GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
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
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Arms held aloft, a little smile breaks out as his teammates surround him. It's a somewhat muted celebration compared to how Daniele De Rossi reacted whenever he scored for Roma, but it's a sign that there is life in the veteran yet.
It may have been for a new club, but it clearly still meant something to Roma's former captain, as he headed in a debut goal for Boca Juniors on Tuesday night. It will be impossible for him to replicate the passion he had for Roma in his new surroundings, but he could not have given a clearer sign: he has gone to Boca to win.
Many Roma fans are still taking time to adjust to the sight of De Rossi wearing another club's jersey. But throughout history, very few players have retired as a one-club man for the Giallorossi. Whether by their own choice or not, many of the club's biggest legends have curtailed their time at Roma to close out their careers elsewhere. Here are five of their stories. Agostino Di Bartolomei If given a choice, De Rossi would have stayed at Roma without hesitation. His decision to leave was made for him, though - a similar scenario to how Scudetto-winning captain Agostino Di Bartolomei was forced out of the club. Di Bartolomei had just led Roma to the European Cup final in their first ever appearance in the competition, but times were changing at the club. Legendary coach Nils Liedholm was on his way out, to be replaced by fellow Swede, Sven-Goran Eriksson. The new tactician favoured a faster-paced game, to which it was deemed that Di Bartolomei was not suited. Against his will, the 29-year-old was moved on to Milan, following Liedholm. The early 1980s had been the most difficult period in the Rossoneri's history, with two relegations to Serie B, and so Liedholm was entrusted with the task of getting things back on track. As fate would have it, Di Bartolomei came up against his beloved Roma as early as the fifth match of the new season. Naturally, the Italian midfielder scored the opening goal against the side for whom he had given so much in the previous decade. The game ended 2-1 to Milan, and Roma's decision to move on without their coach and captain started to look like a bad one. By the end of the season, thanks to that result, Roma finished below Milan due to their head-t0-head record, out of the European places altogether. Giuseppe Giannini One of the players who followed in Di Bartolomei's footsteps by coming out of the Roma academy and going on to make more than 300 appearances for the club, Giannini was idolised by fans - but his loyalty sadly never flourished with a key role in a league title win. His love affair with Roma began to take a sour turn in 1994, when, after returning from injury, he stepped up to take a crucial penalty in the Derby against Lazio - a spot kick won by his heir, Francesco Totti. Giannini's effort from 12 yards was saved by Luca Marchegiani, costing Roma the chance to equalise. After the game, club president Franco Sensi hit out at his captain, declaring: "Whoever misses a penalty so important doesn't seem worthy of belonging to the Roma of the future." The relations weren't cut as quickly as may have been expected, with Giannini lasting another two seasons with his hometown club. But the seeds were already sown for a farewell, and Il Principe moved to Austrian side Sturm Graz in 1996. Giannini's time in Austria was short-lived, and due to homesickness, he made a controversial return to Italy to play for Roma's great rivals, Napoli. He made just five appearances for the Partenopei, before seeing out his career with one-and-a-half seasons with Lecce. Roberto Pruzzo Star striker Pruzzo left Roma in 1988 as their leading goalscorer of all-time, with fans unveiling a banner at his final game in giallorosso reading "106 times thank you", in a nod to the number of goals he scored for the club in Serie A. His final game for Roma was against Verona, who had been the side he had made his club debut (and scored his first goal) against 10 years earlier. The Italian striker spent the final season of his career at Fiorentina, who became involved in a tight battle for the UEFA Cup places with, of all teams, Roma. Pruzzo did not score all season, but his new side managed to finish level on points with Roma, meaning a play-off was needed to determine who would qualify for Europe. In his last game as a professional footballer, as he lined up against his former teammates, Pruzzo finally scored his first goal for La Viola. Like Di Bartolomei for Milan a few years prior, there was an ironic element of fate about it, as someone who had contributed so much to Roma's history came back to haunt them. Pruzzo's goal was the only one of the game, meaning the Giallorossi went without European football the next season. He may have spoiled the party that day, but it did not take away from the mutual affection between Pruzzo and the Roma faithful. Amedeo Amadei Around half a century before Pruzzo, Roma's goal-getter in chief was Amedeo Amadei - who to this day remains the youngest player to have ever represented the club, having debuted at the age of 15. Amadei scored precisely 100 league goals for Roma, although this figure would likely have been more had the league championships not been interrupted by the Second World War. Whereas Roma were growing towards the start of the global conflict, culminating in their first Scudetto in 1942, the years after hit them hard, with severe financial problems forcing them to sell Amadei to Inter in 1948. Still only 27 years old at the time, he undoubtedly could have contributed so much more for Roma had fate allowed, but even after his departure, his love for the club remained. Legend has it that Amadei asked his new club not to play him against Roma if ever his former side were struggling. He did end up playing against the Giallorossi in his first season away from the capital, but contributed little to the game. By his own admission, he felt unable. The season after, though, he netted against Roma in a 3-1 win for Inter. By the time the Lupi had returned from their sole season in Serie B, Amadei had transferred to Napoli, for whom he lined up against his first ever club on a few occasions. Again, though, his contributions against Roma were limited. Of the 47 league goals he scored for Napoli before he retired, only one came against his former employers. Fulvio Bernardini One of the more senior players on the pitch when Amadei made his Roma debut all those years ago was Fulvio Bernardini, the second captain in the club's history. The technically gifted midfielder joined Roma one year after their amalgamation and immediately elevated their potential. Despite starting his career with Lazio (albeit before Roma were formed), Bernardini wrote his name in club folklore thanks to his incredible commitment over 11 seasons. When the time came to leave Roma, Bernardini was ready to go into coaching -a decision De Rossi is tipped to make when he hangs up his boots - but it wasn't time for him to give up playing just yet. He dropped down to the Italian third tier to become player-manager of local side MATER. Just like he had done at Roma, Bernardini inspired his new club to greater heights. After three seasons, he led MATER to promotion to Serie B, in which he played for them for one season before the division was temporarily halted for the Roman War Championship. Bernardini stayed in his role for two further years before retiring at the age of 39 upon the dissolution of the club. Four years after, he was back at Roma as manager - a fate that many fans would love to see for De Rossi as well one day. The former number 16 would hope to have a better fate than Bernardini, who lasted less than a full season in the dugout in what was, as mentioned above, a difficult time for the club. Nonetheless, he went on to have a distinguished coaching career thereafter, winning Serie A with both Fiorentina and Bologna, and has long since taken his place alongside De Rossi in the history of the club.
