GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Roma will match their longest unbeaten run of the season if they avoid defeat to Cagliari tonight.
The Giallorossi have gone five games without defeat on three occasions this season, and Saturday’s clash at Stadio Olimpico gives them the opportunity to do it for a fourth time - and the first under Claudio Ranieri. They will be looking for an improvement on the reverse fixture, when they conceded two late goals in Sardinia to be pegged back to a 2-2 draw - despite the hosts being reduced to nine men. Such a collapse seems more unlikely now; since Ranieri took charge, Roma have only conceded one goal in the last 10 minutes of a match, in the defeat to Napoli. Roma’s squad for the match is somewhat depleted in the midfield, with Bryan Cristante and Nicolo Zaniolo suspended, and Daniele De Rossi injured. Ranieri may choose to revert to a 4-4-2 given his lack of options, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Steven Nzonzi occupying the central midfield spaces. A win could be vital for Roma’s top four hopes. With Inter facing Juventus this weekend, and AC Milan travelling to Torino, there is every chance that the two teams Roma are trying to catch could drop points. Roma should have less difficulty with their game, but will need to be focused from the off so they can get the job done. The game kicks off at 5pm UK time, and although it will not be shown live, it will be replayed on Premier Sports on Sunday at 4am.
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Roma made it four games unbeaten on Saturday with a 1-1 draw away at Inter, a result that does no harm to their chances of catching the top four.
With AC Milan drawing to Parma earlier in the day, it was a major chance for Roma to finally rise into the leading quartet in Serie A again, and while they didn't get the win they needed to do so, it was far from a negative performance. Consequently, the Giallorossi remain just one point off fourth place. Roma's defenders stood out more than their attackers, with Inter dominating the ball. Claudio Ranieri's side showed resilience and solidity, making a big effort to keep their hosts at bay having taken the lead through Stephan El Shaarawy's tenth goal of the season. Ultimately, Inter did peg Roma back, but a point at San Siro is never easy. Here's how Giallorossi Yorkshire rated the players. Antonio Mirante - 6.5 It was a mixed afternoon for Mirante, who was starting his fourth game in a row. In the eighth minute, he pulled off a save of the season contender, somehow clutching the ball off the goalline to deny Lautaro Martinez's powerful header. However, later in the half, he fumbled at a long-range shot from Matteo Politano, in a moment which had the Roma faithful panicking. All in all though, Mirante is continuing to justify his selection ahead of Robin Olsen. Alessandro Florenzi - 5.5 Florenzi had quite the task on his hands, forced to nullify the double threat of Kwadwo Asamoah and Ivan Perisic down Inter's left-hand side. Roma's captain for the day went about his job with varying degrees of success. Sometimes he made a good block or challenge, but more often, he was bypassed by the direct nature of the Inter duo. Crosses over the top were a constant source of chances for Inter, and eventually it paid off, with Florenzi being caught out at the backpost for Perisic's goal. Federico Fazio - 7.5 He's starting to look like 'Il Comandante' again. Fazio has been steadily improving since the arrival of Ranieri, and on Saturday night, he continued his upturn in form. In the absence of Kostas Manolas, Fazio was the leader in the backline, showing heart and passion to protect Mirante's goal. When Mirante spilled Politano's shot as half-time approached, it was Fazio who was racing across the six-yard box to put in a challenge, preventing a follow-up shot from Matias Vecino. Juan Jesus - 8 Fazio's centre-back partner impressed in even greater measures. In the build-up to the game, the conversation revolved around the potential impact that Nicolo Zaniolo could have against his former club. But it was another ex-Inter employee, Juan Jesus, who was the real hero for Roma. Called into the starting lineup late, when Manolas was injured in the warm up, Jesus was focused from the off, winning several key challenges. He kept his attention levels high right until the end, putting