Roma's defensive collapse without Svilar and Koné: the numbers

Matías Soulé was Roma's standout figure in a first half at Old Trafford that ended well for the Giallorossi, before a collective drop-off after the restart. The Argentine wearing number 18 scored the opening goal with a well-timed run onto a pass from Mora, and his shot won a handball from Heaven, leading to the penalty converted by Malen. He needed just 17 minutes to dominate the match. The display confirmed his importance to Gian Piero Gasperini's project. The article notes that Soulé was among the players linked by radiomercato with a possible exit just a few months ago, after a second half of last season affected and slowed by a troublesome groin problem (pubalgia). He has since regained his continuity. Soulé, the former Juventus and Frosinone player, is at his best when he starts wide on the right and cuts inside. In the first half he also tried a Del Piero-style effort with his left foot, curling a shot towards the far post that narrowly missed the crossbar and sent the Roma fans in the Old Trafford stands into a murmur. After the interval, with Manchester United pushing forward and Roma pinned back, Soulé tried to win the ball and run at the defence alone. His efforts were admirable but fruitless, as the team was too deep and tired to support him, leaving him isolated. Gasperini had praised him after the 3-3 draw at Napoli, ahead of the Roma-Cagliari match. He said: "The performance the other evening was extraordinary, but he has always played at a high level in the previous games too. He can play not only on the right but also on the left and as a full-back. The other evening he also played as a trequartista, found the goal and did important things. He is gaining maturity, confidence and security in his game. He loses many fewer balls than in the past, but there are still aspects where he can improve. We are convinced he has further room to grow and, above all, he is a young man who works very well every day to improve himself." The article concludes that the English night left a bitter taste because of how the match ended, but Soulé's performance shows that Roma have found a player they can rely on.

Former United States forward Michele 'Mike' Grella has criticised Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after the club's recent comeback defeats, saying the coach's decisions have been poor. Roma lost at home to Manchester United after being overturned from a two-goal lead, and they face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday in their final match before the November international break. Speaking on CBSSportsGolazo, Grella said: "It's not something new. We've seen it against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, in all these cases with a two-goal lead." He added that Roma play with three centre-backs, so nine centre-backs across the three matches, and that seven of them were substituted. "In a really strong team, probably all nine finish the match, or eight. Putting these three matches together, only two finished the game." Grella said the decisions were poor in terms of management by the coach, and that Roma conceded from corners, where heading and personality count. "But these are game decisions and having the wrong players at the wrong time. Koné isn't there, Ndicka only God knows why he didn't start from the first minute, Dybala isn't there, Malen is substituted, Svilar isn't there, nor Gollini, who was ok despite having played only once in two years. When you add all these things to Gasperini's bad decisions, something like this (the Manchester United comeback, ed.) becomes possible against teams of this level."

Roma's comeback defeat at Manchester United has revived a pattern that has followed the club for several weeks: a side often bright in the first half but far more vulnerable after the interval. The numbers confirm the phenomenon, though with an important qualification. The problem lies less in attacking output than in the ability to defend, control and manage games in the second half. In Serie A, after ten matchdays Roma have scored 13 goals in the first halves and 15 in the second, so there is no scoring collapse; they actually score slightly more after the break. The picture changes completely at the other end. Roma have conceded just 2 goals in the first 45 minutes and 8 after the interval, four times as many. While across the league about 55% of goals are scored in the second half, in Roma's case 80% of the goals conceded arrive after the break. Broadening the analysis to the four Champions League matches played so far, the gap becomes even clearer. In their 14 official matches across league and cup, Roma have scored exactly the same number of goals in each half: 19 in the first and 19 in the second. But they have conceded only 3 before the interval and as many as 15 after it. That means 83% of the goals conceded this season have come in the second half. Their goal difference moves from an impressive +16 in first halves to just +4 in second halves. Treating each half as a small match of its own, Roma's first halves show 9 wins, 4 draws and one defeat. Their second halves produce 8 wins, one draw and 5 defeats. This does not mean Roma play badly in every second half: in Serie A they are third in the table built solely on second-half results. It does mean that Gasperini's side becomes much less stable after the 45th minute, especially when the game shifts momentum. The examples are mounting. Against Inter, Roma led 2-0 at half-time and lost the second half 0-2. In Istanbul against Fenerbahçe they led 1-0 and finished 1-1, suffering badly after the equaliser. Against Real Madrid the problem came even later: Roma led 3-1 in the 57th minute, then conceded three goals between the 83rd and 90th minutes and lost 4-3. In Udine, after a practically perfect first half that ended 4-0, the second half finished 2-1 to the hosts before Ghilardi's goal in stoppage time. The most dramatic case remains Old Trafford. Roma went into the break against Manchester United leading 2-0, after a first half of the highest level. In the second half they practically disappeared: zero shots for Roma, 10 for United, five of them on target, and 2.48 expected goals produced by the English side. The second-half result of 3-0 turned a possible shock into one of the most painful defeats of the season. Still, it would be wrong to turn the trend into an absolute rule. Against Genoa, Roma were goalless at half-time and won the second half 2-0; against Slovan Bratislava they scored two goals in each half; in Naples, after trailing 1-0 at the break, they won the second half 3-2 to snatch a 3-3 draw. There is therefore no systematic collapse in attack or in physical condition. There is, however, a figure that is hard to ignore: before the interval Roma concede very little, after it they become five times more vulnerable. That, more than the goals scored, is probably where Roma's real second-half problem lies.