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 As Daniele De Rossi prepares to head to Argentina on his 36th birthday to sign for Boca Juniors, the reality that he is no longer a Roma player is really beginning to hit home - if it hadn't already.
De Rossi's exit from his hometown club meant that, despite being second on the list of all-time appearances, he would never get the chance to win a Serie A title with Roma - a cruel fate that has also met several of the club's biggest legends. Here are just 10 of the players whose great service to Roma sadly never culminated in a league title. Giacomo Losi De Rossi shares a feat with Francesco Totti, who of course did win Serie A with Roma, that no-one else can match - that of making more appearances for the club than Giacomo Losi. Representing no other team in Serie A, defender Losi featured for Roma on an impressive 455 occasions. He remains the only captain to have lifted a European trophy with Roma - the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1961 - but was never able to add the Italian title to his medal collection. Fulvio Bernardini Long before even Losi, Bernardini was a player whose contribution to Roma was so great that their training ground is named after him to this day. Joining the club in 1928, a year after their foundation, the midfielder was undoubtedly one of the best of his generation, playing his part in laying the groundworks for Roma to become serious challengers, but he dropped down to Serie C to close out his career three years before Roma won their first ever Scudetto. Pedro Manfredini One of the key players in the Fairs Cup triumph, having been the tournament's top scorer that year, Manfredini was one of the most clinical strikers in Roma's history. No foreign player scored more goals for the club than the Argentine, who had a phenomenal goals-to-games ratio - but like his teammate Losi, he couldn't clinch Scudetto honours during his time in Rome. Rodolfo Volk Another great striker from an earlier era, Volk holds several impressive records for Roma. As the first ever goalscorer in the Derby Della Capitale and the first player to reach 100 goals for the club, his place in history is assured. However, his five-year stint in Rome ended without a trophy. Francesco Rocca One of the first players to be inducted into the Roma Hall of Fame, Rocca was a one-club man who, despite only scoring two goals in his career, will always be remembered by the Giallorossi faithful for his loyalty. Roma's left-back of the 1970s brushed shoulders with many members of the squad that would conquer Italy in 1983, but he had retired before he could have been a part of that glorious triumph. Sergio Santarini Santarini left Roma in the same year as Rocca (1981), and was a player who had similar longevity with the club. The defender played for the Lupi across three decades, having joined in the late 1960s, and won three Coppe Italia with the club; however, just like his teammate, the league title eluded him. Alcides Ghiggia The legendary winger, who scored the winning goal for Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final, was one of Roma's most gifted players in the 1950s and 60s. He made more than 200 appeareances, with the crowning glory of his time in Italy being the Fairs Cup triumph he was a part of alongside Losi and Manfredini. The year after he left Roma, he finally won Serie A with AC Milan - although he only played a bit part role. Toninho Cerezo One of the players added to the squad after the Scudetto was won in 1983, it was hoped that Cerezo could help inspire an age of dominance for Roma. He played a big part in the Giallorossi's quest to the final of the European Cup in his first year, only for his new side to be beaten by Liverpool. Like Ghiggia, he managed to win a league title elsewhere after leaving Roma, with Sampdoria in 1991 - although he was once again a beaten finalist in the European Cup the following season. Pierino Prati One of the legendary Nils Liedholm's first signings at Roma in 1973, Prati was hoping to replicate the success he had had at Milan, where he had won the Scudetto in 1968. Despite his optimal goalscoring record in the 1974-75 season, Roma only came third that year - and it turned out to be his highest league finish with the club. He had retired by the time his former coach Liedholm guided Roma to the title in the 1980s. Rudi Voller A striker of international quality, Germany legend Voller was Roma's top scorer in three of his five years in Italy. Unfortunately, that stint came in something of a bridging period between Roma's two most recent league titles. Joining in 1987 for Liedholm's last full season in charge, it was the end of an era as Voller lent his talents to the Lupi. After scoring 68 goals for the club, Voller left Roma in 1992, the year before a certain Francesco Totti made his debut - signalling the start of a new journey that would reach its pinnacle almost a decade on, with the club's third league title coming in the 2000-01 campaign. It would be hard to find a more hated man at Roma than Franco Baldini at present.
