Cristante calls on Roma to learn from Manchester United defeat

Bryan Cristante says Roma must examine their mistakes and improve after surrendering a two-goal lead in their 3-2 defeat by Manchester United, while describing the penalty awarded to the hosts as “very questionable”.

Roma appeared in control after scoring twice inside the opening 18 minutes at Old Trafford on Tuesday, but Manchester United fought back to secure victory.

“We played an excellent first half and could have scored more than two goals, but the opposition are strong too,” Cristante told Sky Sport Italia.

“When they press, it becomes difficult to contain them. We needed to do more, especially because we have already found ourselves in a similar situation before.”

Cristante was asked about the penalty awarded to Manchester United during the match.

“I have not watched the replay, but from the pitch it seemed to me a very questionable penalty,” he said.

The Italy midfielder also acknowledged the difficulty of controlling a match when the opposition gain momentum, and said Roma needed to address a recurring weakness.

“When the opposition are full of confidence, they become extremely strong and it is difficult to limit the danger they pose,” Cristante said.

“We have to review what happened carefully and understand the mistakes we are making, because this happens far too often.”

Cristante accepted that Roma may lose some of their attacking effectiveness when they attempt to slow the pace of a game, but insisted their defensive organisation must not suffer.

“That is possible, but we have to be more focused defensively as a complete team,” he said.

“We were 2-0 up. Sometimes you can drop deeper, manage the game and allow the opponent to have the ball, but you must not concede goals.”

He added that Roma could still take encouragement from their first-half performance, despite the eventual defeat.

“To play like that in the first half, at a stadium like this and against a strong team, is a positive,” Cristante said.

“Maybe Manchester United are not currently producing their best football, but they have strong players.”

The defeat was Roma’s second in all competitions this season. They had also let a two-goal advantage slip against Real Madrid in the Champions League in October, losing 4-3 at Stadio Olimpico after the Spanish side scored three goals in the closing stages.