GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Gianluca Mancini's first two goals for Roma helped seal a 3-1 win over Perugia in the first official friendly match of this pre-season.
As the squad travelled away from their Trigoria training ground for the first time this summer, Paulo Fonseca opted to give gametime to a large number of players again, with those selected in the second half mostly performing better than the ones who started the game. Mancini's brace followed up an instinctive opener from Edin Dzeko, although Roma did concede, when Pietro Iemello pulled it back to 2-1 before half-time. As Roma reacted to playing in front of a crowd again, here's what was learnt from the match. High press starting to take shape Roma's first half performance was rusty, to say the least, but out of possession they showed how they were growing into the image of how Fonseca wants them to play. The pressing was relentless, even in the opposition half. Unfortunately, it could not be matched by the defenders, who were collectively responsible for allowing Iemello's goal. However, the reaction in advanced positions was a positive sign for the coach. Keepers deal well under pressure Roma's main two goalkeepers, Pau Lopez and Antonio Mirante, each got a 45-minute run out, with both being given sterner tests than in the warm-up matches that have been played at Trigoria. Occasionally, teammates put them under pressure with loose passes, but both keepers reacted well. One of the main reasons Lopez has been brought in is because of his ability with his feet, and he started to show why Roma had believed in him with the way he helped conduct play from the back, even when under pressure. Mirante's efforts should not go unnoticed either, as he was alert to the danger, unafraid to come out of his box when needed, which earned him a nosebleed early on. Mancini not ready to be main man Despite his brace, Mancini's defensive performance left a little to be desired. He occasionally gave the ball away, while Roma were often caught out in behind. After the game, Fonseca urged that signing a new central defender is a priority, and he is correct. New arrival Mancini is promising, but showed that he needs to be partnered by a quality, experienced defender. If the Toby Alderweireld track is still viable, Roma must go all out for him. Schick sharper in short bursts Fonseca's affirmation that Roma need a new centre-back was a response to whether or not a centre-forward was needed more. However, Dzeko got his goal, so if he does end up staying, he may be able to revive his best form. As for second half sub Schick, he started the first quarter of an hour of his cameo at an impressive intensity. There were quick turns, sharp shots and decent link up play. The determination was as good as it has been so far from the Czech international. He still lacks something in terms of decision making, though, and needs to replicate that kind of attitude and form for the whole 90 minutes, not just 15. Floundering Florenzi highlights another area of need The worst performer on the pitch was Alessandro Florenzi. Despite making a decent start to pre-season as a left winger, he has been reverted to a right-back role, where he struggled again versus Perugia. The captain's passing was uncalibrated, and defensively he was often targeted, committing fouls or being beaten easily. It should be clear now that he should be operating on the left wing, where there is less risk of him making mistakes. Rick Karsdorp, if he can stay fit, can be a suitable option at right-back instead, as can Davide Santon - even if he has been used more centrally by Fonseca so far. Player Ratings: Mirante 7; Florenzi 3; Mancini 6; Fazio 6; Spinazzola 6; Diawara 6; Pellegrini 5; Under 6; Zaniolo 5; Perotti 5; Dzeko 6 Subs: Lopez 7; Karsdorp 6; Jesus 6; Kolarov 7; Nzonzi 7; Cristante 6; Antonucci 6; Kluivert 5; Schick 6 Man of the Match: Lopez
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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 Paulo Fonseca's first pre-season in charge of Roma continued on Saturday with a comfortable 10-1 win over Serie D side Trastevere.
