GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Roma secured their first home win in over a month on Sunday by beating AC Milan 2-1. Edin Dzeko broke the deadlock with a header after drifting in at the backpost from a corner, giving the Giallorossi a half-time lead. Theo Hernandez levelled things up for Milan after the break, as his shot deflected off Chris Smalling, before Nicolo Zaniolo restored the advantage moments later with a well-executed curled strike. The victory - Roma's first over Milan since October 2017 - means Paulo Fonseca's men keep pace with the top four, ahead of a week which will see them play Udinese and Napoli. Precise Pau In his 10 games as Roma goalkeeper before yesterday, Pau Lopez had yet to be truly tested. Aside from a strong display against Lazio, in which he made six saves, the summer signing was yet to fully convince the fanbase - not so much because of any errors, but because he hadn't been forced into showing what he could do. While the jury may still be out, he showed against Milan that he is a safe pair of hands. While many of the stops he made were routine for a goalkeeper of his quality, many of the efforts that came his way were struck with enough power to potentially cause problems. But Lopez dealt with everything that was thrown at him. The deflection that led to Milan's goal gave him no chance, but elsewhere, he was alert and reacted to every threat posed by the visitors. The man behind the mask If Roma had a fully fit squad, would Edin Dzeko have been playing? One has to wonder if the striker has had to rush back from his jaw injury to accommodate for the several absences in the squad, but he proved that even at 80% of his usual sharpness, he can be a leader from the front. While an argument could be raised as to whether he should have remained on the pitch after an altercation with Milan defender Mateo Musacchio, there can be no debate about the quality he showed thereafter. He was the focal point in attack that fans have become used to seeing, challenging for headers, muscling off defenders and bringing his teammates into play. The masked assassin got the goal he deserved, and adorning the captain's armband, showed what a good leader he is. Keep calm, Kolarov Another of the more experienced players in the squad, Dzeko's former Manchester City teammate Aleksandar Kolarov, endured a mixed afternoon. Towards the end of the game, he showed his bravery in defence by challenging for loose balls with his head, when opponents had raised their studs high. It served as another reminder of the kind of professionalism and commitment that the Serbian exemplifies. However, in attack, there was the sense that everything he was doing was a little rushed. Not for the first time recently, he failed to look up before firing in crosses that were too powerful for any of his teammates to connect to. For a player of his experience, it was uncharacteristic for Kolarov not to compose himself and wait for the attackers to move before making his deliveries. Given the quality he possesses from wide areas, it was a shame that he couldn't pick the right moments to unleash his ability. Veretout growing in authority One player who has really had to step up recently amid Roma's injury crisis is Jordan Veretout. The only fit natural central midfielder in the squad, the Frenchman has had to take on a great responsibility. And once again, versus a club he could have signed for instead of Roma in the summer, he showed that he is thriving in the role. The former Aston Villa man was a driving force, helping Roma retain possession with his accurate passing and determination. With defender Gianluca Mancini deployed alongside him, he was given more of a licence to push on than he may have expected in the absence of Bryan Cristante and Amadou Diawara. Veretout also assumed the responsibility of taking set pieces, and it was from one of his corners that Roma took the lead. Mancini and Chris Smalling both missed great chances from two more of Veretout's corners, blazing free headers wide after being picked out. Deliveries from corners have been an area of struggle for the club in recent seasons, but it finally looks like they have someone who can create chances from such fundamental passages of play. Solid spine Any team needs a strong structure down the middle of the park, and Roma haven't always been able to meet that requirement. Particularly with the amount of absences from midfield, it could have been expected that things could look disjointed. However, Roma took up one of their most solid spines of the whole season. Starting at the back, Federico Fazio and Smalling formed a formidable partnership in defence. Winning an impressive nine aerial duels between them, both read the play well and put their bodies on the line for the team. Further upfield, the positive showings from Veretout, Mancini and Dzeko have already been documented, while attacking midfielder Javier Pastore displayed a good work rate and caught the eye with a couple of nutmegs in the first half. With all six of the central players proving their strength, Roma could impose their dominance on the game. Player Ratings: Lopez 7; Spinazzola 6; Smalling 7; Fazio 8; Kolarov 6; Mancini 6; Veretout 8; Zaniolo 8; Pastore 7; Perotti 6; Dzeko 8 Subs: Antonucci 4; Cetin N/A; Santon N/A Coach: Fonseca 6 Man of the Match: Fazio
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A last-gasp winner from Edin Dzeko gave Roma their third consecutive win on Sunday, as Bologna were beaten by the Giallorossi.
For Paulo Fonseca's first game away from the Stadio Olimpico, Roma reverted to the lineup that had beaten Sassuolo the week before, having rotated for the Europa League win over Istanbul Basaksehir. And while it wasn't the most exhilarating performance, they got the job done for the third time in eight days. Aleksandar Kolarov gave Roma the lead with a brilliant free kick, before being adjudged to have made a foul in the box, leading to Bologna's equaliser from the penalty spot. Pau Lopez made his best save yet for Roma to deny Roberto Soriano, before Gianluca Mancini was sent off for a second yellow card. Even though it looked like the game was heading for a draw, some quick thinking from Jordan Veretout took Roma up the pitch in the dying seconds of the game, before Lorenzo Pellegrini picked out Dzeko with a perfect cross, leaving the striker with a simple header to make it 2-1. It means the unbeaten start to the season continues, with Roma rising into the top four for the first time since May 2018. Roma also become the first team since Juventus in February to beat Bologna at their own stadium.
Kolarov crossing the outlet Roma made full use of their width thanks to both full-backs pushing on. Between Kolarov and Alessandro Florenzi, it is clear that the former has the far superior crossing ability, and Roma took advantage of that. Kolarov played in more inviting deliveries in the first half alone than many full-backs manage in an entire game. And his free kick goal showed yet again just how good he is at striking a ball.
