GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
As Roma's men continue their international break, the women's team return from theirs, looking to pick up a first home win of the season.
With the season still just two games old, Roma find themselves having won once - in their most recent fixture, against Fiorentina - and lost once (in the opener against Milan). The win in Florence showed that progress is being made by the squad, who had not beaten La Viola in four previous attempts. Now, all eyes will be on Stadio Tre Fontane again as Roma return home. The visitors will be a side who were promoted from Serie B last term, Empoli. Coach Betty Bavagnoli is cautious not to take them too lightly, though, telling the club website: "I have asked my girls not to make the error of underestimating Empoli, because we come up against a team with zero points in the table. That for me is a false table because Empoli is a team that plays well and we will face them with the right attitude to go and impose our game." Early team news indicates that Camelia Ceaser - who saved a penalty on her debut against Fiorentina - will retain her place in goal, with Rosalia Pipitone out injured. Maria Zecca and Heden Corrado are also ruled out, but Manuela Giugliano - who was a doubt after picking up a knock in an Italy game - has been passed fit to make the squad. She is likely to be joined in midfield by Giada Greggi, who made her senior Italy debut during the latest round of international fixtures. Buoyed by that unforgettable experience, the Rome-born teenager will be hoping for a happy homecoming as the team returns to play in front of their home crowd. Saturday's match kicks off at 2pm UK time, and will be shown live via the club's Facebook and Twitter accounts.
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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! |
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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