Gianluca Mancini made his debut in the second half, while fellow new signings Pau Lopez and Leonardo Spinazzola both featured again. There were nine different scorers, with Edin Dzeko notching a brace. Once again, a former Primavera player found the net, with Christian D'Urso making his mark this time. Elsewhere, Cengiz Under, Mirko Antonucci, Patrik Schick and Diego Perotti all scored for the second game running. Like Thursday's pre-season opener, it was a game more about fitness levels and getting players minutes, but there were still some interesting talking points from the encounter. Florenzi always higher up the agenda Fonseca decided to use captain Alessandro Florenzi as a left winger in his first game in charge, after years of seeing the Roman wasted at right-back. He deployed the Italian in the same position again in the first half against Trastevere, and it looks like the 28-year-old is finally being unleashed. He threaded a delightful through ball to Under for his side's third goal, and after being moved to another role, central midfield, for the start of the second half, he set up Patrik Schick for another assist. Double threat down the left Despite his positive start to pre-season, Florenzi still may find it difficult to hold a regular place in his new position, due to the strong impact Diego Perotti has also made. The man who has worn the captain's armband in Florenzi's absence so far, Perotti seems ready to take a step up after an uneventful season on a personal note. He linked up well with left-back Spinazzola, with the duo combining for Perotti's goal. Both are right-footed players, but are showing confidence to go to the byline and use their weaker left feet as well. These combinations and alternative options will keep opposing defences guessing at any level. Bouah's positive impression Playing in Florenzi's old right-back role for the second half was Primavera defender Devid Bouah, who for the second game in a row made a good impression. Only 17 years of age, the Italian enjoyed surging forward and put in some good crosses. Roma have an abundance of options in the position now, so it shouldn't be expected to see him playing regularly come the new season, but he certainly looks like a prospect for the future. Concentration is essential It can be easy for players to get carried away when taking on an opposition of far lesser quality, but there is no excuse for complacency. Some started to creep in from Roma, with certain players trying too many flicks and ultimately losing possession. It's good for them to be creative and try new things, but even though these games are easy, they need to be treated in a manner relative to the kind of matches Roma will be playing in during the season. Those failed flicks will be punished in Serie A and Europe. There was also an error of judgement from Rick Karsdorp that led to Trastevere's goal. The full-back needlessly threw the ball to Federico Fazio, who couldn't control it, before the opposing attacker beat Robin Olsen in a one-on-one. Such risks don't paint a good picture and need to be reduced. Selection issues On the topic of the Swedish keeper, what can be made of the fact that he was playing? He surely has no future at Roma after last season's disaster, so why take minutes away from other keepers who do? Perhaps it has just been to put him in the shop window again, but it would be more beneficial for even a youth keeper to take part in these games instead. Likewise, Edin Dzeko started and put in a much improved performance. Is the striker being re-integrated into first team plans despite all the talk of a move away? If he can replicate that kind of performance against the better teams for Roma, then it would be fine, but it still looks likely that he'll be leaving. Surely the side needs to come first when the lineups are being picked. Player Ratings: Olsen 5; Karsdorp 6; Capradossi 6; Fazio 6; Kolarov 7; Cristante 7; Nzonzi 6; Under 7; Antonucci 7; Florenzi 8; Dzeko 8 Subs: Lopez 6; Bouah 7; Jesus 6; Mancini 6; Spinazzola 7; Santon 6; D'Urso 6; Defrel 6; Perotti 8; Schick 5 Man of the Match: Perotti The Paulo Fonseca era at Roma began yesterday with a 12-0 win over local side Tor Sapienza in a friendly match.
Fonseca selected two entirely different lineups for each half, with new signings Pau Lopez and Leonardo Spinazzola making their debuts. A Roma side featuring the duo, Steven Nzonzi, Gregoire Defrel and Javier Pastore took a five-goal lead into half-time, before Mirko Antonucci took centre-stage in the second half with a hat trick, playing alongside the likes of Edin Dzeko, Alessandro Florenzi and Robin Olsen. Against opposition of little quality, it’s hard to read too much into the performance, but even so, there is a story behind every game. And especially with this being the first in charge for Fonseca, there were some interesting observations to be made. Pastore’s movement This year could be a fresh start for Javier Pastore, who struggled tactically and fitness-wise in his first season with Roma. While last season he was often quite lazy, against Tor Sapienza he roamed freely about the pitch, looking to get on the ball. It was still hardly a display of top level dynamism, but it didn’t exactly need to be against such opposition. Perhaps he can build on this to find a rhythm ahead of the new campaign. Spinazzola’s positive debut The reaction to most of Roma’s signings this summer has been positive, but perhaps the one to have received the most mixed reception was Leonardo Spinazzola. His quality wasn’t in doubt, but fans were concerned over his fitness, and the fact that his arrival meant the sale of Luca Pellegrini to Juventus. However, his debut showed he can become a solid presence for the team at left-back. He even marked the occasion with a goal, in which he cut inside onto his stronger right foot. Notably, he was one of the only players to break into a smile after scoring - another sign that he seems genuinely pleased to be at the club, and ready to kick on and prove himself. Anonymous strikers Both Dzeko and Patrik Schick got on the scoresheet, with the former contributing an impressive assist for Cengiz Under’s goal as well, but besides that, their involvement in the play was minimal. Schick’s