Sometimes the Serbian doesn't get the credit he deserves, but he has started the season in scintillating form. However, the one disadvantage of the full-backs being pushed up so high - Kolarov's average position was practically in line with the wingers - was that Bologna exploited the areas they had vacated when countering. For a mid-table side, a wing duo of Ricardo Orsolini and Nicola Sansone can be really dangerous, and the pair caused problems for Roma throughout the game. It is something for Fonseca to reflect upon against the bigger teams. Disjointed attack down to fatigue In contrast, Roma's front four struggled to find any kind of connectivity for large parts of the game. Striker Dzeko and attacking midfielder Pellegrini cut frustrated figures, while Justin Kluivert was peripheral and Henrikh Mkhitaryan faded after a decent start. Fortunately for Roma, there does not appear to be any identifiable long-term problem that is being masked by good results. Instead, the quartet's struggles can be attributed to the fact that they have all played a lot of football already this season. With another midweek game coming up against Atalanta, Fonseca will have to get the balance right in his rotation policy again, to make sure he has a fresh attack, that still makes the most of his in-form players. Pellegrini under pressure If there was one question to be raised of Pellegrini, it would relate to how he is coping with his new-found game-changer role. The Roman has been a level above the competition in terms of his quality in the first few games, but Sunday was one of those days where nothing really came off for him in normal time. Is that because he is adapting to the increased pressure on him to match his impressive standards regularly? Does he have the mentality to thrive in a leadership role, with his team relying on him more than ever? In added time, he suggested the answer was yes. After Veretout's surge forward, Pellegrini had the ball at his feet, knowing that it was likely to be Roma's last chance to steal a winner. When it mattered most, he plucked out a perfect cross for Dzeko, giving the Bologna defence no chance. It may have been a struggle for most of the 90 minutes, but Pellegrini has shown that when the going gets tough, he can still make a difference. Wake up call for Mancini Given that he was essentially signed as the replacement for Kostas Manolas, Gianluca Mancini hasn't quite lived up to the standards of his predecessor yet. After a mixed start to the campaign, with some good and some bad displays, the former Atalanta man received Roma's first red card of the season, due to two bookable offences. The first challenge was definitely a yellow, and while the second appeared a little harsh, it should still serve as a wake up call for the defender. He is still finding his place in the Roma backline, and once he settles in among his new teammates, he should be fine. However, he may have a thing or two to learn about concentration and reading the game from centre-back partner Federico Fazio - who turned in another positive display. Veretout finding his place One new addition who seems to need no time at all to fit in is Veretout, the architect of the winning goal. The former Aston Villa and Fiorentina player started a second consecutive Serie A game in midfield, and showed some positive signs. Early on, his range of passing was impressive - just like midfield partner Bryan Cristante, who has been transformed recently. Veretout began to give the ball away a bit in the middle of the match, and picked up a yellow card in the 64th minute. But after that booking, he knuckled down and got back to what he had been doing in the first half an hour or so. His determination in the run leading to the goal was commendable, and fans will surely relate to the passion he showed in his celebration after Dzeko nodded the ball in. Roma might just have found the man to transform their midfield.
Player Ratings: Lopez 7; Florenzi 4; Mancini 5; Fazio 7; Kolarov 7; Cristante 7; Veretout 7; Kluivert 5; Pellegrini 5; Mkhitaryan 6; Dzeko 6 Subs: Spinazzola 5; Zaniolo 5; Jesus N/A Coach: Fonseca 6 Man of the Match: Cristante
Roma began their Europa League campaign with a 4-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday night, extending their unbeaten run to 13 games.
Having picked up their first win of the league season on Sunday with a first half demolition of Sassuolo, Paulo Fonseca's men scored four again, only this time they kept a clean sheet as well. Ambitions are high for the tournament, and things could not have got off to a better start - especially with unfancied minnows Wolfsberger thrashing Borussia Monchengladbach by the same scoreline in the group's other game. Roma took advantage of an early own goal, with Edin Dzeko, Nicolo Zaniolo and Justin Kluivert adding to the tally to continue the positive start to the season. Fonseca finds the right balance It could have been easy for Fonseca to rotate his entire team, with a busy week of Serie A coming up that will see Roma face Bologna on Sunday and Atalanta on Wednesday. Indeed, the coach did take the opportunity to rest some players, with Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Alessandro Florenzi getting a break - but a consistent spine was kept in the starting lineup. Defenders Federico Fazio and Aleksandar Kolarov, midfielder Bryan Cristante, striker Dzeko and winger Kluivert have been among some of the club's most consistent performers in their opening four games. All started the Europa League opener, and continued their bright form. Cristante put in his best passing display of the season - perhaps even his entire time at the club - by orchestrating play from the base of midfield. Dzeko was the ever-reliable focal point up front, scoring his 90th goal for the club as he closes in on a century. And the defensive duo also played their part in building play from the back. There was also the opportunity for the likes of Javier Pastore, Amadou Diawara and Leonardo Spinazzola to get much-needed gametime with their first starts of the season, while Nikola Kalinic came off the bench for his debut. All in all, Fonseca made the most of the opportunity to rotate. Nikola's Kali-Schick moment Kalinic's cameo did not make the best impression, though. After being played in with a glorious through ball from in-form sub Pellegrini, the new striker had yards to run at before what should have been an easy one-on-one finish. Instead, the former Fiorentina man pulled the trigger far too early, making it an easy save for the keeper. It was reminiscent of the chance Patrik Schick - the man he has replaced at the club - missed against Juventus in his first season. Fans will only hope that it isn't the start of a wretched spell in Rome like the one Schick went on to endure.
