GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
As Roma's Europa League campaign gets underway, there is a general sense of optimism that the club will take the competition seriously and be among the contenders for the trophy.
Paulo Fonseca has already confirmed that Roma have "big ambitions" for the competition, with the coach having previously reached the quarter-finals with Braga in 2015-16, before being knocked out by his next club, Shakhtar Donetsk. Over the summer, Roma assembled an experienced squad, with the lineup now featuring several players who have good history in European competition. Here is a brief look at the furthest stage each player has reached in both the Champions League and Europa League. Davide Zappacosta Champions League best: Round of 16 (Chelsea, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Chelsea, 2018-19) The first of five former Europa League winners in Roma's squad, Zappacosta got his hands on the trophy at the first time of asking last season. The previous year, he had seen his new Chelsea side qualify behind Roma in their Champions League group before being eliminate in the Round of 16. Having never competed in Europe before leaving Italy to join Chelsea, he now has the opportunity to make his mark with a club from his homeland.
Bryan Cristante Champions League best: Quarter-final (Milan, 2011-12) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) The Champions League gave Cristante his professional debut as a 16-year-old, with the midfielder featuring for Milan in a group match. The Rossoneri reached the quarter-finals that year, but he played no further part. He was more involved when Atalanta reached the Europa League Round of 32 in his final season in Bergamo, scoring three goals as he played in all of their eight games in the competition. Only Josip Ilicic scored more for them in Europe that year. Juan Jesus Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Inter, 2012-13; Roma, 2014-15 and 2016-17) One of several players to follow on this list whose best European run came with Roma, Jesus was a starter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final loss to Liverpool. It was the Europa League that gave him his first taste of European football, though, when he reached the Round of 16 in his first full season with Inter - a feat he has repeated twice with Roma since. Chris Smalling Champions League best: Runner up (Manchester United, 2010-11) Europa League best: Winner (Manchester United, 2016-17) An unused sub in both games when his Fulham side faced Roma in the 2009-10 group stage on their route to the Europa League final, Smalling went one better by winning the competition with Manchester United in 2017, playing all 90 minutes of the final. At the start of his United career, he had even come close to winning the Champions League, watching from the bench as his side lost to Barcelona at the end of his first season there. He had played nine games on their journey to the final.
Lorenzo Pellegrini Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Group stage (Sassuolo, 2016-17) Pellegrini was a member of the squad that got Roma further than ever before in the Champions League era, starting the second leg of the semi-final against Liverpool in which his side came within a whisker of another extraordinary comeback. Preparing him for that adventure, and his time at Roma as a whole, had been a two-year stint at Sassuolo, where he helped Eusebio Di Francesco's side qualify for Europe for the first time, before they were knocked out in the group stage. Diego Perotti Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Sevilla, 2013-14) Brought to Europe by future Roma sporting director Monchi in 2007, Perotti worked his way through the ranks at Sevilla, with his time with the La Liga club culminating in victory in the Europa League in his last year with the club - although at the time, he was out on loan at Boca Juniors. It was the first of three consecutive triumphs in the competition for Sevilla, but Perotti wasn't able to play in Europe again until joining Roma in 2015. He scored in the first leg Champions League semi-final defeat to Liverpool, giving some late hope of a Stadio Olimpico comeback. Edin Dzeko Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Wolfsburg, 2009-10) For someone who spent four-and-a-half years with high-spending Premier League giants Manchester City, it may come as something of a surprise to learn that neither of Dzeko's best runs in each of Europe's two competitions came while at the Etihad Stadium. Instead, it was as part of a successful Wolfsburg side that he reached the Europa League quarter-finals, having dropped down from the Champions League the year after winning the German title. Nearly a decade later, he was the only Roma player to score in both legs of the CL semi-final against Liverpool. Aleksandar Kolarov Champions League best: Semi-final (Manchester City, 2015-16; Roma 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Manchester City, 2010-11 and 2011-12) Another part of the unfortunate Roma side to lose in the Champions League semi-finals, Kolarov was the only member of that squad for whom the last four wasn't uncharted territory. Man City were edged out by eventual champions Real Madrid in the semi-final in 2016 - certainly a higher calibre opponent than the ones who had curtailed their furthest Europa League era ventures, with Dynamo Kyiv and Sporting CP being responsible for their Round of 16 exits in Kolarov's first two years at the club. Pau Lopez Champions League best: Group stage (Tottenham Hotspur, 2016-17) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Tottenham Hotspur, 2016-17; Real Betis, 2018-19) Despite being Roma's most expensive goalkeeper signing of all-time, Pau Lopez is yet to fully convince in his short time at the club. Unless Fonseca opts to rotate, the Europa League could be where Lopez comes into his own, but he has limited international pedigree. He never played in his sole season at Tottenham, where their European record was poor, meaning his Europa League debut only came last season, with Real Betis. They conceded six goals over two legs as they lost to Rennes, despite having won their group with just two goals conceded. Mert Cetin Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: N/A Roma's least high-profile summer signing, Cetin has never featured in European competition - and is unlikely to change that this year, having been left out of the squad for the group stages. Cengiz Under Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Play-off round (Istanbul Basaksehir, 2016-17) Under has grown into one of Roma's most important players over the last two years, but is yet to feature in the Europa League group stages. His only previous taste of the competition came when Fonseca's Shakhtar beat Istanbul Basaksehir - one of Roma's Group J opponents this season - in the play-off round. He secured his move to Roma the year after, playing his part in the run to the last four of the Champions League in his first taste of the competition. Davide Santon Champions League best: Winner (Inter, 2009-10) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Newcastle United, 2012-13) The only Champions League winner in Roma's squad isn't even a regular starter. Santon made one appearance on Inter's road to the 2010 final, where they beat Bayern Munich 2-0. He returned to Inter in 2015, a couple of years after reaching the Europa League quarter-finals with Newcastle. Nikola Kalinic Champions League best: Round of 16 (Atletico Madrid, 2018-19) Europa League best: Runner up (Dnipro, 2014-15) Roma's new back-up striker won the UEFA Super Cup in 2018 (as an unused sub), but was not part of the Atletico Madrid side that qualified for the event by winning the previous year's Champions League. Instead, his best ever CL run came last season, when Atletico, like Roma, lost in the Last 16 despite winning their first leg match. He has scored in a European final though, giving Dnipro the lead in the 2015 Europa League final, which they weren't able to defend against Sevilla. Federico Fazio Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Sevilla, 2013-14; 2015-16) Kalinic's Dnipro couldn't topple Sevilla in that game, which was sandwiched between the two Europa League titles that Fazio won with the club. In 2014, he played all of the final as Sevilla beat Benfica on penalties in Turin, while having returned to the club on loan from Tottenham for the latter half of the 2015-16 season, he was not used as the Spaniards beat Liverpool - who exacted their revenge on Fazio at Roma two seasons later in the Champions League semis.
