GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Alessandro Florenzi could make his 200th Serie A appearance for Roma when the Giallorossi take on Atalanta on Sunday afternoon.
The versatile full-back has spent all but one season of his career at boyhood club Roma, initially emerging as a midfielder before being converted into a right-back. Now serving as the club's vice-captain, he could be ready to tick off a milestone. According to some reports, he could start on the right wing in today's clash, rather than his usual defensive position. Rick Karsdorp has finally started to show his value at right-back in recent matches, meaning he is likely to keep his place there. Returning to the squad is the man above Florenzi in the pecking order for club captaincy - Daniele De Rossi. The Roma legend has been sidelined with injury for over a month, but is now fit enough to be back in contention. It's likely that the 35-year-old will play from the bench rather than start. Today's game puts Roma up against a tough opponent in Atalanta. The Bergamo side have already beaten the likes of Inter and Lazio this season, while they are coming off the back of a 5-0 thrashing of Frosinone. Their ever-impressive form under Gian Piero Gasperini has led to some claiming they could be outside contenders in the race for Champions League qualification, so this is a must-win game for Roma - an Atalanta victory would see the hosts go above Eusebio Di Francesco's side in the table. Both sides have started 2019 with two wins out of two, but one of those 100% records will have to give today. A strong performance will be needed for Roma to avoid losing ground in the race for fourth.
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We are now three quarters of the way through the January transfer window, and Roma are yet to make any alterations to their squad.
Despite concern among the fanbase that Roma are a little bit light of quality in certain positions - notably centre-back - Monchi hasn't made a move, and as time ticks on, it's starting to look like Roma might not do any business at all. In years gone by though, the January transfer window has been a fruitful time for the club. Several big names have come in midway through the season and made an immediate impact. Here are five of the best. 5. Zago (1998) One of the cornerstones of Roma's victorious Serie A season in 2000-01, Brazilian centre-back Antonio Carlos Zago initially joined the club from Corinthians in the 1997-98 season. Zago soon found himself in Zdenek Zeman's starting lineup, making his debut in a 3-1 win over Lecce on 11th February. Often featuring alongside compatriot Aldair, he started 11 of the 13 remaining Serie A fixtures thereafter until the end of the campaign. Zago continued to be a regular presence across the next three seasons, culminating in the 2001 Scudetto triumph. He left Roma in 2002, having made more than 100 appearances. 4. Stephan El Shaarawy (2016) The 2015-16 season was a tale of two halves for Roma, and Stephan El Shaarawy's January arrival was one of the key factors in inspiring a strong end to the campaign. Signed on an initial loan from Milan, El Shaarawy injected more pace into the side, with Gervinho leaving for China the day after. The Italy international made an immediate impact, scoring a sensational volley with the outside of his boot on his debut. El Shaarawy concluded the season with eight goals in 17 games for Roma, who did not taste defeat in Serie A following his arrival. His transfer was made permanent that summer, and although he has since drifted in and out of form, the influence he had when he first joined the club cannot be denied.
