Roma travel to Manchester aiming to build on their 4-0 victory over Slovan and strengthen their Champions League campaign. After drawing with Fenerbahce in their opening match and losing 4-3 to Real Madrid at home, the Italian side could move to seven points with a win at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have not won since beating Sabah 4-0 on September 10, but Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini warned his players not to underestimate their opponents. He said the team had prepared as though it were facing “the best Manchester,” describing United as a strong side with high-quality players and a difficult home environment.
Roma will be without Svilar, Paulo Dybala and Koné. Even so, Gasperini said his players had the right to dream of a positive result at the stadium known as the Theatre of Dreams, while stressing that his immediate ambition was to achieve something tangible in the upcoming match.
The fixture also offers Roma a chance to confront a difficult history at Old Trafford. The club have suffered heavy defeats there, including a 7-1 loss and a 6-2 Europa League defeat in 2021. Roma have also never won at the stadium and have not secured an away Champions League victory since beating CSKA Moscow 2-1 on November 7, 2018.
Midfielder Marten De Roon said Roma want to produce a major result and maintain the level of their recent performances in what he called a magical stadium. He also praised Gasperini’s intensive, attacking approach and his tactical work with the team.
A victory would put Roma on seven points and give their European campaign further momentum before a later meeting with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, coached by former Roma manager Luis Enrique. For now, Gasperini’s side must first try to turn Old Trafford from a source of painful memories into a Theatre of Dreams of their own.
Sources: ANSA Sport.