Gian Piero Gasperini believes Roma will learn more from their 3-2 Champions League defeat by Manchester United than from their previous collapse against Real Madrid.
Roma led 2-0 after 18 minutes at Old Trafford, with goals from Matias Soule and Donyell Malen’s penalty, and had several chances to extend their advantage. But Bruno Fernandes’ spot-kick, initially saved by Devis Vasquez before being retaken because of encroachment, changed the game.
Matheus Cunha then scored twice late on to secure Manchester United’s first victory since September 10.
“It was a different game to Real Madrid, where it all happened in the last seven or eight minutes from corner kicks, and there were no real signs of the comeback,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“This time, it was above all after the penalty that Manchester United had this sudden surge of enthusiasm, and we were unable to keep up with it.”
Roma had also surrendered a 3-1 lead against Real Madrid in seven minutes, while their tendency to lose control after taking the lead has appeared in Serie A through a number of drawn matches.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence, but I also think they were different matches,” Gasperini said. “This evening, we didn’t have the strength to press their strikers the way we did in the first half, plus the penalty and the error for the equaliser really turned the tide.
“There is always going to be 15-20 minutes against Manchester United when you’re under pressure, and if you can emerge unscathed from it, you’ll be fine.”
‘We need to handle these situations better’
Although Roma had controlled more of the defeat by Real Madrid, Gasperini said the loss at Old Trafford represented a more useful lesson because it was an opportunity his side had allowed to slip away.
“Honestly, we learned more from this match than the one with Real Madrid,” he said. “That felt unpredictable, whereas at times today when Old Trafford was pushing on the team, we need to be able to handle these situations better in future.”
Manchester United changed their approach at half-time and pressed high, leaving Roma struggling to maintain their passing references. Gasperini suggested his side should have used more long balls, disrupted the hosts’ rhythm with additional challenges and slowed the tempo.
“The momentum of the match changed with the penalty and the incident for 2-2,” he added.
Roma’s fragility after conceding was again exposed when Bryan Mbeumo struck the woodwork within 60 seconds of the penalty, before Manchester United scored the winner three minutes after the equaliser.
“That’s true, it happened against Real Madrid too,” Gasperini said. “Perhaps there is a bit of disappointment that sets in when you see the victory drifting away. Again, we need the team to take the pressure of a result at all costs off itself, so this game will help us learn more than others.”
Roma were also without injured goalkeepers Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini, meaning third-choice Vasquez made his club debut. Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone and Lorenzo Pellegrini were unavailable, while Devyne Rensch went off with a muscular problem in the first half.
Nahuel Molina was not brought on, with Gasperini explaining that Rensch had started well and his replacement, Lulli, used a substitution. “Wesley played well defensively, this was not the reason we struggled,” he said.