The former sporting director, turned advisor to president James Pallotta, has drawn the wrath of fans due to his influence in the decision not to reward Daniele De Rossi with a new contract, while he was also called out by Francesco Totti in all but name when the Roma legend announced his resignation from his role as a director. "You can't have too many people sticking their oar in and causing chaos," Totti ranted. "Everyone should do their own job and leave the others to get on with their own work, that'd allow everything to run smoothly. "You can do all the talking you want from Trigoria, but the last word will always come from London." While members of the club hierarchy confirmed that Baldini no longer had an official role with the club, it was clear for all to see that he was still pulling the strings, abusing his close ties with Pallotta to overturn the wishes of others within the club. New sporting director Gianluca Petrachi, however, insisted that he would not let Baldini overpower him when he spoke to the press for the first time. "I want everyone here to understand that Franco Baldini won't be influencing my decisions or telling me what to do," he insisted, "because before joining this club, I said quite clearly: 'If you want me, this is who I am; otherwise, you've got the wrong guy'." A breath of fresh air, no doubt, for the fans who had grown so tired, frustrated and angry at Baldini's opinion being taken more seriously than anyone else's. The strong-willed Petrachi admitted, however, that Baldini could still be an asset. "But Franco Baldini can be resource for me. He has an in-depth knowledge of the game and he's done my job before. He knows the difficulties and problems I face. "If Franco Baldini calls me tonight, as he's done in recent days and weeks, and says, 'There's the chance to get this player', if he knows the right channels to go down, and if he's the right sort of player, I'll tell him to go ahead and then I'll speak to whoever I have to speak to. That's the sort of collaboration there should be between a consultant and a sporting director. I can assure you that if the opposite were to happen, then I wouldn't be sitting here." Not even a week on, and Baldini is already back in the news. However, this time, he could actually be doing Roma a favour. According to La Stampa's Matteo De Santis, Baldini will meet with Tottenham Hotspur - another club with whom he has a tarnished reputation, having overseen the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid before re-investing the money poorly - to discuss the possibility of Roma signing Toby Alderweireld on Friday. The Belgian centre-back has excelled in his five seasons in the Premier League - initially at Southampton, and then at Spurs. One of the best defenders in the division, he has frequently been linked with a move to bigger clubs such as Manchester United, with his £25m (€27.8m) release clause looking more than appealing in the current market. Far from just being a replacement for Kostas Manolas, Alderweireld would be a definitive upgrade over the Greek, who recently departed for Napoli. A much more solid player who is also better on the ball, his 30 years of age should be no concern. Roma need players of his quality now. If Baldini was successful in his attempts to bring Alderweireld to Roma, how far would that go towards changing the general perception of him? It will take a long time for him to rebuild the bridges he burnt by playing a role in pushing Totti and De Rossi out of the club, but, if he's not going to go away, then this would be an ideal first step on a difficult road to redemption. If any deal included Nicolo Zaniolo going the other way, then it may feel like going back to square one, but realistically, it's important not to get too carried away by the young midfielder. His first season was inconsistent, and Roma may never get these kinds of offers for him again. Alderweireld would be more important to this team right now. Without Champions League football next season, Roma shouldn't really be able to compete for a player of such quality. But if Baldini can make it possible, it would be a coup. Adding Alderweireld could be the remedy he needs. This is exactly the kind of deal that Petrachi was talking about: Baldini has his contacts, and if they can help him benefit Roma, then he could be useful after all. He might just be able to give them a few leads on players that can bolster the quality of the squad. But it would just be one step, and a far from certain one at that. In reality, it will likely take more than just Alderweireld to heal the wounds that Baldini has inflicted on the supporters recently. This was not how to treat a legend.
Whether you agree with everything that Francesco Totti said at his explosive farewell press conference yesterday or not, the one thing that is clear is that he has been shown a distinct lack of respect. Both in his final years as a player - when he was still making an impact, even if it was usually from the bench - and in his two years as a director. Totti has been tossed aside, neglected, forgotten about - just like his former teammate Daniele De Rossi was this past season. After a 30-year connection with the club, turning down lucrative offers from more successful sides, he deserved to have at least a fraction of that loyalty repaid by being taken seriously. Yes, some of what Totti said wasn't the full picture. For example, his claim that the directors only told him he'd be retiring as a player "two rounds before the end" is wide of the mark; there is clear evidence to show that 2016-17 had been confirmed as his last season with Roma. But the vast majority of everything else he said is believable. It was already known that Totti personally chose Claudio Ranieri as Roma's interim coach when Eusebio Di Francesco was dismissed in March. That was the best decision made by anyone at the club last season. Ranieri was exactly what Roma needed at that moment in time, and got them looking up the table again, rather than over their shoulders. That was Totti's sign that he could make good technical decisions. So why was his input not asked for more? In the transfer market, he said he would have signed Hakim Ziyech instead of Javier Pastore. Hindsight is easy, but who wouldn't have? Let's be quite clear here: from the beginning, everyone knew Pastore wouldn't fit in. Ziyech had the season of his life. Maybe Totti should have accepted the role offered to him for one year, to see how things changed when given the new title. Being a technical director may have allowed him to make more important decisions like these. Maybe. Perhaps it was just another illusory title to make the people believe he was involved to the extent that he should have been, when it was really other people pulling the strings. Franco Baldini. Where does he go from here? He was already the most hated man in Rome - or, more precisely, London - before this, but Totti's comments, no matter how often he tried to insist there was no bad blood between them, were indicting. Baldini doesn't even have an official title, but is clearly calling the shots. This was a man who was essential in