Jordan Veretout Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: Round of 32 (Saint-Ettiene, 2016-17) One of the least experienced members of Roma's squad in terms of international activity, midfielder Veretout has only played in the Europa League once before. His Saint-Ettiene side topped their group after navigating the qualifiers in 2016-17, but were the first knockout victims of Smalling's Man Utd, who beat them 4-0 on aggregate in the Last 32. Nicolo Zaniolo Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: N/A Zaniolo's Roma debut actually came in the Champions League, before he had even played in Serie A. The midfielder made the most of his opportunities and became the youngest Italian player to score a CL brace in the Round of 16 first leg against Porto. The return leg did not go to plan, however, as Roma crashed out of the competition. Now, he will have his first chance to play in the secondary competition, the Europa League. Gianluca Mancini Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) Mancini had the chance to be part of Atalanta's first ever Champions League side this season, and thus to make his debut in the competition, but sacrificed it to move to a bigger club in Roma. Another player upon whom expectations will be high despite a lack of European experience, Mancini did not play in any of the games when Atalanta reached the Round of 32 in his first season there. The year after, he played three times, scoring once, as they lost in the play-off round on penalties to Copenhagen. Alessandro Florenzi Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2014-15 and 2016-17) A loyal player whose only permanent home has been boyhood club Roma, Florenzi will be hoping to captain Roma to success this season. In the past, when serving as a vice-captain behind Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, he reached the Europa League Round of 16 on two occasions. Roma lost to Fiorentina and Lyon respectively, before he was part of the first post-Totti side, which instantly reached its furthest ever stage in the Champions League era. Javier Pastore Champions League best: Quarter-final (PSG, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16) Europa League best: Group stage (Palermo, 2010-11; PSG, 2011-12) For a player of his pedigree, Pastore's record in Europe makes for rather disappointing reading. The attacking midfielder was part of a PSG side still finding their feet on the continent, as they lost in the quarter-finals in four successive seasons. In the Europa League - which he will be playing in for the first time in eight seasons - he has never made it beyond the group stage, as both Palermo and PSG finished third when he was involved with them. Leonardo Spinazzola Champions League best: Quarter-final (Juventus, 2018-19) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) Despite being at Juventus since 2012, a series of loan spells meant Spinazzola's European debut was delayed until 2017, when he helped Atalanta to the Round of 32, playing in six games. His form in Bergamo was rewarded with a Juventus return the next season, but they couldn't beat Dutch giants Ajax in the quarter-finals. He played just one game in the tournament, but will have more opportunities in Europe with Roma. Amadou Diawara Champions League best: Round of 16 (Napoli, 2016-17) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Napoli, 2018-19) One of the players who could benefit from Fonseca's rotation policy in Europe, Diawara's only previous experiences in continental competitions came with Napoli. In his first year there, they reached the Round of 16 of the Champions League, the furthest the club has ever been in the tournament. After coming third in their group in each of the last two seasons, they dropped down to the Europa League, losing to RB Leipzig in the Round of 32 in 2018, and reaching the quarter-finals in 2019, where they were beaten by Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Arsenal without scoring. Mirko Antonucci Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: N/A Only included on Roma's secondary squad list for the group stage, the Italian youngster came on as a last-throw-of-the-dice sub in the second leg against Liverpool in the Champions League two seasons ago. Daniel Fuzato Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: N/A Signed from Palmeiras last summer, Fuzato is yet to make his senior debut for Roma, and has not been included on the squad list for this year's group stages. Henrikh Mkhitaryan Champions League best: Quarter-final (Shakhtar, 2010-11; Borussia Dortmund, 2013-14) Europa League best: Winner (Manchester United, 2016-17) The last Europa League winner on this list, Mkhitaryan started and scored in Man Utd's 2-0 win over Ajax in 2017. After moving to Arsenal, he should have had the chance to play in another final last season, but political tensions between host venue for the final, Azerbaijan, and Mkhitaryan's home country, Armenia, meant he did not travel as his side lost to Chelsea. In the Champions League, he has reached the quarter-finals on two occasions. In 2011, after beating Roma in the Round of 16, Mkhitaryan's Shakhtar lost to Barcelona. Later, the Dortmund side he joined in 2013 had reached the CL final the season before, but weren't able to repeat the feat.
Antonio Mirante Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: Group stage (Sampdoria, 2008-09) Veteran keeper Mirante made his Champions League debut with Roma last season, playing once in the group stage versus Viktoria Plzen and then in the first leg of the Round of 16 against Porto. Roma won that leg, but when Robin Olsen returned in his place for the second leg, it was an extra time elimination for the Giallorossi. This year, Mirante may be given the chance to play in the Europa League for the first time in over a decade, having previously kept goal for Sampdoria on three occasions over two seasons in the tournament. Justin Kluivert Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: Runner up (Ajax, 2016-17) Kluivert had to watch on as a spectator as his former Ajax side marched to the semi-finals of last season's Champions League, having moved to Roma last summer. He could only reach the Round of 16 with his new side, but it was still better than the qualifying eliminations he had experienced in his previous two seasons with the Dutch side. The first of those led them to the Europa League final, where Kluivert stayed on the bench as Mkhitaryan helped fire Man Utd to the trophy. Now, the duo are teammates, and with both having unfinished business in the competition, they will be hoping to go far with Roma.