Former United States forward Michele 'Mike' Grella has criticised Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after the club's recent comeback defeats, saying the coach's decisions have been poor. Roma lost at home to Manchester United after being overturned from a two-goal lead, and they face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday in their final match before the November international break. Speaking on CBSSportsGolazo, Grella said: "It's not something new. We've seen it against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, in all these cases with a two-goal lead." He added that Roma play with three centre-backs, so nine centre-backs across the three matches, and that seven of them were substituted. "In a really strong team, probably all nine finish the match, or eight. Putting these three matches together, only two finished the game." Grella said the decisions were poor in terms of management by the coach, and that Roma conceded from corners, where heading and personality count. "But these are game decisions and having the wrong players at the wrong time. Koné isn't there, Ndicka only God knows why he didn't start from the first minute, Dybala isn't there, Malen is substituted, Svilar isn't there, nor Gollini, who was ok despite having played only once in two years. When you add all these things to Gasperini's bad decisions, something like this (the Manchester United comeback, ed.) becomes possible against teams of this level."

Roma's defence is under growing strain, having conceded 14 goals in their last seven matches, an average of two per game. The figure is a warning sign for Gasperini and raises serious questions about the team's defensive stability. There is a paradox, though: excluding the defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United, Roma have not lost in this period. They have shipped plenty of goals but have usually managed to respond. In the Champions League, one detail stands out. In both comebacks Roma have conceded, the collapse came after Hermoso left the pitch. Manchester United scored twice in 15 minutes, and Real Madrid scored three times in 20. Whether this is coincidence or a real factor is hard to establish. Hermoso brings experience, personality and security to the back line, and his absence was clearly felt on both occasions. The absence of Mile Svilar weighs heavily too. Since his injury, a problem with the fifth toe of his foot, Roma have lost their main defensive reference point, a goalkeeper capable of preventing one or two goals a game. Gollini has not let the team down and has often been decisive, but Svilar projects a different sort of security. Behind him, the defence knows it has a goalkeeper ready to correct a mistake and make a save when needed. It is no coincidence that Roma have begun conceding so many goals without him. Gasperini must now work on restoring solidity and, above all, the confidence the side seems to have lost, because the two go hand in hand. When trust disappears, even the most solid wall can start to crack.

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 United States forward Michele 'Mike' Grella has criticised Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after the club's recent comeback defeats, saying the coach's decisions have been poor. Roma lost at home to Manchester United after being overturned from a two-goal lead, and they face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday in their final match before the November international break. Speaking on CBSSportsGolazo, Grella said: "It's not something new. We've seen it against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter, in all these cases with a two-goal lead." He added that Roma play with three centre-backs, so nine centre-backs across the three matches, and that seven of them were substituted. "In a really strong team, probably all nine finish the match, or eight. Putting these three matches together, only two finished the game." Grella said the decisions were poor in terms of management by the coach, and that Roma conceded from corners, where heading and personality count. "But these are game decisions and having the wrong players at the wrong time. Koné isn't there, Ndicka only God knows why he didn't start from the first minute, Dybala isn't there, Malen is substituted, Svilar isn't there, nor Gollini, who was ok despite having played only once in two years. When you add all these things to Gasperini's bad decisions, something like this (the Manchester United comeback, ed.) becomes possible against teams of this level."