putting the Roma side together that last won Serie A in 2001. The man who signed Gabriel Batistuta, Emerson and Walter Samuel - all key players in that glorious season. Now his reputation is in tatters. And what have Roma got to show for his decision making? It will be a long time before they are competing for that crown again. James Pallotta will stay put. No matter how many times the fans tell him to 'Go Home' - an ironic statement, given that one of the main criticisms of the president is that he is never present in Rome - Pallotta remains convinced that he will see through his project. Is that project to build a successful team, or just a stadium? It was thought that the latter would help the former, but after eight years of setbacks, his patience must have been tested. But as seen in the statement that Roma released to respond to Totti's comments - notably unsigned, perhaps trying to use the power of the name of the whole club to turn things against the ex-captain - Pallotta has no intention of walking away. Figuratively, of course. That statement, if anything, helped Totti's case more than the powers that be at the club. It painted a picture of him as a trouble-causer, which he is exactly what he complained about at his press conference. Maybe, to some extent, he is. We saw it on the pitch sometimes. But he made up for it with his skill and good judgement; why couldn't he as a director? Whatever he has done has been with the best interests of Roma at heart. If that needs honesty, then that's what he'll give. Just like Ranieri did before he departed - but to an even bigger degree. Now, no longer a part of the formula after 30 years, Totti is at an incredibly low point. "This is far worse than retiring as a player," he confessed. "I feel like it'd be better if I died." Have the club learnt nothing from Agostino Di Bartolomei? Yes, he played in a different time, under a different owner, but Roma's lack of contact with him post-retirement was one of the many factors that led to him taking his own life at the age of 39, and it was a lesson that had to be learnt from. He did not receive the support he needed, and, in a story with a different conclusion, but one that is sad in its own way, neither has Totti. The transition from playing to being a director is a tough one, especially for a bandiera. After so many years of putting on the same shirt in the same changing room, at the same stadium, suddenly not being a part of the action on matchday must bring all kinds of emotions. It's a process that players need supporting through; they are people, after all, and while they are expected to perform like machines on the pitch, they have their own feelings off it too. Perhaps that's a role that the club should create - a person to oversee players making that transition into retirement. It would help them feel more involved, wanted - not cast aside like Totti has been. Because legends deserve a respect that goes beyond appreciation of what they did on the pitch. Waking up on 18th June, 2019, has been a strange feeling for all Romanisti. It's the first full day in which Francesco Totti has not been employed by Roma this century. For some, it will be the first day in their lives in which that has been the case. Those fans, of all ages, remain at his side though, willing to show him the love and support that their club - his club - have so clearly failed to do.
Giallorossi Yorkshire's season review concludes with the individual awards for Roma's players.
For the first time, fans had a say in the awards, as the Goal of the Season vote was made open to the public. The vote went right down to the wire, requiring a secondary Twitter poll. Elsewhere, Giallorossi Yorkshire has chosen some familiar awards, such as Player of the Season, Most Improved Player, and to celebrate their inaugural season, there are four accolades for the women's team. Here are the winners in full. Young Player of the Year - Nicolo Zaniolo This one picked itself. Zaniolo took Serie A by storm in his first season in the top flight, finishing with four goals and two assists from 27 league appearances. The midfielder wasn't afraid of a physical battle despite his lack of experience at a senior level, and became one of his team's most important players with a string of impressive performances. Old Player of the Year - Daniele De Rossi It's not just the young players who deserve credit. Without the influence of those nearer the end of their careers, the season could have been even worse. Antonio Mirante made a big contribution in goal, but the award has to go to De Rossi. In his final season with the club, he continued to give everything when he was on the pitch, as Roma won 10 of the 18 Serie A games he played in. Even at 35, his influence was clear to see. Most Improved Player - Federico Fazio Under Eusebio Di Francesco, Fazio showed the worst form of his time at Roma so far. The defender was losing his concentration and struggling with pace. The last part had always been an issue for him, but he had overcome it with his reading of the game. At the start of the season, though, it wasn't happening. Cue Claudio Ranieri's appointment and cue Fazio's improvement. The Argentine was back to his best, making vital blocks and tackles as Roma closed the season on a nine-game unbeaten run. Signing of the Year - Nicolo Zaniolo Once again, Mirante falls just short of claiming an award in his first season with Roma. The goalkeeper is just beaten to it by Zaniolo, due to the lack of expectations that were on the teenager's shoulders when he arrived. Nobody could have foreseen the contributions Zaniolo would make. And at less than €5m, he is looking like one of the shrewdest purchases in recent history. If Roma decide to sell him on in the future, they could make 10 times that. Women's Young Player of the Year - Giada Greggi In Roma Women's first ever season, a number of youngsters were a key part of the formula. One of those who showed maturity beyond her years was 19-year-old Greggi. A dynamic midfielder, Rome-born Greggi inspired her team with her work rate and creativity. No player contributed more assists for Betty Bavagnoli's side over the season. Greggi even established herself as vice-captain despite her young age, and should be a leader for this side for years to come. Women's Most Improved Player - Flaminia Simonetti Greggi's fellow Rome-born midfielder was in and out of the side in the first half of the season, but Simonetti seized her chance when a couple of her teammates were out injured, and became a key part of the starting lineup in the final weeks. She played with a great determination, helping her to score five goals - bettered only by Annamaria Serturini. Women's Goal of the Year - Luisa Pugnali v Orobica Roma Women's debut campaign brought several impressive goals, with the February win over Orobica bringing two on the same day. Bartoli scored with an overhead kick, but just edging it for goal of the year is Pugnali's strike from earlier in the match. The forward dribbled down the wing with intent, sending one opponent falling to the floor. Pugnali then curled the ball way beyond the goalkeeper's despairing reach.
