GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
It was another poor display from Roma last night as the long winless run continued.
Sampdoria came out 1-0 winners, with Duvan Zapata getting the important goal. It's clear that Roma are having problems currently, but what were the three main downsides of yesterday's loss? Wrong Players Brought Off The substitutions made by Eusebio Di Francesco killed the game for Roma. For reasons only known to him, he chose to remove Roma's three most dangerous attacking players in the game. The replacements weren't necessarily the wrong choices to bring on, but they should have come on for other players. For example, Gregoire Defrel should have replaced Edin Dzeko, not Lorenzo Pellegrini, because the latter was growing into the game and breaking forward often. Dzeko, on the other hand, was once again a passenger. Cengiz Under and Stephan El Shaarawy were also incredibly unlucky to be brought off - they were both playing well on the wings and should have stayed on, as Roma were building momentum until the changes. Nainggolan Was Dreadful Radja Nainggolan looked a far cry from the player that many have described as the best midfielder in the league for the past couple of seasons. Too many times, he gave away possession, and had virtually no impact going forward. He's been better this season than many have suggested, but yesterday his critics were absolutely right. As an experienced member of the squad, he should have done much better. Failure To Exploit Width Often With Sampdoria playing a narrow 4-3-1-2 formation, there was a great opportunity for Roma to create pressure down the flanks. The visitors' full backs could have been exposed in two-v-one situations, but Roma didn't utilise this tactic often enough. As stated, the wingers played well, but they could have had even more of an impact if they had been picked out more frequently. And when the ball was wide, the crosses from the full backs were rarely successful. Once again, a lack of creativity in attack damaged Roma's chances of getting a result. Final Thoughts All in all, Sampdoria deserved their win, and Roma clearly need to change something. Young players such as Under and Pellegrini did well, and perhaps they should be seeing more action as their seniors underperform. That will be Di Francesco's decision, and one that he will need to get right in order to avoid embarrassment against Verona next week.
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Roma couldn’t stop the rot against Sampdoria last night, as it took a last minute Edin Dzeko goal to clinch a draw.
It’s a result that means the poor run of form continues, with the pressure on Eusebio Di Francesco mounting day by day. However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Roma, with a couple of bright spots shining amidst the disappointment. Here are the game’s ups and downs. + Young Players Do Well With injuries limiting the number of players available for selection, Di Francesco had to rely on some of the less senior members of his squad, such as Cengiz Under. Under was one of Roma’s better players, but still lacked that crucial end product. However, the game should have done enough to improve his confidence. Lorenzo Pellegrini also did well, reaching from a poor performance against Inter. Unlike on Sunday, he showed why he deserves an important role in the squad. The Italian created four chances and completed nearly 94% of his passes. + Antonucci’s Impact Roma had an 18-year-old substitute making his debut last night, and it’s fair to say Mirko Antonucci impressed the Giallorossi faithful. He looked calm and confident down the left wing, and it was thanks to his superb first-time assist that Edin Dzeko could claim Roma’s equaliser. We haven’t seen the last of Antonucci in a Roma shirt. - Kolarov Ineffective Aleksandar Kolarov has been one of Roma’s most dangerous attacking weapons all season, but against Sampdoria he had little impact. Rarely did he get forward, with Cengiz Under ending up a long way in front of him on the left wing. It was an uninspiring performance from the Serb, compared to what we have come to expect. - Poor Finishing, Again It wasn’t like Roma didn’t have chances last night - but they were very wasteful when they did arrive. Gregoire Defrel’s shot near the end of the first half springs to mind - it looked as if he was about to claim his first Roma goal, but his effort went way over. Not to single the returning forward out, it was representative of the entire team’s efforts on goal. Only 20% of Roma’s attempts were on target. On Sunday, Roma have an opportunity to learn from the mistakes they made on Wednesday, as they face the same opponent. Whether they will or not, is a far from determined matter. Roma will finally play their game in hand against Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris tonight.
