Wesley reflects on Roma's second-half lapse in Inter clash

Roma led Manchester United at Old Trafford through goals from Soulé and Malen, but collapsed in the second half and lost the match. Soulé gave Roma the lead around the tenth minute with a left-footed strike, and Malen doubled it from the spot before the break. United then won a penalty in the second half. Vásquez saved the initial spot-kick, but the referee ordered a retake because Cristante had his knee on the line when he cleared the rebound. Bruno Fernandes stepped up again and scored, and Roma's concentration went with it. Balerdi's slip allowed the equaliser, and another error led to United's third goal. Roma had dominated the first half, with Soulé and Malen putting them 2-0 up. The second half turned on the disputed penalty. Roma appeared to tire after that, and a thin bench did not help. Gasperini's side had been pushed back, and the closing stages followed a familiar pattern for the club in recent weeks. The ratings were: Vásquez 6, Mancini 5.5, Balerdi 4.5, Hermoso 6, Cristante 6, De Roon 5.5, Wesley 5.5, Mora 6.5, Soulé 6.5, Malen 6 and Gasperini 5.5. Ghilardi, who came on for Mancini in the 74th minute, was rated 5.5, and N'Dicka, on for Hermoso in the 75th, was rated 5.5. Lulli, on for Rensch after 22 minutes, was rated 5.5. Rensch was not rated after playing barely twenty minutes. Pisilli, on from the 45th minute, was rated 5, while Castro, who came on for Malen in the 77th minute, was rated 5.5. Vásquez saved the first penalty but could do nothing about the retake. Mancini was booked for the penalty concession and was reportedly unhappy with the decision. Mora's pass for Soulé and his contribution to the penalty earned him the highest rating of the night, despite a couple of light touches. Balerdi was the most heavily criticised. His rating reflected a double-edged performance: some anticipations raised the pressure, but he steered well for long periods before the late errors. Cristante was praised for his control in the first half and was described as losing some sharpness after the break. The match report ends with the group stage in mind, though the source does not state a next fixture. Roma's bench and fatigue remain the central talking points.

Roma threw away a first-half lead and lost 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen had given the Giallorossi the advantage early in the match, but the team fell apart after the restart and allowed the hosts to turn the game around. The defeat came in a disastrous second half for the visitors, who had been ahead from the opening minutes.

Bryan Cristante has admitted Roma must work out where they are going wrong after losing to Manchester United, a match in which the team let a lead slip in the second half. Speaking to SkySport at the final whistle, the midfielder said the defeat had come despite a strong start from Roma. Roma started well and produced a very strong first half that could have ended with more than a 2-0 lead. Cristante said the team had to do more after they had already experienced the same problem, adding that Manchester United are strong opponents who become hard to contain once they push forward and find their moment. The Roma midfielder also addressed the penalty awarded to United. He said he had not seen the incident again, but that from the pitch it looked very doubtful. Cristante added that the team must review the footage properly and understand where they are going wrong, as the problem is becoming too frequent. Asked whether Roma lack the ability to manage games, Cristante said: "It could be. We must certainly be more focused at the back, the whole team. We were 2-0 up, and sometimes you can drop back and keep the game under control, letting the others play, but without conceding goals. We must review it and understand where we went wrong." On the defeat in relation to the team's growth, he said: "We played a very good first half, against a strong side even though they are not at their best, and in a stadium like this. We must also take the good things, but we know this is one point and we have to improve. We will do it, we must understand where we are going wrong so as not to make these mistakes again." Asked whether United's pressure in the second half had surprised Roma, Cristante said: "Maybe we dropped back a little too, thinking we could hold the result. It is certainly a combination of factors. We struggled to keep the ball in the second half. We could not breathe with the ball in their half, and that allowed them to push up a lot. We must review it."

Roma led Manchester United at Old Trafford through goals from Soulé and Malen, but collapsed in the second half and lost the match. Soulé gave Roma the lead around the tenth minute with a left-footed strike, and Malen doubled it from the spot before the break. United then won a penalty in the second half. Vásquez saved the initial spot-kick, but the referee ordered a retake because Cristante had his knee on the line when he cleared the rebound. Bruno Fernandes stepped up again and scored, and Roma's concentration went with it. Balerdi's slip allowed the equaliser, and another error led to United's third goal. Roma had dominated the first half, with Soulé and Malen putting them 2-0 up. The second half turned on the disputed penalty. Roma appeared to tire after that, and a thin bench did not help. Gasperini's side had been pushed back, and the closing stages followed a familiar pattern for the club in recent weeks. The ratings were: Vásquez 6, Mancini 5.5, Balerdi 4.5, Hermoso 6, Cristante 6, De Roon 5.5, Wesley 5.5, Mora 6.5, Soulé 6.5, Malen 6 and Gasperini 5.5. Ghilardi, who came on for Mancini in the 74th minute, was rated 5.5, and N'Dicka, on for Hermoso in the 75th, was rated 5.5. Lulli, on for Rensch after 22 minutes, was rated 5.5. Rensch was not rated after playing barely twenty minutes. Pisilli, on from the 45th minute, was rated 5, while Castro, who came on for Malen in the 77th minute, was rated 5.5. Vásquez saved the first penalty but could do nothing about the retake. Mancini was booked for the penalty concession and was reportedly unhappy with the decision. Mora's pass for Soulé and his contribution to the penalty earned him the highest rating of the night, despite a couple of light touches. Balerdi was the most heavily criticised. His rating reflected a double-edged performance: some anticipations raised the pressure, but he steered well for long periods before the late errors. Cristante was praised for his control in the first half and was described as losing some sharpness after the break. The match report ends with the group stage in mind, though the source does not state a next fixture. Roma's bench and fatigue remain the central talking points.

