Roma's Manchester United test previewed by radio pundits; Carrick under pressure
Roma's radio commentators have looked ahead to Thursday night's Champions League trip to Manchester United at Old Trafford, with several pundits stressing that a win would carry weight well beyond the three points. David Rossi of Rete Sport said: "Gasperini has understood that Manchester won't be a walk in the park, and that he would really like to win. Beyond the three points at stake tonight, because winning would take you a good way forward in the qualification, playing and doing well in Manchester would bring a series of positive consequences across the board. Winning 1-0 at Old Trafford tonight would be worth more than 5-2 at Udine; a win tonight would carry over to the Olimpico against Sassuolo…" Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport declined to make a prediction, saying Gasperini had got it right in insisting Roma should not be influenced by Manchester's recent form. He added that United manager Carrick could be sacked if he fails to get a result against Roma, noting that the club has saved many coaches in its history. Piacentini joked that a hat-trick of dismissed coaches would not be a bad outcome, with Runjaic dismissed first, Carrick tonight and Aquilani on Saturday, "with all due respect to Alberto." Giorgio Marota of Rete Sport expects Gasperini to rely on his senior players in such big games, meaning Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso are likely to start. He said Ghilardi is growing rapidly and looks like the player who has developed most. Marota described the squad as having two strong groups, the Italians and the Argentines, and said dressing-room dynamics exist but Gasperini will not be swayed by them, as shown by his removing Pellegrini's captaincy as soon as he arrived. He said Mancini is even more Gasperini-like in his role than Ghilardi, though Ghilardi could challenge him in the long run. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo said tonight's match has great appeal and that, against the Roma side Carrick faced before, Roma would have returned the 7-1 scoreline. He argued Roma would have done well to sign 21- and 22-year-olds ready to break through, citing Moreira, Mastantuono, Alajbegovic and Mora, who has already scored three goals. He said these players cost money but have a future, and expressed hope of signing Endrick, adding that Mora would not be bothered by his arrival. Corsi also warned about AC Milan, saying they want to invest heavily, and that with Moreira and Endrick they could start to take shape, though he noted they have a major brake in Amorim. Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said that in January a club cannot take a gamble and should instead sign established players who may not be performing at their clubs, a loan move that could help Roma take a step up and push for the title. She said that in the summer a different kind of investment is needed, and recalled that last January the 19-year-old was not signed, which is why people say Roma need another Malen, a fully formed player who provides the final step. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Roma must focus on the present rather than the ghosts of the past. On Rensch, he said he had been picked from the first minute, but the battle for that place is open, adding that he was not convinced by him in Naples. He said a win on such an important pitch would, for now, place Roma among Europe's elite and represent a real step up in quality. On United, he said the quality is there with Bruno Fernandes, Mbuemo, Cunha and Mainoo, but that the side does not deserve its league position and looks very disjointed. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said that if Roma beat Sassuolo, Parma and Monza in their next three league games, they would be close to first place. He said Bologna, Lazio and Juventus also follow, and that Lazio must be considered. He suggested Balerdi should start tonight and that Molina should be backed for his experience of big stages. He would also play Mora with Soulé and Malen. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said United in these conditions are like Juventus, but Roma must not fall into the trap. He warned that Roma cannot go there and do what they did at Udine, and that a different mental and physical resilience will be needed. On Soulé, Pruzzo said he thinks all the good possible of him and that the club waited for him too long given his qualities, though he has not yet taken the team by the hand and still lacks something to be a recognised leader. He said he backed him because he deserves it. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said Manchester United having Dorgu, the former Lecce player, means they are no longer the Manchester United of old if they invest in him. He called tonight's match complicated and difficult, noting Roma always play at Old Trafford, and that by the law of big numbers one match must go their way. He hoped it would not be so for Roma, adding that if Roma score first, United may collapse because they are mentally weak, while if they score first, they may become elated. For that reason, Roma must be careful.