3. Hidetoshi Nakata (2000)
The gifted Japanese midfielder joined Roma from Perugia midway through the 1999-2000 season, debuting in a 3-1 win against Verona. Nakata made 15 appearances across the second half of the campaign, as Roma finished 6th. The year after, Roma would win their third ever Serie A trophy, with Nakata playing in around half the matches. He was inspirational in a May clash with Juventus, scoring one goal and taking the shot that led to the ball being parried out for his side's second, as Roma came from behind to draw 2-2. If Roma hadn't fought back for that point, Juventus would have finished ahead of them in the standings. Nakata moved on to Parma at the end of the season, but had ensured his place in Roma folklore by contributing to the title win. 2. Radja Nainggolan (2014) The dynamic but controversial Belgian midfielder joined in the winter window of Rudi Garcia's first season in charge of Roma. With Michael Bradley leaving for Chievo, Roma brought Nainggolan in on a €3m loan from Cagliari, that would become a co-ownership deal and eventually a permanent signing. 'Il Ninja' made 20 appearances in his debut year, quickly assuming an important role in the side. His best season for Roma came in 2016-17, when, deployed in an attacking midfield role by Luciano Spalletti, he scored 14 goals - many being long-range spectaculars - in 53 games. The number four endeared himself to the Roma faithful thanks to his tireless energy on the pitch, covering immense amounts of ground, and his attacking output with his powerful strike. Nainggolan's summer 2018 move to Inter - which came against his wishes - was met with a mixed reaction from fans, although it now seems clear that Roma got the better side of the deal. Even as his career declines though, the passion with which Nainggolan represented Roma will be remembered as one of the club's best stories of the decade. 1. Vincent Candela (1997) A modern day Roma hero, wing-back Candela originally came to Italy in 1997, joining from Guingamp in his native France for his first stint abroad. Aged 23 at the time, he quickly settled in at Roma, making his first appearance in a February victory over Bari. Always an attacking threat, Candela scored his first two goals for the club in a 4-3 win against Verona that March, including the 89th-minute winner. Candela and Roma were a match made in heaven. He made just shy of 40 appearances the following season, at the end of which he won the World Cup with France. In 1999, Fabio Capello replaced Zeman as head coach, switching to a 3-4-1-2 formation that saw Candela deployed slightly higher up the pitch. The role suited the Frenchman perfectly, and in 2000-01 the biggest rewards came, with Candela missing just one league game as Roma clinched the title. The wing-back contributed three goals along the way.
Another trophy followed that summer, as Candela scored the opener in a 3-0 win over Fiorentina for the Supercoppa Italiana. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, Candela controlled it beyond an opponent before letting fly with a long-range strike into the bottom corner. He was also the driving force behind the third goal, linking up with Francesco Totti while surging up the pitch, before seeing his shot parried into Totti's path, for his captain to delicately convert.
Candela slowly started to slip out of the first team picture in 2003, and left the club in January 2004, joining Bolton Wanderers on loan. With 280 appearances, 16 goals and two trophies to his name, he left as a definite success, earning his place among legends in Roma's history.
On 21st January 2019, Roma lost one of the greatest players in their history, as Pedro Manfredini died at the age of 83.
Roma's highest-scoring foreigner of all-time, Manfredini came, saw and conquered in his six-year spell with the club, by the end of which he had cemented his place in the club's folklore. One of the great goalscorers to have pulled on the red-and-yellow jersey, he made sure to leave his mark on not just Roma, but the whole of Italian football. Born in Maipu, Argentina in 1935, Manfredini began his playing career with Racing Club de Avellaneda, a club based in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in 1957. After impressing in South America, where he helped his side to the 1958 Primera Division and consequently earned his first international call-up, he made the move to Europe in 1959. Roma spent 78 million lire on the then 24-year-old, with the deal completed on 22nd June. Joining a side who had just finished sixth in Serie A under the stewardship of another great striker, Gunnar Nordahl, Manfredini was teaming up with the likes of Arne Selmosson, Dino Da Costa and Alcides Ghiggia. Despite the intense competition for places in the attacking line, it didn't take long for Manfredini to prove his worth to new coach Alfredo Foni. Debuting in the season opener, a Coppa Italia game against Cagliari, Manfredini scored inside the opening 20 minutes to set Roma on their way to victory. It was the start of many good things to come. Despite missing the first three league games of the season, Manfredini continued the good start to his career in Italy when he scored four minutes into his Serie A debut. Roma lost 3-1 to Fiorentina that October afternoon, but Manfredini's opener had shown that he was a valuable addition to the team and that he could score against the toughest opponents. The following week, Manfredini was in line for his next appearance, and it was another early test of his credentials, as Roma