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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The Paulo Fonseca era began with a 3-3 draw for Roma at home to Genoa in their first game of the new Serie A season.
Roma led three times, with Cengiz Under scoring a wonderful solo strike, Edin Dzeko making it 2-1 with virtually a mirror image of the opener, and Aleksandar Kolarov hitting a free kick that crossed the line by the barest of margins. However, after each goal, Roma were pegged back, with Andrea Pinamonti smashing home, Juan Jesus giving away a needless penalty, which was converted by Domenico Criscito, and Christian Kouame getting in between the defenders to head home the final equaliser. It's the first time Roma have not won their opening league game since 2015, when Alessandro Florenzi levelled things up against Hellas Verona for Rudi Garcia's side. As for current coach Fonseca, it's the first time he hasn't been victorious on matchday one since his Pacos de Ferreira side were beaten by Benfica in 2014. The game still felt like an extension of pre-season, and in reality, raised more questions than it answered. Here are the biggest talking points. Contrast between attack and defence In the first half in particular, Roma were linking up in attack with more fluidity than they have managed in years. Edin Dzeko was key to the process, as the striker acted not only as a focal point, but dropped deep to glue together the play. His goal was well deserved, and an important statement after the faith the club put in him by offering him a long-term contract. Likewise, Cengiz Under - another player to renew recently - featured in several neat combinations with his teammates, while Lorenzo Pellegrini picked out some Totti-esque passes, including one that nearly set up Under for a second goal. However, the mistakes made at the back cannot be ignored. Pinamonti was given far too much space for Genoa's first goal, with the gap between Federico Fazio and Jesus unacceptable. In front of them, Bryan Cristante watched on while marking a midfielder, whereas he could have prioritised the danger and put pressure on the on-loan Inter striker. The second goal, as mentioned above, came from Jesus' poorly judged foul in the box, while the third goal again showed a lack of co-ordination at the back. Fazio and substitute Gianluca Mancini were too preoccupied with Pinamonti at the near post, while Florenzi was stretched too wide at the backpost. As a result, when Paolo Ghiglione played a perfect cross, Kouame was free to head home with ease. Mancini's positioning was particularly bad, as he had no need to push towards where Fazio was. Instead, the summer signing was caught ball-watching, perhaps showing why Fonseca had been reluctant to start him. Movement fades in second half The energy Roma displayed in the opening 45 minutes took the game to their opponents, causing them problems by setting a fast tempo with smart link-up play. After the break, that intensity dropped off somewhat, and even when fresh faces were brought in to change the dynamics of the attack, with Javier Pastore taking the trequartista role, the sparks had gone. The movement from the front four had all but disappeared, with limited numbers pushing to get in the box. That may be a sign that Roma's fitness still needs to improve, having only just finished their pre-season workouts. It may also be a suggestion that more depth is needed in attack. Midfield headache for Fonseca Roma have worked on changing the complexion of their midfield this summer, with Steven Nzonzi and club legend Daniele De Rossi making way for Amadou Diawara and Jordan Veretout. But it was two of the retained faces who started in Fonseca's 4-2-3-1, with Lorenzo Pellegrini partnered by compatriot Bryan Cristante. Fonseca will surely have liked what he saw. Cristante's passing was much improved on its usual standards, while he also displayed positive energy. Pellegrini was largely the same, threading through balls and creating chances, while also being tenacious in the defensive phase. They have made it hard for Fonseca to drop them now. Diawara and Veretout will undoubtedly be pushing to be involved in future games, but the Italians have made their mark on the midfield. Cengiz Under the microscope One of Pellegrini's best moments was the aerial through ball he picked out Under with shortly after the Turk's opening goal. To give Roma the lead, Under had skipped past Criscito and Cristian Zapata, before executing a powerful finish to Ionut Radu's near post. It was a positive sign, continuing from pre-season, that Under can thrive in this system as a regular goalscorer.