in a big tackle to deny substitute Mauro Icardi late on. Aleksandar Kolarov - 7.5 The consistently inconsistent Kolarov had one of his better games, certainly in an attacking sense. He gave Roma their first real opportunity of the game, with a powerful left-footed effort from outside the box that flew just wide of Samir Handanovic's post. The full-back was visibly angry with himself that he hadn't hit the target, but what he had done was give Roma the impetus to start the game well. In the dying minutes, he nearly won Roma a penalty, somehow getting a shot away as he was pushed over by Keita Balde. Had he been a little less honest and gone to ground, VAR might just have been tempted to intervene. Steven Nzonzi - 6 Not one of his most noticeable performances. The midfielder won three aerial duels and made two tackles, as he played his part in nullifying former Giallorossi man Radja Nainggolan. However, he wasn't a major part in any of Roma's attacks, as the game seemed to pass him by a little. Bryan Cristante - 6.5 Cristante can also become a passenger figure on the pitch, but against Inter he was more heavily involved than usual. He played a big part in breaking up play to stop Inter counter attacks, trying to incite offensive moments of Roma's own. His passing was more accurate than usual, but he needs to start making more decisive contributions in the final third. Cengiz Under - 5 Handed his first start since January, the winger was brought off at half-time after a rather uninspiring 45 minutes. Cengiz tried to get in behind the Inter defence, but Asamoah defended well against him. Ultimately, he was reduced to a couple of snatched-at crosses, never really causing any danger. After a couple of months out, it will be a case of gradually getting back up to speed, but it looks like Under is a good few weeks away from his best. Lorenzo Pellegrini - 5.5 He had the right ideas, but the execution was a little off. Playing in the number 10 role, Pellegrini tried to create with through balls in behind, but they tended to be overhit. He had a disappointing left-footed shot near the start of the second half, sending it wide of the nearpost when he should have shown more composure. He could have no complaints about being brought off as Ranieri looked for more dynamism. Stephan El Shaarawy - 7 This season has been El Shaarawy's most consistent to date, and he capped it off with another wonder goal to bring up a landmark. His effort to break the deadlock showed intelligence and precision, as he beat the obstacles of Danilo D'Ambrosio and Vecino to get himself into a shooting position. His connection was clean, giving Handanovic no chance. It's the first time he's reached double figures for a season in a Roma shirt, and he fully deserves it. He didn't have too many opportunities beyond that, but the goal was good enough to make up for it. Edin Dzeko - 7 The assist for El Shaarawy's goal came from Dzeko, who was slightly better than he usually has been this term. His hold up play was creditable, and his ability in the air shone through again. He only managed one shot on target, though, and should have done better with an opportunity on his left side early in the game. Subs: Nicolo Zaniolo - 5 Replacing Under at half-time, Zaniolo's freedom was restricted as he had to help cover Florenzi on the right-hand side. When he moved into a more central position following Pellegrini's withdrawal, it was too late for him to have an affect on the game. He went on to pick up a yellow card, which will rule him out of Roma's next game. The immature challenges are something he needs to quickly learn from and remove from his game. Justin Kluivert - N/A Only got 10 minutes to make an impact, and did try to get at Asamoah. Given Cengiz's disappointing showing and Zaniolo's suspension, he may get a chance to start against Cagliari next week. Coach: Claudio Ranieri - 6 A point away at Inter is not an easy accomplishment, but Ranieri was able to guide Roma to it. The Giallorossi's improvements in the defensive phase continued to shine through, all testament to Ranieri's work. With several players unavailable again, most of Ranieri's decisions made themselves. But he is continuing to get on with the job without complaints. It's a huge game in the race for Champions League qualification on Saturday night, as Roma travel to the San Siro to face Inter Milan.