contested the Derby Della Capitale with Lazio. Once again, Manfredini was quick off the blocks, opening the scoring just two minutes in. He added a second just before half-time, before ex-Lazio man Selmosson sealed a 3-0 victory for the Giallorossi. Manfredini's debut season in Rome ended with 16 goals from 24 league games, in addition to the one he had scored in the Coppa. His campaign included braces against Inter, Juventus and Sampdoria, among others. His prolific form ensured he was Roma's top scorer that season, while he finished an impressive sixth in the Serie A goalscoring charts. The striker proved the next year that his debut campaign with Roma had been no fluke, as he went on to increase his goalscoring output even further. Beginning the league season with his first Roma hat-trick - in a 3-0 win at Bari - Manfredini was on fire. He made it two hat-tricks out of two when he netted three in a 6-1 triumph over Udinese the week after, before adding further goals against Torino and Napoli in the formative rounds of the season. On 13th November 1960, he gave another glimpse of his tremendous ability when he added a third hat-trick of the season - this time against city rivals Lazio at Stadio Olimpico. In doing so, Manfredini became just the third player to score a Derby Della Capitale hat-trick for Roma (who moved top of the league as a result). Another factor in making that season so memorable was the winning of Roma's only ever European trophy. And unsurprisingly, Manfredini was a key figure in the side's run to victory in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. He scored in every round - including four in a single game as Roma beat Hibernian 6-0 in a semi-final replay - as the side set up a showdown with Birmingham City. In the first leg of the final, it was none other than Manfredini setting Roma on their way to victory. 'Piedone' scored the first two goals as Roma drew 2-2, with the opener bringing up his 50th goal for the club. The Giallorossi went on to win the second leg 2-0 to lift the trophy. With 12 goals, Manfredini ended as the tournament's top scorer. No other player would ever score more Fairs Cup goals in a single season. The 1961-62 season would see Manfredini playing under a new coach, Luis Carniglia, but despite the changes in personnel, it was business as usual for the striker. Scoring on the opening day of the Serie A season for the third year running, Manfredini went on to finish as the club's top scorer again that term. Highlights of his season included a hat-trick against Udinese on Christmas Eve, and an impressive performance against Lazio in the Coppa Italia Round of 16. After the game finished goalless, each side nominated one penalty taker, with Manfredini assuming the responsibility for La Magica. He converted six out of six spot kicks to fire Roma into the next round. Averaging better than a goal every other game, Manfredini carried his good form into his fourth season in giallorosso, in which he surpassed the 20 goals mark for a second time. With several more hat-tricks along the way, Manfredini helped Roma to a fifth-placed finish in the 1962-63 Serie A, while they reached the semi-finals of the Fairs Cup. The European run included a four-goal haul against Altay, in an astonishing 10-1 second leg win in the Round of 32. Manfredini finished the season as the top scorer in both Serie A and the Fairs Cup. Sadly, he couldn't quite replicate the amazing form he had shown the following season, in which he scored just five goals from 15 games. A Roma side in transition went through three different managers as they slipped to 12th in the final standings, with goals proving a real problem. Despite his relative struggles in front of the net, Manfredini's tally was still only bettered by three Roma players that year. However, there was a silver lining to the campaign, as Roma won the Coppa Italia for the first time ever. Manfredini scored in the first and second rounds, before proving decisive from the penalty spot again in the semi-final against Fiorentina. Piedone was not involved in the final against Torino, but knew he had still played a major role in the club's maiden Coppa triumph, also ending up as the competition's top scorer that season. On a personal level, the season had also ended on a major positive. When he scored on the final day of the Serie A season - the third goal in a 4-4 draw with Catania - it meant he had reached 100 goals for the club. The goals may not have been coming as frequently as they once had, but Manfredini was still able to tick off an impressive milestone. The next campaign would be his last in a Roma shirt, and it brought just four goals in total. As he approached the age of 30, it was time for Manfredini to say goodbye. He left the club having scored 104 goals in 164 games. Only Amedeo Amadei and Rodolfo Volk had previously reached the 100-goal landmark for the club, and to this day, Manfredini remains one of just six Roma players to reach triple figures. Another of his long-standing records is his phenomenal goals-to-game ratio. His average of 0.63 goals per game is bettered only by Volk's 0.66. Roma have had some brilliant goalscorers over the years, but Manfredini will always be up there with the very best. He was a focal point for the team season after season, and always rose to the big occasions. He was truly instrumental in many of Roma's best moments of the 1960s. As the Italian football world mourns his passing, he leaves a lifetime of memories on the pitch behind him. Riposa in pace, Piedone.