two goals were good finishes, but he still looks unsettled in a Roma shirt, struggling to get involved in the play. Dzeko dropped off massively in intensity after getting his goal, wasting a couple of opportunities. Unlike Spinazzola, his head is clearly not with Roma right now. Meanwhile, fellow striker Defrel returned to the right wing, after impressing centrally with Sampdoria last year, and encountered similar problems to the ones he had in his first season at Roma. In patches he was lively, but lacked the conviction to take on some shots as well. He remains not quite up to standard for a club of Roma’s ambitions. Youth's contrasting fortunes Fonseca called up Primavera midfielders Emanuele Spinozzi and Alessandro Bordin - both of whom spent last season out on loan - for the game, with each playing in one half. The former even got on the scoresheet, and looked eager to get forward. The most successful youngster on the pitch, though, was undoubtedly Antonucci. Also returning from a loan, and the only one of the three to have featured for Roma's first team in a competitive match to date, the attacking midfielder took his opportunity by adding three goals and an assist for Florenzi. Whether the 20-year-old has the physicality to compete at a more realistic level remains to be seen, but he was certainly central to Roma's fluidity. Right-back experiments Four right-backs took to the pitch, but only two were used in that role. In the first half, Davide Santon partnered Juan Jesus at centre-back, and while he wasn't tested much, it may be an experiment worth persevering with. Perhaps more significant was the deployment of Florenzi as a left winger in the second period. The captain has played there before, only rarely, yet he didn't look out of place. He's no Stephan El Shaarawy, but perhaps he can revive his reputation by putting in some good performances from the opposite side of the pitch to usual. Player Ratings: (First Half) Lopez 6; Karsdorp 6; Santon 7; Jesus 7; Spinazzola 8; Nzonzi 6; Spinozzi 7; Defrel 6; Pastore 7; Perotti 7; Schick 6 (Second Half) Olsen 6; Bouah 7; Capradossi 6; Fazio 6; Kolarov 6; Cristante 6; Bordin 6; Under 7; Antonucci 8; Florenzi 7; Dzeko 6 Man of the Match: Antonucci
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 continues with a look at five key games which summed up Roma's 2018-19 campaign.
Read part one of the season review - five 'What Ifs' on Roma's season - via this link. Cagliari 2-2 Roma, 8/12/2018 When Roma travelled to Sardinia in December, they were facing a Cagliari side that had only won three of their 14 league games so far. It should have been plain sailing - and it certainly looked like it was going in Roma's favour when Bryan Cristante and Aleksandar Kolarov gave them a 2-0 half-time lead. However, in the second half, things began to unravel, and Cagliari pulled one back in the 84th minute. Deep into stoppage time, the hosts had two players sent off, but still managed to grab a last-gasp equaliser to deny Roma the win. It was perhaps the first sign of Roma's increasingly fragile mentality under Eusebio Di Francesco, which would rear its ugly head again several times throughout the season. Fiorentina 7-1 Roma, 30/1/2019 This is the game that will, unfortunately, live longest in the memory from the season. Di Francesco's side were dumped out of the Coppa Italia without putting up any kind of fight, looking like they were going to concede every time Fiorentina came forward. Roma had lost by that kind of scoreline before, but not for some time, and when they did, it had been against a European giant like Manchester United or Bayern Munich. For it to happen against a side who narrowly avoided relegation, who only scored one goal in their last eight Serie A matches of the season, was an embarrassment of the highest order, and should have been the final nail in the coffin for EDF. Lazio 3-0 Roma, 2/3/2019 It had been a disappointing campaign right from the beginning, but one of the better moments of the first half of the season was winning the Derby Della Capitale. In the return fixture, though, Roma fell to pieces. The Lupi offered little threat at all, and matters were only made worse when former Lazio man Aleksandar Kolarov was sent off in stoppage time - much to the delight of the opponents. To lose a Derby was bad enough, but to show such little resistance made it punishing viewing fans. It was the first time Roma have lost by that scoreline to their rivals since 2006. Roma 1-4 Napoli, 31/3/2019 Even after the change in coaches, there was another heavy loss to a great rival, as Napoli demolished Roma at Stadio Olimpico. Just Claudio Ranieri's third game in charge, the team still very much bore the image of Di Francesco, and they crumbled under the pressure of their opponents' attacks. Needless fouls were committed by experienced players, and little was created at the attacking end. However, the game proved to be a turning point. It ended up being the last game Robin Olsen would play all season - and, probably, for the club overall - with Ranieri dropping the below-par keeper for Antonio Mirante thereafter. Ranieri inspired the reaction that Roma needed, and beyond that point, they didn't taste defeat again, closing the season on a nine-game unbeaten run. Roma 2-0 Juventus, 12/5/2019 With Ranieri back at the helm, optimism was restored again, and it manifested itself most beautifully with the 2-0 win over Juventus. Roma soaked up the pressure from their opponents - showing themselves to be much more compact than they were against Napoli - and seized their chances late on. Alessandro Florenzi scored with a neat finish to have the last laugh after being mocked by Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the match, and even Edin Dzeko scored - for only the second time at the Olimpico in the league all season. Overall, 2018-19 was a season of disappointments - some expected, others less so. However, there remained the occasional positive moment, such as the Juventus win, that mean that Roma's next coach won't necessarily have to start from scratch over the summer. The new man will be hoping, however, that his debut season will be remembered for more positive results in general than those listed above.