Roma can cut the gap on their third-place opponents to just three points if they win, although to do so, they would have to beat former manager Luciano Spalletti for the first time since he switched to the Nerazzurri two years ago. Things seem to have clicked for Roma under Claudio Ranieri - who will also be returning to a former club - and as such, the Lupi are now just one point away from the top four. Whilst a defeat tomorrow would not rule Roma out of the race, it's certainly a huge opportunity to make ground on their rivals. For Roma, Aleksandar Kolarov returns to the matchday squad after suspension, while Edin Dzeko will be looking to kick on after finally scoring his first home Serie A goal of the season last week against Udinese. However, Inter have the second best defensive record in the league this season, so there may be fewer chances than usual for Roma to score. The hosts have also been boosted by the return of Mauro Icardi after his controversial mid-season absence, and the striker has got one goal and two assists in his last three games. Key players are also returning at just the right time for Roma, and with Stephan El Shaarawy passed fit for the match after doubts in the week, Roma have enough options to give Inter a good game. They will be hoping they can extend their three-game unbeaten run. The match kicks off at 7:30pm UK time, and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1. As summer approaches, we should be getting closer to finding out who Roma's next head coach will be - however, there still doesn't appear to be an easy front runner.
Maurizio Sarri has reportedly been identified as the top target, but if he can guide Chelsea to a top four finish in the Premier League, or victory in the Europa League, then it could be hard to prise him away from London. Atalanta's Gian Piero Gasperini and Sampdoria's Marco Giampaolo are other prime candidates, but doubts remain over their ability to manage top clubs. And, unless a Qatari takeover does happen, Antonio Conte is surely out of Roma's price range. Perhaps there is one man who deserves to be in the mix, who hasn't been suggested yet. A man who is closer to Roma than all the others - current interim boss Claudio Ranieri. Ranieri is now halfway through his expected 12-game tenure, and he has completely transformed Roma's season. He took over a side deprived of confidence, having been embarrassed in the Derby Della Capitale and Champions League. It looked doubtful that Roma could even qualify for the Europa League, let alone finish in the top four. Now, after six games at the helm, Ranieri has guided Roma to fifth place, just one point off the target which seemed impossible just a few weeks ago. He has done so whilst juggling a number of injuries and suspensions to key players. But now, that final goal is within touching distance. Let that sink in. Everybody knew that Ranieri, in the short term, would bring his immense passion for the club and his demands of high commitment from the squad. His enthusiasm for the role has been evident in abundance. The way he says "noi tifosi" (us fans) in his interviews makes the fans feel connected with him. Ranieri is, and always has been, completely in love with this club. He is reminding the squad what it means to play for Roma, making sure they know not to take their place for granted. That mentality has made Roma competitive again. The other main hope when the 67-year-old arrived would be that he would bring defensive stability to the team. It seemed a mountainous task, with Roma having conceded more goals than most of the other teams in the top half. But, somehow, Ranieri has changed things. Thanks to a bold decision in replacing Robin Olsen with Antonio Mirante in goal, and the minor rebirth of Federico Fazio, Roma have now kept two consecutive clean sheets for only the third time this season. Under Ranieri, Roma now look hard to beat again. Earlier in the season, they allowed teams to roll over them, cutting through the backline with ease. Now, that's not happening anywhere near as often. The Giallorossi have a structure, and their spine is solid. Admittedly, it hasn't been perfect, with the loss to SPAL a blip and the heavy defeat to Napoli a major disappointment. But since the latter, Roma have negotiated three tricky fixtures, and have emerged on the other side unbeaten. Ranieri has transmitted to them a resilience that is meaning they are working harder than at any other time this season. Look at the way they bounced back twice to draw with Fiorentina. They showed huge determination to restore parity so quickly both times. He may not be the headline name that some fans want to see as permanent manager next season, but why doesn't he deserve a chance? If he does guide Roma to Champions League qualification, he will have performed nothing short of a miracle. That would surely be enough to at least put him in contention - especially when many of the other names touted are unrealistic. If Roma appointed a manager from elsewhere, it would hit them financially. Sarri, Gasperini and Giampaolo are all currently employed by other clubs and compensation fees would need to be paid, whereas Conte's wage demands would put a major strain on the club. In contrast, Ranieri is already at Roma. Giving him another season in charge would be a much better scenario in terms of cost. One of the more unusual outcomes that has been suggested is for Daniele De Rossi to retire and immediately take over as coach. It's clear that coaching is in De Rossi's blood, and that is where is future will lie, but isn't it too soon to throw him straight into the cauldron? If he does decide to retire this season, then he could become Ranieri's assistant instead. It would be a great combination on the touchline - two men of different generations, both embodying what it means to love Roma. Ranieri could be the tutor that De Rossi needs to give him the grounding in preparation for his future as a head coach. Obviously, at his age, Ranieri would be a short-term solution, but with there being no guarantees over many of the targeted names, he represents the option with least risk. He has been the father figure that Roma have needed to get them out of a difficult patch, and now the players are returning to form under him. Roma shouldn't be afraid to let that continue for one more year, until someone younger and more realistic does become available. Until then, Ranieri deserves to be in with a shout. Want more Roma features on your timeline? Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page! Today marks the second anniversary of the launch of Giallorossi Yorkshire.