Roma returned from the winter break with a comfortable 4-0 win over Virtus Entella to kick off their Coppa Italia adventure for 2018-19.
Patrik Schick scored early in either half to help Roma on their way to victory, with Ivan Marcano netting his first goal for the club - just minutes after seeing a goal disallowed - and Javier Pastore completing the scoring. It wasn't Roma's smoothest performance, but it didn't need to be. This was a case of getting the job done against a lower-ranked opponent, giving some players essential minutes and getting back into the routine of competitive football after a couple of weeks off. Here are the game's biggest talking points. Karsdorp slots in well Rick Karsdorp's time at Roma has been an injury-plagued nightmare. One-and-a-half years after joining the club, he started for just the third time. The Dutchman fitted in well and didn't look like a player who had missed most of the last 18 months through injury. Going forward he was a threat, linking up well with Cengiz Under. Apart from a few lapses in concentration, Karsdorp did reasonably well in the defensive phase too. Whether this was a sign of things to finally come in a Roma shirt, or just an opportunity to put him in the shop window during the January transfer window, remains to be seen - but if it was the former, then there are plenty of positives to take. Kolarov influential in first half 2018 was a mixed bag for Aleksandar Kolarov, who after starting the 2017-18 season in amazing form, seemed to run out of steam. However, for the first 45 minutes at least, he was back to something resembling his best, powering up and down the left flank and putting in some inviting crosses - including the one from the set piece which led to Marcano's disallowed goal. The Serbian seemed to drop off the pace a little bit in the second half, but that was probably more prudence than fitness; the game was already won, and Kolarov didn't need to run himself to the ground when there are tougher challenges coming up.
Kluivert overcomes quiet start to make an impact
Whatever Kolarov lost in the first half, his companion on the left side, Justin Kluivert, seemed to gain. The first half saw Kluivert engaged in a battle with Entella right-back Francesco Belli, which proved to be much more competitive than he would have expected. Kluivert is still a young man and was getting outmuscled and struggling to find space. After the break, however, he began to grow in confidence on the ball, getting more touches and contributing to attacks. So much so, that he assisted both goals in the second half, with the through ball for Pastore's goal particularly standing out. Coppa confidence booster for Schick Patrik Schick lives for the Coppa Italia. He may have failed to live up to expectations at Roma in general, but in the domestic cup he becomes a different proposition. It was the competition in which he scored his first Roma goal last season, and once again it gave him a platform to build on. He led the line well, using his physicality in a way not often seen during his time with the club so far. He had a hand in the first three goals, backheeling the first one in and using the same technique to set up Marcano for the second. Whether anything different should have been expected ought to be addressed. Schick thrives in games against lower opponents. In pre-season, he scored a first-half hat-trick against Latina and followed it up with a goal against Avellino. It was enough to deceive some into believing that this could be his breakout season at Roma. The first half of the season hasn't proven those claims, and perhaps it would be hasty to say that this is the moment from which Schick kicks on. However, it will have done his confidence a world of good, and with the psychological aspects boosted, who knows how this will affect his form going forward?