Praise for Pastore When Pellegrini was replaced by Pastore against Sassuolo, the attacking midfielder's arrival was met with a howl of boos from the fans. There could not be a greater difference between the perception of the two players - Pellegrini is Rome born and bred, one of the fans, and was comfortably the best player on the pitch that day, turning in one of the best individual displays seen at the club since the likes of Dzeko and Kostas Manolas in the famous Champions League win over Barcelona in 2018. As for Pastore, his time at Roma has been a disaster, due to injuries and a lack of quality. However, when the reverse substitution was made against Basaksehir, Pastore was applauded off the pitch instead. Particularly in the first 15 minutes of the second half, he had started to show some quality, beating opponents easily with his range of tricks. The end product was missing, as he couldn't quite set up a chance for his teammates, but he had done enough to begin the healing process with the supporters. Even so, a run of games will be hard to find given how well Pellegrini did when he replaced him. Zaniolo's versatility growing Another player who will still pose a threat to Pastore's chances is Nicolo Zaniolo, who delivered his best performance of the past six months. The promising midfielder hasn't started the season in the best form, leading to his omission from the senior Italy squad for the first time since his debut, but looks to be on the road to redemption already. Starting on the right wing for his first Europa League appearance, he caused problems for ageing full-back Gael Clichy all night thanks to his pace and strength. Whenever he has played out wide before, Zaniolo has looked wasted, but Thursday night showed that he is beginning to adapt to the demands of being a versatility man. He did not look out of place as he put in a man of the match display. Let's not forget that his first, and most famous, Roma goal came from the right-hand side, when he bamboozled the Sassuolo defence after cutting inside last December. Especially with Pellegrini making the number 10 role his own, Zaniolo can be a useful option on the right - as can Kluivert, whose goal came from that side of the box despite him playing as a left winger - while Cengiz Under recovers from injury. Lopez yet to fully convince Roma may have picked up their first clean sheet of the season, but not without a couple of nervous moments from Pau Lopez. High hopes are placed upon the Spaniard's shoulders after Robin Olsen's failure to live up to expectations last season. Lopez is the most expensive goalkeeper in Roma's history, but the credit for the clean sheet does not lie with his gloves. There was one moment in the second half when he came to claim a cross, but fumbled at it, only for the defence to spare his blushes. Of course it will take time for him to settle in - he quickly needs to gain a better grasp of the language than he did that cross - but has he made a memorable save yet? Even if he hasn't been terrible, Lopez needs to show his worth soon. Player Ratings: Lopez 6; Spinazzola 6; Fazio 7; Jesus 5; Kolarov 6; Diawara 5; Cristante 7; Zaniolo 8; Pastore 6; Kluivert 6; Dzeko 7 Subs: Pellegrini 7; Veretout 4; Kalinic 4 Coach: Fonseca 7 Man of the Match: Zaniolo
As Roma's Europa League campaign gets underway, there is a general sense of optimism that the club will take the competition seriously and be among the contenders for the trophy.
Paulo Fonseca has already confirmed that Roma have "big ambitions" for the competition, with the coach having previously reached the quarter-finals with Braga in 2015-16, before being knocked out by his next club, Shakhtar Donetsk. Over the summer, Roma assembled an experienced squad, with the lineup now featuring several players who have good history in European competition. Here is a brief look at the furthest stage each player has reached in both the Champions League and Europa League. Davide Zappacosta Champions League best: Round of 16 (Chelsea, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Chelsea, 2018-19) The first of five former Europa League winners in Roma's squad, Zappacosta got his hands on the trophy at the first time of asking last season. The previous year, he had seen his new Chelsea side qualify behind Roma in their Champions League group before being eliminate in the Round of 16. Having never competed in Europe before leaving Italy to join Chelsea, he now has the opportunity to make his mark with a club from his homeland.
Bryan Cristante Champions League best: Quarter-final (Milan, 2011-12) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) The Champions League gave Cristante his professional debut as a 16-year-old, with the midfielder featuring for Milan in a group match. The Rossoneri reached the quarter-finals that year, but he played no further part. He was more involved when Atalanta reached the Europa League Round of 32 in his final season in Bergamo, scoring three goals as he played in all of their eight games in the competition. Only Josip Ilicic scored more for them in Europe that year. Juan Jesus Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Inter, 2012-13; Roma, 2014-15 and 2016-17) One of several players to follow on this list whose best European run came with Roma, Jesus was a starter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final loss to Liverpool. It was the Europa League that gave him his first taste of European football, though, when he reached the Round of 16 in his first full season with Inter - a feat he has repeated twice with Roma since. Chris Smalling Champions League best: Runner up (Manchester United, 2010-11) Europa League best: Winner (Manchester United, 2016-17) An unused sub in both games when his Fulham side faced Roma in the 2009-10 group stage on their route to the Europa League final, Smalling went one better by winning the competition with Manchester United in 2017, playing all 90 minutes of the final. At the start of his United career, he had even come close to winning the Champions League, watching from the bench as his side lost to Barcelona at the end of his first season there. He had played nine games on their journey to the final.
