Newport County 0–1 Roma: Hermoso breaks deadlock in first-half friendly

Roma travel to Old Trafford tomorrow evening for their fourth League Phase match of the Champions League against Manchester United, with kickoff at 21:00. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will wear their black third kit, which they have worn only once this season, in the 3-3 draw with Napoli at the Maradona ten days ago. That night, Balerdi was the outstanding figure, but he is expected to start on the bench tomorrow, barring a surprise. Gollini will play in a yellow shirt. Manchester United will be in their traditional red home kit, with their goalkeeper in green. Spanish referee Gil Manzano will wear light blue. The match is the fourth matchday of the League Phase, one of several key tests in Roma's Champions League campaign this season.

Roma supporters are preparing a choreography in the stands to back the team ahead of the Manchester United fixture, despite the hosts' current crisis. Daniele Aloisi reports that the stadium will be full, and that the home fans' end has a display ready to urge on Carrick's side. Manchester United are going through a difficult spell, and the reporting notes that the atmosphere in the stands is being prepared regardless. The travelling support is expected to make its presence felt as Roma look to take something from the match. The story reflects the strong backing the squad receives from the Roma end. The headline's reference to Carrick points to the Manchester United head coach, whose side the choreography is aimed at. Further detail on the display and the supporters' plans is contained in the original report, which was published on 2 November 2026 at 20:13.

Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma travel to Manchester United for the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase. The match is scheduled for Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 21:00 (Italian time). The fixture pits two mid-table sides with contrasting moods against each other, according to the Italian report. Roma head into the game under Gasperini, who is the sole person responsible for team selection and tactics. The article also covers where to watch the match on television and via streaming, the probable starting line-ups for both teams, and the current Champions League league-phase standings.

Roma radio pundits split on whether Gian Piero Gasperini should keep Gianluca Mancini in the back three or give the starting role to Daniele Ghilardi, while also discussing Manchester United's slump ahead of the Champions League meeting. David Rossi of Rete Sport argued that Ghilardi should play, saying: "Ghilardi deve giocare, non Mancini, sia per un discorso difensivo che offensivo." He pointed to Ghilardi's recent form, with two goals in the last two matches, one of them disallowed, and a decisive assist against Cagliari, adding that he had been the best player on the pitch at Lecce. Rossi said Mancini's continued selection was a dressing-room decision, noting that Gasperini had asked for new contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. The debate sits against a strong run for the club. Roma have six matches in a row behind them and have reached the seventh game of a run of nine, which Lorenzo Pes noted with a squad stretched thin. Pes also pointed out that against the same opponents as last season, Roma have seven more points this year. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said the team was showing strong attitude and that Roma were clearly superior to recent years, adding: "non bisogna aver timore di pensare alla vittoria del titolo." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo argued that either Roma or Inter would win the Scudetto, and that a stadium project and a Scudetto would make the Friedkins historic. On team selection, Gianluca Piacentini expected some rotation, with Marten de Roon expected to start because he is due at the press conference, and Niccolò Pisilli seen taking Rodrigo Mora's place. Piacentini said Wesley would not play if Gasperini had seen his social media activity. Pes saw Leonardo Balerdi starting in place of Mario Hermoso, with Devyne Rensch as a card the fans underestimate, and expected the three midfielders to return with Mora coming on during the game. Corsi also argued that Bryan Cristante had become more important than Manu Koné. On Manchester United, Roberto Pruzzo said: "Lo United ha staccato la spina", describing them as weakened and unable to motivate anyone under former player Carrick, and calling it an opportunity to exploit. Nando Orsi warned that Old Trafford is always difficult, saying: "Non so se è sicura la vittoria della Roma." Mario Mattioli added that the team must take the game seriously, that entering Old Trafford is intimidating, and that Roma should avoid thinking only of avenging the seven goals conceded. Piero Torri said a win at Manchester would put Roma three-quarters of the way towards a play-off place, while noting that Inter depend heavily on Lautaro Martínez. The programme also covered refereeing controversies, including a revoked penalty in Como-Venezia that Alessio Nardo called inexplicable, and a player struck in the face in Lazio-Cagliari. Roma's next match is the trip to Manchester United in the Champions League.

