Pruzzo says Roma still lack the quality to compete at the very top

Roma led Manchester United at Old Trafford for 45 minutes and played outstandingly, but lost 3-2 after a controversial penalty and a late collapse. The article argues Roma were strong in the first half despite heavy absences, including a third-choice goalkeeper in goal and a squad less deep than United's. Roma scored two goals in that opening period and came close to a third. Gasperini's side then gradually lost the ability to play out from their own half once United raised their pressing, continuing with solutions that had worked in the first half. The article says Roma needed to change approach, accept some long balls, break the rhythm and accept that defending a lead does not mean abandoning their identity. Some reserves, the article states, have not yet shown the same reliability as the starters. It describes this as not a condemnation but an observation that becomes evident when a Champions League match suddenly changes intensity. Gasperini has built a competitive side, but not yet a squad able to maintain the same level through all of its substitutions. The article, however, says this cannot excuse what happened at the 55th minute. It describes the penalty Gil Manzano awarded for contact between Mancini and Cunha as a decision that leaves observers frankly astonished: a very light touch, an attacker who seems to lose his balance alone, and a referee pointing to the spot with a certainty inversely proportional to the foul. According to a rigorous technical assessment, the article says, the penalty should never have existed. On the retake, Cristante entered the area early and intervened on the rebound from Vasquez's save, which made the rule applicable. The article calls this the paradox: VAR intervened over a marginal infringement but did not correct the original decision. After Bruno Fernandes missed and Vasquez saved, the retake led to the goal that changed the match's momentum, and United regained enthusiasm as Old Trafford came alive. The article calls the handling of that episode scandalous, while stressing that this is not a search for an alibi. Gasperini referred to the usual "rigorini" (small penalties) but did not turn the post-match into a trial of the referee. The article suggests this restraint could be read in light of Roma's delicate relationship with UEFA, given the settlement agreement and the economic monitoring to which the club is subject, though it calls this an interpretation rather than a certainty. Such a low institutional profile would be understandable, the article says, but not necessarily agreeable. Roma need no theatrics, yet should not accept every decision passively; defending their case through the appropriate channels should be a normal form of protection. The article concludes that work must now focus on Trigoria and on what the pitch revealed: physical decline, the alternatives on the bench, the inability to manage certain moments, and the two goals conceded late that turned a prestigious win at a historically cursed ground into a painful defeat. Roma must learn not to be pegged back, it says, but must not get used to being refereed this way. These are two distinct problems, and both deserve an answer.

Former Roma striker Pruzzo said Roma still have to develop to compete at the highest level, after a defeat to Manchester United in which a penalty decision changed the course of the match. Speaking to Radio Radio Mattino, Pruzzo said: "I don't know how United managed to get back into the match. The penalty episode affected how the game went. At 2-1 the difference emerged between a great side and one that still has to grow to compete at the highest levels." Torri, speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport, placed the referee's performance at the centre of the result, saying it had a big influence. He added that Roma, given their situation with UEFA, had chosen to keep a low profile. Torri also questioned how Mourinho would have reacted: "Can you imagine Mourinho last night? He would have exploded." He argued that Roma have a short squad and that substitutions often fail to maintain the level of quality, adding that matches of this intensity wear players down mentally more than physically, so the right changes are essential. Torri said the absences of Koné and Svilar were devastating. Pruzzo was equally critical of the substitutions: "The changes brought nothing. In fact, they made the situation worse." He said Roma cannot beat sides of their own level in Italy, while losing to stronger teams in Europe. Orsi, also on Radio Radio Mattino, linked the problems to physical stamina: "Perhaps it is a question of physical endurance. In Italy the drop-offs don't show, abroad they hurt you." He called for some criticism of Gasperini, pointing to three goals from corners against Real Madrid and to yesterday's match and the one against Inter. "He is not untouchable, he too makes mistakes."