Lorenzo Pellegrini Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Group stage (Sassuolo, 2016-17) Pellegrini was a member of the squad that got Roma further than ever before in the Champions League era, starting the second leg of the semi-final against Liverpool in which his side came within a whisker of another extraordinary comeback. Preparing him for that adventure, and his time at Roma as a whole, had been a two-year stint at Sassuolo, where he helped Eusebio Di Francesco's side qualify for Europe for the first time, before they were knocked out in the group stage. Diego Perotti Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Sevilla, 2013-14) Brought to Europe by future Roma sporting director Monchi in 2007, Perotti worked his way through the ranks at Sevilla, with his time with the La Liga club culminating in victory in the Europa League in his last year with the club - although at the time, he was out on loan at Boca Juniors. It was the first of three consecutive triumphs in the competition for Sevilla, but Perotti wasn't able to play in Europe again until joining Roma in 2015. He scored in the first leg Champions League semi-final defeat to Liverpool, giving some late hope of a Stadio Olimpico comeback. Edin Dzeko Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Wolfsburg, 2009-10) For someone who spent four-and-a-half years with high-spending Premier League giants Manchester City, it may come as something of a surprise to learn that neither of Dzeko's best runs in each of Europe's two competitions came while at the Etihad Stadium. Instead, it was as part of a successful Wolfsburg side that he reached the Europa League quarter-finals, having dropped down from the Champions League the year after winning the German title. Nearly a decade later, he was the only Roma player to score in both legs of the CL semi-final against Liverpool. Aleksandar Kolarov Champions League best: Semi-final (Manchester City, 2015-16; Roma 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Manchester City, 2010-11 and 2011-12) Another part of the unfortunate Roma side to lose in the Champions League semi-finals, Kolarov was the only member of that squad for whom the last four wasn't uncharted territory. Man City were edged out by eventual champions Real Madrid in the semi-final in 2016 - certainly a higher calibre opponent than the ones who had curtailed their furthest Europa League era ventures, with Dynamo Kyiv and Sporting CP being responsible for their Round of 16 exits in Kolarov's first two years at the club. Pau Lopez Champions League best: Group stage (Tottenham Hotspur, 2016-17) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Tottenham Hotspur, 2016-17; Real Betis, 2018-19) Despite being Roma's most expensive goalkeeper signing of all-time, Pau Lopez is yet to fully convince in his short time at the club. Unless Fonseca opts to rotate, the Europa League could be where Lopez comes into his own, but he has limited international pedigree. He never played in his sole season at Tottenham, where their European record was poor, meaning his Europa League debut only came last season, with Real Betis. They conceded six goals over two legs as they lost to Rennes, despite having won their group with just two goals conceded. Mert Cetin Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: N/A Roma's least high-profile summer signing, Cetin has never featured in European competition - and is unlikely to change that this year, having been left out of the squad for the group stages. Cengiz Under Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Play-off round (Istanbul Basaksehir, 2016-17) Under has grown into one of Roma's most important players over the last two years, but is yet to feature in the Europa League group stages. His only previous taste of the competition came when Fonseca's Shakhtar beat Istanbul Basaksehir - one of Roma's Group J opponents this season - in the play-off round. He secured his move to Roma the year after, playing his part in the run to the last four of the Champions League in his first taste of the competition. Davide Santon Champions League best: Winner (Inter, 2009-10) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Newcastle United, 2012-13) The only Champions League winner in Roma's squad isn't even a regular starter. Santon made one appearance on Inter's road to the 2010 final, where they beat Bayern Munich 2-0. He returned to Inter in 2015, a couple of years after reaching the Europa League quarter-finals with Newcastle. Nikola Kalinic Champions League best: Round of 16 (Atletico Madrid, 2018-19) Europa League best: Runner up (Dnipro, 2014-15) Roma's new back-up striker won the UEFA Super Cup in 2018 (as an unused sub), but was not part of the Atletico Madrid side that qualified for the event by winning the previous year's Champions League. Instead, his best ever CL run came last season, when Atletico, like Roma, lost in the Last 16 despite winning their first leg match. He has scored in a European final though, giving Dnipro the lead in the 2015 Europa League final, which they weren't able to defend against Sevilla. Federico Fazio Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Sevilla, 2013-14; 2015-16) Kalinic's Dnipro couldn't topple Sevilla in that game, which was sandwiched between the two Europa League titles that Fazio won with the club. In 2014, he played all of the final as Sevilla beat Benfica on penalties in Turin, while having returned to the club on loan from Tottenham for the latter half of the 2015-16 season, he was not used as the Spaniards beat Liverpool - who exacted their revenge on Fazio at Roma two seasons later in the Champions League semis.
Jordan Veretout Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: Round of 32 (Saint-Ettiene, 2016-17) One of the least experienced members of Roma's squad in terms of international activity, midfielder Veretout has only played in the Europa League once before. His Saint-Ettiene side topped their group after navigating the qualifiers in 2016-17, but were the first knockout victims of Smalling's Man Utd, who beat them 4-0 on aggregate in the Last 32. Nicolo Zaniolo Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: N/A Zaniolo's Roma debut actually came in the Champions League, before he had even played in Serie A. The midfielder made the most of his opportunities and became the youngest Italian player to score a CL brace in the Round of 16 first leg against Porto. The return leg did not go to plan, however, as Roma crashed out of the competition. Now, he will have his first chance to play in the secondary competition, the Europa League. Gianluca Mancini Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) Mancini had the chance to be part of Atalanta's first ever Champions League side this season, and thus to make his debut in the competition, but sacrificed it to move to a bigger club in Roma. Another player upon whom expectations will be high despite a lack of European experience, Mancini did not play in any of the games when Atalanta reached the Round of 32 in his first season there. The year after, he played three times, scoring once, as they lost in the play-off round on penalties to Copenhagen. Alessandro Florenzi Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2014-15 and 2016-17) A loyal player whose only permanent home has been boyhood club Roma, Florenzi will be hoping to captain Roma to success this season. In the past, when serving as a vice-captain behind Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, he reached the Europa League Round of 16 on two occasions. Roma lost to Fiorentina and Lyon respectively, before he was part of the first post-Totti side, which instantly reached its furthest ever stage in the Champions League era. Javier Pastore Champions League best: Quarter-final (PSG, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16) Europa League best: Group stage (Palermo, 2010-11; PSG, 2011-12) For a player of his pedigree, Pastore's record in Europe makes for rather disappointing reading. The attacking midfielder was part of a PSG side still finding their feet on the continent, as they lost in the quarter-finals in four successive seasons. In the Europa League - which he will be playing in for the first time in eight seasons - he has never made it beyond the group stage, as both Palermo and PSG finished third when he was involved with them. Leonardo Spinazzola Champions League best: Quarter-final (Juventus, 2018-19) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) Despite being at Juventus since 2012, a series of loan spells meant Spinazzola's European debut was delayed until 2017, when he helped Atalanta to the Round of 32, playing in six games. His form in Bergamo was rewarded with a Juventus return the next season, but they couldn't beat Dutch giants Ajax in the quarter-finals. He played just one game in the tournament, but will have more opportunities in Europe with Roma. Amadou Diawara Champions League best: Round of 16 (Napoli, 2016-17) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Napoli, 2018-19) One of the players who could benefit from Fonseca's rotation policy in Europe, Diawara's only previous experiences in continental competitions came with Napoli. In his first year there, they reached the Round of 16 of the Champions League, the furthest the club has ever been in the tournament. After coming third in their group in each of the last two seasons, they dropped down to the Europa League, losing to RB Leipzig in the Round of 32 in 2018, and reaching the quarter-finals in 2019, where they were beaten by Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Arsenal without scoring. Mirko Antonucci Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: N/A Only included on Roma's secondary squad list for the group stage, the Italian youngster came on as a last-throw-of-the-dice sub in the second leg against Liverpool in the Champions League two seasons ago. Daniel Fuzato Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: N/A Signed from Palmeiras last summer, Fuzato is yet to make his senior debut for Roma, and has not been included on the squad list for this year's group stages. Henrikh Mkhitaryan Champions League best: Quarter-final (Shakhtar, 2010-11; Borussia Dortmund, 2013-14) Europa League best: Winner (Manchester United, 2016-17) The last Europa League winner on this list, Mkhitaryan started and scored in Man Utd's 2-0 win over Ajax in 2017. After moving to Arsenal, he should have had the chance to play in another final last season, but political tensions between host venue for the final, Azerbaijan, and Mkhitaryan's home country, Armenia, meant he did not travel as his side lost to Chelsea. In the Champions League, he has reached the quarter-finals on two occasions. In 2011, after beating Roma in the Round of 16, Mkhitaryan's Shakhtar lost to Barcelona. Later, the Dortmund side he joined in 2013 had reached the CL final the season before, but weren't able to repeat the feat.