Roma's outside chances of reaching the top four all-but disappeared with a frustrating 0-0 draw at Sassuolo.
A win would have seen Roma set up an exciting last day of the season, but now it looks extremely unlikely that they can qualify for next season's Champions League. Truth be told, Roma could have played all day without scoring - although Federico Fazio did have the ball in the back of the net late on, with the goal ruled out for an offside in the buildup. Here are the Giallorossi Yorkshire player ratings from the game. Antonio Mirante - 7 One of the few names who will avoid criticism when the season is over. Mirante has added stability since coming into the team, and made an impressive save with his feet to deny Filip Djuricic in the first half. Alessandro Florenzi - 6 Lost his individual battle with Sassuolo winger Jeremie Boga, who got past him too easily many times. However, Florenzi looked a little sharper going forward, even if the chance he created for Stephan El Shaarawy came from two miskicks. Federico Fazio - 7 Shifted over to the right side of the centre-back duo in the absence of Kostas Manolas, Fazio read the game well, apart from the one lapse in concentration that led to the Djuricic chance that Mirante thwarted. Fazio can be a danger man as an emergency forward when things aren't going to plan, and he nearly was again, showing good technique for his disallowed goal. He's increasingly becoming one of the leaders of this squad. Juan Jesus - 7 Jesus is always a competent replacement when Roma are missing one of their regular centre-backs. He won some headers and was confident enough in possession. Aleksandar Kolarov - 6 Kept Domenico Berardi reasonably quiet, but offered little going forward and some of his crosses were not accurate enough. Steven Nzonzi - 7 In last week's win over Juventus, Nzonzi was the best outfield player for Roma, and while he didn't quite reach those standards in Reggio Emilia, he was one of the better performers again. He made good blocks and tackles, and also showed his strength in the air. Bryan Cristante - 7.5 Perhaps motivated by Daniele De Rossi's comments in the week that he is a model professional and a player that Roma should build around, Cristante had one of his best games for the club. He was a midfield enforcer, breaking up play and starting attacks with his passing. He also came close to a goal, when his header was pushed away by Andrea Consigli. Roma's best player on the night. Cengiz Under - 5 Had the first shot of the match, but faded after that. Last week, his impact from the bench helped unlock the game against Juventus, but making his first start in three games, he was less effective. Nicolo Zaniolo - 5 Saw a fair share of the ball again, but struggled with limited space. As should have been expected, the experimentation of playing him in different positions has not done him much good, as even playing in his preferred role, he struggled. The end of the season can't come soon enough for Roma's young starlet, who looks fatigued and needs to recharge his batteries. Stephan El Shaarawy - 7 The most confident of the three attacking midfielders, El Shaarawy got into good positions and showcased his dribbling ability. The one downside was the chance he missed after being inadvertently set up by Florenzi - given his scoring form this season, he should have done better with his volley, which fell just wide of the post. Edin Dzeko - 5 Like Zaniolo, Dzeko needs this season to end. It has been far more resemblant of his nightmare first season with Roma than his impressive last two. He was caught offside far too many times, perhaps a sign of laziness. His one memorable shot was a pointless left-footed effort which caused no problems whatsoever for Consigli. Subs: Javier Pastore If there's any consolation fans can take from Pastore's 25-minute cameo, it's that it was probably his last appearance for the club. The flop of the season continued in the same way he has gone all year, not adapting to the pace of the game. His concentration was off and so was his quality. Justin Kluivert Brought on at the same time as Pastore, he didn't fare much better. To a lesser extent, the winger has also not lived up to his reputation this season, but maybe he was always overhyped due to the name on his back. He went close to scoring, but failed to realise where the ball was, in what should have been an easy chance. Diego Perotti Brought on too late to have an impact; should have come on earlier instead of Pastore. Coach: Claudio Ranieri - 6 Tried not to tinker too much with a winning formula from last week, and released Zaniolo into a position in which he should have thrived, so Ranieri can't take too much responsibility for the players' failure to perform. However, his decision to bring on someone who has been as ineffectual as Pastore was a bad call. Sentiment aside, even De Rossi would have been a better option. While the two holding midfielders did well for Roma, De Rossi adds something that they don't - a drive from deep that encourages those ahead of him to push on. Instead, the attackers lacked motivation and quality. Nonetheless, Ranieri can only work with what is available to him, and it cannot be denied that he has given his all for his beloved club in his brief time in charge.