When he received the pass from Pellegrini moments later, he found himself through on goal with only Radu to beat. Unfortunately, he pulled his shot agonisingly wide of the far post. It was a game-changing moment. Had that gone in, Roma would have been 2-0 up with barely 10 minutes played, and could have gone on to dominate the match. It was a fine margin that helped decide the result, and something he will need to improve if he is to manage somewhere in the region of 20 goals this season. It's a tally he can be capable of, but he needs to put away chances like that if he is to do so. Some players thrive off instinct, scoring from opportunities like that where they haven't had to think much. Cengiz is not quite that player yet - as shown by the goal he did score, he works best when he has time with the ball at his feet, and decisions to make. If he can become a more natural, instinctive scorer, though, Roma will win games like this, and he will reach double figures before the spring with ease. Zappacosta's late impact The last change Fonseca made was to replace captain Florenzi with summer signing Davide Zappacosta. Florenzi had done OK, but no better, nearly catching out Radu with a sensational acrobatic volley from outside the box after Kolarov had perfectly set him up from a corner. Obviously, the defensive side of Florenzi's game showed its usual frailties, while his crossing continued to flatter to deceive. When Zappacosta came on for his late cameo, he put in a couple of deliveries that were well-judged. He showed he could clip in an aerial cross, or whip a ball low and hard into a dangerous area. While he wasn't really tested in defence, if he can replicate that kind of impact - minus his air shot when the ball fell awkwardly to him on his weaker side in a golden chance for a winner - over a full 90 minutes when back up to full fitness, then he will be the starting right-back in no time. Player Ratings: Lopez 6; Florenzi 6; Fazio 5; Jesus 4; Kolarov 7; Cristante 7; Pellegrini 8; Under 8; Zaniolo 6; Kluivert 6; Dzeko 7 Subs: Mancini 4; Pastore 3; Zappacosta 6 Coach: Fonseca 6 Man of the Match: Pellegrini
Paulo Fonseca's first game in charge of Roma at Stadio Olimpico ended with an unusual trophy on Sunday night, as a penalty shootout win over Real Madrid earned them the Mabel Green Cup.
Roma had to come from behind twice (although Madrid's second goal should not have stood, due to an offside), but were actually on top for large portions of the game. Diego Perotti and Edin Dzeko got the goals in normal time, but both had been brought off by the time the penalties came around. Nonetheless, Roma scored all their spot kicks, with Marcelo's miss meaning it was victory for Fonseca's side - who got their hands on a lovely tree as a prize.
This was the penultimate friendly before Serie A kicks off in a fortnight's time - with a match against Arezzo just being announced - so here's what Roma can take into the new season from it. Much more fluid in possession In the last friendly, against Athletic Bilbao, Roma's insistence on playing out from the back was at times problematic and dangerous. Against Madrid, though, they got it spot on. Starting from Pau Lopez, Roma were extremely efficient at keeping possession of the ball, both in their own half and in attacking areas. The players linked up very well, keeping the ball moving at all times. Edin Dzeko was vital to the process. Perhaps the better playing surface helped them, but all in all, there were positive signs that Roma are starting to play the way Fonseca wants them to. The return of Zaniolo He's been inconsistent for the last six months, but Nicolo Zaniolo was back to his best against Real. In some ways, it was back to where it all started for the 20-year-old, who made his Roma debut against the same opponents in last season's Champions League. He impressed even more than he did on that occasion, catching the eye with his assist for Perotti. Zaniolo determinedly powered down the right wing before expertly placing his through ball in between Raphael Varane and Eder Militao, and into Perotti's path. It was eye-of-the-needle stuff. Marking in the midfield If there was one criticism of the display, it would be that the marking in the midfield wasn't tight enough. Real's first goal came from a splendid turn and pass from Luka Modric, before Marcelo beat Alessandro Florenzi and curled the ball past Lopez. Modric's quality was no hidden secret - he's the reigning world player of the year. It's important for Roma to ensure they don't give players of that level the time and space to create danger so easily. Fazio in the final phase Say what you like about his lack of pace, but when Federico Fazio recovers the ground, there are few better players in world football at last-ditch defending. The Argentine was a man of the match candidate thanks to his impressive blocks and interceptions, once again showing how well he reads the game. Roma are still looking to bring in a new centre-back, but Fazio will remain a good option in games where his teammates' backs will be against the wall. Options from the spot Roma's regular penalty takers, Perotti and Lorenzo Pellegrini, had been taken off before the shootout came around. It gave Fonseca a chance to analyse his other options from 12 yards out, and all five takers impressed. Aleksandar Kolarov and Leonardo Spinazzola's penalties were both perfectly placed in opposite corners - the former's being slightly more convincing than the latter's - and Bryan Cristante, Cengiz Under and Mirko Antonucci's efforts were equally impressive. Roma may find themselves in need of a hero from the spot in any of the three competitions they will be involved in this season, so it's reassuring to know that those options run deep. Player Ratings: Lopez 8; Florenzi 6; Fazio 8; Jesus 6; Kolarov 7; Cristante 7; Pellegrini 7; Under 8; Zaniolo 7; Perotti 6; Dzeko 8 Subs: Spinazzola 6; Diawara 6; Antonucci 5; Schick 5; Kluivert 6 Man of the Match: Dzeko
Roma came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night, in what was probably their toughest test of pre-season so far.