Antonio Mirante Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: Group stage (Sampdoria, 2008-09) Veteran keeper Mirante made his Champions League debut with Roma last season, playing once in the group stage versus Viktoria Plzen and then in the first leg of the Round of 16 against Porto. Roma won that leg, but when Robin Olsen returned in his place for the second leg, it was an extra time elimination for the Giallorossi. This year, Mirante may be given the chance to play in the Europa League for the first time in over a decade, having previously kept goal for Sampdoria on three occasions over two seasons in the tournament. Justin Kluivert Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: Runner up (Ajax, 2016-17) Kluivert had to watch on as a spectator as his former Ajax side marched to the semi-finals of last season's Champions League, having moved to Roma last summer. He could only reach the Round of 16 with his new side, but it was still better than the qualifying eliminations he had experienced in his previous two seasons with the Dutch side. The first of those led them to the Europa League final, where Kluivert stayed on the bench as Mkhitaryan helped fire Man Utd to the trophy. Now, the duo are teammates, and with both having unfinished business in the competition, they will be hoping to go far with Roma.
Roma had a busy summer transfer window, bringing in 10 new players to bolster the squad for incoming coach Paulo Fonseca.
As a result, it was a naturally busy summer for journalists, who sought to find out what Roma's next moves would be. All the reports had to start somewhere, so here is an attempt to trace who broke the initial news of each of the signings Gianluca Petrachi made. Leonardo Spinazzola The first player to arrive this summer was Spinazzola, as part of a swap deal that sent academy graduate Luca Pellegrini to Juventus. Although it was near the start of the mercato, this proposal seemed to materialise very quickly. The two clubs were linked with several player exchanges over the summer, with Roma reportedly interested in Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Perin, and Juventus pursuing Nicolo Zaniolo as well. When Juventus made their first attempts for the Italian midfielder, Pagine Romaniste's Davide Moresco appeared to be the first to suggest that Roma had asked for Spinazzola as well as Higuain as part of the swap (report dated 21st June). Although Zaniolo and Higuain stayed put at their respective clubs, the seeds were planted for Spinazzola. La Stampa claimed that the entire swap between the five players was on, in a report dated 26th June, but obviously only two players ended up making the moves. Various sources reacted two days later, when it emerged that a meeting had taken place to conclude the Spinazzola-Pellegrini swap. Sky Sport's Fabrizio Romano revealed in the early afternoon that the two clubs were at work over the swap of the duo, with Il Tempo's Filippo Biafora confirming shortly after that the deal would be weighted such that Juventus earned €8m. Gazzetta Dello Sport were the next to react, revealing Spinazzola's price as €29m - €0.5m away from the value that was confirmed when the deal was made official two days later. Amadou Diawara Also arriving towards the start of the window was Diawara, in another swap, seeing Kostas Manolas move to Napoli. It was known for some time that Manolas was likely to leave, but Napoli emerged as a surprise destination at first. When it became clear that they weren't willing to pay the defender's €36m release clause, talk of players being included in the deal began. Sky Sport were the first to suggest that Diawara had been offered to Roma on 14th June, even though they admitted the Giallorossi would have preferred Dries Mertens. Consequently, Corriere Dello Sport said the following day that the channel was now open for Roma to take Diawara - while also reporting on Roma's request for the Belgian striker. Il Messaggero revealed the structure of the operation on 19th June. With Roma approaching a financial deadline, the paper confirmed that Manolas' move would be posted on the present year's balance, but the club would wait until 1st July to confirm Diawara's signing. The green light came when, on 25th June, Di Marzio said that the deal would be completed that week, with Romano giving his famous "Here we go!" tweet the next day to declare the operation as finalised. There appeared to be a last-minute glitch over personal terms, with RomaPress denying Di Marzio's suggestion that the contract had been agreed on 27th June - although they admitted there were not likely to be many problems in reaching a conclusion. Biafora revealed on the 28th that the negotiations were finally done, with the player agreeing a five-year contract and the clubs agreeing a €19m fee. Two days later, Di Marzio corrected him, announcing the price as €21m, which was confirmed in Roma's official announcement the next day. Pau Lopez It was clear for quite some time that Roma needed a new goalkeeper, with Robin Olsen being dropped before the end of the season. As mentioned above, Perin was one of the options listed, but Roma eventually chose Pau Lopez from Real Betis. La Repubblica revealed that Petrachi was considering the Spaniard on 13th June, shortly before Di Marzio claimed he was the first name on Fonseca's list, even if the €25m valuation was too high. 48 hours later, Di Marzio dealt fans a blow the same day by revealing that the initial €20m offer had been rejected. Ultimately, Roma reached an agreement with Betis by removing their right to 50% of the sell-on fee of Antonio Sanabria - with Di Marzio again being the one to reveal their plans to do this, on 18th June. In Spain, El Confidencial were confident that an agreement had been reached on 2nd July, worth €18m plus the Sanabria clause. Three days later, Romano proclaimed that the documents would be exchanged within 24 hours and Di Marzio revealed the medical was scheduled for the 8th. He was confirmed the next day - although no-one got the actual fee, €23.5m, correct. Gianluca Mancini Possibly the longest-running link of the 10 players to join was defender Mancini. The Italian had been a target for Petrachi's predecessor Monchi in January, after Tuttomercatoweb claimed on 5th November that Roma (and Inter) had gone to scout him in Atalanta's clash with Bologna the previous day. The idea of Manolas leaving was already likely in January, and Gazzetta said on the 3rd of the new year that Mancini was the plan as his replacement, with the price likely to be €25m. Mancini's agent did not deny Roma's interest in an interview with the paper the next day, but detailed the defender's plan to stay in Bergamo until