Next season will be the first in nearly 20 years in which Daniele De Rossi will not be playing for AS Roma.
The club's decision not to renew the captain's contract was announced on Tuesday, coming as a major shock to the fans who thought he still had a lot to contribute to the team despite his increasing years. When fit this season, De Rossi has been one of Roma's best players. Arguably only Stephan El Shaarawy has been more consistent on the pitch, but he hasn't had the inconvenience of seeing his season disrupted by a series of injuries. Had De Rossi been physically capable of making 10 more starts than he has, then perhaps he would be the one taking the player of the season plaudits. In a summer in which plenty of change is expected in the Roma squad, it doesn't seem right that the one ever-dependable presence is being shown the door. For the majority of the 21st century, De Rossi has been Roma's bedrock, the gladiator that held the whole thing together by putting the side's needs before his own. The number of players that have shared a changing room with De Rossi will reach into the hundreds, but thanks to his fierce loyalty and imperious ability, Daniele has always been there. By now, Roma fans are used to seeing change. Rarely is an entire team stripped away, but every summer will see at least one major departure. Through thick and thin, despite offers of higher wages, better football and more trophies, De Rossi has never been that man to leave. As supporters looked ahead to a new season with no clear picture of what the team would look like, they at least knew their bandiera would be there. This summer, they can't even say that. The decision not to offer De Rossi a contract extension has not been handled well. Much of the blame has been directed at recently-appointed CEO Guido Fienga, who only informed De Rossi of the decision on Monday - citing the club's bad season as the reason that their captain's situation had fallen to the back of their minds. Likewise, De Rossi hinted in his press conference that he had not even spoken to club president James Pallotta about the decision - something which will do little to repair the ever-faltering relationship between the American entrepreneur and the Giallorossi faithful. But De Rossi himself knew this day was coming. He openly admitted that, having not received any phone calls from the Roma directors, he could infer that the club were not intending to prolong his stay. Still, it doesn't sit right that, after so many years of loyalty, he should have to work out his future by intuition, and not by being told. This is nothing new with Roma though. Just two years ago, Francesco Totti was effectively forced into retirement in a similar situation. The difference was, fans were made aware at the beginning of Totti's last season that it would be his final campaign in giallorosso. The news about De Rossi has been revealed with just two games left on his contract. Even before that, under previous regimes, Roma's other most iconic captain, Agostino Di Bartolomei, had been pushed out of the club in 1984. Throughout history, Roma's legends do not seem to get the farewells they deserve. Nor can De Rossi escape that fate. He too will leave the club when he was eager to continue playing. But whether the decision was right or wrong - and it's easier, and more appropriate, to lean towards the latter - the timing seems somewhat suitable. Yes, it would have been nice to have known that this was De Rossi's last season from the start, as was the case with Totti. But recent outings have shown that there are willing candidates ready to pick up the baton. Last weekend, with De Rossi on the bench, Alessandro Florenzi wore the captain's armband. Against Juventus, the right-back led by example, avoiding getting drawn into a petty psychological battle with Cristiano Ronaldo, and scoring the goal that set Roma on their way to victory. Florenzi is sometimes criticised by his own fans, but he proved in that match, as he has in many others, that he is fuelled by the same Roman passion as De Rossi. Grinta is as big a part of his game as technical quality, but the latter hasn't abandoned him fully. Florenzi still possesses the required elements to take over. He is not as good a footballer as De Rossi, something he would probably confess himself. But Florenzi is Romanista. De Rossi himself personally praised Florenzi, stating that the essence of Romanismo is in good hands. At 28 years old, Florenzi is stepping up at the right time. Along with Florenzi, De Rossi also pointed towards Lorenzo Pellegrini, a man who must be given more responsibility following the captain's departure. A player who has often lined up alongside De Rossi in the Giallorossi midfield, the 22-year-old has gone on record to say that he would like to follow in his teammate's footsteps and become the club captain one day. To keep the spirit of Romanismo alive, Pellegrini must be entrusted as a torch-bearer. The club must provide him the foundations to achieve that dream upon. Pellegrini's career path could well emulate De Rossi's. Already admired by big European clubs, such as Manchester United, and Italian rivals like Inter