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Roma earned their first win of the season in emphatic fashion on Sunday, hammering Sassuolo 4-2 at Stadio Olimpico.
After a week off due to the international break, some rustiness would have been expected, but Roma blasted away any signs of that by scoring four goals within the first 35 minutes. After Roma were awarded a penalty, which was then overturned by VAR, Bryan Cristante headed in Lorenzo Pellegrini's corner to make it 1-0. Edin Dzeko doubled the lead by tapping home Aleksandar Kolarov's delightful low cross, before Pellegrini completed a hat-trick of assists by setting up debutant Henrikh Mkhitaryan and winger Justin Kluivert. Domenico Berardi hit back with a brace in the second half, including a perfectly-placed free kick, but Roma held on for all three points. Here are the major talking points from the game. Pellegrini pivotal in preferred role There aren't enough words to describe how sensational Lorenzo Pellegrini was against his former side. After starting the season as a central midfielder, the Roma academy graduate was pushed forward into his preferred number 10 role, and showed exactly why he needs to play there. His passing was exquisite, with none of his three assists being easy. Such creativity has not been seen from a Roma attacking midfielder since Francesco Totti retired, and with the club legend a big fan of Pellegrini, there is no reason why the 23-year-old can't emulate at least some of what his former captain achieved. Last season it was Nicolo Zaniolo who earned the Totti comparisons, but Pellegrini is much closer to Er Pupone in terms of ability and playing style. It is abundantly clear now that Pellegrini must be a starter every week, and always as a trequartista if possible. If there was one downside to his game, it was that he took too many risks with dangerous sliding challenges - something that has also been said of Zaniolo when he has played. But that very criticism can also be levelled as a compliment, as it showed his hunger and desire to make an impact. He was over the pitch like a rash, covering every blade of grass. Pellegrini can be the engine Roma have been lacking in midfield since Radja Nainggolan left in 2018. Right application of Kluivert Another player to thrive after a position change was Justin Kluivert. He had started Roma's first two games of the season on the left wing, but was ineffective and made poor decisions. With Cengiz Under out injured, though, Paulo Fonseca was forced to push the Dutchman over to the right wing, and it was a blessing in disguise. Kluivert is a completely different player when he plays on the right wing. He can charge down the channel and create danger with a more direct approach. His use there may not fit in with Fonseca's preference for inverted wingers, but sometimes exceptions have to be made. All of Kluivert's best performances for Roma have come on the right wing. It was from that position that he set up Dzeko with a cross on his debut against Torino last season, for Roma's first goal of 2018-19. It was from the right that he recorded two more assists against Fiorentina in April, a game that was the first of a 12-game unbeaten run that is still going for Roma. On Sunday, he started well by winning the (non) penalty, and his finish showed the kind of composure he has rarely displayed when playing on the left. Thus, Kluivert is another case of a player who needs to be used in a specific role to succeed. Positive debuts Roma played a fast-flowing possession game, and key to its success were two new signings. Jordan Veretout and Mkhitaryan were brought in for their first starts, and both made an immediate impact. Veretout provided balance in the midfield - surely a benefit given that he can allow Pellegrini to be unleashed further up the pitch. As for Mkhitaryan, his quality was clear to see. The Armenian thrives on getting the ball and moving it on quickly to teammates, meaning he can be the glue to Roma's attacking quartet. His left-footed finish for his goal was sublime. In an interview before Armenia played Bosnia-Herzegovina last week, Dzeko had vowed to help Mkhitaryan adapt to Italian football, a difficult transition for many. But from first viewings, the on-loan Arsenal man may not need Dzeko's help at all. He settled in straight away and proved he has a big part to play this season. Drop off in intensity worrying In many ways, Roma should be disappointed they only scored four. There were numerous chances to extend the lead shortly after the break, with Dzeko smashing a header against the crossbar and Pellegrini skimming the post, the closest he came to scoring in a performance that more than deserved a goal. Beyond the hour mark, though, Roma took their foot of the gas a little too much. With a busy schedule coming up, it's easy to see why they would afford themselves a little rest. However, they dropped down one or two gears too many, which nearly allowed Sassuolo a way back into the game. The common belief is that the noble thing to do when taking such a big lead is to let up and show respect to the opponents, but after all the questions raised from the opening two games, how good it would have been if Roma had sent out an emphatic statement by scoring six or seven. Instead, some of those questions are still lingering. Who has Fonseca's faith? One way Roma could have kept the pace higher would have been to bring on a sub earlier - someone with a point to prove. It could have been a great opportunity for Mirko Antonucci, for example. The youngster could have left on loan this summer, but Fonseca appears to believe in him, so he stayed. If that really is the case though, then why not bring him on when there was still a three-goal advantage an hour in? It remains to be seen if Antonucci can really do it at the top level, with his lack of physicality a major concern. But if he can't get a run out when the lead is so healthy, then when can he? It would have been an ample opportunity for him to prove himself. Instead, Javier Pastore came on - to a chorus of boos - with six minutes to go, and let himself down by missing an easy headed chance. With Pellegrini and Zaniolo seemingly the main options in attacking midfield now, Antonucci and Pastore may find their chances very limited. Player Ratings: Lopez 6; Florenzi 6; Mancini 6; Fazio 7; Kolarov 8; Veretout 7; Cristante 7; Kluivert 8; Pellegrini 9; Mkhitaryan 8; Dzeko 8 Subs: Spinazzola 6; Zaniolo 6; Pastore 3 Coach: Fonseca 7 Man of the Match: Pellegrini Roma picked up a point from a difficult Derby Della Capitale clash with Lazio on Sunday, meaning they have drawn their first two games of the season. After drawing with Genoa on the opening day, the level of test stepped up a notch for Paulo Fonseca, who took charge of his first Rome Derby, and things started positively when Aleksandar Kolarov opened the scoring from the penalty spot - his second goal against his former club for Roma. However, after the break, Luis Alberto