Sampdoria are the only Serie A team yet to have faced Roma this season, after heavy rains set back the original fixture. I Blucerchiati have been one of the standout teams in the league this season, with the impressive performances of the likes of Lucas Torreira attracting widespread attention. Experienced striker Fabio Quagliarella has had no difficulty finding his way to the net, with 15 goals in 20 games so far. Samp came back from the winter break with a 3-1 win over Fiorentina, courtesy of a hat trick from Quagliarella - with all three goals assisted by Gaston Ramirez. They lined up in their usual 4-3-1-2 formation. Despite their positive progress, they have had a couple of poor results, becoming only the second team this season to lose to Benevento just before the mid-season interval. However, they still sit in a very healthy 6th place in Serie A. Roma’s squad is a little depleted for the encounter, with Daniele De Rossi, Stephan El Shaarawy and Gerson just some of the names in doubt. In his pre-match press conference, Eusebio Di Francesco confirmed he may have to change the system to accommodate his fit players. Can Patrik Schick make an impact against his former club? Will Roma make the most of their long-awaited game in hand? Or will Sampdoria keep up their good season and put pressure on Roma above them? 7:45pm, tonight, and we’ll know the answers. Much like the reverse fixture on Serie A matchday two, it was a game of ups and downs between Inter and Roma, as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.
Roma had taken the lead through Stephan El Shaarawy's cute chip, but a lapse in concentration near the end of the game allowed Matias Vecino to equalise for the hosts. Here are two things that went well for Roma, and two that weren't as good. + Alisson Shows His Completeness It's well-known in Italy now that Alisson Becker has become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Yesterday, he pulled off a number of good saves, as usual. Beyond that, he also proved how good he is with his feet. For El Shaarawy's goal, Roma's number one picked out the winger with a superb long range pass, showing great awareness and footballing ability. Alisson is developing into the complete goalkeeper. + Strootman Can Do Well In Defensive Midfield Fans have long been calling for Kevin Strootman to be used as a holding midfielder in this system, and yesterday was his first opportunity to do that from the start of a game. He was one of Roma's better players on the night, and with a few more games in the same position, he could really grow into the role. - Pellegrini's Performance If Strootman is to be used in a slightly deeper role, someone will have to step up in central midfield ahead of him. Before the winter break, Lorenzo Pellegrini had put in a couple of good displays, and looked a natural fit for the required role. However, yesterday he played poorly, doing little with the ball and failing to show the confidence to take on a long-range shot when he had an opportunity. In total he lost 11 of his 13 duels. It was probably just a blip, but Pellegrini will have to rid his game of displays like these if he is to become a consistent starter for Roma. - Failure to Test Handanovic Creating chances has been a problem for Roma all season, and last night it happened once again. Edin Dzeko, perhaps Chelsea-bound, was average yet again, and there were few shots on goal from any member of the team. All in all, i Lupi only managed seven shots, of which only El Shaarawy's goal was on target. Something will have to improve in this department soon, with Roma not having scored more than one goal in a game since 1st December. Overall Assessment Regardless of how deep Roma played late on, and the formation change which invited Inter pressure, the Giallorossi got what they deserved last night (or perhaps more). They should have seen out their lead, but overall, they simply did not do enough to win the game. So, whilst it is frustrating that the three points weren't brought back to the capital, the draw was actually a good result for Roma in relation to the performance. It's the performances that will need to improve though, if the team are to finish in the top four. Two of Serie A’s biggest teams will look to get back on track as they come up against each other on Sunday night.