Milan, Pellegrini will have no shortage of offers to leave the club as he continues to develop - just as De Rossi did. The hope remains that Pellegrini will be allowed to follow a similar path and turn down those propositions, to stay at his beloved club and grow into a leader. As long as Roma stay in a healthy financial position, keeping Pellegrini ought to be a priority. In fact, Pellegrini's faith in the project should be rewarded immediately. The club ought to seriously consider promoting him to the role of vice captain once De Rossi departs, to keep passion for Roma at the heart of the team. Players like Edin Dzeko and Kostas Manolas may be more experienced, but there is an ethos that needs protecting, and a future leader that needs to be nurtured. Pellegrini has shown enough this season to suggest that he can emulate his heroes, and to maintain the strong Roman spirit of the squad, he deserves to be fast-tracked to a role of greater responsibility. Of course, the team must come first, and it may be the case that it is in its best interests if less Romans are involved. But if the right people have the right quality, then they should be allowed to thrive. Because with the departure of De Rossi, Roma will lose something more than just a player. They will lose a symbol that defines the club. It cannot be avoided, though, that there is a future that Roma needs to emerge into. Removing De Rossi is a controversial decision, and one that has perhaps not been made by people who fully understand football, but it is one that he has graciously accepted. While Roma will not be the same without him, they must trust what symbols of the club they have left. A humble character like De Rossi would want to give faith to those who can continue the tradition, and that means more responsibility for those who have learnt from him. Next year will be a strange season. For many fans, it will be their first experience of a Roma side without Totti or De Rossi. But against all the odds, Romanismo will not go down without a fight. Florenzi and Pellegrini will be there to build on the immense foundations that have been built for them by their seniors. The pain of De Rossi's exit will take a long time to diminish, but he would want all the focus to be on the team. A team that he should have been a part of, yes, but a team that, if molded around the right people, can build on the legacy he has provided. And so the baton is passed. Who knows what this new era for Roma will look like? But with Florenzi and Pellegrini at the core, then no matter what the people above try to do, there is still hope for the principles of the foundation to be carried on.
Roma became just the third side to beat Juventus in Serie A this season on Sunday night with a well-deserved 2-0 win.
It's the first time Roma have beaten the Italian champions in their last four meetings, and it was a win to savour, with Alessandro Florenzi and Edin Dzeko getting the goals late on to extend Roma's unbeaten run to seven games. Here are the Giallorossi Yorkshire player ratings from the match. Antonio Mirante - 8 Where would Roma be if Mirante had been brought into the side much sooner in the season? The veteran goalkeeper put in arguably his best performance of the season to deny the club he came through the youth ranks at, 15 years ago. Mirante pulled off a number of impressive saves, getting strong hands to a shot from Juan Cuadrado at the end of a counter attack, and making two fine stops from Paulo Dybala efforts in the first half alone. Alessandro Florenzi - 7 Taunted by Cristiano Ronaldo for being small, Roma's stand-in captain had the last laugh by scoring the goal that set Roma on their way to victory. He looked like the Florenzi of old, driving forward with his passion and commitment, making the occasional mistake, but showing the hunger to overcome it. His goal was a fine finish over Wojciech Szczesny, and his celebration under the Curva Sud served as a reminder that Florenzi can still be a hero for this team. Kostas Manolas - 7.5 Roma knew they would have to absorb some pressure from Juventus, and their centre-back partnership played their part in keeping the visitors at bay. Manolas made a couple of good blocks and looked more like a leader than he has been recently. He raised his game when his side needed him most. Federico Fazio - 8 Fazio was an equally important part of the backline, and was also a significant presence going forward. The Argentine started some attacks with his confident dribbling out from the back, always looking to get involved. At his peak - which he was against Juve - he can still be the beating heart of Roma's defence. Aleksandar Kolarov - 7 His poor form in the middle of the season seems to have been put behind him for good now. Kolarov, like his opposite full-back Florenzi, wasn't afraid to get forward, helping Roma to make the most of counter attacks. He also limited the involvement of Juve winger Juan Cuadrado. A consummate professional. Steven Nzonzi - 8 Mirante may take the man of the match award, but Nzonzi was possibly Roma's best outfield player. The Frenchman was a combative presence, making crunching tackles that allowed Roma to