the end of the season. Mancini eventually signed on loan with an obligation to buy, and the first to understand this structure was Il Giorno, who revealed that Roma would deploy a Cristante-style operation to sign the player on a €5m loan and €20m obligation as far back as 6th January. However, the picture soon changed, with Monchi walking away from Roma at a turbulent time in March. He was replaced on an interim basis by Ricky Massara, before Petrachi officially took over at the start of July - although the former Torino man appears to have been having a say in Roma's business a while before that. Il Giorno revived the reports on 23rd March, becoming the first to reveal that Mancini was still in Roma's thoughts despite Monchi's exit, with Atalanta ready to sell and the capital club the most likely buyer. With Manolas' departure confirmed on 30th June, Biafora said that Mancini was one of two names being considered as a replacement, with Betis' Marc Bartra the other. On 5th July, Tuttomercatoweb revealed the player had agreed a contract until 2024 on a €2m salary - while delivering the all-important development that a fee of €25m had been agreed with the club. TMW then said Fonseca had given his approval to the move on the 9th as the final hurdles approached, as La Stampa's Matteo De Santis and Il Tempo's Alessandro Austini agreeing that he would be the next arrival. De Santis confirmed it would be a loan with an obligation to buy, totaling €26m - although ReteSport suggested the agreement was for a two-year free loan, with a payment of €21m plus €4m in bonuses. Many sources expected the deal to be closed within a matter of hours, but it actually took a little longer - enough time for De Santis to reveal that the figures would be a €2m loan, plus an obligational payment of €19m, and a further €5m in add-ons. When the deal was made official the next day, on the 17th, Roma confirmed they had got a better deal - with the price comprising a €2m loan, a payment of €13m, and an additional €8m. Jordan Veretout
Arriving shortly after Mancini was the subject of another protracted transfer saga, that of Jordan Veretout. The French midfielder is another player whose links with Roma can be traced back to the Monchi days, with Corriere Della Sera claiming him as a target for last summer all the way back in April 2018, although his move obviously did not occur that year. Monchi's interim replacement Massara was also said to want him, via a ForzaRoma.info report in April this year. By the summer, it became clear that the Fiorentina man was going to be a target, with Di Marzio revealing on 9th June that Fonseca was keen on him and contacts had already been made. The next day, Calciomercato claimed he was the most likely candidate to replace departing legend Daniele De Rossi. Veretout was in high demand though, with Napoli and AC Milan also heavily linked. However, by the 17th June, Corriere Dello Sport were confident that Roma were ahead of the latter at least, while Tuttomercatoweb went one step further four days later by revealing that Roma were in pole position. A number of meetings took place with his agent, with the first coming on Monday 24th June - revealed three days earlier by Gazzetta Dello Sport's Nicolo Schira. On 2nd July, Sky confirmed that the next meeting was to be on the next day. It must have had some impact on the player, as Fiorentina director Daniele Prade revealed on the 4th that Veretout wanted to leave. Eventually, Milan and Napoli dropped away, with the key being revealed by Di Marzio on 10th July - the fact that Roma had surpassed them with a cash only offer. The decisive final meeting came on 16th July, revealed the day before by Di Marzio, with Biafora confirming that after three hours of face-to-face, an agreement had been reached for a five-year contract. But it was Di Marzio who had beaten him to the announcement by six minutes, revealing he would cost €17m plus €2m in bonuses - missing that the deal would actually be a €1m loan and €16m obligation to buy, plus the bonus €2m. Distance still remained with Fiorentina, warned Calciomercato the next day, but Biafora and Di Marzio were separated by a matter of seconds again on the 18th when they confirmed that the total agreement had been reached, and that he could undergo his medical the next day. In the end, he did arrive on the 19th, but took his medical the day after. Mert Cetin
The least famous name to be brought in this summer, and therefore surely one of the more difficult to get information on. Biafora got there first on 15th August, also being able to confirm - correctly - that one more centre-back could arrive after Cetin. The understanding of his €3m price tag came from his native Turkey, where Fanatik editor Yakup Cinar was able to confirm the details shortly after Biafora's announcement. Davide Zappacosta It was clear for some time that Roma needed a new right-back, with many outlets reporting interest in Elseid Hysaj. The rumours of Zappacosta being an alternative actually originated from Calciomercato on 4th June, although they didn't think Chelsea would let him go. Il Messaggero were the first to understand that he was not an alternative to Hysaj, but the more likely arrival, on 7th August. With Chelsea boss Frank Lampard confirming he would have to find a solution eight days after, a meeting materialised, according to Tuttomercatoweb, on 18th August, with the hypothesis becoming ever stronger. By the 20th, Di Marzio could confirm that an agreement had been met, and he would take his medical the day after, when his move was made official. Chris Smalling The speed at which Smalling's move to Roma was arranged is well-documented, with the defender joining the club on 30th August. One day earlier, Austini had revealed that the Englishman could be the 'Mister X' he said Roma were considering as an alternative to Dejan Lovren or Daniele Rugani. Things escalated quickly from there, with Romano confirming within the next 10 minutes that an agreement for a dry loan worth €3m had been met. Nikola Kalinic
Roma completed two senior signings on deadline day, both of which happened fairly quickly. The first to be announced was striker Kalinic, with there being whispers for a few weeks that he would be the replacement if Patrik Schick left. RB Leipzig ultimately cut it very fine to sign Schick, but once they did, Roma could unveil Kalinic. The first to suggest Roma's consideration of a loan for Kalinic was Sky Sport, on 22nd August, reporting that contacts with his entourage were advanced and Fonseca had given the green light to his potential signing, on loan with an option to buy. The next update came on 30th August, when Biafora revealed that Kalinic also had an offer from Qatar, but was waiting for Roma. Calciomercato.com said the details had been agreed with Atletico for a loan and €10m option to buy - €1m shy of the actual value that was to be confirmed two days later. The same site were the ones to reveal that he would fly in on 1st August to take his medical the next day. Henrikh Mkhitaryan