levelled things up for the designated home side, who had more than twice the number of shots Roma did. Lazio thought they'd won it late on through Manuel Lazzari, but the goal was correctly disallowed due to an offside in the build up - not to mention the ball being out of play when it was crossed to the former SPAL man. The woodwork was the star of the show, keeping Lazio out four times, while Nicolo Zaniolo hit the post twice for Roma - who have still not been behind in either of their games so far this season. Here is what we learnt from a somewhat uncharacteristically open and free-flowing Derby. Decision making in attack needs to improve While Lazio were the side with more shots on goal, Roma had their fair share of the ball in dangerous areas too. And the gap between the two sides' number of efforts would have been smaller had Roma shown better decision-making in the final third. Wingers Justin Kluivert and Cengiz Under often struggled to keep hold of the ball, but when they did, they sometimes chose the wrong options, passing when they should have shot and vice versa. Zaniolo, despite going close twice, was also guilty of this in the second half, when after charging down the right wing, he tried to shoot with the outside of his left foot, when it would have been wiser to square the ball to a teammate. Perhaps the impending arrival of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Arsenal will help Roma show more maturity in attack. Improvements seen when Dzeko gets on the ball There were moments when things started to flow better - mainly when Edin Dzeko got on the ball. The striker, who recently renewed his contract, was a peripheral figure at times in the first half, but when he started to drop deeper and pick up the ball from goal kicks and clearances, things immediately improved. Dzeko is the glue that binds Roma together, and if he plays well, then so do those around him. This lineup needs to be built in a manner which gets Dzeko involved as often as possible, because he remains Roma's most dangerous player and can be a calming influence with his experience and strength. Pre-season schedule catching up with Roma Just like in the Genoa game, the final quarter of an hour or so saw a lack of inventiveness from the attackers, whose movement greatly diminished. Is this is a sign of fatigue, and if so, can it be attributed to Roma's rather disorganised pre-season? After pulling out of the International Champions Cup due to the Europa League qualifiers - which they soon found out they would not have to be involved in - Roma had few tests in pre-season, mainly playing lower level opposition. This helped the new signings settle in, but physically, did not provide Roma with the workouts they needed to get up to the required standards. Would it have been a different story if Roma had played those ICC games? Who knows, but at least there are now two weeks before the next game for the squad to get back in peak condition. Defence caught ball watching for Lazio goal While the frame of the goal was Roma's saviour on a scarcely believable number of occasions, they were the architects of their own downfall for the shot that did go in. First of all, Kolarov wasn't strong enough and was dispossessed, leading to a Lazio counter attack. Once Ciro Immobile had got in behind everyone apart from Gianluca Mancini and Pau Lopez, there were three other defenders running back and facing him. None of them opened their bodies up to spot Alberto making the late run into the box, leaving the Spaniard with a free attempt on goal. Federico Fazio was the closest to him who should have been facing the danger rather than being sucked in to a scenario that was partially being dealt with by Mancini. Was this goal also down to Fonseca's high line, as someone like Fazio would have been facing forwards and stopping Alberto if the defence had started from deeper? Perhaps that's one lesson for the new coach to learn as he seeks his first win. Lack of natural defensive midfielder shows Many of Lazio's counter attacks could have been snuffed out if there had been a proper defensive midfielder there to read and break up the play. Following the departures of Daniele De Rossi and Steven Nzonzi this summer, Roma have been left with a starting duo of Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini at the base of Fonseca's midfield. Of the two, Cristante is the more likely to develop into a true defensive midfielder, although it is not his natural role, while Pellegrini would fare better if deployed in a more advanced role. Hopes will be hinging on summer signings Amadou Diawara and Jordan Veretout to make the difference once they are ready to start, because as things stand, the midfield is lacking equilibrium, which is causing too many problems. Player Ratings: Lopez 6; Florenzi 6; Mancini 7; Fazio 5; Kolarov 6; Cristante 6; Pellegrini 6; Under 5; Zaniolo 7; Kluivert 4; Dzeko 6 Subs: Pastore 4; Santon 5; Diawara 5 Coach: Fonseca 5 Man of the Match: Zaniolo Roma will be looking for redemption when they take on fierce rivals Lazio in the first Derby Della Capitale of the season on Sunday.
It's a game that gives Roma the chance to right two wrongs - that of being beaten 3-0 the last time the two sides met, which proved to be Eusebio Di Francesco's last Serie A game in charge, and not being able to beat Genoa on the opening day of the season. Both rivals have made some interesting changes over the summer, with the red side of the city bringing in new coach Paulo Fonseca and sporting director Gianluca Petrachi, not to mention a whole host of new players, while the blue side have brought in the likes of Manuel Lazzari and Denis Vavro. Simone Inzaghi's side won their first game of the season, against Di Francesco's Sampdoria, whereas Roma have a point to prove in what is technically their first away game of the season, despite it being played at Stadio Olimpico. Roma's opening game saw them pegged back three times by Genoa, despite some promising performances from the likes of Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini. However, no places are guaranteed, with Fonseca confirming at his press conference that Jordan Veretout and Amadou Diawara are ready to compete for the starting berths in midfield. It could be a baptism of fire for any of the new additions, ready to be thrown into the cauldron of one of the most competitive and passionate rivalries in world football. Davide Zappacosta could make his first start for the club after coming on as a substitute against Genoa, with Alessandro Florenzi pushing to the left wing, while new signing Chris Smalling will be involved in the squad - although the Englishman may not start. The game kicks off at 5pm UK time and will be shown live on Premier Sports 1. Expected lineup: Lopez; Zappacosta, Fazio, Mancini, Kolarov; Pellegrini, Cristante; Under, Zaniolo, Florenzi; Dzeko
The Paulo Fonseca era began with a 3-3 draw for Roma at home to Genoa in their first game of the new Serie A season.