From those humble beginnings back in April 2017 - realistically, the website had been planned for months before that - this site has grown a long way, as I have tried to increase the variety and quality of content. Today, the website is as healthy as ever, with traffic surpassing the 200-visitors-in-one-day mark for the second time earlier this week. It continues to astonish me how far this one-man passion project has reached. What's been my favourite piece from those two years? The starting point for me would be the exclusive interview I did at the start of the year with Roma Women defender Emma Lipman. Things had got a little busy for me over the Christmas period so I needed to take some time away from blogging, but once I was ready to return, I wanted to make sure it was something that would make it worth the wait. Thankfully, I was able to get in touch with Emma and arrange the interview, which is one of my proudest moments as a journalist to date. Another highlight of my time writing about the club was the remarkable 3-0 win over Barcelona last year, which I had the honour of being present at. When I came back to England after that trip, I wanted to try and recapture the magic of that incredible evening and paint a picture of how it was. Likewise, for the recent first anniversary of the game, I knew I had to write about it again. Back in September, to mark Francesco Totti's 42nd birthday, I ran the #10ForTotti series, creating 10 posts in one day all about Il Capitano. I've been obsessed with Totti from a young age, and, however tiring it was, it felt great to put all that passion into one series dedicated to my favourite footballer of all-time. Then there's the history pieces. I love delving deeper into the club's past, learning about the great players from before my time. For example, when Pedro Manfredini died in January, I decided to honour him by telling the story of the great striker's career. Even more recently, I created a lineup of Roma players from history who never received an international cap, which was really interesting to pull together. There's so much more I want to achieve with this website, things I imagined when I launched it that still haven't come true yet. One of my main goals for starting this site was to connect with fellow fans, and that plan is coming into fruition, but I think it can go even further. I want to find ways of making this site even more interactive. As part of that, today I am launching a Facebook page for Giallorossi Yorkshire. I marked the first anniversary of the website by setting up a separate Giallorossi Yorkshire Twitter account, so today decided to mark the occasion by expanding to Facebook as well. The page is available here, so please give it a like and share. Looking back at my favourite pieces has given me the hunger to pursue more of the same. After talking to Lipman, I'd love to get another exclusive interview with another player, past or present. In addition, it'd be great to combine several pieces of a similar format into another series, like I did with #10ForTotti. Two years on, my drive for this website is greater than it was at the start. I'm immensely grateful for everyone's support and I hope you'll join me as I continue to try and make this site better. Every single time you visit this site, it means a lot. Grazie and Forza Roma. Samuel Bannister Roma will be looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time in Claudio Ranieri's second spell in charge when they face Udinese on Saturday evening.
