Gasperini after United comeback: Roma must shed pressure to win at all costs

Gasperini says Roma must shed the pressure to win at all costs after losing 3-2 to Manchester United in a Champions League comeback.

former Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini reflected on his side's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League league phase, saying the loss differed from their earlier setback against Real Madrid. "This defeat was different from the one with Real Madrid," Gasperini said on Sky. "There everything happened at the end, on set pieces, without clear signs of what might happen after we went ahead. The penalty given to United gave them great momentum. We couldn't maintain our push."

Gasperini explained that Roma struggled to contain Manchester United's attackers in the second half, compounded by an injury to Balerdi when the score was 2-2. He defended his substitution choices, noting that Rensch started well before getting injured, forcing him to bring on Lulli. "If you get through the episodes unscathed, then maybe you win," he said.

On the tactical shift, Gasperini said United had nothing to lose and pressed high after the break. "We needed to play differently, using long balls to take them away from our half. We lost our bearings." He concluded by addressing Roma's apparent psychological struggle when opponents mount comebacks: "The team must shed the pressure to win at all costs."