After Iker Muniain had put the Basque club ahead with a poacher's finish, Aleksandar Kolarov pulled things level in the second half with an extraordinary free kick from 30 yards out. Late on, each side converted a penalty, with Raul Garcia scoring for the visitors and Lorenzo Pellegrini coolly dispatching a spot kick which had been incorrectly awarded to Roma, after the ball had actually come into contact with Nicolo Zaniolo's hand, rather than an opponent's.
Although still just a friendly, there were some warning signs for Paulo Fonseca to pick up on before the Serie A campaign kicks off. Over-commitment to playing out from the back Fonseca's philosophy is starting to become more and more apparent, with the coach clearly favouring an approach which sees his side play out from the back. However, there needs to be some flexibility. Often, Roma put themselves under pressure by starting too deep, with Athletic ready to pounce by deploying several players in the Giallorossi half. The new rule which states that the ball does not have to go out of the box from a goal kick worked against Roma in some regards, as it invited the La Liga side to press them higher up the pitch. Fonseca wants to see Roma play a courageous game, and that's a good thing, but the players need to fine-tune things a little more if his style is to be successful. Roma slow to spot the switch When Roma got in more advanced positions, the possession-based game still lacked the appropriate dynamism. Often a full-back or winger would be open on the opposite side of the pitch, but the ball rarely travelled straight to them. Instead, Roma got the ball out wide via another player in between, which slowed down the pace - and thus reduced the danger - of the attack, by allowing Athletic to get across into the correct defensive positions more easily. Someone in the midfield needs to be brave enough to pick out the switch, skipping out that extra pass, so that Roma can play on the front foot. No closer to a striker solution If someone had suggested at the start of the summer that Gregoire Defrel would have been starting a pre-season game as Roma's sole centre-forward just over two weeks before the campaign got underway, they would have sounded ridiculous. However, that was the case, and the Frenchman continued to struggle. In fairness, he was committed, but he lacks the clinical edge to be a Roma player. When Edin Dzeko came on in the second half, it was fitting for him to be given a warm reception by his fans, with plenty of cheers and chants in his honour. Who knows if it was Dzeko's last outing for Roma, as a move to Inter gets closer, but the directors really need to consider how they can replace the Bosnian - or if they can at all - if he does depart. Unless Roma can somehow pull off a coup and sign someone of Mauro Icardi's stature, the names that have been linked are unappealing, and sooner or later the club need to think if getting rid of Dzeko would be a wise idea after all. How Fonseca is using Pellegrini After returning late for pre-season due to international duty, Lorenzo Pellegrini finally got his opportunity to play a full 90 minutes, and it was a performance of highs and lows. For the most part, the Roman was successful, playing positive passes and showing high energy. However, there was a 20-minute spell at the end of the first half when he veered away from his usual standards. Later on, he was also to blame for the second goal, as he wasn't strong enough when turning away from his box - leading to him being dispossessed, and Roma consequently giving away a penalty due to Gianluca Mancini's hand-ball. Pellegrini has been utilised as part of the deeper central midfield pairing by Fonseca, where it appears he will continue to play. Some of his better performances last season came as a trequartista, in the number 10 role, but that position already has Zaniolo, Javier Pastore and maybe even Mirko Antonucci competing for it. Pellegrini can adapt well to the deeper role, as it should allow him to get on the ball more and dictate play, but he needs to stay sharp for 90 minutes. The first signs that Roma will miss De Rossi Extending things further, it wasn't just Pellegrini who blew hot and cold in the midfield. Amadou Diawara was sloppier than in previous displays, for example - while Steven Nzonzi didn't travel with the squad. There was no drive in the middle of the park to push Roma on, and this moment was going to come soon enough: It was clear they missed someone like Daniele De Rossi. Of course, they don't make players like De Rossi any more, but how Roma could have done with him against Bilbao. The midfield is such a critical area, which needs someone to hold it together and to drive what happens in front. Bryan Cristante came closest to replicating that on Wednesday, being more confident on the ball, but he has some way to go to reach the levels that De Rossi consistently did for most of his career - even last season. Roma have other priorities, but perhaps a reinforcement is needed for that position too. Now, if only there had been someone fully committed to the club who could have performed that role to a high standard for this team... Player Ratings: Mirante 5; Florenzi 7; Mancini 5; Jesus 7; Spinazzola 6; Diawara 6; Pellegrini 7; Under 6; Antonucci 5; Perotti 5; Defrel 6 Subs: Lopez 6; Santon 6; Fazio 7; Kolarov 7; Cristante 8; Zaniolo 5; Kluivert 6; Dzeko 6 Man of the Match: Cristante If there's one transfer rumour that hasn't gone down too well with fans, it is the one linking Gonzalo Higuain with a move to Roma.