Thanks to a draw with Fiorentina and a win over Sampdoria, belief has been restored that Roma can still finish in the top four this season. Tomorrow, a home match against a relegation-threatened opponent presents them with a good chance for a third game unbeaten, but Udinese themselves have been enjoying an upturn in form of late. Since the return of coach Igor Tudor in March, Udinese have not tasted defeat in three matches, steering themselves away from the drop. Rodrigo De Paul, their top scorer this season with nine goals, netted twice in their most recent outing, a 3-2 win over Empoli, whilst other key players like Rolando Mandragora and Kevin Lasagna have also found the net since Tudor's arrival. Roma coach Ranieri is preparing himself for a tough game, and knows he may need to adapt his system. Aware that Udinese like to play on the counter, Ranieri explained at his press conference that he may play with just one striker instead of his preferred two, meaning one of Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick is likely to miss out. The Giallorossi will have to field a makeshift backline, with none of their full-backs fully available. Aleksandar Kolarov is suspended, while Davide Santon and Rick Karsdorp will both be sidelined for a few weeks. Alessandro Florenzi is himself only just returning from an injury, but may have to be thrown straight into the lineup to accommodate for the lack of options. Juan Jesus will likely deputise in the other full-back role. Nonetheless, there will still be a weight of expectation on Roma to win this game, as they look to chase down the top four. Stephan El Shaarawy needs one more goal to reach 10 for the Serie A season, while fellow winger Justin Kluivert could be in line for a third straight start, and will be hoping to increase his contribution to goals. The game kicks off at 5pm UK time, but will not be available to watch on TV in the country. Yesterday, a team comprised of Roma legends drew 5-5 in a charity match with a team of Formula E drivers at Stadio Tre Fontane.
Among the headline acts for the Giallorossi were Simone Perrotta, Marco Delvecchio and Vincent Candela, while for the opposition, ex-Formula 1 stars Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella (himself a Roma fan) were involved. The main attraction, of course, was the chance to see Francesco Totti on the pitch again, and Il Capitano played all 90 minutes, understandably in second gear, as he demonstrated his range of skills, nutmegs and long-range passes. Even if he laughed about not getting on the scoresheet, the number 10 showed that he hasn't lost his footballing brain, and likely never will. But perhaps there was a sight to behold on that pitch even more valuable than being able to see Totti play. For Romanisti of a certain generation, it gave them their first chance to see an all-time great in Bruno Conti in action. Whilst my receding hairline indicates otherwise, I'm not old enough to have lived through Conti's playing days. However, having watched highlights videos of his great skills and goals on YouTube, and reading about his importance to the Giallorossi side that won the Scudetto in 1983, I have gained a huge admiration of the former Italy ace. If I had the chance to travel back in time to see any former Roma player in his prime, it would be him. His magnetic control of the ball, shooting technique and Roman passion, forming such a big part of Roma's heyday in the early 1980s, must have been great to witness first-hand. Thanks to that Legends match, I no longer have to dream about being able to watch Conti play. For the first time in my life, I was able to see him play in a match as it happened. Sure, it may have been through a computer screen, and it certainly wasn't him in his prime, but it was something valuable to all Romanisti, that I never thought I'd be able to witness. And what a joy it was to watch. Somehow, at the age of 64, Conti moved about the pitch easier than men 20 years younger than him. Always on his toes and with a smile on his face, he epitomised what football, at its most simple level, is all about. And, unlike many of his teammates, he actually took the game pretty seriously. There were skills, impressive touches, ambitious long-range shots... Conti was relishing every minute of being back in that Roma shirt. Every time he touched the ball brought a smile, laugh or a cheer. There was almost something surreal about it. Here he was, one of the best players in the club's history, kicking a ball about nearly 30 years after he retired, making fools of people a generation younger than him. He was loving the experience, and so were the crowd. I'll never be able to see Conti play live, in his prime, but watching him in the Legends match was the next best thing. He remains a symbol of Roma's glory days, one of the most recognisable faces to have represented the club. He's a player that every Roma fan, young or old, should appreciate, and yesterday, for one more time, there was the opportunity to do just that. With seven games remaining in the Serie A season, it's still all to play for in the race for the Champions League spaces, with at least six teams still in contention to join Juventus and Napoli in the top four.