Roma's defence is under growing strain, having conceded 14 goals in their last seven matches, an average of two per game. The figure is a warning sign for Gasperini and raises serious questions about the team's defensive stability. There is a paradox, though: excluding the defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United, Roma have not lost in this period. They have shipped plenty of goals but have usually managed to respond. In the Champions League, one detail stands out. In both comebacks Roma have conceded, the collapse came after Hermoso left the pitch. Manchester United scored twice in 15 minutes, and Real Madrid scored three times in 20. Whether this is coincidence or a real factor is hard to establish. Hermoso brings experience, personality and security to the back line, and his absence was clearly felt on both occasions. The absence of Mile Svilar weighs heavily too. Since his injury, a problem with the fifth toe of his foot, Roma have lost their main defensive reference point, a goalkeeper capable of preventing one or two goals a game. Gollini has not let the team down and has often been decisive, but Svilar projects a different sort of security. Behind him, the defence knows it has a goalkeeper ready to correct a mistake and make a save when needed. It is no coincidence that Roma have begun conceding so many goals without him. Gasperini must now work on restoring solidity and, above all, the confidence the side seems to have lost, because the two go hand in hand. When trust disappears, even the most solid wall can start to crack.

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.

Roma were beaten 3-2 at Old Trafford after dominating the first half, with Manchester United winning the game after a controversial refereeing decision and a defensive error by Reportedly Balerdi. Roma's first-half display was built on an aggressive 3-4-2-1 press that left United's 4-2-3-1 struggling to cope. The visitors took control with a Soulé goal, assisted by a delicious pass from Mora, and then a penalty converted by Malen after Soulé was fouled. Roma came close to extending their lead in the first half: Soulé came close to scoring, and Malen wasted several chances through poor first touches, while Roma's pressing forced repeated turnovers. Rensch went off injured in the first half and was replaced by Lulli, a role unusual for him. Gasperini made changes at the break, bringing on Pisilli for Mora to seek more balance, and Tielemans replaced Baleba. Roma's control faded late in the match. Several loose passes and too many backpasses from Roma gave United a foothold, and Maguire and De Roon created the danger from corners. Referee Gil Manzano judged a foul by Cunha in the area, awarded a penalty and ordered it retaken, which changed the game. Roma's keeper Vásquez was denied the chance to be the hero, as the penalty was retaken and Vásquez was unable to stop it. Rensch's withdrawal and the switch to a back three of Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Castro for Hermoso, Mancini and Malen came after Roma's defeat to Napoli, Gasperini's team had already faced Real Madrid in a heavy defeat, and the match was another negative result for the club in a big game against a top-level opponent. The article notes that Gasperini remained calm after the match, saying he was learning from the errors without making a drama of it. Roma must now avoid any hangover in Serie A, where the club's ambitions appear more justified.

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.

Roma lost 3-2 at Old Trafford in Manchester, having led by two goals before being pegged back, a result that makes qualification for the Champions League knockout phase harder. Italian newspapers were unanimous in praising the first half as very high level, but the second half was markedly less bright, and a much-disputed penalty awarded to the hosts added to Roma's frustration. The papers' player ratings were widely critical of Balerdi, who received a 4.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport, a 4 from Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica, and a 5 from Il Messaggero. Soulé was the standout performer, rated 7.5 by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica, and 7 by Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera. Mora also earned strong marks, with a 7 from Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica. Pisilli was judged harshly, rated 5 by La Gazzetta dello Sport, 4.5 by Corriere dello Sport, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, and 5 by Il Messaggero and Il Tempo. Gasperini was given a 5.5 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and La Repubblica, a 5 by Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, and a 6 by Il Messaggero and Il Tempo. Vásquez received 5.5 from Il Messaggero and 6 from La Repubblica, Il Tempo and Romanews.eu. Cristante earned 6.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, and Wesley was rated 6.5 by Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo. Malen was rated 7 by La Repubblica, with Castro's late cameo marked between 5 and 6 across the papers.