Roma led three times, with Cengiz Under scoring a wonderful solo strike, Edin Dzeko making it 2-1 with virtually a mirror image of the opener, and Aleksandar Kolarov hitting a free kick that crossed the line by the barest of margins. However, after each goal, Roma were pegged back, with Andrea Pinamonti smashing home, Juan Jesus giving away a needless penalty, which was converted by Domenico Criscito, and Christian Kouame getting in between the defenders to head home the final equaliser. It's the first time Roma have not won their opening league game since 2015, when Alessandro Florenzi levelled things up against Hellas Verona for Rudi Garcia's side. As for current coach Fonseca, it's the first time he hasn't been victorious on matchday one since his Pacos de Ferreira side were beaten by Benfica in 2014. The game still felt like an extension of pre-season, and in reality, raised more questions than it answered. Here are the biggest talking points. Contrast between attack and defence In the first half in particular, Roma were linking up in attack with more fluidity than they have managed in years. Edin Dzeko was key to the process, as the striker acted not only as a focal point, but dropped deep to glue together the play. His goal was well deserved, and an important statement after the faith the club put in him by offering him a long-term contract. Likewise, Cengiz Under - another player to renew recently - featured in several neat combinations with his teammates, while Lorenzo Pellegrini picked out some Totti-esque passes, including one that nearly set up Under for a second goal. However, the mistakes made at the back cannot be ignored. Pinamonti was given far too much space for Genoa's first goal, with the gap between Federico Fazio and Jesus unacceptable. In front of them, Bryan Cristante watched on while marking a midfielder, whereas he could have prioritised the danger and put pressure on the on-loan Inter striker. The second goal, as mentioned above, came from Jesus' poorly judged foul in the box, while the third goal again showed a lack of co-ordination at the back. Fazio and substitute Gianluca Mancini were too preoccupied with Pinamonti at the near post, while Florenzi was stretched too wide at the backpost. As a result, when Paolo Ghiglione played a perfect cross, Kouame was free to head home with ease. Mancini's positioning was particularly bad, as he had no need to push towards where Fazio was. Instead, the summer signing was caught ball-watching, perhaps showing why Fonseca had been reluctant to start him. Movement fades in second half The energy Roma displayed in the opening 45 minutes took the game to their opponents, causing them problems by setting a fast tempo with smart link-up play. After the break, that intensity dropped off somewhat, and even when fresh faces were brought in to change the dynamics of the attack, with Javier Pastore taking the trequartista role, the sparks had gone. The movement from the front four had all but disappeared, with limited numbers pushing to get in the box. That may be a sign that Roma's fitness still needs to improve, having only just finished their pre-season workouts. It may also be a suggestion that more depth is needed in attack. Midfield headache for Fonseca Roma have worked on changing the complexion of their midfield this summer, with Steven Nzonzi and club legend Daniele De Rossi making way for Amadou Diawara and Jordan Veretout. But it was two of the retained faces who started in Fonseca's 4-2-3-1, with Lorenzo Pellegrini partnered by compatriot Bryan Cristante. Fonseca will surely have liked what he saw. Cristante's passing was much improved on its usual standards, while he also displayed positive energy. Pellegrini was largely the same, threading through balls and creating chances, while also being tenacious in the defensive phase. They have made it hard for Fonseca to drop them now. Diawara and Veretout will undoubtedly be pushing to be involved in future games, but the Italians have made their mark on the midfield. Cengiz Under the microscope One of Pellegrini's best moments was the aerial through ball he picked out Under with shortly after the Turk's opening goal. To give Roma the lead, Under had skipped past Criscito and Cristian Zapata, before executing a powerful finish to Ionut Radu's near post. It was a positive sign, continuing from pre-season, that Under can thrive in this system as a regular goalscorer.
When he received the pass from Pellegrini moments later, he found himself through on goal with only Radu to beat. Unfortunately, he pulled his shot agonisingly wide of the far post. It was a game-changing moment. Had that gone in, Roma would have been 2-0 up with barely 10 minutes played, and could have gone on to dominate the match. It was a fine margin that helped decide the result, and something he will need to improve if he is to manage somewhere in the region of 20 goals this season. It's a tally he can be capable of, but he needs to put away chances like that if he is to do so. Some players thrive off instinct, scoring from opportunities like that where they haven't had to think much. Cengiz is not quite that player yet - as shown by the goal he did score, he works best when he has time with the ball at his feet, and decisions to make. If he can become a more natural, instinctive scorer, though, Roma will win games like this, and he will reach double figures before the spring with ease. Zappacosta's late impact The last change Fonseca made was to replace captain Florenzi with summer signing Davide Zappacosta. Florenzi had done OK, but no better, nearly catching out Radu with a sensational acrobatic volley from outside the box after Kolarov had perfectly set him up from a corner. Obviously, the defensive side of Florenzi's game showed its usual frailties, while his crossing continued to flatter to deceive. When Zappacosta came on for his late cameo, he put in a couple of deliveries that were well-judged. He showed he could clip in an aerial cross, or whip a ball low and hard into a dangerous area. While he wasn't really tested in defence, if he can replicate that kind of impact - minus his air shot when the ball fell awkwardly to him on his weaker side in a golden chance for a winner - over a full 90 minutes when back up to full fitness, then he will be the starting right-back in no time. Player Ratings: Lopez 6; Florenzi 6; Fazio 5; Jesus 4; Kolarov 7; Cristante 7; Pellegrini 8; Under 8; Zaniolo 6; Kluivert 6; Dzeko 7 Subs: Mancini 4; Pastore 3; Zappacosta 6 Coach: Fonseca 6 Man of the Match: Pellegrini Paulo Fonseca takes charge of his first Serie A match as Roma coach on Sunday, as the new season gets underway with a home match against Genoa.