Women's Player of the Year - Elisa Bartoli Fiercely committed and with the ability to match, diehard Romanista Bartoli jumped at the opportunity to play for her beloved club. A clear choice for captain, she led by example throughout, marauding forward from her left-back position. It's never clear how things will gel in a team's first season, but the squad could not have asked for a better leader than Bartoli to guide them through it. Men's Goal of the Year - Stephan El Shaarawy v Inter It was a close-run contest, as Cengiz Under's strike against Frosinone tied with two El Shaarawy goals - one against Sampdoria and one against Inter - in the initial poll. The Italian's strike against Inter just edged it in the second vote, and it was a deserving winner. El Shaarawy waited for his moment before sending the ball flying in. Player of the Year - Stephan El Shaarawy Of course, it was one of many great moments in El Shaarawy's season. The winger finally established himself as a consistent game-changer, often inspiring his side when they were struggling. At 26 years old, he began to show leadership qualities, and his performances on the pitch proved how much he has matured in his three-and-a-half years with Roma. With just one year left on his contract, it's essential that Roma keep hold of him, and that he keeps progressing as he has this year. Congratulations to all the winners!
Part four of Giallorossi Yorkshire’s season review sees each player’s performances for Roma in 2018-19 rated out of 10.
Each player is given an average rating, based on their scores from matches across the season, and a season rating – a more general reflection of their campaign as a whole. It was a largely disappointing season, so who is to blame, and who can come out of it with their head still held high? Robin Olsen Average Rating: 5.88 Season Rating: 4 Replacing one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Alisson Becker with an unproven Robin Olsen, who had never played in a major European league, was one of Monchi’s biggest mistakes in his time as Roma’s sporting director. Olsen had had a steady World Cup with Sweden, but it should not have been enough to bring him to Roma. The gamble backfired, as the former Copenhagen man made several basic errors which cost his side points. Antonio Mirante Average Rating: 7.00 Season Rating: 8 Fortunately, Claudio Ranieri noticed a change was needed, and replaced Olsen with Mirante. Initially signed as a backup keeper last summer, Mirante proved his worth with a number of impressive performances after claiming a starting berth. Unlike Olsen, he provided a sense of calmness to those in front of him, and was always reliable. He has to be considered as one of the signings of the season. Alessandro Florenzi Average Rating: 5.47 Season Rating: 6.5 It was a season of ups and downs for Florenzi, but that’s just who he is now. What the right-back sometimes lacks in technical quality, he makes up for in heart and desire – which will see him assume the role of club captain next season. Towards the end of the season, he started to show glimpses of his former self, with promising displays against the likes of Juventus. Three goals and three assists in all competitions is hardly a bad return. Rick Karsdorp Average Rating: 6.00 Season Rating: 6.5 Unlike the previous season, 2018-19 actually gave Karsdorp some opportunities to play. And when he did feature, he showed why the club had been so faithful in him. Confident in both directions up and down the right flank, his season was disrupted by injury again, but if he can stay fit, he could still be a top level full-back. Davide Santon Average Rating: 6.29 Season Rating: 7 Some fans scoffed when Santon was included as part of the deal that sent Radja Nainggolan to Inter, but the Italian silenced his doubters with some solid performances. Consistently strong, his ability to play in either full-back role should have been utilised more often by his coaches. Kostas Manolas Average Rating: 5.92 Season Rating: 5.5 Manolas was one of the heroes of 2017-18, as he came to embody the miraculous win over Barcelona, in which he scored the decisive goal. In 2018-19, however, he didn’t live up to those standards. Perhaps his head was turned by talk of a move away, but as a senior player he needed to stand up more when his side were struggling. Federico Fazio Average Rating: 5.97 Season Rating: 6 It’s unfashionable to say it, but Fazio had as many good games as Nicolo Zaniolo over the course of the season. Under Eusebio Di Francesco, he struggled, exposed by the coach’s preference for a high line, but when Ranieri replaced the former Sassuolo boss, Fazio once again became the strong defender he had been in the prior two seasons. Juan Jesus Average Rating: 5.14 Season Rating: 6 A player who never gives anything less than 100% when he steps onto the pitch, Jesus was a touch unlucky not to have played more, especially when Fazio was struggling. He has vastly improved in his three years with Roma, even if he hasn’t been given the chance to be a regular starter. Ivan Marcano Average Rating: 5.08 Season Rating: 5 The acquisition of Marcano on a free from Porto appeared to be something of a coup at the time. Roma were getting an experienced player who could provide competition in a problematic position. However, the centre-back did not feature as much as expected, even if he did show that he could have been an option at left-back as well. Aleksandar Kolarov Average Rating: 6.28 Season Rating: 6 A player who has as many good games as he does bad, Kolarov managed to get through another full season as Roma’s first choice left-back. When it's not his day, he can be a liability in defence, but going forward he was a positive presence, with only Edin Dzeko and Stephan El Shaarawy scoring more than him. However, it is essential that Roma have a younger player to compete for a starting role in the position next season. Steven Nzonzi Average Rating: 6.13 Season Rating: 6 Big things were expected from Nzonzi when he joined Roma in the summer, fresh from winning the World Cup with France. However, his season was a slow burner – perhaps due to fatigue from that gruelling tournament. Like Fazio, he improved vastly under Ranieri, being a combative presence in midfield, breaking up play and making good passes. He didn’t quite reach the world class standards expected of him, but he was nowhere near as poor as some people have made out. Daniele De Rossi Average Rating: 6.05 Season Rating: 7.5 It’s not just sentiment because of who he is – De Rossi could easily have been player of the season if he had been fit all year. His