play on the break. Nzonzi seemed to be alert to any threat that Juventus were posing, and snuffed out as much of the danger as possible. Lorenzo Pellegrini - 6 It was another below par performance from Pellegrini, who has not been quite the same since returning from injury. Once again, he was the first man to be brought off, with his only major contributions being a couple of crosses into the box and a decent left-footed effort which nearly caught Szczesny out. Nicolo Zaniolo - 5.5 Restored to a more central role in a midfield three, Zaniolo wasn't really up to speed with the pace of the game. His involvement was minimal, and he made a couple of sloppy passes. Maybe he was affected by playing against the team he supports. It leaves Roma with a lot to think about in terms of how they can get the best out of him again. Justin Kluivert - 6 With his pace, Kluivert was a positive outlet for Roma, but his decision making often let him down. The 20-year-old saw plenty of the ball, but didn't really convert that possession into chances, sometimes giving it away in dangerous areas. Edin Dzeko - 7 After going through the first half almost as a passenger, Dzeko stepped it up in the second half, ending with a goal and an assist. His goal, coming at the end of a counter attacking move, was a confident finish, showing signs of the player that Roma came to rely on in his more successful seasons. The assist for Florenzi's goal was also well executed. Stephan El Shaarawy - 7 A marauding presence up and down the left wing, El Shaarawy played like someone full of confidence. And so he should be, given his decisive contributions in recent weeks. He forced Szczesny into a good save with a long-range effort in the second half after reacting to his own misplaced pass. Subs: Bryan Cristante - 5 Wasn't particularly noticeable after replacing Pellegrini. Cengiz Under - 7 Even though he was only on the pitch for 12 minutes, Under changed the game. He showed good footwork when he played the ball to Florenzi before the Roman's one-two with Dzeko for the opener, and claimed the assist for Dzeko's goal with some speedy dribbling and a perfectly placed pass. When fully fit, he needs to be the starter. Coach: Claudio Ranieri - 8 Set his side up with the perfect balance. Roma's approach was pragmatic and effective, as they soaked up the pressure in the first half, frustrating their rivals, and were braver and more clinical in the second period. His substitution of Under for Kluivert was a big turning point in the game, given the impact that the Turk had.
Roma's top four hopes suffered a setback yesterday with a 1-1 draw away at Genoa, leaving Claudio Ranieri's side three points behind with three games left.
It was a tight game, but Roma thought they had found the winner when Stephan El Shaarawy powered the ball home in the 82nd minute. However, a stoppage time equaliser from Cristian Romero meant it was a case of two points dropped for the Giallorossi. The result was nothing other than what Genoa deserved, having caused several problems for Roma's defence. In the end, their poor finishing - including Antonio Sanabria's missed penalty in stoppage time - spared Roma from defeat. If Krzysztof Piatek had still been at the club, then one has to wonder if it could have been a whole lot worse for Roma. Nonetheless, the top four race isn't over, and the performance wasn't as bad as some have made it out to be. Whilst it was definitely one of the lower points of Ranieri's brief tenure, there were some positive signs from individuals, that will give Roma hope of getting six points from their last three matches. It may not be enough to secure Champions League football, but in reality, fifth place would be an achievement given where the side was at Christmas. As the fallout continues from the game, here are the Giallorossi Yorkshire player ratings. Antonio Mirante - 6.5 It was probably Mirante's worst game since he usurped Robin Olsen as first choice. However, he still made some important saves throughout the game that Olsen probably wouldn't have managed. Mirante's positioning for Romero's goal should be called into question, as he didn't fully commit to punching the ball clear or staying on his goalline. Then, he gave away the penalty that could have handed Genoa all three points, but he made amends with a comfortable save from Sanabria's spot kick. Alessandro Florenzi - 7.5 Defensively, Florenzi still leaves something to be desired. He struggles to deal with crosses over his head, and it was a tactic Genoa could have utlised more to threaten Roma further. Offensively, however, it was Florenzi's best game in a while. He put in a number of inviting crosses - a quality that is often missing from his game - and got forward into some good positions. He was replaced late on after pulling up with a muscle injury. Kostas Manolas - 6 Manolas' underwhelming season continued as he found it difficult to deal with the pace of Christian Kouame. Genoa found no problems in getting at the Roma backline, and it was Manolas who was the weak link, with his reading of the play not the best. It wasn't a terrible performance, and thankfully none of his errors led to goals, but he is struggling to live up to his reputation at the minute. Federico Fazio - 7 Alongside Manolas, Fazio continued his upturn in form with a better display. 