In one of the most exciting and surprising moves of the window, Roma completed their summer business with the last-minute acqusition of Mkhitaryan on loan from Arsenal. The primary announcement came very late on 1st September, via Romano at 10:14pm BST, with Austini claiming he would arrive on loan with an option to buy seven minutes later. Although such an option was not officially announced, there is hope that Roma could make his signing permanent if he has a good season. Paulo Fonseca takes charge of his first Serie A match as Roma coach on Sunday, as the new season gets underway with a home match against Genoa.
Pre-season has been mainly positive for Roma, who have not tasted defeat despite some tough clashes against the likes of Lille, Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid - against whom a penalty shootout victory earned them the Mabel Green Cup. Fonseca will now be hoping his side can translate that form into the season, starting with his first competitive match at Stadio Olimpico. It has been a summer of change, including the appointment of the new coach, but few of the new signings will be on show on Sunday. Pau Lopez will take his place in goal, but Leonardo Spinazzola is ruled out with injury, while Jordan Veretout did not feature at all in pre-season and only has a space on the bench. Centre-back Gianluca Mancini suffered a couple of knocks in recent friendlies, with Fonseca confirming at his press conference that Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus would be the starting duo in the position. In terms of the other new arrivals, that leaves Amadou Diawara, who is not likely to be picked ahead of Bryan Cristante - who Fonseca has been impressed with so far - or Lorenzo Pellegrini at this stage, and Mert Cetin and Davide Zappacosta have likely arrived too late to be involved. Hence, there will be a strong element of familiarity to the Roma side that take to the pitch tomorrow, but even though the group of players did not achieve much last season, Fonseca will be hoping to inspire a new dawn. The hunger is there. It's time for the wolf to join the chasing pack. Expected lineup: Lopez; Florenzi, Fazio, Jesus, Kolarov; Cristante, Pellegrini; Under, Zaniolo, Kluivert; Dzeko
Paulo Fonseca's first game in charge of Roma at Stadio Olimpico ended with an unusual trophy on Sunday night, as a penalty shootout win over Real Madrid earned them the Mabel Green Cup.
Roma had to come from behind twice (although Madrid's second goal should not have stood, due to an offside), but were actually on top for large portions of the game. Diego Perotti and Edin Dzeko got the goals in normal time, but both had been brought off by the time the penalties came around. Nonetheless, Roma scored all their spot kicks, with Marcelo's miss meaning it was victory for Fonseca's side - who got their hands on a lovely tree as a prize.
This was the penultimate friendly before Serie A kicks off in a fortnight's time - with a match against Arezzo just being announced - so here's what Roma can take into the new season from it. Much more fluid in possession In the last friendly, against Athletic Bilbao, Roma's insistence on playing out from the back was at times problematic and dangerous. Against Madrid, though, they got it spot on. Starting from Pau Lopez, Roma were extremely efficient at keeping possession of the ball, both in their own half and in attacking areas. The players linked up very well, keeping the ball moving at all times. Edin Dzeko was vital to the process. Perhaps the better playing surface helped them, but all in all, there were positive signs that Roma are starting to play the way Fonseca wants them to. The return of Zaniolo He's been inconsistent for the last six months, but Nicolo Zaniolo was back to his best against Real. In some ways, it was back to where it all started for the 20-year-old, who made his Roma debut against the same opponents in last season's Champions League. He impressed even more than he did on that occasion, catching the eye with his assist for Perotti. Zaniolo determinedly powered down the right wing before expertly placing his through ball in between Raphael Varane and Eder Militao, and into Perotti's path. It was eye-of-the-needle stuff. Marking in the midfield If there was one criticism of the display, it would be that the marking in the midfield wasn't tight enough. Real's first goal came from a splendid turn and pass from Luka Modric, before Marcelo beat Alessandro Florenzi and curled the ball past Lopez. Modric's quality was no hidden secret - he's the reigning world player of the year. It's important for Roma to ensure they don't give players of that level the time and space to create danger so easily. Fazio in the final phase Say what you like about his lack of pace, but when Federico Fazio recovers the ground, there are few better players in world football at last-ditch defending. The Argentine was a man of the match candidate thanks to his impressive blocks and interceptions, once again showing how well he reads the game. Roma are still looking to bring in a new centre-back, but Fazio will remain a good option in games where his teammates' backs will be against the wall. Options from the spot Roma's regular penalty takers, Perotti and Lorenzo Pellegrini, had been taken off before the shootout came around. It gave Fonseca a chance to analyse his other options from 12 yards out, and all five takers impressed. Aleksandar Kolarov and Leonardo Spinazzola's penalties were both perfectly placed in opposite corners - the former's being slightly more convincing than the latter's - and Bryan Cristante, Cengiz Under and Mirko Antonucci's efforts were equally impressive. Roma may find themselves in need of a hero from the spot in any of the three competitions they will be involved in this season, so it's reassuring to know that those options run deep. Player Ratings: Lopez 8; Florenzi 6; Fazio 8; Jesus 6; Kolarov 7; Cristante 7; Pellegrini 7; Under 8; Zaniolo 7; Perotti 6; Dzeko 8 Subs: Spinazzola 6; Diawara 6; Antonucci 5; Schick 5; Kluivert 6 Man of the Match: Dzeko 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 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
Roma’s new sporting director Gianluca Petrachi is already turning his attentions to bringing new players into the club, and his gaze appears to be partially cast towards La Liga.
