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AS Roma walked away from Naples with a valuable point—but not without frustration. After a dramatic 2-2 draw against Napoli, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini openly admitted that his team should have secured all three points. In a tightly contested Serie A clash, Roma twice took the lead, only to see their advantage erased on both occasions.
The result leaves Roma on 47 points, three behind Napoli’s 50, missing a crucial opportunity to close the gap on the top three. While the Giallorossi climbed to fourth place in the standings, the sense of regret was unmistakable. At the center of the discussion stood Donyell Malen, the January signing who delivered a standout performance but arrived, in Gasperini’s view, perhaps too late to reshape the entire season.
Roma’s Frustrating Night at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium
Facing Napoli away from home is never a simple task, and Roma showed resilience throughout the match. Twice they demonstrated attacking sharpness, capitalizing on defensive lapses and maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.
Yet the inability to protect their lead in key moments proved costly. Napoli’s intensity increased in the closing stages, forcing Roma deeper into their own half. Defensive concentration slipped at crucial times, allowing the hosts to level the score and deny Roma a statement victory.
The draw reflects Roma’s competitive growth this season—but also highlights the fine margins separating them from Italy’s elite.
Gasperini’s Tactical Dilemma with Young Players
One of the defining aspects of the match was Gasperini’s decision to rely on several young players during the final minutes. With Napoli pushing aggressively, Roma needed fresh legs to match the tempo.
However, the trade-off was clear: energy came at the expense of experience.
“We often finish matches like this with young players who need to grow, gain experience and character,” Gasperini told DAZN Italia after the match.
“These are fundamental minutes where we need fresh legs, which the young players provide, but that also means losing experience,” he added.
The coach’s honesty reflects a broader challenge within the squad. While Roma possess promising talent, managing high-pressure moments against top-tier opponents requires composure that only experience can fully provide.
Donyell Malen: The Striker Roma Were Missing
Despite the disappointment, Donyell Malen emerged as the brightest spark of the evening. The Dutch forward scored twice, showcasing clinical finishing and intelligent movement in the box.
Since arriving in the January transfer window, Malen has quickly become a focal point in Roma’s attack. Gasperini has long admired his profile, describing him as the ideal striker for his tactical philosophy.
“I have always believed Malen has the ideal characteristics for my style of football,” Gasperini said. “He is a complete striker—he shoots quickly, he is agile, and he combines well with teammates.”
Malen’s ability to operate between defensive lines and execute rapid shots has provided Roma with a new offensive dimension. In just five appearances, his influence has been immediate and significant.
A Cool Head Under Pressure
One of the defining moments of the match came when Roma were awarded a crucial penalty. The opportunity arose after Wesley, despite suffering an ankle injury, battled through contact to win the spot-kick.
Malen stepped up as the taker, even though he is not the team’s primary penalty specialist. Facing a goalkeeper renowned for saving spot-kicks, the pressure was immense.
“It was a very important penalty,” Gasperini explained. “I have seen him in training; he takes good free kicks and penalties. Milinkovic-Savic has saved many penalties, so it was difficult, but he struck it hard and accurately. Good job.”
The confident finish underlined Malen’s mentality—a trait Roma may have desperately needed earlier in the campaign.
“If Only He Had Come Sooner”
While Roma now sit fourth in Serie A and have overtaken Juventus, Gasperini remains reflective about the season’s first half. The absence of a consistent goal-scoring striker earlier in the campaign, he believes, cost the team valuable points.
“We have had a positive attitude throughout the season, which is why we are fourth in the table,” Gasperini admitted. “I am not afraid to say that if we had Malen in the first half of the season, we would have a few more points now.”
Roma narrowly missed victories against several top sides earlier in the year, often faltering in decisive moments. The pattern, Gasperini suggests, might have been different with a striker capable of converting half-chances into decisive goals.
Encouragingly, Roma’s second-half form has improved. Draws against Milan and Napoli show they can compete with Italy’s strongest teams. Yet the lingering regret remains—so close, yet not quite victorious.
Conclusion: Progress with a Hint of Regret
The 2-2 draw against Napoli encapsulates AS Roma’s season: competitive, resilient, but occasionally undone by small margins. Gian Piero Gasperini’s candid reflections reveal both optimism and frustration.
Donyell Malen’s arrival has undeniably transformed Roma’s attacking outlook. His pace, composure, and finishing ability align perfectly with Gasperini’s philosophy. However, the coach’s suggestion that earlier integration could have altered the standings speaks volumes about the importance of timing in football.
As Serie A enters its decisive phase, Roma remain firmly in the race for Champions League qualification. If Malen continues his current trajectory and injured players like Paulo Dybala, Matias Soule, and Stephan El Shaarawy return to full fitness, the Giallorossi may yet finish the campaign strongly.
For now, Roma must channel their regret into motivation. Because in a league defined by tight margins, the difference between contention and triumph often lies in seizing the right moment—something Gasperini hopes his revitalized squad can still achieve.
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