'Il Comandante' made a few important blocks, including one from a Kouame shot late on. He looks more confident than Manolas at present, and it will be critically important for Roma's season that he continues the way he is in the final three matches. Aleksandar Kolarov - 6.5 On the night, it was Kolarov's opposite full-back Florenzi who was delivering the majority of the better deliveries, which went against the usual plot. As for the Serbian, he didn't dominate his side of play like he sometimes can. He did occasionally indulge himself with his trademark chop, but he stopped short of breaking into the box like he sometimes does, ultimately making things easier for Genoa. Defensively, he struggled to keep pace, which is maybe why he was playing with more caution than usual. Bryan Cristante - 5.5 For a midfielder, Cristante's passing accuracy leaves something to be desired. Even when his passes did go to their intended target, he often put his teammates under pressure by playing the ball to them when they were being marked. There were a couple of better moments for him, when he tried switching the play, but his struggles in helping the team keep possession needs closer inspection from the coaching staff. Steven Nzonzi - 6.5 It was another better performance for Nzonzi, but he didn't quite grab the game by the scruff of the neck as he should be doing - or as the absent Daniele De Rossi would be. In his defence, he won several headers and made some good challenges. He's playing at a good level at the moment, but needs to make one more step up to reach the great levels which brought him to Roma in the first place. All in all though, not bad. Nicolo Zaniolo - 6 Once again, Zaniolo was a marked man, and it affected his output. Whilst he is more than capable of holding his own in a physical battle - just ask Domenico Criscito, who was outmuscled by him, fairly or otherwise, a couple of times - the very fact that he is being forced to get involved in them is affecting his ability to do what he does best. With his space and freedom restricted, he can't get the ball out of his feet and create things. There was one moment shortly before he was substituted, when he managed to break away inside and fire a shot in with his left foot, but his former Inter youth teammate Ionut Radu tipped it over. Lorenzo Pellegrini - 5 Perhaps one way that Zaniolo can rediscover his best is by being restored to a central position, and judging by Pellegrini's recent performances, he may get his opportunity soon. It's not through a lack of effort, but Pellegrini is not meeting the standards he reached earlier in the campaign. He found his time on the ball limited, and he was ultimately frustrated, being the first man to be withdrawn. Stephan El Shaarawy - 7.5 How many times is he going to be Roma's saviour? The winger got his 11th goal of the season with a cushioned left-footed volley, making it seem like he had inspired the side to victory again. He wanted to keep the celebration muted against his former club, but after a goal like that, he couldn't help himself break out into a little smile. He deserves all the plaudits he's getting, and is becoming more and more pivotal to Roma's potential success week by week. Edin Dzeko - 6 Technically got the assist for El Shaarawy's goal, nodding on Justin Kluivert's cross, but could have contributed more. Statistically, he had more shots than any other Roma player, but none of them really stick out in the mind, with just one of them being on target. He needs to get involved more, with better movement, if he wants to give himself a better chance of reaching double figures of league goals, needing two more from his last three games. Substitutes: Patrik Schick - 4 The first man to come on, Schick didn't do much with his 25 minutes on the pitch. He switched off and lost his man for the goal Genoa scored. Justin Kluivert - 4 Kluivert got 20 minutes on his 20th birthday, and he did get a card for the occasion - it was one of the yellow variety, given by the referee. Other than that, his major contribution was the cross that led to the goal. Rick Karsdorp - N/A Came on as a late replacement for Florenzi, making a return to action after not playing for a month due to injury. Coach: Claudio Ranieri - 5 Ranieri set Roma up a 4-2-3-1 formation which has become the norm in recent weeks. His decision to take Kluivert out of the starting lineup was not vindicated, as Zaniolo had a hard time of it out wide. Bringing the Dutchman on, as well as Schick, should have had an effect, but nothing much changed. Ranieri is trying his best for his team, but his faith in some players is perhaps not being repaid. Nonetheless, Roma would have lost this game earlier in the season. The minor improvement in mentality has coincided with Ranieri's tenure, and he will be making sure the players aren't resting on their laurels for the three games he has left with them. |
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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