Inter and Roma both hit rough patches before the league’s winter break, and will be wanting to start afresh for the second half of the campaign. The game gets underway at the San Siro at 7:45pm UK time, and is broadcast live in the UK on BT Sport 1. Inter are without a win in five matches, dropping points to the likes of Udinese, whilst Roma are winless in four. During that time, both clubs have fallen to smaller teams, with Sassuolo both beating Inter and earning a point against Roma. As well as getting a foot back in the race for a Champions League spot, there is a lot of pride riding on this game. Eusebio Di Francesco will be eager to overcome his predecessor Luciano Spalletti, after coming close in the reverse fixture. Inter won 3-1 after a late burst, with goals from Mauro Icardi (2) and Matias Vecino cancelling out Edin Dzeko’s opener. Dzeko has been the subject of increased transfer speculation in recent days, with talks of a joint move to Chelsea for him and Emerson Palmieri. It will be interesting to see how he plays in the game against Inter, with the Chelsea links surely a distraction. Di Francesco has confirmed that his talisman will start the game. Meanwhile, Maxime Gonalons and Diego Perotti are both out of the squad. It is unclear who will fill the defensive midfield role, with Daniele De Rossi only just returning to fitness too. Could we see Kevin Strootman fielded there? Inter will be expected to line up in Spalletti’s familiar 4-2-3-1 shape, which he often utilised in his time at Roma. There are no secrets regarding their most dangerous weapons - Icardi and Ivan Perisic are always a threat offensively. It’s a full strength Inter squad, with no major injuries, and their new defender Lisandro Lopez could make his debut. Which team will bounce back from their pre-winter break adversities and secure the points against their rivals? Transfer windows can be stressful times for Roma fans, with many worried about the potential loss of key players.
In the summer it was Mohamed Salah and Antonio Rudiger who departed, and once again there is no shortage of interest in Roma's current stars. One player who has been linked with a move away from the Olimpico is Lorenzo Pellegrini. Despite him only rejoining in the summer, there's a chance of him making way, with reports suggesting Manchester United, Juventus, Manchester City and Chelsea are all interested in activating his release clause. Pellegrini may not be a key player yet, but Roma have to do all they can to keep him at the club. He is only 21, but has shown himself to be one of Italy's most promising young midfielders over the past couple of years. He made his senior Italy debut last year, and looks set to go on to play many more times for his country. After graduating from Roma's academy, where he was captain of the Primavera side, he developed at Sassuolo, under current Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco. The reputation he built there was enough to convince Roma to activate his buyback clause, and represented the completion of a dream for the hard-working youngster. This season, we haven't seen the pinnacle of Pellegrini yet, but he has made a decent start to his life back in Rome. So far, since his return, the number seven has shown flashes of quality. Whilst not always used, he has managed to keep knocking on the door of Di Francesco, determined to show why he should be selected. Already familiar with his coach's tactics, he has often looked like the midfielder most likely to create something for Roma. He is willing to get forward, but has also helped out off the ball, putting in some good challenges. In December, he scored his first two goals for Roma; first against SPAL, and then against his former employers Sassuolo. These goals were the reward for a player who has been eager to prove himself at a big club at a young age. With the side not the most efficient in front of goal this season, they also symbolise great potential value to the team. Perhaps Pellegrini hasn't been outstanding so far, or hasn't played a game for Roma where he was clearly a level above the rest. But he has shown signs that he can go on to become a major player for this side, and has plenty of time to develop. He has set himself some good foundations, and with Kevin Strootman out of form, a chance may present itself for Pellegrini to get some more starts when Serie A resumes. Letting go of this future talent would be a poor decision from Roma, and it appears the club recognise this already. There have been talks of a new contract for the Roman, one with a much higher release clause than his present one of €25m. It would be deserved, and would fend off potential suitors. In the future, Roma and Pellegrini could show themselves to be a match made in heaven. The club must make their best efforts to keep hold of the midfielder, and he will repay their faith in the long run. Roma’s final game before the winter break sees them up against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta side.
The game falls at a potentially awkward time, as Roma have hit a rough patch, whilst Atalanta are in good form. After losing key players Franck Kessie and Andrea Conti in the summer, there were doubts if the Bergamo side could repeat their achievements of last season, when they qualified for the Europa League after finishing 4th. Despite these doubts they have been coping well, only losing one of their last ten games. During this time, they have shown their continued ability to hold their own against the big teams, beating Milan in the league and Napoli in the Coppa Italia. Their ability against the top teams was foreshadowed in the first game of the season against Roma. The Giallorossi won 1-0, but had to withhold a lot of pressure from their hosts. Half way through the season, Atalanta are ninth in the league table, level on points with seventh-placed Udinese. Like Roma, they have also had success in Europe, qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League, where a tough test against Borussia Dortmund awaits them. Roma, meanwhile, are in need of three points after only winning one of their last five games in all competitions. Since the Derby win over Lazio in November, Eusebio Di Francesco’s men have only scored more than one goal in one match (against SPAL). Edin Dzeko in particular could really do with a goal so he can regain his form. Radja Nainggolan will not be involved for Roma after being disciplined for posting a video of himself smoking, drinking and swearing on Instagram on New Year’s Eve. This could indicate the restoration of Kevin Strootman to the starting line up, or a switch to a 4-2-4 with Dzeko and Patrik Schick starting together up front. Lorenzo Pellegrini should keep his place in the midfield in Nainggolan’s absence, having scored against his former side Sassuolo last time out. Daniele De Rossi is also out of the squad with a muscle problem. Roma will be hoping they can end the first half of the season on a positive note, before their two-week winter break. With the January transfer window now open, it's a good time to reflect on the current state of the squad, and how the newer members of the squad have done so far.
