Pruzzo and Torri say Roma must still grow to compete at the top

Roma's momentum collapsed after the interval at Old Trafford, with Manchester United taking control and completing their comeback. Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé had lit up the first half for Gasperini's side, with goals, assists and quality play, and United could not contain them as Roma flew. Then, at half-time, something went wrong. When the teams came back out, Roma faded, United took over and the comeback became reality. Mora, the standout performer of the first half, stayed in the dressing room, and Pisilli came on in his place. The article suggests the switch may have been driven by a need to manage the minutes of the young talent, or by a wish to give the midfield more cover. Whatever the reason, Mora's departure changed the balance of the team, and it may have mattered far more than it appeared. The first half belonged to Mora and Soulé, the Portuguese and Argentine pairing whose understanding had been Roma's main threat. The collapse that followed was hard to explain, but the change at half-time offers a possible tactical key, and it leads straight back to Mora.

Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo has said the club still lacks what it needs to compete at the highest level, in comments gathered from Rome's radio stations. Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), questioned how Manchester United, as the article renders it "lo United", managed to come back into the match, and said the penalty decision had shaped how the game went. He said: "At 2-1 the difference emerged between a great side and one that still has to grow in order to compete at the highest level. In Italy you can't beat teams of your own level, while in Europe you lose against the superior ones. The substitutions brought nothing. In fact, they made the situation worse." Piero Torri, of Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), said the referee's performance had a big influence on the result, but argued that Roma, given the situation with UEFA, had chosen to play with a low profile. He also said the squad is short, and that substitutes often fail to match the quality of the starters. Torri added: "When you play matches of this level, which wear you down mentally more than physically, you need the right changes. The absence of Koné and Svilar is devastating." He also asked: "Can you imagine Mourinho last night? He would have exploded…" Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), offered a physical explanation: "Perhaps it's a question of physical stamina. In Italy the dips don't show, abroad they hurt you." He called for some criticism of Gasperini: "With Real Madrid, 3 goals from corners, not to mention yesterday and Inter. He is not untouchable, he too makes mistakes."

Roma are halfway through their Champions League league phase with four points from four matches, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side must now start picking up results quickly. The return so far is a win over Slovan, a draw with Fenerbahçe and defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United. Roma were ahead by two goals against Real and against United before late collapses cost them both games. Roma have four matches left, and the article says the points needed to move beyond the play-off zone are still very much in reach. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th go into the play-offs, while the top eight qualify directly. Based on the last two editions, Roma could need around 11 or 12 points to secure at least a play-off place. In 2024/25 Club Brugge were the last team to qualify with 11 points, while in 2025/26 Benfica of José Mourinho went through with nine. The average across the two seasons is 10 points, but Gasperini would be wise to aim higher. Starting from four points, Roma need at least two wins and a draw to get close to that mark. A top-eight finish has needed 16 points in each of the last two seasons, which would mean winning all four remaining matches. The remaining fixtures are Paris Saint-Germain, Sporting, AEK Athens and Lille. The trip to Paris is the toughest, and the article expects Roma to leave the Parc des Princes without points, though it says football is unpredictable and Roma could surprise. The three games after that are considered manageable, and two of them are at home, where the backing of the Olimpico will be decisive.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini has left uncertainty over the return of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, who has a back problem, ahead of Saturday's match against Sassuolo. Asked about his return, Gasperini replied: "Non lo so, vediamo" ("I don't know, we'll see"). The injury that kept Gollini out of the game against Manchester United could also affect the next fixture. Yesterday Devis Vásquez took his place in goal, making his first appearance in the Roma shirt. His performance is hard to judge. He made no serious mistakes, and his only fault came on Cunha's goal that made it 3-2. He also saved Fernandes's penalty, but the referee denied him the chance to enter Roma's history books. Vásquez could now be asked to play again on Saturday, with Gollini still uncertain and Mile Svilar also in the picture. The game against Sassuolo is on Saturday. Gasperini's cautious comments leave the starting goalkeeper choice open, and Vásquez's debut performance means he is in line for another start if Gollini is not fit.

Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo has said the club still lacks what it needs to compete at the highest level, in comments gathered from Rome's radio stations. Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), questioned how Manchester United, as the article renders it "lo United", managed to come back into the match, and said the penalty decision had shaped how the game went. He said: "At 2-1 the difference emerged between a great side and one that still has to grow in order to compete at the highest level. In Italy you can't beat teams of your own level, while in Europe you lose against the superior ones. The substitutions brought nothing. In fact, they made the situation worse." Piero Torri, of Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), said the referee's performance had a big influence on the result, but argued that Roma, given the situation with UEFA, had chosen to play with a low profile. He also said the squad is short, and that substitutes often fail to match the quality of the starters. Torri added: "When you play matches of this level, which wear you down mentally more than physically, you need the right changes. The absence of Koné and Svilar is devastating." He also asked: "Can you imagine Mourinho last night? He would have exploded…" Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), offered a physical explanation: "Perhaps it's a question of physical stamina. In Italy the dips don't show, abroad they hurt you." He called for some criticism of Gasperini: "With Real Madrid, 3 goals from corners, not to mention yesterday and Inter. He is not untouchable, he too makes mistakes."

Devis Vásquez is set to start in goal for Roma at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the Champions League after Pierluigi Gollini pulled out at the last minute. The Colombian goalkeeper, born in Barranquilla on 12 May 1998, is 195 cm tall and weighs 93 kg, and he will make his first official appearance in a Roma shirt in a demanding European fixture. With Mile Svilar and Gollini both sidelined, the opportunity comes suddenly and carries great responsibility. Vásquez came through the youth ranks in Colombia at Cortuluá, Patriotas Boyacá and La Equidad. He broke through in Paraguay with Guaraní, where he was a regular starter with 34 appearances and made his Copa Libertadores debut. AC Milan signed him outright in January 2023. He then went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday, where he made 10 Championship appearances, and later to Ascoli in Serie B. His breakthrough in Serie A came with Empoli in 2024/25, when he played 32 matches and kept six clean sheets. He showed strong reflexes, quick reactions on the ground and a particular ability to save penalties. Roma signed him outright in summer 2025. After a short six-month loan at Beşiktaş in the first part of 2026, he returned to the squad of Gian Piero Gasperini to complete the goalkeeping department. For the Colombian, the Old Trafford fixture marks the moment he has been waiting for: his official debut in the giallorossi shirt in one of football's most celebrated stadiums.