presence on the pitch made a massive difference to his beloved team, as he inspired those around him to raise their games when others were backing down. Fully committed despite his increasing years, the departing captain proved that he could still influence games. In the last of his 18 seasons with Roma, he went out on a high. Lorenzo Pellegrini Average Rating: 5.91 Season Rating: 7.5 One of the players that will have to step up in the absence of De Rossi next year, Pellegrini proved that he could be a future leader in a campaign that demonstrated how much he has progressed since he returned to his hometown club. When deployed in a more advanced role, the number seven was a creative force, helping link up his team’s play. Injuries meant the second half of his season wasn’t as productive, but he has shown that he can be a key player in the near future. Bryan Cristante Average Rating: 5.21 Season Rating: 6.5 It’s still hard to know what to make of Cristante. What kind of midfielder is he? Signed after a high-scoring season with Atalanta, the Italian did not replicate the kind of form he showed in front of goal with the Bergamo side. Later in the campaign, he started to play better in a deeper role, breaking up play well, but he must improve his forward passing if he is to nail down a regular spot at a club of Roma’s stature for years to come. Ante Coric Average Rating: N/A Season Rating: 5 One of the first players in the door in the summer transfer window, Coric’s opportunities were seriously restricted. At 22 years old, he should not be treated as a youth player, but his coaches did not see him as part of the first team picture, meaning his ability is still up for question. Nicolo Zaniolo Average Rating: 5.9 Season Rating: 7.5 An unknown quantity when he arrived with Santon from Inter in the summer, Zaniolo wasn’t expected to take on much responsibility, but after holding his own against Real Madrid on his debut in the Champions League, the teenager began to force himself into the starting lineup. Quickly emerging as a fan favourite, Zaniolo impressed with his skill and strength, but faded slightly towards the end of the year. He must be more careful not to give cheap fouls away in future, but these are minor details. As far as debut seasons go, Zaniolo couldn’t have done much better. Alessio Riccardi Average Rating: N/A Season Rating: N/A Included for sake of completeness, Roma’s promising academy prospect made his debut against Virtus Entella. He was deployed in a deeper role than he is used to, and wasn’t brought on early enough to showcase just how good he can be. Javier Pastore Average Rating: 2.88 Season Rating: 3 The less said, the better. Eyebrows were raised when Monchi vainly parted with nearly €25m for a 29-year-old player who not only had a recent history of injury problems, but didn’t even fit into the only tactical system used by Di Francesco. Pastore, who was inexplicably offered a five-year contract, showed a bit of promise early on with two backheel goals, but after that, the injuries came back to bite him, and he showed an unacceptable lack of effort. Cengiz Under Average Rating: 6.06 Season Rating: 6 Cengiz had announced himself to the world with a number of wonder goals in his first season with Roma, and he started on the right path in his second campaign with a great strike against Frosinone. However, like many of his teammates, injuries hampered his progress, meaning he couldn’t match his tally from the season before. Justin Kluivert Average Rating: 5.71 Season Rating: 6 Roma beat off some strong competition to sign Kluivert from Ajax, but the winger’s debut season with the club was hot and cold. It started on the right note, with an impressive assist for Edin Dzeko in the season opener against Torino, but he struggled for regular gametime thereafter. Di Francesco was reluctant to use him on the right wing when he was a capable option there. Kluivert seems to have no regrets though, even with his former side reaching the Champions League semi-finals without him. Diego Perotti Average Rating: 5.29 Season Rating: 5.5 An often under-appreciated member of the squad, Perotti played less than in any of his three other campaigns with the club – one of which only lasted half the season. However, he still managed to stick away a few of his trademark penalties, as well as netting an impressive half-volley against Fiorentina. Stephan El Shaarawy Average Rating: 6.09 Season Rating: 9 A player who arrived at the same time as Perotti three-and-a-half years ago, El Shaarawy was superb in his first half-season with the club, but had struggled to replicate that form on a regular basis since. In 2018-19, though, he finally stepped up again, shedding the inconsistency which had been holding him back, to become Roma’s most important player. The most frequent source of goals for his side in Serie A, El Shaarawy was a constant threat on the left flank. Tying him down to a new contract should be a matter of urgency for the next sporting director. Edin Dzeko Average Rating: 5.37 Season Rating: 5 Dzeko was the only man to outscore El Shaarawy in all competitions for Roma, but in reality, his season was much worse than his teammate’s. The Bosnian forward looked a shadow of himself as he struggled to make an impact on games. His finishing ability was much more reminiscent of his nightmare first season with Roma than the two that followed, in which he became a club hero. However, despite his disappointing campaign, he should be remembered as just that if he leaves this summer. It wasn’t to be in 2018-19, but Dzeko has still made a big contribution to this club. Patrik Schick Average Rating: 5.68 Season Rating: 5.5 Looking at his form with Czech Republic compared to with Roma, it seems like his club coaches haven’t quite known how to get the best out of Schick. Once again, he struggled to justify his big price tag, but he did start to improve after hiring a mental coach, to help him with the psychological side of the sport. Has he done enough to stay? It’s hard to tell, but there is still a player waiting to be unleashed in there somewhere. Zan Celar Average Rating: N/A Season Rating: N/A Like Riccardi, included for completeness. The Primavera striker had a very impressive season in the youth ranks, but was only given one late cameo for the first team. Perhaps during one of Dzeko's or Schick's barren spells, he should have been given more chances from the bench. Giallorossi Yorkshire's review of 2018-19 will conclude this Friday with the season awards. Don't miss your opportunity to vote for the goal of the season via the poll at the bottom of this link.