Many Roma fans were excited for the arrival of new sporting director Monchi in the summer, and whilst everyone is aware that this will be a long-term project, the additions he made in his first transfer window with the club have had varying levels of success. Here's a grade for the performances of each of the players Monchi brought in in the summer so far. Hector Moreno: C- A player that Monchi has admired for some time, Mexican defender Moreno hasn't seen much action at all. With Kostas Manolas, Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus ahead of him in the pecking order, the 29-year-old has been limited to just six appearances in all competitions. It's somewhat strange that we haven't seen him at left back, given the amount of football Aleksandar Kolarov has had to play, and the claims when he joined the club that he could also play that position. Rick Karsdorp: N/A Sadly for Karsdorp, and for the many fans who believed he would solve the club's issues at right back, injury has been cruel to the Dutchman. Signed with a knee problem, he missed the start of the season, and on his first appearance back, he ruptured the ACL of his other knee, sending him to the sidelines again. Lorenzo Pellegrini: B Returning to the club he grew up at, Pellegrini came back to Roma from Sassuolo at the end of June. So far, the young Italian has looked to be a good acquisition for the future. He has creativity on the ball and work rate off it, and scored against his former club at the weekend for his second goal of the season. He is definitely making a good start to his Roma career, and can go on to become a cornerstone of this midfield. Maxime Gonalons: C- One of the players who was expected to fight for a starting place, Gonalons has been largely underwhelming. Signed with great experience at Lyon, he played very well against Chelsea away, but on other occasions has made too many errors. He will be hoping to improve over the second half of the season. Cengiz Under: C Cengiz Under has a bright future, but has understandably been limited to a handful of appearances so far. He looks good on the ball, but is currently lacking a goal. With a bit more experience and confidence, that will come. Gregoire Defrel: D Defrel has found it difficult to adapt to a different role on the right, ultimately failing to produce any quality of note. Perhaps unlucky not to have been given a chance in his natural centre forward position, he is another forward without a goal to his name. Aleksandar Kolarov: A Undoubtedly the best signing made by Monchi in the summer. At €5m, Kolarov has been a real bargain, and his performances at left back have been pivotal to the success of the team. He has taken the headlines for his ability with the dead ball, scoring two free kicks, and has also been exceptional in open play. The Serbian has been a revelation for Roma. Patrik Schick: B- Signed in a deal that will become a club record, Patrik Schick has had to wait for his opportunity to impress at his new club due to injury. Now fully fit, he has been utilised as either a right winger or a striker. He scored his first goal for the club in the Coppa Italia loss to Torino in December. He's certainly promising, and, with gears still to go through as he continues his return to the pitch, should be aiming for at least ten goals this season. Overall: C Many of the players brought in over the summer are long-term solutions, from whom too much shouldn't be expected too soon. The younger additions are in general making the right first steps in their Roma careers, whilst the form of some of the more experienced arrivals has been mixed. Collectively, all these players have allowed Eusebio Di Francesco to rotate for different competitions, which has been pivotal to the team's success in the Champions League. However, recent weeks have indicated that the squad isn't yet complete, which may prompt Monchi to act in the January window. |
samuel bannister
Founder and editor of Giallorossi Yorkshire, who is also a columnist for Roma's official website about the women's team. Categories
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