Pastore is becoming Roma's Ozil
If there was one player who could be criticised for not doing enough, even though he scored, it would be Javier Pastore. The attacking midfielder played at virtually a walking pace throughout, when he really needed to take this opportunity to remind everyone of his qualities. In terms of technical ability, there are few, if any, better players in this squad. Pastore certainly believes so, and he needs to pull his head out of the clouds, knuckle down and work harder to become a truly important, functioning part of the starting lineup. Much like Mesut Ozil at Arsenal, he has bundles of talent, but if he doesn't break out of a jog every now and then to impose himself on games, he will soon find himself falling down the pecking order. Perhaps it was telling that it was Pastore starting this game instead of Nicolo Zaniolo. With the latter a former Entella player, he was expected to be assigned a key role in the match. However, Pastore was given the nod ahead of him. Was this because Eusebio Di Francesco sees Zaniolo as a more important player now and wanted to rest him? Or was it just to give Pastore minutes to boost his fitness again, in a bid to reintegrate him into the first team? Either motive could be possible, but with Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini also vying for that attacking midfield spot, Pastore must realise his position in the team isn't to be taken for granted and that he could have used a game like this to make a strong statement. Witnessing the start of something special? Roma are lucky enough to have four academy graduates plying their trade for the first team, in Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi, and Lorenzo and Luca Pellegrini. Against Entella, a fifth Primavera product was given his first opportunity in the senior team. Alessio Riccardi has been tipped by many as the most likely player in the current youth setup to follow in the quartet's footsteps and break into the first team. With less than 10 minutes remaining, Di Francesco gave the Roman the chance to make his senior debut from the bench. Although usually an attacking midfielder, Riccardi slotted into a deeper role, and managed to get involved with the play. He looked a little nervous at times, but that's understandable for a boy of his age. Riccardi was barely two months old when Roma last won Serie A. The youngster looked to get involved and looked composed when playing short passes. He even went close to accidentally opening his Roma account with a goal when his (slightly rushed) cross nearly dropped in at the far post. It was only 10 minutes, and it could have been a lot more. Di Francesco could have brought him on a lot earlier, with the game already wrapped up early in the second half. However, a debut is a debut, and Riccardi did well enough to suggest that this might not be the only time he is seen in a Roma shirt. His next opportunity might not come for some time - the route to the Coppa final will not pair Roma with an 'easy' side again, and the battle for the Champions League spots in Serie A may be seen as too important to risk a teenager in certain games - but Di Francesco has shown that he is not afraid to use youth players unexpectedly. Zaniolo made his debut away at Champions League holders Real Madrid, for example. Perhaps Riccardi will get more chances to mix with the first team in 2019, and fans could be looking at a fifth Roman representing the team. Lipman Exclusive part two: meeting famous faces, targets for the season, and a message for UK fans11/1/2019
Roma Women are gathering momentum in their first season together in Serie A.
With a squad full of talented individuals who are up for the test, Roma are planting the seeds for future success as they aim to make a statement in their debut campaign. They are doing so with a squad of players from a wide range of backgrounds. Alongside several of the homegrown Italians and Romans in the squad, there are a number of international players who have come to Rome to play their part in helping the team achieve their ambitions. One of those is Emma Lipman, the English defender who is proving to be a key component of the lineup. Adapting to a new environment is a challenging process. Taking the decision to move abroad can be difficult for anyone. For Nuneaton-born defender Lipman though, it was an opportunity for development on a personal and professional level. The 29-year-old centre-back arrived in Rome in the summer having gained a year of experience in Italian football with Verona. She seems settled into the Italian culture now, and with only a small proportion of the Roma squad speaking English, it’s been an exciting test for her to get to grips with the Italian language. Communication is no barrier to how well connected Roma’s women’s team is. “In total we have seven internationals who all speak English,” Lipman reveals to Giallorossi Yorkshire. “For sure it helps when you can communicate in the same language and naturally you grow closer. I have done especially with the girls I live with. “However the beauty of this team, even with the non-English-speaking Italians, we have all managed to connect on some level and this has really helped with our team spirit! I like the fact that I have to speak more Italian now and on the pitch it’s all I speak… it’s the only way I’m going to improve and believe me there’s still room for lots of improvement!” Even though few of her teammates share her native language, Lipman is flying the flag for the number of English-speaking Roma fans worldwide, particularly back in the UK. With only John Charles and Ashley Cole having represented Roma before as British players, UK-based fans feel proud to have someone from their country playing for their club. When asked if she was aware of the large amount of Roma fans back home in the UK, Lipman admits: “Not at all. I knew that AS Roma was a big club with a lot of history but I wasn’t aware of how big and varied their fan base was. “At our last home game I was fortunate enough to meet a member from the AS Roma UK fan group. He gave me a scarf and made me an official member. It’s always nice to know that you have that support from back home in addition to around the world too.”