Pre-season has been mainly positive for Roma, who have not tasted defeat despite some tough clashes against the likes of Lille, Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid - against whom a penalty shootout victory earned them the Mabel Green Cup. Fonseca will now be hoping his side can translate that form into the season, starting with his first competitive match at Stadio Olimpico. It has been a summer of change, including the appointment of the new coach, but few of the new signings will be on show on Sunday. Pau Lopez will take his place in goal, but Leonardo Spinazzola is ruled out with injury, while Jordan Veretout did not feature at all in pre-season and only has a space on the bench. Centre-back Gianluca Mancini suffered a couple of knocks in recent friendlies, with Fonseca confirming at his press conference that Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus would be the starting duo in the position. In terms of the other new arrivals, that leaves Amadou Diawara, who is not likely to be picked ahead of Bryan Cristante - who Fonseca has been impressed with so far - or Lorenzo Pellegrini at this stage, and Mert Cetin and Davide Zappacosta have likely arrived too late to be involved. Hence, there will be a strong element of familiarity to the Roma side that take to the pitch tomorrow, but even though the group of players did not achieve much last season, Fonseca will be hoping to inspire a new dawn. The hunger is there. It's time for the wolf to join the chasing pack. Expected lineup: Lopez; Florenzi, Fazio, Jesus, Kolarov; Cristante, Pellegrini; Under, Zaniolo, Kluivert; Dzeko
Paulo Fonseca's first game in charge of Roma at Stadio Olimpico ended with an unusual trophy on Sunday night, as a penalty shootout win over Real Madrid earned them the Mabel Green Cup.
Roma had to come from behind twice (although Madrid's second goal should not have stood, due to an offside), but were actually on top for large portions of the game. Diego Perotti and Edin Dzeko got the goals in normal time, but both had been brought off by the time the penalties came around. Nonetheless, Roma scored all their spot kicks, with Marcelo's miss meaning it was victory for Fonseca's side - who got their hands on a lovely tree as a prize.
This was the penultimate friendly before Serie A kicks off in a fortnight's time - with a match against Arezzo just being announced - so here's what Roma can take into the new season from it. Much more fluid in possession In the last friendly, against Athletic Bilbao, Roma's insistence on playing out from the back was at times problematic and dangerous. Against Madrid, though, they got it spot on. Starting from Pau Lopez, Roma were extremely efficient at keeping possession of the ball, both in their own half and in attacking areas. The players linked up very well, keeping the ball moving at all times. Edin Dzeko was vital to the process. Perhaps the better playing surface helped them, but all in all, there were positive signs that Roma are starting to play the way Fonseca wants them to. The return of Zaniolo He's been inconsistent for the last six months, but Nicolo Zaniolo was back to his best against Real. In some ways, it was back to where it all started for the 20-year-old, who made his Roma debut against the same opponents in last season's Champions League. He impressed even more than he did on that occasion, catching the eye with his assist for Perotti. Zaniolo determinedly powered down the right wing before expertly placing his through ball in between Raphael Varane and Eder Militao, and into Perotti's path. It was eye-of-the-needle stuff. Marking in the midfield If there was one criticism of the display, it would be that the marking in the midfield wasn't tight enough. Real's first goal came from a splendid turn and pass from Luka Modric, before Marcelo beat Alessandro Florenzi and curled the ball past Lopez. Modric's quality was no hidden secret - he's the reigning world player of the year. It's important for Roma to ensure they don't give players of that level the time and space to create danger so easily. Fazio in the final phase Say what you like about his lack of pace, but when Federico Fazio recovers the ground, there are few better players in world football at last-ditch defending. The Argentine was a man of the match candidate thanks to his impressive blocks and interceptions, once again showing how well he reads the game. Roma are still looking to bring in a new centre-back, but Fazio will remain a good option in games where his teammates' backs will be against the wall. Options from the spot Roma's regular penalty takers, Perotti and Lorenzo Pellegrini, had been taken off before the shootout came around. It gave Fonseca a chance to analyse his other options from 12 yards out, and all five takers impressed. Aleksandar Kolarov and Leonardo Spinazzola's penalties were both perfectly placed in opposite corners - the former's being slightly more convincing than the latter's - and Bryan Cristante, Cengiz Under and Mirko Antonucci's efforts were equally impressive. Roma may find themselves in need of a hero from the spot in any of the three competitions they will be involved in this season, so it's reassuring to know that those options run deep. Player Ratings: Lopez 8; Florenzi 6; Fazio 8; Jesus 6; Kolarov 7; Cristante 7; Pellegrini 7; Under 8; Zaniolo 7; Perotti 6; Dzeko 8 Subs: Spinazzola 6; Diawara 6; Antonucci 5; Schick 5; Kluivert 6 Man of the Match: Dzeko
Roma came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night, in what was probably their toughest test of pre-season so far.
After Iker Muniain had put the Basque club ahead with a poacher's finish, Aleksandar Kolarov pulled things level in the second half with an extraordinary free kick from 30 yards out. Late on, each side converted a penalty, with Raul Garcia scoring for the visitors and Lorenzo Pellegrini coolly dispatching a spot kick which had been incorrectly awarded to Roma, after the ball had actually come into contact with Nicolo Zaniolo's hand, rather than an opponent's.