Giallorossi Yorkshire's end of season review gets underway with a look at five areas that could have changed how things went for Roma in the past campaign.
2018-19 was one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory for the Lupi, as they missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time in six years. But could things have turned out differently? What if Antonio Mirante had been first choice all year? One of the worst decisions made by Monchi in the summer was to sell Alisson and replace him with the unproven Robin Olsen. The gamble didn't pay off, as the Swede showed he was not up to the standard required to be Roma's number one. Claudio Ranieri recognised this when he came in as interim manager, and after Olsen had conceded four goals against Napoli, the coach made back-up keeper Mirante his first choice. Immediately, it was the right decision. Mirante gave much more confidence to his backline - perhaps a factor in Federico Fazio's improvement during Ranieri's tenure as well - and pulled off some impressive saves to ensure Roma got better results. There's no doubting that Olsen cost Roma some points, whereas Mirante helped his side to gain them. What if Eusebio Di Francesco had noticed the problem before, and Mirante had been between the sticks all season? What if Di Francesco had been sacked earlier? The decision to make Mirante the first choice keeper was not the only one where Ranieri showed himself to be more prudent than his predecessor. Di Francesco deserved a chance to carry on with Roma after the previous season's miraculous Champions League run, but - not helped by the fact that Monchi signed players that didn't fit into his preferred system - the former Sassuolo boss showed naivety throughout the season. The best time to dismiss Di Francesco would have been straight after the 7-1 loss to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. Such a result was unacceptable, and it made his position untenable. Yes, Ranieri was still in employment at Fulham at the time, so maybe it would have been another, less successful interim manager, but nonetheless, it was clear to everyone that a change was needed - at least, everyone other than Monchi, the man with the power. What if Nicolo Zaniolo hadn't been played out of position? One of the brighter notes of Roma's season was the emergence of teenager Nicolo Zaniolo, who was shown faith from the start, with Di Francesco giving him his debut against then-Champions League titlists Real Madrid before he had even made a Serie A appearance. The summer signing held his own in the midfield three, thriving in a central area. However, partly enforced due to injuries, Zaniolo was moved out to the right wing midway through the season. His attacking output and ability to cut in onto his left foot suggested he would be a competent option for the role, but if anything, it worked to his detriment. Often, the former Inter academy player found himself isolated from games, or crowded out with a lack of space. By the end of the season, his confidence was gone, and he looked a shadow of the player that had announced himself to the world earlier in the season. Maybe if he had been kept in a central role, he would have maintained his high standards right to the end. What if Monchi had made a January signing? As mentioned above, the only person who didn't seem to realise that everything was going wrong was the club's chief decision maker, Monchi. Going into the January transfer window, it was obvious that he needed to sign reinforcements. Roma were in sixth place, and had conceded more goals than even 15th-placed Udinese. However, Monchi stated that the solutions to Roma's problems were to be found within the present squad. In some ways, he may have been right. Fazio and Steven Nzonzi particularly improved when Ranieri came in, but it was obviously not enough. More depth was needed, especially in the full-back areas and attack. That could have helped avoid the problem listed in the point above regarding Zaniolo. If a winger had been signed to cover for the injured Cengiz Under, then maybe Roma could have made a more sustained challenge to break into the top four. What if Daniele De Rossi had been fit all year? Another of Roma's better players throughout the season, despite all the factors against him, was Daniele De Rossi. Matches changed when the captain was involved, as he encouraged those around him to raise their games via his own quality and leadership. He may have only scored one league goal all season, but his presence on the pitch was enough to influence results. Sadly, he spent much of the campaign on the sidelines with injury. If he had been available more, then Roma would surely have done better. Of course, he would not have played in every game, but he would have been there enough to make more of a difference. Perhaps he would have even earned himself the one last contract extension that he was eventually denied. Alas, we shall never know. After many years of steady progress on and off the pitch, Roma find themselves back at square one following a dismal season, which saw changes in the squad, head coach and sporting director.