With the women’s team being fully integrated with the men’s team, Lipman has felt part of one united group during her time with the club. It has enabled her to meet several famous faces – including the most-revered Roman of them all…
“The link with the men’s team is strong,” explains the defender. “When media opportunities come up it’s usually a mixture of both the men’s and women’s players so being in that sort of an environment now is becoming part of the job. “Meeting Totti was a real honour! He’s an absolute legend in Rome so I felt very fortunate to be able to meet and speak with him.” Another famous face she has met and taken inspiration from is Mia Hamm, the legend of the women’s game who is now a director at Roma after a distinguished career with the US national team. Two-time World Cup winner Hamm recently paid a visit to the squad, and it was an experience Lipman is unlikely to forget any time soon. “It was really amazing to meet and listen to Mia Hamm. She is someone I’ve admired since I was a young girl. What she achieved along with the rest of the USA team in the 1991 World Cup not just on the pitch but off it too is one of my earliest memories of how powerful women's football and individual players can be. “She had some amazing advice and I was very inspired after listening to her. The main thing I took away is how playing in the here and now can influence what’s to come in your future. Similar to my own beliefs football has the ability to offer you a platform for whatever's next. That excites me a lot.”
Roma have made a lot of progress in their first campaign in Serie A Femminile. Steady improvements in results have seen Betty Bavagnoli’s team rise to a very respectable position in the league, and with nine games left to play, there are plenty of opportunities awaiting for Roma to showcase their abilities against all kinds of opponents.
Despite the good form the team have shown recently, Lipman is reluctant to put a target on Roma’s season. “When you’re a new team I honestly don’t think you can set yourself a target, all you can compare yourself to is the last game. I think it’s important we continue to learn and grow together game by game like we’ve already shown and see where we end up in the league at the end of the season.” It’s a well-reasoned, mature response which shows the kind of leadership qualities Lipman possesses. She knows it’s important for the younger players to be given the right guidance as they progress as footballers, and it’s too soon for over-ambitious targets to be set. However, she does see one opportunity for the squad to challenge themselves and lay down a marker. With Roma looking forward to a two-legged Coppa Italia quarter-final with Roma CF, Lipman is confident her teammates can accomplish something in the competition. “Anything is possible in the cup,” she enthuses. “I’ve mentioned to a few players and staff already how this season has a very close resemblance to my first season at Manchester City. In our first year together we ended up winning the Continental Cup so if we can repeat the same here winning the Coppa Italia then that would be another nice start.” Lipman has accomplished a lot in her career, but it is clear she still has a lot of ambition. Italy has given her a platform to achieve certain dreams in, and there’s one particular goal she has in football that she wants to tick off. And, if the team continue to develop, Roma might give her the chance to fulfil it in coming seasons. “I want to play in the Champions League. I’m not getting any younger and I want to challenge myself against the best teams in Europe along with enjoying all that the competition has to offer. The Italian league is definitely growing in quality and while teams like Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina continue to improve it will make for an interesting battle to gain one of the two spots. “I know that AS Roma have every intention to be part of that battle and have big ambitions for the future, qualifying and playing in the Champions League being one.”
