Gasperini: Roma will learn more from the United defeat than from the Real Madrid match

Gian Piero Gasperini said Roma will learn more from their Champions League collapse against Manchester United than from the Real Madrid match. Roma had gone 2-0 up at Old Trafford in the 18th minute, thanks to a goal from Matias Soulé and a penalty by Donyell Malen.

The course of the match changed after United's penalty. Bruno Fernandes' spot kick was first saved by Devis Vasquez, but was ordered to be retaken because of an infringement. Fernandes scored this time, and two late goals from Matheus Cunha gave United their first win since 10 September.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Gasperini recalled that in the Real Madrid match, things developed from corners in the final seven or eight minutes. In this match, he said, United found a sudden burst of energy after the penalty, and Roma could not match it. He said he does not see it as a coincidence that they lost after taking the lead in two of their last three Champions League matches, but that each match was different.

Gasperini said they learned more from this defeat than from the Real Madrid match. He noted that the opponent was pressing high with substitutions made at half-time, and said Roma should go more often for long balls in that situation and step up their challenges to cut off the opponent's tempo.