For the first time in six years, Roma failed to finish in the Champions League places, meaning even more changes are set to take place this summer. Missing out on qualifying for the competition is a huge blow to the club's finances, meaning key players are likely to be sold, and with no clear sign of who is going to take over as the next coach, the situation is becoming more complicated by the day. Here, Giallorossi Yorkshire takes a look at what happened in the summer after the last time Roma finished sixth (in 2012-13), to see if that can give any insight into how the club might set about their rebuild this time around. The managerial situation Just like this season, Roma's last majorly disappointing year ended with a caretaker manager in charge. Aurelio Andreazzoli, long-time assistant at the club, had replaced Zdenek Zeman on an interim basis in February, but like Claudio Ranieri this year, wasn't given the role full-time. Instead, Roma's leadership looked abroad. Lille coach Rudi Garcia was appointed as the new head coach, despite having never played or coached in Italy before. Garcia had led Lille to the Ligue 1 and Coupe De France double in 2010-11, with the league title being their first since the 1950s. However, his final season in charge had seen the French side finish 6th, just like the club he was joining. It was a somewhat left-field appointment, a calculated gamble, but it almost had the desired effect. Under Garcia, Roma won their first 10 Serie A matches, setting a new league record. However, the momentum was lost towards the end of the season, and Roma finished runners up to Juventus. In the short-term, Garcia gave Roma the breath of fresh air they needed, but he could never quite recapture that original magic thereafter. Perhaps Roma will pick out a foreign manager again this time. Could it be Paulo Fonseca from Shakhtar in Ukraine, or Pepe Bordalas from Getafe in Spain? The sales Several big names were sold following the failure to qualify for the Champions League. The most expensive departures were Erik Lamela for €30m and Marquinhos for €35m, two young South Americans who had blossomed at Roma and moved on to bigger things. Another significant departure was that of Dani Osvaldo, who moved to Southampton after two seasons with Roma, in both of which he was top scorer. Fellow attacker Bojan Krkic, who had spent the year out on loan at Milan, was bought back by Barcelona. In addition, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and midfielder Panagiotis Tachtisidis were moved on for small sums, while the squad was hit with the retirement of a legendary midfielder in Simone Perrotta - similar to how Roma are losing Daniele De Rossi now. Of course, Roma can expect to sell big names this summer, too. Kostas Manolas and Cengiz Under are probably the most likely candidates. They are the Marquinhos and Lamela of this team, in a way - two talents, a defender and a winger, who were given a platform by this club and can be sold on for a big profit. The Osvaldo to leave will likely be Edin Dzeko, who has not matched his standards of the past two seasons, and has been linked with PSG and Inter Milan. Dzeko's former Manchester City teammate, Aleksandar Kolarov, could also leave, with a return to boyhood club Red Star mooted. The signings In light of all the departures, some major signings were needed, and Roma ended up bringing 13 players to the club. Three of those - Gianluca Caprari, Giammario Piscitella and Valerio Verre - were returning after loans or co-ownerships, although the latter two were sold on straight away. The signings were a mix of talents picked from smaller Serie A clubs, and exciting arrivals from overseas. To replace Marquinhos, Mehdi Benatia was brought in from Udinese (who had finished fifth), while Lamela's departure was accounted for by the signings of Adem Ljajic and Gervinho - the latter having been part of the side that had won Ligue 1 under Garcia at Lille. The most expensive purchase was Kevin Strootman, a 23-year-old Dutch midfielder arriving from PSV. At the other end of the scale, the cheapest addition was Maicon, who joined on a free from Man City. Mattia Destro came in from Genoa, after top scoring on loan at Siena, while Morgan De Sanctis came in as the new first choice goalkeeper. How might a similar scenario play out this year? One defender who has been linked with the club is Gianluca Mancini. Like Udinese in 2013, Atalanta finished above Roma this year, and the Giallorossi could take one of their most important components to restore the natural order. The identity of the next coach is unclear, but perhaps he too will be reunited with a former player, who can become Garcia's Gervinho. Will Roma look at free agents like they did with Maicon? A number of decent players will be available for nothing this summer: Fernando Llorente has been linked as a replacement for Edin Dzeko, for example. The young potential In 2013, Roma also added some younger players, like Tin Jedvaj and Lukasz Skorupski, to freshen up the roster. This year, Banfield's Agustin Urzi has been linked, a 19-year-old Argentine winger. Players from the club's own youth ranks were also given bigger roles in the first team, such as defender Alessio Romagnoli, and, to a lesser extent, winger Federico Ricci. Will Roma supplement their squad next season with the talents of midfielder Alessio Riccardi, striker Zan Celar, or winger Gianmarco Cangiano, for example? Or perhaps a former youth player will be brought back, like Caprari was - Davide Frattesi, who was sold to Sassuolo in 2017, has been linked with a return after impressing on loan at Ascoli this year, and Luca Pellegrini can come back from his loan at Cagliari with renewed optimism of breaking into the Roma first team. The results As mentioned above, the changes Roma made had an immediate positive effect. The season ended with a second place finish in the league and a run to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, where they lost on aggregate to Napoli despite a first leg win. Several of the new signings strengthened the side, with Benatia, Gervinho, Destro, Skorupski and Strootman all being sold for profit in the future. Destro was Roma's top scorer in his debut year, Strootman was magnificent, and De Sanctis became a reliable number one. Even some of the outgoings worked in Roma's favour. Lamela has been injury prone at Tottenham Hotspur, Stekelenburg has never really played regularly since leaving, and Osvaldo, most bizarrely of all, has quit football altogether to become a musician. Despite all the turbulence, things worked out well in the end - at least in the short-term. So, even though the picture remains unclear in the present day, perhaps there is hope that Roma can recover next year, and return to where they should be. The big decisions must be made now. |
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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