Two of the names most heavily linked with a move to Roma both come from the same Spanish club: Real Betis. Goalkeeper Pau Lopez is seen as the ideal man to help fans forget about the woes of Robin Olsen, while Marc Bartra has been identified as a potential replacement for Kostas Manolas. Both are good players, who could prove to be solid additions. But how have players fared when joining Roma from La Liga in the past? Here are the 10 most recent players to make such a switch. Steven Nzonzi (2018) Somewhat surprisingly, Petrachi’s predecessor Monchi only signed one player from La Liga in his spell as Roma's sporting director, despite having spent all his previous career in Spain. That player was someone he had signed before, but like the director himself, wasn't able to replicate the success he had had at Sevilla. Steven Nzonzi's first season with Roma was a mix of ups and downs, with the defensive midfielder not showing the form that saw him become an important part of France's World Cup winning side last summer. After he failed to turn up for his pre-season medicals, it looks like he will be headed for a swift exit. Thomas Vermaelen (2016) Not helped by injuries during his time in the capital, the experienced Vermaelen was a big disappointment in his season on loan at Roma from Barcelona. He was sent off within the first half of his debut, picking up two yellow cards in the drawn first leg of the Champions League play-off defeat to Porto. Beyond that, he was only given six starts in all competitions by Luciano Spalletti, as Manolas, Antonio Rudiger, Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus all proved to be much more reliable options. Seydou Keita (2014) Hardly a headline grabber, but always a solid presence in the midfield, Keita arrived at Roma from Barcelona with a wealth of experience in 2014. He became one of the captains of the group, making more than 50 appearances across a two-year spell. He had won 14 major trophies with Barcelona, but the Malian was not able to add to his honours list in Italy. Antonio Sanabria (2014) Another player to have traded the Camp Nou for Stadio Olimpico, Sanabria had bags of potential when he arrived, but the young striker never really got his opportunity to flourish - making only two appearances before being loaned out to Sporting Gijon the next summer. Roma retained their belief in the player when they inserted a buyback clause into the deal when he was sold to Betis, but that agreement will be relinquished in order to bring Lopez to the club. Jose Angel (2011) With John Arne Riise leaving for Fulham in 2011, Roma needed a replacement at left-back, and 20-year-old Spaniard Jose Angel was chosen. After three successful seasons in the Spanish top flight with hometown club Sporting Gijon, he could have turned out to be a shrewd purchase, but the player lasted just a season in Rome before being loaned out to Real Sociedad for two years, and then being sold to Porto. Bojan Krkic (2011) Once dubbed the new Messi, Bojan was looking for a change of scenery after dropping down the pecking order at Barcelona. The forward joined Roma in a €12m deal, where he would be coached by a fellow former Barca man, Luis Enrique. That season did not go exactly as planned, as Roma came seventh in Serie A, with Bojan contributing seven goals from 33 league games. It was his only season at the Olimpico, as he headed to Milan the year after. Dani Osvaldo (2011) After playing for the likes of Lecce, Fiorentina and Bologna early in his career, Osvaldo made the switch to Spain in 2010 when he signed for Espanyol - initially on loan. The striker spent one-and-a-half seasons in La Liga, before Roma took him back to Italy. A controversial character, Osvaldo finished as top scorer in each of his two seasons with Roma, but Roma made a small loss when they sold him to Southampton in 2013. Fernando Gago (2011) Gago's career had stalled at Real Madrid when Roma took the chance to sign him on loan for Enrique's first season. Roma certainly gave him the opportunity to play more, as he made more appearances than he had managed in his last two years in Madrid, but it wasn't enough to convince the club to make his signing permanent. The Argentine went to Valencia instead. Julio Baptista (2008) Hardly prolific with Real Madrid, Roma gave Baptista the opportunity to revive his career in Italy. His debut was the 2008 Supercoppa Italiana, in which he scored in the penalty shootout as Roma lost to Inter. He continued his good start to life in Rome with a goal in his second Serie A appearance, and he also scored in the first Derby Della Capitale of the season. However, his numbers began to drop, and he was sold to Malaga in 2011. Ludovic Giuly (2007) A fully fledged French international by the time he came to Roma, Giuly had won La Liga with Barcelona in his first two seasons in Catalonia. However, in 2007, he had to make way for emerging talent Lionel Messi, who had taken his place in the team. Giuly came to Roma, where he lasted just a season, despite being the team's fourth top scorer in that campaign with eight goals in all. He was also able to add Supercoppa and Coppa Italia winners medals to his cabinet. Should their arrivals in Rome be confirmed, Lopez and Bartra will be hoping to buck the trend, as several players plucked from La Liga by Roma have not quite worked out as expected. Nonetheless, some were able to add trophies to their collection, and it wouldn’t go amiss if the Betis duo could help Roma achieve some form of major honours again after more than a decade of dust in the cabinet. |
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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