Late penalty and Cunha’s winner force Roma’s Champions League exit

Man United turned the tide in the final minutes of their clash with Roma when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty and Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha struck twice, the second goal coming in the 86th minute, before receiving a red card in the 91st, a turnaround Gasperini later called a harsh lesson.

The loss was described as a terrible late defeat and it condemned the Giallorossi to the Champions League. Man United overturned their lead in the dying stages of the encounter.

The Brazilian Matheus Cunha first levelled the score after a mistake by defender Balerdi. He then secured the winner in the 86th minute and was sent off with a red card in the 91st.

Gasperini’s post‑match analysis

After the match, Gian Piero Gasperini analysed the painful defeat for Sky Sport, beginning with the episode that shifted momentum. “I think it was a different game than the one against Real Madrid,” he said. “There weren’t such obvious signs of a decline, as there were after the penalty, which gave them a great boost.” “There’s no coincidence in the goals we conceded in the comeback; tonight we didn’t have the strength to defend their attackers.” “It’s natural that you can struggle against Manchester United in the final 15 minutes if they attack like that.”

“They started to press further forward; we had to play differently, taking advantage of long balls.” “We weren’t able to keep up with them: we should have resorted to a few more tackles, but instead we suffered their momentum, which was amplified by the penalty and the 2‑2 incident.” Regarding the right flank, Gasperini said he used Lulli in place of the injured Rensch, with Molina left out, noting that Molina could have stayed but the change was not the cause of defeat.

“I think it was a different match, which taught us more than the one against Real Madrid.” “There was a bit of disappointment after seeing victory slip away from you at the front.” “The team perhaps needs to relieve itself of the pressure of a result at all costs.”