After a positive week that saw Roma draw with Fiorentina and beat Sampdoria - dealing major blows to both sides' prospects of sneaking into fourth spot - Claudio Ranieri's side have reaffirmed the belief that they too are well in the mix, and they now lie just one point away from their target. It's still all to play for, as Roma, Lazio, Atalanta and Torino look to catch out the two Milan clubs that currently sit in third and fourth. Here are 10 players - five belonging to Roma, and five opponents - who could have a major say in whether or not the Lupi end the season in the top four. Stephan El Shaarawy The Italian winger is on course to record his first season with double figures of league goals since 2012-13 thanks to his impressive displays for the Giallorossi this season. El Shaarawy has been a threat from the left-hand side, and having recently returned to full fitness, he will be ready for the final push at the end of the campaign. While Edin Dzeko continues to misfire, El Shaarawy's goals could be crucial to Roma's top four ambitions. Moise Kean (Juventus) He's the name on everybody's lips at the moment - Moise Kean looks like the real deal, and has scored in each of his last five games for club and country. Before the end of the season, the champions elect play Inter, Atalanta, Roma and Torino. With Kean's current goalscoring form, Juve boss Max Allegri simply has to keep playing him, and if he continues the way he is, the 19-year-old could do some serious damage to any of their opponents' hopes for the remainder of the campaign. Rolando Mandragora (Udinese) Like Juventus, Udinese will face four of the six sides competing for a place in next season's Champions League before the end of the season, starting with Roma on Saturday. Midfielder Mandragora has been one of their most-used players this season, and the 21-year-old is in good form, having scored in two of their last five games. He will be at the centre of any midfield battles when Udinese take on Inter, Atalanta and Lazio. Cengiz Under This season has been disrupted by injuries for Roma's exciting young winger, but Under is now healthy again and looks set to make a big contribution in the final few weeks. With his eye for goal and willingness to run at opponents, he could create meaningful chances for his teammates. Under can be an important option for Ranieri. Alessandro Florenzi 2018-19 has been a disappointment for Roma's vice-captain. He gave away the decisive penalty which saw La Magica eliminated from the Champions League, and has struggled with niggly injuries. However, he is on the mend, and with fellow right-backs Rick Karsdorp and Davide Santon both injured, he has a role to fill in the immediate future. What he sometimes lacks in ability, he can make up for in passion and desire, and he will need to call on that winning mentality to help his beloved team in the all-important run-in. Senad Lulic (Lazio) A player that Roma fans have come to hate, Lazio's Senad Lulic scored the winning goal against the Giallorossi in the 2013 Coppa Italia final, and has delivered a fair share of nasty blows against opponents in the Derby Della Capitale, both on and off the pitch. With Lazio having Milan, Atalanta and Torino left to play, and Lulic being on a high after scoring a last-minute equaliser in their most recent game, how he would love to play the role of pantomime villian yet again by helping his side make the top four at the expense of any of the above. It's a sight every Roma fan will be hoping they don't have to see. Antonio Mirante Recently usurping Robin Olsen in the Roma goal, Mirante is now Ranieri's first-choice keeper, and must continue to be the reliable figure that the Giallorossi need between the sticks. Mirante kept a clean sheet last time out, against Sampdoria - the side's first in nearly a month - and will be a pivotal figure as Roma look to thwart the dangerous attacks of the likes of Inter, Juventus and Sassuolo. Gervinho (Parma) Another opponent that Roma have left to play is Parma, who they will meet on the final day of the season. In doing so, they will come up against a player who was once their own in Gervinho. The pacy attacker has excelled in his first season back in Italy following a stint in China, netting 13 goals in 27 matches in all competitons. As well as Roma, Parma can dent the top four aspirations of Milan when the two sides meet next Saturday. Could Gervinho make one last contribution to his former teammates by helping them make ground on the Rossoneri? Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) With Atalanta, Roma and Torino left to play, Sassuolo could derail a number of opponents in the race for UCL qualification. Central to their hopes of doing so could be their one-club man, Domenico Berardi. The Italian winger has scored six league goals this season, more than he managed in either of the previous two campaigns. Among his victims have been Lazio, Inter and Napoli, so he isn't averse to scoring against a big opponent, and will be a threat to anyone he comes across in the closing weeks. Nicolo Zaniolo Roma's star of the season, Nicolo Zaniolo has impressed with his skill, physicality and eye for goal. Truth be told, he came off the boil a little bit in the last few weeks of Eusebio Di Francesco's tenure as head coach, but he looks like he's rediscovering his best form - and not a moment too soon, as Roma need all their key players to step up for the last push. Zaniolo is firmly among that group now, fully established as a first teamer and potential match winner. Having scored against Fiorentina, he will be eager to add to his goal tally, and he knows he has the faith of his coach, teammates and fans as he prepares himself to sign off his maiden Serie A campaign on a high note.
