He also said that, given the result, the side almost felt they had dropped two points, but that the 3-2 scoreline meant the outcome was fine. On the fixture's standing, Gasperini said Roma had been competitive against the best sides in all three of their recent matches. He pointed to the draw with Inter, where Roma came close to winning, and to the match against Como, when Roma were down to ten men for the whole second half. He called facing Napoli, given their current strength, a fresh test, and said that coming back to level had been a good boost. He also gave strong praise to Balerdi and De Roon, saying that when he arrived he was convinced they were leaders and that their contribution in recent weeks had been extraordinary from the start. He said De Roon found it easier, having played many years in Serie A, while Balerdi showed extraordinary energy and scored a brace, a great reinforcement for the club. Asked whether the brace was a good sign given Caldara's double, Gasperini said this was a different side, adding that Napoli had always been a major reference point and that competing with them gives you the strength to take on other teams. He also said Allegri had seemed very nervous, but joked that he hoped it was not because of him. Gasperini said the flexibility of Cristante was important in the team's midfield. He explained that the side had often had to play with the same players in that area, and that Cristante's value allowed Roma to play him as the deep midfielder or to come in between the two and push another player forward, which gave the team options. Asked whether the match could shape the season, Gasperini said it was still too early to talk in definitive terms, but that winning at Napoli would be a big push and a further proof of confidence and strength.

Napoli beat Roma 2-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A's eighth round, with Anguissa and McTominay scoring for the hosts and Matías Soulé pulling one back for Roma. Gian Piero Gasperini's side were without Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Gasperini did, however, have Bryan Cristante back in the starting XI and Donyell Malen available again after serving a one-match suspension. Massimiliano Allegri started Højlund, supported by Politano and Lang, while Rrahmani was ruled out by flu and did not make the bench. Roma's starting line-up was Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Rensch lined up at right-back, and Cristante was pushed further forward, with Pisilli alongside him in midfield. Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rafa Marin, Badiashile, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Højlund, Lang. Colombo of Como refereed, with Bindoni-Rossi M. and Sacchi J.L. as assistants, Aureliano on VAR and Meraviglia as VAR assistant. Rafa Marin was booked after three minutes for a heavy challenge on Wesley, and Cristante and Rensch were also cautioned, in the 28th and 45th minutes. Roma had early chances through Soulé, who fired a left-footed effort wide in the 8th minute, and Cristante, whose powerful right foot struck the outside of the net in the 20th minute. Malen went close from the edge of the box in the 24th minute, when Meret saved with his foot. Gollini kept Roma in the game with a pair of saves, first rushing out to deny De Bruyne in the 34th minute and then stopping Olivera at close range in the 43rd. Cristante hit the left-hand post with a header in the 44th minute. Hermoso had a shooting chance in the 37th minute that was deflected wide. Napoli took the lead in the 27th minute when Anguissa scored with an overhead kick in the Roma area, although Gollini was unable to do anything. The move had started from a free kick that appeared to have no foul on De Bruyne. Before half-time Malen wasted a good opening for Roma. Napoli doubled their lead in the 47th minute, when Politano's right-wing cross was headed in by McTominay, who got ahead of Rensch. Gollini then made a save to deny Politano in the 56th minute, after Wesley had lost possession. Badiashile limped off with an injury in the 51st minute and was replaced by Beukema. Roma made three changes in the 58th minute, bringing on Molina, Balerdi and Castro for Rensch, Pisilli and Hermoso. Napoli also made a substitution in the 65th minute, with Giovane replacing Politano. Soulé reduced the deficit in the 69th minute with a left-footed strike from a tight angle, set up by Malen, to make it 2-1. Napoli held on to take the three points.

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.

Napoli defender Benoît Badiashile has spoken to Dazn ahead of the club's match against Roma, praising Roma forward Donyell Malen and saying Napoli will need to work as a unit to stop him. Asked how he is settling in, Badiashile said: "I'm happy to be here. At the start it was tough, but now I feel good." On how to deal with Malen, a player he knows well, Badiashile said: "I played against him when he was at Aston Villa, he is really strong. We will have to work as a team to stop him." The comments come before a meeting between Napoli and Roma, with Malen one of the attacking threats Napoli have identified ahead of kick-off. Badiashile's remarks focus on the collective defensive effort required rather than any individual plan.

Roma defender Badiashile says he is settling in better in Italy, after a difficult start to life in a league that differs greatly from England. Speaking ahead of Napoli-Roma, a match in matchday eight of Serie A, he discussed his adaptation and the challenge of facing Donyell Malen. Badiashile said: "I'm very happy to be here. The start was hard because it is very different from England, but I'm adapting better." His comments offer an insight into how the Frenchman is finding his feet in Serie A, a competition that has posed its own demands since his arrival. He has faced Malen before, during his time at Aston Villa, and he spoke about the threat the forward poses. Badiashile said: "He is an excellent striker. To stop a striker like that, individual work is not enough, we need teamwork." The message points to a collective defensive effort from Roma as they prepare to meet Napoli.

Napoli beat Roma 2-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A's eighth round, with Anguissa and McTominay scoring for the hosts and Matías Soulé pulling one back for Roma. Gian Piero Gasperini's side were without Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Gasperini did, however, have Bryan Cristante back in the starting XI and Donyell Malen available again after serving a one-match suspension. Massimiliano Allegri started Højlund, supported by Politano and Lang, while Rrahmani was ruled out by flu and did not make the bench. Roma's starting line-up was Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Rensch lined up at right-back, and Cristante was pushed further forward, with Pisilli alongside him in midfield. Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rafa Marin, Badiashile, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Højlund, Lang. Colombo of Como refereed, with Bindoni-Rossi M. and Sacchi J.L. as assistants, Aureliano on VAR and Meraviglia as VAR assistant. Rafa Marin was booked after three minutes for a heavy challenge on Wesley, and Cristante and Rensch were also cautioned, in the 28th and 45th minutes. Roma had early chances through Soulé, who fired a left-footed effort wide in the 8th minute, and Cristante, whose powerful right foot struck the outside of the net in the 20th minute. Malen went close from the edge of the box in the 24th minute, when Meret saved with his foot. Gollini kept Roma in the game with a pair of saves, first rushing out to deny De Bruyne in the 34th minute and then stopping Olivera at close range in the 43rd. Cristante hit the left-hand post with a header in the 44th minute. Hermoso had a shooting chance in the 37th minute that was deflected wide. Napoli took the lead in the 27th minute when Anguissa scored with an overhead kick in the Roma area, although Gollini was unable to do anything. The move had started from a free kick that appeared to have no foul on De Bruyne. Before half-time Malen wasted a good opening for Roma. Napoli doubled their lead in the 47th minute, when Politano's right-wing cross was headed in by McTominay, who got ahead of Rensch. Gollini then made a save to deny Politano in the 56th minute, after Wesley had lost possession. Badiashile limped off with an injury in the 51st minute and was replaced by Beukema. Roma made three changes in the 58th minute, bringing on Molina, Balerdi and Castro for Rensch, Pisilli and Hermoso. Napoli also made a substitution in the 65th minute, with Giovane replacing Politano. Soulé reduced the deficit in the 69th minute with a left-footed strike from a tight angle, set up by Malen, to make it 2-1. Napoli held on to take the three points.