Roma threw away a first-half lead and lost 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the fourth matchday of the Champions League League Phase. Soulé gave Roma the lead with a delightful control and a cool left-foot finish in front of Lammens, and Malen doubled the advantage from the penalty spot. United fought back through Bruno Fernandes, whose penalty came after a contested decision by referee Gil Manzano, and then a Cunha double sealed the comeback. Roma dominated the first half but could not hold on after the break, as the home crowd swelled and United grew in confidence. The collapse came after the interval, when Roma lost possession, shape and composure. Vásquez saved Bruno Fernandes's first penalty, but the referee ordered it retaken and he could not stop the second. Mancini was involved in the contact with Cunha that led to the spot kick, which the report describes as a very debatable call. Balerdi had been outstanding for more than 80 minutes, dominating the defence with authority, precision and quick recoveries, before missing the ball at the centre of the box from a Bruno Fernandes cross, which gave Cunha the equaliser. Hermoso also struggled after the break, fading along with the rest of the back line. Rodrigo Mora was rated 7 for his vision and passing, and his interval withdrawal was felt keenly, with Roma losing quality, unpredictability and the ability to frighten United. Soulé was also rated 7 for his first-half display, though he faded in the second. Malen scored his penalty with composure but faded after the break. Cristante was rated 6.5 for a commanding first half, and Wesley was praised for his defensive covers, though he was too erratic going forward. Pisilli, who came on for Mora at 46 minutes, was rated 5 and was described as having failed to add quality or energy to midfield. Rensch played only 22 minutes and was not rated, as he was injured, and Lulli came on for him and was rated 5. Ghilardi replaced Mancini at 75 minutes and Ndicka replaced Hermoso at the same time, both rated 6, while Castro came on for Malen at 78 minutes and was rated 5.5. De Roon was rated 5.5 after a first half in which he was tireless but a second half in which he was overrun. Gasperini was rated 5. The report said Roma were a side of two faces and that the coach's changes did not work, with Mora's withdrawal costing the team offensive quality and the substitutions of Pisilli and Lulli failing to pay off. It said the recurring problem was that Roma fell apart as soon as they conceded, losing their identity and confidence once their opponents gained courage. The report concluded that Gasperini would have much to reflect on after a defeat that left a bitter taste.

Roma lost 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Champions League, with a costly error from Leonardo Balerdi deciding the match. Matías Soulé was Roma's standout, rated 7 out of 10, after he scored from the near post and then won a penalty by finding the arm of Heaven. Donyell Malen converted the spot-kick with a perfect strike. Those goals gave Roma a lead, but Manchester United fought back to level and then go ahead. Vásquez, who was starting in a Champions League match at Old Trafford, was rated 6. Only a month earlier he had been training on the B pitch at Trigoria with little hope of returning to action, and the Colombian goalkeeper's rise was described as a reminder that football is full of surprises. He had a tricky first half, handling balls with his feet that were not always straightforward. In the second half he came off his line to deal with a danger after Baleba was injured, then saved a penalty well. The referee ordered it retaken, which the writer described as a disgrace. Vásquez could do nothing about the equaliser, then was beaten by the post. Mancini, rated 6, was tested at both ends. He made a crucial sliding tackle after 13 minutes to stop a dangerous cross from Fernandes, but he started the second half poorly. Hermoso, rated 6.5, was among Roma's best defenders, blocking shots and launching counterattacks. Cristante, also rated 6.5, was one of the best players in the first half, controlling passing lanes, tackles and recoveries, but he could not find the same authority after the break. Wesley, rated 6, improved defensively, winning two decisive balls from United players in the first half, but he also faded in the second. Balerdi was rated 5.5. He struggled under pressure with the ball at his feet, but recovered situations with remarkable speed and bravery in the challenge. After a near-perfect performance he played the decisive pass that led to the 2-2, which was rated as a bitter blow. De Roon, rated 5.5, provided calm and composure but tired badly in the second half. Malen, rated 6, faded after his penalty. Ghilardi, who came on at 75 minutes and was rated 5.5, cleared and blocked whatever he could. N'Dicka, also introduced at 75 minutes and rated 5.5, restored calm at the back, but Balerdi's error ruined his good work. Castro, who replaced Malen at 78 minutes and was rated 6, tried to lift the team and succeeded at times.