Roma come from behind to draw 3-3 at Napoli, Balerdi scores twice

Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi scored twice in Roma's clash at Napoli's Stadio Maradona on 24 October, and he earned warm praise from former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who watched the game on television. Balerdi was one of the standout performers of the night, alongside McTominay. Hummels posted a message on social media addressed to Balerdi, writing "Bravo Leo". The two had got to know each other during the 2019-20 season at Borussia Dortmund. Balerdi, who previously played for Marseille, has been one of the most eye-catching figures in the Roma side in Naples. In the closing minutes, Evan N'Dicka, who was also outstanding against Hojlund, shared his own reaction online. He said: "Una notte folle a Napoli. Abbiamo continuato a crederci, continuato a lottare e mostrato il nostro carattere fino al fischio finale."

Balerdi's stoppage-time equaliser at 89 minutes, which earned Roma a 3-3 draw at Napoli, was ruled valid by the leading Italian newspapers' match reviews, despite Napoli's protests over contact with Beukema. The referee was Andrea Colombo, who handled several contentious moments without a decisive error according to the press. The Napoli protest centred on contact between Balerdi and Beukema at the start of the move. The reviews judged the touch too light to justify disallowing the goal. Balerdi also got back up after falling and rejoined the move before going down again. Roma's earlier equaliser, which made it 2-2, was also deemed legitimate: Castro struck the ball with his face rather than his arm, so there was no offence in either of the two Roma goals Napoli had contested. Other incidents were reviewed too. Rafa Marin's challenge on Wesley in the early minutes earned a yellow card that was considered correct, with no grounds for a red. Colombo also rightly played on at the 34th minute, when Gollini came out of his area to challenge De Bruyne and touched the ball with an arm; the reviews found the arm was close to the body, so no penalty or sanction against the Roma goalkeeper was warranted. Late on, Massimiliano Allegri was sent off for protesting after Balerdi's goal, while De Roon was booked for disputing a free kick awarded to Napoli. The referee's marks were broadly satisfactory, with some differences between papers. La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both gave Colombo 6.5, praising his handling of the key incidents and the consistency of his approach. Il Messaggero was more cautious with a 6, saying some whistles were unconvincing but that he made no decisive errors on the big calls, helped by technology. Il Romanista gave the harshest verdict, a 5.5, arguing that some decisions had helped inflame the match, while acknowledging that the refereeing did not directly affect the final result.

Journalist Maurizio Pistocchi has called for the Federal Prosecutor's Office to open an investigation into Massimiliano Allegri after the Napoli-Roma match, claiming the Napoli coach's remarks are very serious and suggest a sporting offence committed by third parties to favour Roma. In a social media post, Pistocchi wrote: "The statements by Allegri reported after the Napoli-Roma post-match press conference are very serious: he suggests a sporting offence, committed by third parties to favour Roma? He will answer before the Federal Prosecutor's Office, which will obviously have to open an investigation." The remarks came after a fiery end to the match, which was marked by protests and a jacket that Allegri removed and nearly threw. According to Pistocchi, Allegri was not fully clear-headed after the game, as he admitted himself in his post-match comments. Off the record, in the press room, Allegri let slip an unfortunate line: "Last year they put the Champions League in their pocket. Always them..." Pistocchi concluded: "Whatever happens, it is a terrible look." He added that the episode reflects poorly on Allegri, both in sporting terms and on the pitch, a stain the Napoli coach will carry with him.

Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi scored twice in Roma's clash at Napoli's Stadio Maradona on 24 October, and he earned warm praise from former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who watched the game on television. Balerdi was one of the standout performers of the night, alongside McTominay. Hummels posted a message on social media addressed to Balerdi, writing "Bravo Leo". The two had got to know each other during the 2019-20 season at Borussia Dortmund. Balerdi, who previously played for Marseille, has been one of the most eye-catching figures in the Roma side in Naples. In the closing minutes, Evan N'Dicka, who was also outstanding against Hojlund, shared his own reaction online. He said: "Una notte folle a Napoli. Abbiamo continuato a crederci, continuato a lottare e mostrato il nostro carattere fino al fischio finale."

