Devis Vásquez Makes Unexpected Champions League Debut for Roma Against Manchester United
The third-choice goalkeeper was thrust into the starting lineup at Old Trafford after a late fitness failure by Pierluigi Gollini.
AS Roma goalkeeper Devis Vásquez made a surprise Champions League debut during Tuesday's match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Colombian shot-stopper was called upon to start just three hours before kickoff after the team's second-choice goalkeeper, Pierluigi Gollini, failed a fitness test due to a back injury sustained during the final training session.
The sudden change in the lineup forced Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini to rely on Vásquez, as the club faced a significant injury crisis that also sidelined Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Despite the lack of preparation time, Vásquez was tasked with anchoring a defense that included Leonardo Balerdi, Gianluca Mancini, and Mario Hermoso.
The match proved to be a high-stakes encounter, with Manchester United struggling to find form under manager Michael Carrick. Roma initially dominated the first half, taking a two-goal lead within the first 15 minutes. This marked a historic low for Manchester United, as it was the first time the club had trailed by two goals at halftime in a European home match.
The momentum shifted in the 55th minute when Manchester United was awarded a penalty following a foul on Matheus Cunha. Vásquez initially appeared to have kept Roma in control by saving the spot-kick taken by Bruno Fernandes. However, the play was subject to a VAR review, which determined that Roma captain Bryan Cristante had encroached into the penalty area before the ball was struck.
Under the International Football Association Board rules, the referee ordered a retake of the penalty. While Vásquez dived in the opposite direction for the second attempt, Fernandes struck the ball with increased power and precision to score. This moment proved to be a turning point, as the momentum swung in favor of the home side.
Following the successful penalty, Manchester United intensified their pressure. Although Bryan Mbeumo narrowly missed an equalizer, the team eventually leveled the score in the 83rd minute through Cunha. Just three minutes later, Cunha secured the winning goal for Manchester United, completing a dramatic comeback that left Roma with a loss despite their strong start.
The match concluded with a red card for Cunha, who was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for a mistimed tackle in stoppage time, following an earlier booking for his exuberant goal celebration. For Vásquez, the evening served as an unexpected introduction to the intensity of European competition, marking a challenging debut in a high-pressure environment.