Overweight, 31 years old, a high salary - several factors appear to be stacked against the arrival of the striker in Rome. Not to mention, his past with rivals Napoli and Juventus would further render him a rather unpopular figure if he was to sign up with Roma. Despite a promising start with AC Milan last year, his form derailed, as he scored just one goal in his last 12 games for the club before the deal was terminated. A red card against former club Juventus did little to change the negative perception of his time at San Siro, and it's understandable why Roma would be a little bit skeptical over the proposition of signing him - especially if it would involve Nicolo Zaniolo moving the other way. But there is a bigger question at the heart of this matter. After an underwhelming campaign, Roma find themselves in need of a rebuild, in order to return to the levels they have grown accustomed to in the past six years. As part of that project, then, do Roma need to look at the long-term or the short-term? A move for Higuain would be indicative of the latter. While his spell at Milan showed that he is far from a guaranteed source of goals these days, on his day he remains a potent finisher capable of finding the net even in games in which he hasn't been heavily involved. Contrast that to current Roma man Patrik Schick, who has struggled in the capital - which he has partially attributed to not feeling involved enough in the play. At 31 years old, of course Higuain's best days are behind him. But his career is far from over. He has two years left on his Juventus contract, which shows how far the Bianconeri believed he would keep up his form when they spent big to snatch him from Napoli. If an arrangement would involve Zaniolo heading to Turin, it would surely be a blow for the fans. The teenager was one of the standout players of last season, despite the limited expectations placed upon him. However, he blew hot and cold towards the end of the year. At times, it looked like Roma had picked up a bargain, but in reality, it's still unclear what the midfielder is really worth. Sometimes a club has to take a step back to take a step forward - taking risks in the short-term in an attempt to make an instant return to the top. That may mean potentially regrettable decisions on long-term prospects, but with the financial consequences that come with a lowly finish, sometimes the luxury of keeping hold of them isn't there. It’s an issue that was highlighted in the recently confirmed swap deal with Juventus, in which Roma acquired Leonardo Spinazzola at the expense of losing Luca Pellegrini. Many fans had high hopes for the young left-back, but the reality is that the man that the Giallorossi have brought in is a much more proven quantity at this level, and is far better equipped to be a starter. And that’s what Roma need right now - ready made talent. That said, it would be irresponsible for Roma to fill the squad with veterans. One only needs to look at how Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov underperformed at times throughout the campaign to get a clear idea that sometimes younger blood is more effective. Hence, a blend is needed. Without a few experienced players, it may take Roma a long time to break back into the top four. But without the younger ones, any returns to the highest berths would likely be short-lived. Contrary to what many fans believe, Higuain would not be a terrible signing for Roma - as long as the salary is realistic compared to his output. However, it would be important for him to be supplemented by younger alternatives. His former teammate at Milan, Patrick Cutrone, would be perfect - an instinctive finisher, someone who can still develop but who is more than ready for a role of responsibility in a major squad. Furthermore, some signings in the past have shown that fans should not be prejudiced before their arrival. Many were critical of Davide Santon based on his time with Inter, but after he had put in some good displays for Roma, the general perception of him changed to a more positive one. Similarly, Federico Fazio was hardly the best name fans could have hoped for to alleviate the team's defensive concerns, but he soon won them over, at least in his first season, becoming their 'Comandante’. Gianluca Petrachi will need to find the right balance this summer, but the overriding message will be this - you never know how a player will perform for a club until they pull on its jersey. Higuain's might be a bit larger than those of others, but no signing should be overly criticised before a ball has been kicked. They could turn out to be just what Roma need.
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. 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.
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.
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. |
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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