10th April, 2018 is a date that no Roma fan will ever forget.
It was the date on which the Giallorossi pulled off one of the most miraculous comebacks in the history of the Champions League, as they dominated five-time winners Barcelona to reach the semi-finals for the first time since the competition changed its name from the European Cup. It was the date on which the unthinkable became reality. For a team of Roma's size to overcome one of the biggest clubs in Europe, whose lineup featured two of the very best footballers of all-time in Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, alongside several more stars of the modern game, was beyond even the most optimistic fan's wildest dreams. But there was something about that night that felt like it was destiny for Roma to win. When Edin Dzeko opened the scoring six minutes in, it didn't feel like an ordinary goal. It felt like a platform for Roma to build on. It was the spark they needed to believe in a most unlikely victory. The players ran back to their own half, ready for kick-off. It was clear already that the Lupi weren't there to make up the numbers. Even if everyone had already written them off, they had a game to win, and they weren't going to stop until it was impossible. They proved that night that it wasn't impossible. They approached the game with the right hunger and desire. It was generally accepted that they had been unlucky to lose 4-1 in the first leg. The game had been much closer than that, and conceding two own goals was extremely unfortunate. But nobody could have predicted the way they would go about the return fixture. For once, in the second half, luck was on Roma's side. They were correctly awarded a penalty after Gerard Pique brought down Edin Dzeko in the penalty area underneath the Curva Sud. There was only one man who was going to take the spot kick: the inspirational captain Daniele De Rossi. De Rossi may have been nearer the end of his career than most of his teammates, but that didn't mean he couldn't dream as well. After more than 15 years of service to his beloved club, DDR was more determined than anyone to record another remarkable achievement. As he began his run up for the penalty, his eyes were fixed firmly on the ball. He had the focus of the consummate professional that he was, is, and always has been. He could make no mistake from that spot kick. 2-0 Roma. Eusebio Di Francesco's side had a little over half an hour to get the one more goal they needed to write their names in history. The fans in the Stadio Olimpico had been singing all through the night - they didn't need anyone to tell them it was possible to believe - and their voices were only getting louder, as the chances of completing the comeback became ever-more realistic. With eight minutes remaining, it couldn't have got any more real. Roma won a corner, and Cengiz Under delivered the ball to the near post. Watching the movement of the ball every step of the way was Kostas Manolas, and he timed his run to perfection to get into the space. He had a clear view of the ball, but still had a lot of work to do. Arching his neck, he connected with the ball, sending it across goal. A second later, it dropped into the net. The Stadio exploded.
The buzz around the last 10 minutes was palpable. The crowd were one body, willing Roma on for the final push they needed. At the start of the night, the focus had been on scoring. Now, for the last hurdle, they had to switch their attention to keeping the ball out of their own net.
That they managed to do, and the scenes upon the final whistle were incredible. The squad and coaching staff raced around the pitch in excitement, trying to make sense of the significance of what they had just achieved. They had controlled the game against a side far superior in quality to them, sealing the perfect win and ensuring their European adventure would continue. And the remarkable thing was, they hadn't got lucky. They fully deserved to win in the manner they did. It was an atmosphere like no other. No supporter wanted to leave the venue. This was a magical night and they wanted to live every moment of it, to share it with the players who had done them so proud.