Joining Roma seems to be something that Lipman doesn’t regret. She speaks only positively of her time at the club and is enthusiastic about the culture of the setup. Playing for this team, in this amazing city, has been inspirational for her.
As one of Bavagnoli’s most-used players this season, it’s evident that the club are equally happy to have her among the ranks. She is a valuable member of the team in their process of growth, and when asked about her personal targets for the remainder of the season, she gives a selfless response that speaks volumes of her character. “Right now I’m just so happy to still be developing and enjoying my football. I want to continue being that experienced voice in the back line, giving my all to help grow this young squad on and off the pitch. If I can achieve that, anything else is a bonus.” There's a great deal of talent in this squad, and it's clear to see how lucky Roma are to have a player like Lipman. Her character and playing ability bring an important dimension to the side. She is definitely a team player, the importance of which cannot be understated for a brand new squad. This campaign is all about giving the new side something to build on, and Lipman is one of the many people ensuring the foundations being set are strong. Her relationship with the club is one of mutual benefit, helping Roma to build something special for the future. Long may it continue.
Emma Lipman has never been one to turn down a challenge.
The 29-year-old defender has excelled this year for Roma’s newly-formed women’s team. She is one of a rare group of English players willing to test themselves abroad, and her decision is paying dividends. Former Leeds United and Manchester City defender Lipman first moved to Italy last season, when she played for Verona. She featured in 21 matches as her first year in foreign football ended with a midtable finish. Then, in the summer of 2018, Roma announced their plans to integrate a women’s team. It was something that Lipman wanted to be a part of. “I took the decision after last year’s season ended to take some time away from football travelling,” Lipman tells Giallorossi Yorkshire. “I knew I wanted to stay in Italy and I was looking for a new challenge but I wasn’t quite sure where and how it looked. “I’m fortunate to have a great agent who was busy talking with clubs while I was away relaxing in the sunshine! He contacted me with the news that AS Roma had been in touch with him expressing their interest. I was already aware of the plans they had for the season, affiliating with the men and also the vision they had longer term. The project really excited me and the feeling I got after receiving the phone call confirmed it’s where I wanted to be!” It was an exciting time for the group of players. For the first time in Roma’s history, a women’s team would be officially connected with the men’s team, a valuable part of the club. To guide these players in their debut season, experienced coach Betty Bavagnoli was chosen. She is someone who has had a major positive influence on Lipman’s time at Roma so far. “I remember a few weeks before I flew out to meet the team Betty rang me to introduce herself and express her gratitude for my signing. Straight away this put a picture in my head to how she might work as a coach and to date she hasn’t disappointed. “The biggest difference for me with Betty compared to previous coaches I’ve had is her ability to put the person first, with the intention of developing the player. With such a young squad, for me, this is so important. The football environment she has created along with the rest of the staff is one of the best and most enjoyable I have ever been part of.” After some positive results in pre-season, a real buzz began to grow around the team. There was excitement for the squad to get going in Serie A, to see what they could achieve. With fans taking an interest in the new team, Roma were ready to showcase what they could do in a competitive environment.
However, the Serie A season didn’t get off to an ideal start. Roma went 2-0 down in the opening 25 minutes of their season opener against Sassuolo, and despite a spirited effort, they couldn’t recover, eventually losing 3-2. Another defeat, to Lipman’s former side Verona, followed, before reigning champions Juventus inflicted a 4-0 loss on Roma in the Giallorosse’s first home game.
