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Roma crumble after the break at Manchester United as Champions League hopes take a blow
·4 November 2026·2h ago

Roma crumble after the break at Manchester United as Champions League hopes take a blow

Source: Il Messaggero – Roma

Roma threw away a commanding first-half lead at Old Trafford, collapsing after the interval to lose 3-2 to Manchester United and making their Champions League path considerably harder. Roma had looked superb in the first half, with Mora's inspiration producing a double burst of goals in 16 minutes: Soulé opened the scoring at 11', then Malen converted a penalty won by Soulé at 17'. It was the first time any side had scored at Old Trafford in such a short spell in European competition. Malen's penalty was his fourth goal in the Champions League. The 2-0 lead, built on dominant marking and strong midfield duels with Cristante and De Roon, should have seen Roma close out the tie. Instead, Bruno Fernandes levelled from a penalty early in the second half, after a retake was ordered because Cristante had entered the box before the whistle. Vasquez saved the original spot-kick, but the Portuguese forward scored from the repeat. Carrick's side then pushed forward, and Cunha scored twice in three minutes, at 83' and 86', to complete the turnaround. Mbeumo had also hit both posts with a single shot in the spell that followed Bruno Fernandes's goal. Gasperini had made changes that were meant to strengthen the side. He brought on Mora and sent in Pisilli, and the match then shifted. Baleba suffered a serious muscular injury for United, and Tielemans came on to change the game. Malen, exhausted, was replaced by Castro, and Balerdi's error gave Cunha the chance for the equaliser. The Roma coach had already chosen Vasquez over Gollini in goal, a surprise decision that was only partly rewarded. The result is the third comeback Roma have conceded in the Champions League, following two defeats and a draw. The article notes that Roma have been unable to cope with physical intensity and lacked enough quality on the bench given the absences. Roma remain a side still learning in Europe, and Gasperini needs time, patience and stronger players to move forward.

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Story Coverage13 sources on this story

Roma lost 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase on 3 November, after leading 2-0. Il Messaggero reports that Matías Soulé opened the scoring at 11' and Donyell Malen converted a penalty at 17'. The turnaround began when Bruno Fernandes scored from a penalty retake, ordered because Cristante had entered the box before the whistle, after Devis Vásquez saved the original spot-kick. Il Messaggero says Cunha then scored at 83' and 86', while the other reports credit Leonardo Balerdi's error with the equaliser before Cunha's winner three minutes later.

Coverage agrees the collapse was largely physical and mental. Il Messaggero says Roma could not cope with United's intensity and lacked bench quality after injuries, and it calls this Roma's third Champions League comeback conceded. Roma News adds that Roma have won only two of their last 21 away Champions League matches and have conceded in each of their last 33 away games in the competition. It also says Roma have lost all five meetings with United and conceded 13 goals across their two visits to Old Trafford.

Pre-match reports differed on several points. Forza Roma said Gollini withdrew at the last hour, while Il Messaggero framed Vásquez's selection as a deliberate choice over Gollini. Forza Roma said Roma would wear a black third kit, whereas Roma News reported a grey one. Il Messaggero rated Cunha 7.5, Soulé 7 and Balerdi 5.

AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.

Testo Originale / Source Text

“E’ la solita Roma, che danza soave per un tempo, incanta per forza fisica, energia e giocate di altissimo livello. Pratica un calcio europeo e si permette pure di ammutolire l’Old Trafford, dove rumoreggiano solo i tremila tifosi giallorossi, che cantano e fanno festa anche per chi, fermato dalla…”

Read the full article in Italian at Il Messaggero – Roma.

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