Even outside the stadium, the jubilant atmosphere continued. The city was alive that night. Car horns were blaring in celebration, fans on the streets screaming 'FORZA ROMA' as loud as they could. Flags and scarves were waving out of the windows of people's homes. Everyone was a part of it. It didn't matter if people had met before; everyone was celebrating together that night.
One year on, it still feels dreamlike. There are so many questions that still don't have a clear answer - most beginning with the word 'How'. How did it happen? How was that possible? How wasn't it a dream? But it wasn't a dream. It was all real. It was a monumental event that can never be taken away from this club and its fans. Through the highs and the lows, the memory of that extraordinary April night will live on. As the players who were part of that miracle leave one by one, they will still remain a part of Roma's history, for the scale of what they achieved. Every single one of them will be remembered for the part they played. The story of 10th April, 2018, will live on in the hearts of every Romanista across the world, serving as a reminder of what is possible when the belief is there. That result was colossal, on a level that is unlikely to be matched for a long time. Rome was the centre of the world once again. It's a story of a team who never gave up. A story of a squad who refused to listen to the odds. It's a story of a club whose history has been filled with ups and downs; but that night, they created a positive to outweigh every negative that had gone before. They won a football match that nobody thought they could. But it was far more significant than that. They brought joy to their people, who hadn't felt it for such a long time. That night, they made themselves heroes. Yesterday, it was confirmed that Rick Karsdorp will miss up to the next four weeks after picking up another injury in Roma's win over Sampdoria at the weekend.
The sight of Karsdorp on the treatment table has become all-too familiar during his time in Rome, with the full-back only starting three consecutive matches once across his two-year spell with the club. Indeed, within just five days of the Dutch international arriving at the club, he was undergoing surgery on his right knee, and since then, he has rarely been in full working order. This season, he has 13 appearances, showing some signs of progress. However, after another physical setback, it begs the question: just how long can Roma persevere with Karsdorp? Ahead of a summer in which plenty of change is expected, Karsdorp has been tipped by some fans as one name who should be on his way out. His extensive injury record mean he has been a far from reliable candidate to fill the starting right-back berth. Roma need a player there who can offer consistency and regularity. And with just 13 appearances for the club over two seasons, it looks like Karsdorp isn't that player. Roma have been patient with injured players in the past, in the hope that they may rediscover their previous form - a strategy which hasn't usually paid off. Karsdorp's Dutch compatriot Kevin Strootman instantly springs to mind. The midfielder spent the best part of two whole seasons out with ligament injuries, but the club decided to stand by him and wait for his recovery. When he did make his return, he was a shadow of the player he had once been, and was eventually sold in summer 2018. However, there does seem to be something different about Karsdorp, that means his long-term Roma future might not need to be in so much doubt. When he has been fit this season, he has looked rather impressive. Offensively, he likes to support the winger ahead of him, and his crossing is much better than one of Roma's alternatives in the position, Alessandro Florenzi. Karsdorp got an assist in the February win over Chievo Verona, one of the two occasions this season in which he has lasted all 90 minutes. In the defensive phase, he still has some things to learn, but has looked solid enough in terms of his reading of the game and desire to make blocks. In those two full games he played - the other being the Coppa Italia win over Virtus Entella - Roma kept clean sheets, which have been a rare commodity this season. It may be a coincidence, or it could be evidence that Karsdorp can be an effective component of Roma's defence. It's hard to find a really good right-back these days. In recent seasons, Roma have had to deal with a massively underwhelming Bruno Peres, a version of Maicon that was generally past its sell-by date, and the fact that midfielder Florenzi is still seen as an option there highlights the lack of depth that Roma have been able to find. However, on the few occasions when Karsdorp has been fully fit, he's tended to perform at a better standard than all three of the above. He may just still be that player Roma need. It may not be enough to convince everyone, but there have been enough positive signs for Roma to stay optimistic about Karsdorp for the future. If he can remain healthy, he deserves another chance next season. |
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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