Although still just a friendly, there were some warning signs for Paulo Fonseca to pick up on before the Serie A campaign kicks off. Over-commitment to playing out from the back Fonseca's philosophy is starting to become more and more apparent, with the coach clearly favouring an approach which sees his side play out from the back. However, there needs to be some flexibility. Often, Roma put themselves under pressure by starting too deep, with Athletic ready to pounce by deploying several players in the Giallorossi half. The new rule which states that the ball does not have to go out of the box from a goal kick worked against Roma in some regards, as it invited the La Liga side to press them higher up the pitch. Fonseca wants to see Roma play a courageous game, and that's a good thing, but the players need to fine-tune things a little more if his style is to be successful. Roma slow to spot the switch When Roma got in more advanced positions, the possession-based game still lacked the appropriate dynamism. Often a full-back or winger would be open on the opposite side of the pitch, but the ball rarely travelled straight to them. Instead, Roma got the ball out wide via another player in between, which slowed down the pace - and thus reduced the danger - of the attack, by allowing Athletic to get across into the correct defensive positions more easily. Someone in the midfield needs to be brave enough to pick out the switch, skipping out that extra pass, so that Roma can play on the front foot. No closer to a striker solution If someone had suggested at the start of the summer that Gregoire Defrel would have been starting a pre-season game as Roma's sole centre-forward just over two weeks before the campaign got underway, they would have sounded ridiculous. However, that was the case, and the Frenchman continued to struggle. In fairness, he was committed, but he lacks the clinical edge to be a Roma player. When Edin Dzeko came on in the second half, it was fitting for him to be given a warm reception by his fans, with plenty of cheers and chants in his honour. Who knows if it was Dzeko's last outing for Roma, as a move to Inter gets closer, but the directors really need to consider how they can replace the Bosnian - or if they can at all - if he does depart. Unless Roma can somehow pull off a coup and sign someone of Mauro Icardi's stature, the names that have been linked are unappealing, and sooner or later the club need to think if getting rid of Dzeko would be a wise idea after all. How Fonseca is using Pellegrini After returning late for pre-season due to international duty, Lorenzo Pellegrini finally got his opportunity to play a full 90 minutes, and it was a performance of highs and lows. For the most part, the Roman was successful, playing positive passes and showing high energy. However, there was a 20-minute spell at the end of the first half when he veered away from his usual standards. Later on, he was also to blame for the second goal, as he wasn't strong enough when turning away from his box - leading to him being dispossessed, and Roma consequently giving away a penalty due to Gianluca Mancini's hand-ball. Pellegrini has been utilised as part of the deeper central midfield pairing by Fonseca, where it appears he will continue to play. Some of his better performances last season came as a trequartista, in the number 10 role, but that position already has Zaniolo, Javier Pastore and maybe even Mirko Antonucci competing for it. Pellegrini can adapt well to the deeper role, as it should allow him to get on the ball more and dictate play, but he needs to stay sharp for 90 minutes. The first signs that Roma will miss De Rossi Extending things further, it wasn't just Pellegrini who blew hot and cold in the midfield. Amadou Diawara was sloppier than in previous displays, for example - while Steven Nzonzi didn't travel with the squad. There was no drive in the middle of the park to push Roma on, and this moment was going to come soon enough: It was clear they missed someone like Daniele De Rossi. Of course, they don't make players like De Rossi any more, but how Roma could have done with him against Bilbao. The midfield is such a critical area, which needs someone to hold it together and to drive what happens in front. Bryan Cristante came closest to replicating that on Wednesday, being more confident on the ball, but he has some way to go to reach the levels that De Rossi consistently did for most of his career - even last season. Roma have other priorities, but perhaps a reinforcement is needed for that position too. Now, if only there had been someone fully committed to the club who could have performed that role to a high standard for this team... Player Ratings: Mirante 5; Florenzi 7; Mancini 5; Jesus 7; Spinazzola 6; Diawara 6; Pellegrini 7; Under 6; Antonucci 5; Perotti 5; Defrel 6 Subs: Lopez 6; Santon 6; Fazio 7; Kolarov 7; Cristante 8; Zaniolo 5; Kluivert 6; Dzeko 6 Man of the Match: Cristante Roma had to come from a goal behind to beat Serie C side Ternana in the second of two friendlies played on Saturday.
It was the first time Roma have found themselves in a losing position under Paulo Fonseca so far, but second half goals from Cengiz Under (2) and Gregoire Defrel put that right, securing a 3-1 win. Apart from goalkeeper Pau Lopez, who took the place of Daniel Fuzato, Fonseca started with the same lineup that had finished the morning's win over Rieti, making wholesale changes around 70 minutes in, mirroring what he had done in the first match of the day. It gave viewers a chance to assess the performances of the players who had only made brief cameos in the morning games, as Fonseca continues to instill his style into the squad. Pastore links up well with Under Javier Pastore has returned for this pre-season like a new man. Whereas last season he put in minimal effort, his attitude has been spot on so far, as he looks to correct the negative portrayal he had partially made for himself. Playing in the number 10 role, Pastore was integral to the fluidity of Roma's attacks. He particularly linked up well with Cengiz Under on his right, with the duo flicking the ball to each other often. Towards the end of the first half, they each created a chance for one another within the space of a minute, with Pastore shooting wide and Cengiz being thwarted by the keeper. And it was Pastore who set up Under for Roma's first goal, picking him out with a deft chip to get past the tight defence, before the winger took two bites of the cherry to finish from a wide angle. On a sidenote, Under's two finishes showed again how clinical and sharp he is looking; he could easily be in line for a 15-goal season. Perotti goes it alone In contrast, Diego Perotti found himself rather isolated, not linking up as well with his compatriot Pastore. Even when the left winger, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Friday, came inside to get involved, he wasn't picked out as often. In parts he was over-confident on the ball and greedy, when he should have mixed his game up by bringing others into play as well. He started pre-season on the front foot, but his last couple of performances have been a bit sub par, meaning the left wing spot is still up for grabs. Antonucci continues to be central With the way things are going so far, even Mirko Antonucci could stake a claim for that role. The youngster has thrived upon his return to the club following time out on loan last year, and if he can replicate these kind of performances against stronger opposition, he may well force himself into Fonseca's plans. When he came on in the second half, it was telling that he was deployed in the attacking midfield role that had been occupied by Pastore, whereas Nicolo Zaniolo, who also prefers that position, had to cover on the right wing. Either man could have done a job in either position, so can we read anything into the fact that it was Antonucci who was favoured in the more important role? He is of course further down the line physically compared to Zaniolo, given that he has been there since the start of pre-season while last season's breakout star arrived late, but if it was a tactical decision, maybe it shows how highly he is regarded by Fonseca. Cristante key to pressing Bryan Cristante is taking on more and more of a defensive role. While his passing has come into question so far, he has been doing the dirty work - and his work rate has been a major positive. Against Ternana, it was midfield partner Amadou Diawara who continued to be the playmaker from deep, whereas Cristante was often the first man to press the ball when Roma lost possession. He worked hard to close down opponents, showing the kind of work rate that inspires teammates to do the same. Cristante is far from the full package, but he is showing how willing he is to take on a slightly different role so that he can still make an impression. Placing the blame for the Ternana goal Roma had to respond to going behind for the first time this summer, after Ternana took the lead through captain Marino Defendi. The goal came from a free kick, which was conceded by Juan Jesus. The Brazilian defender tried to make a tackle when the ball wasn't clearly there for the taking - with plenty of cover behind him too - which gave the referee an easy decision to make. After the initial shot from the resulting free kick hit the bar, Patrik Schick showed a lack of intensity and desire to stop the follow-up effort from Defendi, turning his body rather than making an effort to block it. Player Ratings: Lopez 6; Florenzi 7; Fazio 7; Jesus 5; Kolarov 8; Diawara 7; Cristante 7; Under 8; Pastore 9; Perotti 5; Schick 6 Subs: Mirante 6; Karsdorp 6; Mancini 6; Spinazzola 7; Nzonzi 6; Santon 6; Zaniolo 7; Antonucci 7; Kluivert 6; Defrel 6 Man of the Match: Pastore Roma's unbeaten start to pre-season continued on Wednesday with a 3-0 win over Gubbio, who represented a step up in level of opposition.