Roma's strong start to the season has drawn praise from several voices on Rome's radio stations, who are looking ahead to the Champions League trip to Manchester United. Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo 92.7 said: "The Friedkins are a very strange personality, and even Gasperini doesn't quite understand what kind of reasoning they follow from an emotional point of view. From a financial point of view, though, we've understood very well: they tend to keep things tight. I don't know if this pride in being able to enter Roma's history can work, but let's hope so. Because if you can't bring home a Scudetto even this year, you really enter a state of frustration, because this is a league where everyone is waiting for you and they compete to see who makes the most mistakes." Antonio Felici, also on Tele Radio Stereo 92.7, said: "If the chance comes along, you have to seize it in a flash. Some have been lucky, like Napoli in recent years. In my view Roma must believe in themselves, and they have many reasons to. The team is strong and when they attack they are frightening. They have some lapses, but they convince. And they play the best football in Italy. We saw it against Inter, and against Como when they were down to ten men, and I had the feeling Roma were stronger. So they must believe. At the moment, there is no team stronger than Roma." Francesco Balzani, also on Tele Radio Stereo 92.7, said: "In the first half Roma could have been 6-0 up. The match was effectively over there. People always say Roma's opponents are weak, but this season I have never seen a team get on top of Roma. Against Udinese Gasperini's side switched off, partly because they already had their minds on Manchester. So far they are the only team that has truly convinced me. Inter have more experience and quality, but Roma are closing the gap. This year they must try and believe: Serie A can be won. However, in January they will need a little help from the Friedkins. The atmosphere is united: I see no internal obstacles." Lorenzo Pes, also on Tele Radio Stereo 92.7, said: "In this run of matches there is one statistic: against the same opponents as last season, Roma have seven more points this year. Roma have reached the seventh match of a run of nine, and they are arriving with a limited number of players. Lulli and Balerdi starting tomorrow? I see Balerdi starting in place of Hermoso, and for Lulli I have more reserves. It is true he did not play in Udine, but there is always the Rensch card, which many underrate, and Gasp has shown that he trusts him. I expect the return of the three midfielders, with Mora coming on during the match..." Piero Torri, on Radio Manà Manà Sport 90.9, said: "At Old Trafford you never go in as favourites, because of history and tradition. Manchester are better than the league table suggests, and their first half against Chelsea on Sunday confirms it. I hope Zirkzee doesn't play." Roberto Pruzzo, on Radio Radio Mattino 104.5, said: "Manchester United look like a second-tier side. Against Como they played very badly; it's a team that has pulled the plug. But Roma must not think they are stronger than United. Cristante has recovered fully, and in the spaces there is no comparison. There are prospects of continuing as we have in the league." Nando Orsi, also on Radio Radio Mattino 104.5, said: "It is the best moment to face Manchester, but I don't know... they could find their best form and not lose. This is the best moment, but you always play United at Old Trafford: you must not take it lightly, you must always produce a great match. On the win, I don't know if you can be sure: Manchester are in crisis, so Roma have to win."

Roma travel to Old Trafford for tomorrow evening's Champions League clash against Manchester United, a fixture that could shape their route towards the play-offs. Il Messaggero reports that Roma have struggled at this ground, losing all four previous visits, some by heavy margins. This time, though, the picture is different: Manchester United are third from bottom in the Premier League and going through a difficult spell, and English fans on social media fear another heavy defeat. Gian Piero Gasperini is not underestimating the opponent, however, and has to deal with several injuries. Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar will all miss the match. Dybala and Koné will try to recover for the Sassuolo fixture, while Svilar will not return until after the international break. Gollini is expected to continue in goal, having previously worn the Manchester United shirt. In defence, Evan N'Dicka, the returning Gianluca Mancini and one of Leonardo Balerdi or Mario Hermoso are set to start. Cristante and De Roon will form the midfield pairing. Wesley, closely watched by English scouts, is set to operate on the left, while the right-hand position remains an open contest. Without Dybala, Malen leads the attack: he has three goals and two assists in three European matches, and is eager to perform at a stadium where he previously played a few minutes for Aston Villa. Soulé will partner him, while the final place in the front three is between Mora, who is improving, and Pisilli, who wants to win back his place after resting in Udine. Roma finished their previous match in Udine strongly, and the squad now travels to England to prepare for the Champions League tie against Manchester United. The Old Trafford game is the first of the two visits, and the result is expected to weigh heavily on Roma's chances of reaching the play-offs.

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.

Roma have completed their final training session at Old Trafford ahead of Wednesday's Champions League League Phase fourth-matchday clash with Manchester United, which takes place in roughly twenty-four hours. Leonardo Balerdi trained with a visible strap on his right knee. The Argentine defender played the first half hour against Napoli, scoring a brace at the Maradona in a 3-3 draw, but has been on the bench for the last two fixtures against Cagliari and Udinese. He is unlikely to start tomorrow evening, but could come on as a substitute. Bryan Cristante also trained with a visible strap, this time on his left knee. His place in the starting line-up alongside Soulé, with Malen in support, is practically certain. For the midfielder and Roma captain, tomorrow will be his fourth consecutive start since returning from injury in a week and a half. Roma's preparation included the usual warm-up, followed by physical drills, bull-type exercises and short sprints. The session was held after a press conference given by Gian Piero Gasperini and Marten de Roon, who addressed the media on the eve of the trip to Old Trafford.

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."

Roma travel to Manchester United tomorrow at 21:00 for matchday four of the Champions League league phase, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side arriving in the best form of the season after a five-goal win over Udinese. Svilar, Koné and Dybala will all miss the fixture. Gasperini was speaking at his pre-match press conference, where he also addressed the situation at Old Trafford. Asked what to expect, he said: "Manchester in the league is going through a difficult moment in their 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." On the question of perfection, he replied: "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." Asked about his dream at Old Trafford, the "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 the main difficulties, he said: "If you are missing Pellegrini, Dybala and Koné in the same departments, we try to adapt a little at certain moments. We have the alternative of Castro with Malen, in midfield we are short. I hope it is a moment of transition. We have played these seven matches on a knife's edge. But we have always had prepared players who have recovered quickly. Mora? 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." Gasperini praised Lulli's management of the defence, adding: "In that department 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." He also acknowledged his own reputation in England and his time at Inter, saying: "Every situation is different. I do not know the Manchester situation precisely, but they have strong players. You can suffer for a period, but then you can restart, hopefully from the day after tomorrow. At Inter I was really there far too little, three matches, so I would not make that comparison." Speaking to Sky, Gasperini said: "We will have to see from the results. The last time it went better, the previous day not well for the Italian clubs. The Italian championship is expressing a good quality of play, with many teams giving satisfaction to their fans and many good matches." On Manchester United's struggles, he said: "We hope so, but it is always a big unknown. They are teams made up of very strong players, who in the league especially have had difficulties. But you can always expect reactions and the ability to find that road they have not found so far. We hope the opposite and to accentuate their difficulties." On whether Mora or three midfielders will start, Gasperini said: "We'll see. We play in such a pressing way between one match and the next that we have to wait until the last day to decide." On 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."