Lazio supporter Giuseppe Cruciani has named Roma as the clear favourites for the Scudetto, saying the club can only lose the title itself. Speaking on the Numer1 podcast, the La Zanzara presenter pointed to Gian Piero Gasperini's side as the team to beat. "Not out of superstition, but based on what we've seen so far. Roma have never dropped a match, maybe once a long time ago. The only game they lost was when they were ahead five minutes from the end against Real Madrid. Apart from that, they have always dominated," Cruciani said, impressed by the consistency of the giallorossi. Cruciani also highlighted that Roma have kept going despite the absences of three key players: Svilar, Koné and Dybala. He said those losses had not stopped the team from continuing to get results and produce high-level performances, which made their campaign all the more significant. His prediction was emphatic: "Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto. If they don't win it, it's because something strange happens. It's almost impossible that they don't win it." Cruciani gave Roma a 55% chance of winning the title, ahead of Inter on 40% and Milan on 5%. His view stands apart from his fellow panellists. Ivan Zazzaroni still considers Inter the favourites, while Sandro Sabatini sees the two clubs as essentially level. Cruciani, by contrast, has no doubts. For Roma fans, hearing such words from a Lazio supporter makes the prediction all the more striking.

Former Roma striker Pruzzo said Roma still have to develop to compete at the highest level, after a defeat to Manchester United in which a penalty decision changed the course of the match. Speaking to Radio Radio Mattino, Pruzzo said: "I don't know how United managed to get back into the match. The penalty episode affected how the game went. At 2-1 the difference emerged between a great side and one that still has to grow to compete at the highest levels." Torri, speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport, placed the referee's performance at the centre of the result, saying it had a big influence. He added that Roma, given their situation with UEFA, had chosen to keep a low profile. Torri also questioned how Mourinho would have reacted: "Can you imagine Mourinho last night? He would have exploded." He argued that Roma have a short squad and that substitutions often fail to maintain the level of quality, adding that matches of this intensity wear players down mentally more than physically, so the right changes are essential. Torri said the absences of Koné and Svilar were devastating. Pruzzo was equally critical of the substitutions: "The changes brought nothing. In fact, they made the situation worse." He said Roma cannot beat sides of their own level in Italy, while losing to stronger teams in Europe. Orsi, also on Radio Radio Mattino, linked the problems to physical stamina: "Perhaps it is a question of physical endurance. In Italy the drop-offs don't show, abroad they hurt you." He called for some criticism of Gasperini, pointing to three goals from corners against Real Madrid and to yesterday's match and the one against 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.

Former Roma midfielder Aleandro Rosi, speaking to Retesport ahead of Manchester United v Roma, said his own side of the past was stronger than the current squad and backed the Giallorossi to take maximum points at Old Trafford tonight. Rosi recalled a 2-1 Roma win at the Stadio Olimpico, adding that the team was a very strong group and that he still has fond memories of it. He also recalled what followed in Manchester, saying the side did not get ahead of itself, but that two or three important players were lost on the return and something went wrong during the warm-up. Asked whether his Roma was stronger than the current one, Rosi said there was no comparison, pointing to Totti, Vucinic, De Rossi and Pizarro. He said he would only take Svilar over his own goalkeeper, and named Mexes and Juan as the defenders of his era. He added that Roma are now one of the strongest sides in the league and that football has changed. On tonight's game, Rosi said Manchester United have nothing in common with the side Roma faced in his day. "I expect Roma to win tonight and take maximum points: these matches are fascinating, the giallorossi are well trained and they are clinical, so I expect a bold performance." He said he hopes the defeat to Real Madrid has taught this Roma side a lesson, adding that he would never have dropped defenders in that match, but that it should not teach anything to Gasperini. Rosi praised Konstantinos Koulierakis's team-mate Lulli, describing him as an excellent player and a simple lad with engine, speed and technical quality. "He is a quarter of midfield, he is humble, has big margins for improvement and deserves this stage, so I hope he continues like this. The hardest thing is not getting there but staying at those levels." He said he hopes Lulli plays tonight, adding that young players bring energy and carefree attitude, and that playing at Manchester will not be like facing Parma or Genoa in Serie A. He believes Gasperini may start Molina and one between Wesley and Lulli for balance. Rosi also spoke about Alberto Aquilani, whom he said he always supports, hoping he finds the right formula. He said Aquilani is struggling defensively and that Sassuolo must find another balance. Asked about his own future as a coach, Rosi said he remains attached to Perugia: "Maybe I could return as a coach, I live here now. I played six years, let's see what happens."