Roma left Naples with a point, but Gian Piero Gasperini saw more than a rescue act in the 3-3 draw at the Maradona. His side twice found the response required in a match that shifted repeatedly, and the coach felt the performance offered further proof that Roma can stand up to the strongest teams in Serie A.
A six-goal night in Naples
- Napoli took control early and went ahead through Frank Anguissa in the 28th minute.
- Scott McTominay doubled the home side’s lead three minutes after the interval.
- Matías Soulé brought Roma back into the contest in the 69th minute after a display Gasperini described as outstanding.
- Leonardo Balerdi equalised five minutes later, making his impact from the back decisive.
- McTominay struck again in the 83rd minute to restore Napoli’s advantage.
- Balerdi completed his brace in the 89th minute, ensuring Roma departed with a 3-3 draw in the eighth round of Serie A.
Gasperini sees belief in Roma’s recovery
The Roma coach acknowledged that Napoli had been the better side during the opening half-hour. His team struggled to play out and to establish their own attacking sequences, although Donyell Malen helped create a few openings. Roma improved before half-time, however, and Gasperini believed the second half became an open, high-level contest with chances at both ends.
“For the first 30 minutes Napoli had more than us and we found things difficult,” Gasperini said. “But we finished the first half well. After the break it was a very good match, with several chances, and we had the feeling that we could win it.”
Roma’s manager considered McTominay’s second goal a potentially damaging moment, yet praised the calm of his players after falling behind for a third time. Rather than becoming rushed, Roma maintained their positions, responsibilities and collective connections before producing another late answer.
“That third goal could have broken us, but we were excellent to come back,” he said. “There was strength and conviction in the group. We still believed we could take all three points.”
Gasperini said the quality of Roma’s goals reflected the manner in which they attacked, with several players arriving around the penalty area and substitutes adding fresh energy. He singled out Balerdi and Molina for their contribution from the bench, while also praising Soulé’s work, including his later movement into central areas.
“Soulé played an exceptional match, in both halves,” Gasperini said. “Ndicka was also very good. We are in a strong period: there is confidence, the morale is high and we are playing good football. We want to continue in this direction.”
Even so, the coach admitted that the final score carried mixed emotions. Roma felt they had left two points behind, but the late equaliser meant the point had value after Napoli’s 3-2 lead.
Draws that have strengthened Roma’s conviction
Gasperini placed the result alongside Roma’s recent draws with Inter and Como, while stressing that each match had its own circumstances. Against Inter, he felt Roma had come close to victory. Against Como, they had played the entire second half with 10 men after having been positive in the early stages.
Napoli represented another demanding examination. Gasperini described the reigning reference point of recent Italian football as a side of absolute quality, noting that Napoli have won two Scudetti in recent years. To recover against them and then compete on level terms for long stretches was, in his view, an important boost for Roma’s season.
“These are three different draws, but in every one we have shown that we can compete with teams among the very best,” he said. “If you can be competitive against Napoli and play this kind of match, it gives you the confidence to take on many other opponents.”
Balerdi’s growing importance
Balerdi’s double was the most visible contribution of the night, but Gasperini also underlined the defender’s influence since arriving at the club. He grouped Balerdi with De Roon as two players who had been leaders and captains with their previous teams.
De Roon’s adaptation was more straightforward, Gasperini explained, because of their long previous working relationship. Balerdi has had to settle into Roma’s defensive mechanisms, yet the coach said the Argentine’s understanding of the game and physical energy had made the transition swift.
“They have both given an extraordinary contribution in recent weeks,” Gasperini said. “Balerdi has not needed much time to settle. He knows football, he has remarkable energy, and now he has even scored twice. He has been a major addition for us.”
Gasperini also recalled earlier trips to the Maradona, including a draw there with Atalanta when Caldara scored twice and a 3-0 victory two years ago featuring Lookman. He made clear, though, that this Roma is a different side at a different stage of its journey.
Asked about a nervous Massimiliano Allegri, Gasperini ended with a smile: “I hope it was not because of me. I was not the one who sent him off.”
