Roma's Champions League campaign took a damaging turn at Old Trafford, where they surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Manchester United. It was the second time this season Gasperini's side have been pegged back from a winning position in Europe, and the defeat leaves them on four points in the Champions League table with serious questions forming around their ability to manage games in the second half. The pattern is becoming hard to ignore: Roma have repeatedly conceded early in the second period this season, and their failure to close out matches on the continent is now a defined weakness rather than a one-off.

Compounding the frustration is a mounting injury list. Pierluigi Gollini, who stepped in as first-choice goalkeeper after Mile Svilar's injury, missed the United game with a back problem and remains a significant doubt. Svilar, Paulo Dybala, and Manu Koné are all still unavailable, leaving Gasperini with limited options across key positions.

Despite the European setback, Roma's domestic form remains strong. They sit third in Serie A on 24 points after ten games, just one point behind leaders Lazio, and arrive at Saturday's home fixture against a Sassuolo side in freefall having lost four consecutive league matches. A win at the Olimpico would temporarily lift them to second. The challenge now is whether Gasperini can channel the frustration of Manchester into renewed focus on the league.