Despite the negative results at the start of the campaign, Lipman insists the squad were never hitting the panic button. “Yeah of course the start was difficult,” she admits. “You have to be realistic, building a new team takes time. We were all very aware of that but I think we’d had such a good pre-season together that maybe our optimism had rightly grown. Then you play three games with three losses, for sure doubts start to creep in. That said, upon reflection I think it was important as a group we experienced these lows early on, we had to learn how to win games as a team and not through individuals. “I don’t think it was ever a question of if we would turn it around, but when. We’ve grown so much already as a squad in such a short space of time and these moments of adversity can only make us stronger for the long term.” Lipman’s reference to the long-term is a clear indicator of the culture of the club. This is a team that has been assembled to provide stability for the future, much like the men’s team. The club aren’t recklessly chasing success, but are looking at how they can give younger players opportunities to develop, knowing the strategy will pay off in the future. There are already signs that the method is working now, with several of the younger members of the squad taking their opportunity to impress. As one of the more experienced players in the squad, Lipman is excited about what the future holds for some of the younger generation – whilst also recognising the value of having experienced players like herself, captain Elisa Bartoli and goalkeeper Rosalia Pipitone around them. “There is so much talent in this squad, the potential is endless but development takes time,” she explains. “I believe it’s very important for these young girls to have experience around them, especially when things aren’t going well. Hopefully that’s where we can help by protecting and supporting them either on or off the pitch. “Saying that I also feel very fortunate to be playing alongside players like Elisa and Pipa. Although I have different playing experiences, mine is not specific to Italian football. They have both really helped me to understand the league better, the style of play and also what it means to play for AS Roma.” Another key component of Roma’s backline so far has been Angelica Soffia. Aged just 18, she has played in all 12 of Roma’s league games, and Lipman is fully aware of the right-back’s potential. “I know Angie from when I played at Verona last year. She was captain at the time and coming in again as one of the more experienced players we built up a good relationship. I supported her and she was my English translator!! “Angie has so much potential with a very good footballing brain to go with it. As long as she continues to work hard, learn and challenge herself I believe she has the ability to become whatever player she wants.”
Another teenager who has impressed has been fellow defender Heden Corrado, although Lipman is keen to pour praise on all members of the squad.
“As I previously mentioned we have so much talent in the squad. These girls can become whatever they want as long as they continue to challenge themselves mentally. For me this is the area which distinguishes the good from the great. “To date I would have to say the player who has really stood out for me is Heden Corrado. I have played at the back a few times with Heden now and considering she’s only 16 I have been so impressed with her tactical awareness, reading of the game and communication. Such mature performances for a girl who’s still so young.” When the squad was assembled in the summer, it gave female Roma fans the opportunity to dream about playing for the club, something they had never had before. Being a club that has prided itself on having players who grew up as Roma fans representing the team – Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi, Lorenzo Pellegrini – it was important for Roma to take this into account in the women’s setup too. Players like Bartoli, Claudia Ciccotti and Giada Greggi have brought their passion for the club they have supported all their lives onto the pitch, and Lipman is well aware of the advantages of having so many Romaniste in the lineup. “It’s really obvious to see and feel the pride and passion that’s shown to the club by all fans, players and staff working here. When you put the shirt on there’s a real acknowledgement that you’re part of something far greater than just a football club. “For sure our biggest Roma fan has to be Elisa, that's what brought her to the club, a chance to play for the team she’s had in her blood since she was young. She’s a true Romanista and is the perfect example of what this club means to its followers. Playing and battling alongside her every week is a real privilege.”
Characters like these have brought a real team spirit to the squad, ensuring Roma approach every game with a positive attitude. The players are fighting for each other on the pitch, showing commitment to the badge as they strive to make their debut season together a memorable one.
It seems there’s plenty to look forward to for this group of players. Having overcome the difficult start, Roma have won six of their nine games since, form which has propelled them to 4th place in the Serie A table. One of those matches was the impressive 7-1 thrashing of Chievo, in which Lipman scored her first goal for the club. In doing so, she became the first English player ever to score for AS Roma – something that no man has ever done. Lipman has been an integral part of Roma’s early successes and she will be hoping for more of the same in the second half of the season. Exciting times await this determined and passionate squad. Stay tuned for Part Two of Giallorossi Yorkshire’s exclusive interview with Lipman in the coming days. |
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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