Balerdi's stoppage-time equaliser at 89 minutes, which earned Roma a 3-3 draw at Napoli, was ruled valid by the leading Italian newspapers' match reviews, despite Napoli's protests over contact with Beukema. The referee was Andrea Colombo, who handled several contentious moments without a decisive error according to the press. The Napoli protest centred on contact between Balerdi and Beukema at the start of the move. The reviews judged the touch too light to justify disallowing the goal. Balerdi also got back up after falling and rejoined the move before going down again. Roma's earlier equaliser, which made it 2-2, was also deemed legitimate: Castro struck the ball with his face rather than his arm, so there was no offence in either of the two Roma goals Napoli had contested. Other incidents were reviewed too. Rafa Marin's challenge on Wesley in the early minutes earned a yellow card that was considered correct, with no grounds for a red. Colombo also rightly played on at the 34th minute, when Gollini came out of his area to challenge De Bruyne and touched the ball with an arm; the reviews found the arm was close to the body, so no penalty or sanction against the Roma goalkeeper was warranted. Late on, Massimiliano Allegri was sent off for protesting after Balerdi's goal, while De Roon was booked for disputing a free kick awarded to Napoli. The referee's marks were broadly satisfactory, with some differences between papers. La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both gave Colombo 6.5, praising his handling of the key incidents and the consistency of his approach. Il Messaggero was more cautious with a 6, saying some whistles were unconvincing but that he made no decisive errors on the big calls, helped by technology. Il Romanista gave the harshest verdict, a 5.5, arguing that some decisions had helped inflame the match, while acknowledging that the refereeing did not directly affect the final result.

Leonardo Balerdi earned the top rating in the Italian newspapers after scoring a brace that rescued Roma in their 3-3 draw at the Maradona. Matías Soulé was next best, with his goal starting the comeback and a performance full of quality. Molina also received a solid mark of 6.50. Among the players rated below par, Pisilli had the lowest average at 5.25, followed by Rensch on 5.50 and Hermoso and Malen on 5.58. Gasperini finished with an average of 6.60. The newspapers largely agreed on the key refereeing decisions in the Napoli 3-3 Roma match. Balerdi's first equaliser for the 2-2 was ruled valid, with Castro striking the ball with his face in the build-up. The final 3-3 also stood, as the contact between the Argentine and Beukema was judged too light to justify a penalty. Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both gave Colombo 6.5, Il Messaggero awarded him a 6, and Il Romanista was harsher with a 5.5. Il Romanista's verdict on Colombo read: "He irritates everyone, but in the end he does not directly affect the result."

Roma secured a draw at Napoli's Stadio Diego Armando, the Maradona, thanks to a comeback driven by their Argentine players. All three of Roma's goals came from Argentines: Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi, who scored a brilliant brace. Gasperini has had little success against Allegri, and the head-to-head record offered little hope before kick-off, with the two most experienced coaches in Serie A facing each other. Gasperini avoided defeat through his substitutions, the team's response and the fierce determination of the Argentines. Roma remain unbeaten in Serie A. Balerdi came on in the second half alongside Castro and Molina to add fresh impetus. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini were both injured and missing. Roma struggled early on to press with their usual aggression in midfield, and in the first half a magnificent bicycle kick from Anguissa upset the coach's tactical plans. At the start of the second half, the familiar dip in intensity allowed Napoli to double their lead quickly, and Roma also showed too many errors in build-up play. Without Dybala, Pellegrini, Koné and Svilar, the side lacked dynamism and creativity. Soulé was the only one regularly looking for Malen, who was often far from the area and struggled through the tight lines of the Napoli defence. Guido D'Ubaldo noted that this squad needs a few more players and a longer bench to provide constant alternatives, particularly in attack. Despite the difficulties, and a Napoli side that were struggling in the league but remained tough opponents, the response after the break was that of a great team. Roma scored two goals in four minutes, and then Balerdi struck the decisive goal two minutes from time. The draw, coming after results against Inter and Como, keeps Roma firmly close to the top of the table. It shows that, with the anger and quality of the Argentines, the path the club has taken is the right one.

Leonardo Balerdi scored a brace as Roma fought back to draw 2-2 with Napoli, with Paulo Dybala's team-mate Matías Soulé also finding the net. Balerdi's double rescued coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side and took him to 12 goals this season. Soulé provided a moment of quality for the Giallorossi, but it was Balerdi who turned the match. Balerdi became the first Roma player to score twice in a match this season, and his goals take him to 12 for the campaign. Roma had trailed to Napoli before the Argentine defender hauled them back, and the point was a result that kept the team in touch with the leaders. Balerdi joined the club in August, and he has quickly established himself as one of the team's leaders. Balerdi said: "It's the first time I've scored two goals in the same game. I get further forward, and I saw it from Mancini and Hermoso. We wanted to win, but at least we're bringing a point home." On settling in, he added: "I'm very happy here, I said it from the first day. It feels like I've been here two or three years. That gives me the strength to play the way I am playing." His form has made the question of a permanent deal look straightforward. Reaching the threshold of playing 55% of matches (at least 45 minutes) would trigger the obligation to buy at €14 million. The former Marseille defender has won over everyone in just a few weeks. Nahuel Molina also made a decisive contribution after coming on. Molina said: "I've always played on the right, but I'm fine on the left too. Wherever I play, I'm happy. I came to help the team in every way possible. We don't win the big matches? We could have done more, but the important thing is that we have never lost." Roma now host Cagliari on Tuesday at the Stadio Olimpico, with the aim of collecting three points to keep pace with Inter and Lazio. Dybala is also expected to return to the squad for the Cagliari game.

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.