Roma Player Ratings vs Napoli: Clueless Giallorossi Held at Olimpico | OneFootball

Roma slumped to an uneventful 1-0 home defeat to bitter rivals Napoli in the 161st edition of the iconic Derby del Sole in Serie A. Resurgent winger David Neres settled an evenly fought game at the Stadio Olimpico.

Despite enjoying their best 12-game Serie A start since 2017/18 ahead of the kick-off, Roma looked up the creek without a paddle this evening. With Artem Dovbyk injured and Paulo Dybala starting on the bench, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side endured a first half to forget.

It was Roma’s arguably worst 45 minutes under Gasperini, as Napoli had them on the ropes for most of the first half. Though Mile Svilar saved the Giallorossi several times in the opening half an hour, there was little he could do in the 36th minute.

Neres was too fast for his opponents, breaking away on a counter before finishing with aplomb to put Napoli in front. Little did anyone know it would be the only goal of the match, yet Roma did virtually nothing to avoid defeat in this famous fixture.

The home fans had to wait until the 90th minute for Roma’s first clear-cut chance, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic made a stunning save to thwart Tommaso Baldanzi’s decent shot from the edge of the box. Without further ado, let’s look at our player ratings.

Roma (3-4-2-1)

Mile Svilar – 7/10

He was the only reason Roma had a fighting chance until the final whistle, making several crucial interventions on either side of halftime. However, his teammates let him down in that fateful 36th minute.

Gianluca Mancini – 6/10

It’s remarkable that he finished the game without a booking, given the number of reckless challenges he committed tonight. Way too over-zealous in the first 30 minutes.

Evan Ndicka – 5/10

The Ivorian lost track of Neres for Napoli’s winner while fouling Rasmus Hojlund for fun. Struggled to knock the Danish striker off his perch!

Mario Hermoso – 7/10

The former Atletico Madrid star was Roma’s best-performing center-back, closing all the gaps at the back.

Wesley – 5/10

Gasperini had to put the Brazilian wingback on the left side due to Angelino’s absence, but it was a complete waste. Unable to use his left foot, the ex-Flamengo ace couldn’t do anything in the final third.

Bryan Cristante – 5/10

Despite his unparalleled energy and fighting spirit, the Italian midfielder couldn’t provide the spark Roma desperately needed after falling behind.

Manu Kone – 4/10

Way too passive in possession, the Frenchman lost the ball, which led to Napoli’s goal. It was a rare blunder, as he otherwise looked comfortable on the ball, yet he created nothing this evening.

Zeki Celik – 6/10

The Turkish defender had a field day against Noa Lang, keeping his end of the bargain at the back. However, he offered nothing going forward.

Matias Soule – 3/10

Roma expected more from their rising star, but the Argentine starlet failed to rise to the occasion. Undoubtedly his worst showing of the season.

Lorenzo Pellegrini – 5/10

Though Gasperini stripped him of the club’s captaincy, Pellegrini fought valiantly for every possession and tried to invent something in attack, often to no avail.

Evan Ferguson – 2/10

Completely cut off from the rest of the team in the first 45 minutes, the Brighton loanee came off at the start of the second half.

Substitutions

Tommaso Baldanzi – 6/10

Paulo Dybala – 4/10

Leon Bailey – N/A