The last two friendlies, against Tor Sapienza and Trastevere, saw Roma hit double figures, but the match against Serie C side Gubbio was played at a higher intensity, which Paulo Fonseca's side had to adapt to. Gubbio could have caught Roma out on a couple of occasions, but were often unluckily beaten by the offside trap. Nonetheless, there was some concern to be drawn from how they could get in behind the backline. Goals from Federico Fazio, Mirko Antonucci and Javier Pastore, however, sealed the victory, as we learned several more things about how Roma are setting up under Fonseca. Diawara debut The new signings are starting to be integrated into match contention, and the Gubbio clash gave Amadou Diawara his first outing in the red and yellow jersey. The midfielder impressed in his 45 minute cameo, dictating the tempo of the game with his impressive range of passing. Equally comfortable at rotating possession with a simple pass or clipping an aerial through ball into the channels, he was a positive force from the middle of the park. He was seen in intense dialogue with Fonseca during the drinks break, and the coach told Roma TV after the game that he has "much to improve in his playing style", but if anything, that should be taken as a symbol of the coach's high demands. Cristante contrast Diawara's debut was so refreshing when contrasted with the performance of midfield partner Bryan Cristante. The number of occasions the Italian put his teammates under pressure or gave the ball away when playing a forward pass was difficult to keep count of. Perhaps this can be attributed to Gubbio's intense pressing game, which admittedly caught Roma by surprise, but this has been a regular theme with Cristante, even in competitive games. Unlike Diawara, he simply does not have a creative kind of long ball in his locker. He broke up play relatively well, but in reality, that's not what he's there for. Especially given the arrival of Jordan Veretout adding more competition in his position, Cristante has much to improve. Zaniolo eager on return Also making his first appearance of pre-season was Nicolo Zaniolo, who had been away with the Italy U21 side. He looked eager to prove himself, and caught the eye with an incredible first touch to control a ball from the air on the edge of the box, beating a defender in the process and letting fly with an admittedly weak shot. However, the same problems he had last season resurfaced - an over-eagerness to impress and win the ball, leading to needless fouls being committed. Had it not been a friendly, he would have been booked for one memorable cynical challenge. His enthusiasm is good, but he needs to learn when and how to use it. Precise Pastore from deep Another player eager to make an impression, and someone who has more of a point to prove, Pastore put in a second positive display of pre-season. Against Tor Sapienza, Pastore roamed freely about the pitch, getting on the ball as often as possible. The pattern continued against Gubbio, where again he dropped into a deeper position, occupying one of the two defensive midfield roles. It's an interesting use of the Argentine, who struggles last year were mainly tactical in Eusebio Di Francesco's 4-3-3 system. He has always been a number 10, but Fonseca may be trying to reinvent him as a regista. It certainly appears to be working, as he contributed a goal and an assist. Fonseca sending messages? Two more decisions from Fonseca caught the eye - that to hand Edin Dzeko the captain's armband in the first half, when it has normally been worn by Diego Perotti (who, coincidentally, didn't match the level of his other performances in pre-season so far), and to deploy Alessandro Florenzi, who assumed the armband in the second half as usual, as a right-back. In terms of the Dzeko case, is it a message that the striker is part of his plans, amid heavy interest from Inter? Or perhaps it was an effort to make Inter raise their bid; by showing he is still important to Roma, maybe that could increase his value, prompting the Nerazzurri to get closer to Roma's €20m demands. As for Florenzi, who has been impressing as a left winger, maybe it was a sign to Gianluca Petrachi and the board that a right-back needs to be signed, or Roma risk their captain being used out of position again. That may be an over-analysis, as Fonseca is still getting to know his squad and may have just wanted to see what Florenzi was like at right-back, but most people would surely prefer the 28-year-old on the wing after his struggles in defence in recent seasons. Perhaps the club will act on this signal and make a move for wantaway Napoli man Elseid Hysaj. Player Ratings: Mirante 6; Santon 7; Mancini 6; Fazio 5; Spinazzola 7; Diawara 8; Cristante 6; Defrel 5; Zaniolo 6; Perotti 6; Dzeko 6 Subs: Lopez 6; Florenzi 7; Jesus 6; Capradossi 6; Kolarov 6; Nzonzi 7; Pastore 8; Under 7; Antonucci 7; Kluivert 8; Schick 5 Man of the Match: Diawara |
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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