GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
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.
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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
Giallorossi Yorkshire's season review concludes with the individual awards for Roma's players.
For the first time, fans had a say in the awards, as the Goal of the Season vote was made open to the public. The vote went right down to the wire, requiring a secondary Twitter poll. Elsewhere, Giallorossi Yorkshire has chosen some familiar awards, such as Player of the Season, Most Improved Player, and to celebrate their inaugural season, there are four accolades for the women's team. Here are the winners in full. Young Player of the Year - Nicolo Zaniolo This one picked itself. Zaniolo took Serie A by storm in his first season in the top flight, finishing with four goals and two assists from 27 league appearances. The midfielder wasn't afraid of a physical battle despite his lack of experience at a senior level, and became one of his team's most important players with a string of impressive performances. Old Player of the Year - Daniele De Rossi It's not just the young players who deserve credit. Without the influence of those nearer the end of their careers, the season could have been even worse. Antonio Mirante made a big contribution in goal, but the award has to go to De Rossi. In his final season with the club, he continued to give everything when he was on the pitch, as Roma won 10 of the 18 Serie A games he played in. Even at 35, his influence was clear to see. Most Improved Player - Federico Fazio Under Eusebio Di Francesco, Fazio showed the worst form of his time at Roma so far. The defender was losing his concentration and struggling with pace. The last part had always been an issue for him, but he had overcome it with his reading of the game. At the start of the season, though, it wasn't happening. Cue Claudio Ranieri's appointment and cue Fazio's improvement. The Argentine was back to his best, making vital blocks and tackles as Roma closed the season on a nine-game unbeaten run. Signing of the Year - Nicolo Zaniolo Once again, Mirante falls just short of claiming an award in his first season with Roma. The goalkeeper is just beaten to it by Zaniolo, due to the lack of expectations that were on the teenager's shoulders when he arrived. Nobody could have foreseen the contributions Zaniolo would make. And at less than €5m, he is looking like one of the shrewdest purchases in recent history. If Roma decide to sell him on in the future, they could make 10 times that. Women's Young Player of the Year - Giada Greggi In Roma Women's first ever season, a number of youngsters were a key part of the formula. One of those who showed maturity beyond her years was 19-year-old Greggi. A dynamic midfielder, Rome-born Greggi inspired her team with her work rate and creativity. No player contributed more assists for Betty Bavagnoli's side over the season. Greggi even established herself as vice-captain despite her young age, and should be a leader for this side for years to come. Women's Most Improved Player - Flaminia Simonetti Greggi's fellow Rome-born midfielder was in and out of the side in the first half of the season, but Simonetti seized her chance when a couple of her teammates were out injured, and became a key part of the starting lineup in the final weeks. She played with a great determination, helping her to score five goals - bettered only by Annamaria Serturini. Women's Goal of the Year - Luisa Pugnali v Orobica Roma Women's debut campaign brought several impressive goals, with the February win over Orobica bringing two on the same day. Bartoli scored with an overhead kick, but just edging it for goal of the year is Pugnali's strike from earlier in the match. The forward dribbled down the wing with intent, sending one opponent falling to the floor. Pugnali then curled the ball way beyond the goalkeeper's despairing reach.
Women's Player of the Year - Elisa Bartoli Fiercely committed and with the ability to match, diehard Romanista Bartoli jumped at the opportunity to play for her beloved club. A clear choice for captain, she led by example throughout, marauding forward from her left-back position. It's never clear how things will gel in a team's first season, but the squad could not have asked for a better leader than Bartoli to guide them through it. Men's Goal of the Year - Stephan El Shaarawy v Inter It was a close-run contest, as Cengiz Under's strike against Frosinone tied with two El Shaarawy goals - one against Sampdoria and one against Inter - in the initial poll. The Italian's strike against Inter just edged it in the second vote, and it was a deserving winner. El Shaarawy waited for his moment before sending the ball flying in. Player of the Year - Stephan El Shaarawy Of course, it was one of many great moments in El Shaarawy's season. The winger finally established himself as a consistent game-changer, often inspiring his side when they were struggling. At 26 years old, he began to show leadership qualities, and his performances on the pitch proved how much he has matured in his three-and-a-half years with Roma. With just one year left on his contract, it's essential that Roma keep hold of him, and that he keeps progressing as he has this year. Congratulations to all the winners!
Part four of Giallorossi Yorkshire’s season review sees each player’s performances for Roma in 2018-19 rated out of 10.
Each player is given an average rating, based on their scores from matches across the season, and a season rating – a more general reflection of their campaign as a whole. It was a largely disappointing season, so who is to blame, and who can come out of it with their head still held high? Robin Olsen Average Rating: 5.88 Season Rating: 4 Replacing one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Alisson Becker with an unproven Robin Olsen, who had never played in a major European league, was one of Monchi’s biggest mistakes in his time as Roma’s sporting director. Olsen had had a steady World Cup with Sweden, but it should not have been enough to bring him to Roma. The gamble backfired, as the former Copenhagen man made several basic errors which cost his side points. Antonio Mirante Average Rating: 7.00 Season Rating: 8 Fortunately, Claudio Ranieri noticed a change was needed, and replaced Olsen with Mirante. Initially signed as a backup keeper last summer, Mirante proved his worth with a number of impressive performances after claiming a starting berth. Unlike Olsen, he provided a sense of calmness to those in front of him, and was always reliable. He has to be considered as one of the signings of the season. Alessandro Florenzi Average Rating: 5.47 Season Rating: 6.5 It was a season of ups and downs for Florenzi, but that’s just who he is now. What the right-back sometimes lacks in technical quality, he makes up for in heart and desire – which will see him assume the role of club captain next season. Towards the end of the season, he started to show glimpses of his former self, with promising displays against the likes of Juventus. Three goals and three assists in all competitions is hardly a bad return. Rick Karsdorp Average Rating: 6.00 Season Rating: 6.5 Unlike the previous season, 2018-19 actually gave Karsdorp some opportunities to play. And when he did feature, he showed why the club had been so faithful in him. Confident in both directions up and down the right flank, his season was disrupted by injury again, but if he can stay fit, he could still be a top level full-back. Davide Santon Average Rating: 6.29 Season Rating: 7 Some fans scoffed when Santon was included as part of the deal that sent Radja Nainggolan to Inter, but the Italian silenced his doubters with some solid performances. Consistently strong, his ability to play in either full-back role should have been utilised more often by his coaches. Kostas Manolas Average Rating: 5.92 Season Rating: 5.5 Manolas was one of the heroes of 2017-18, as he came to embody the miraculous win over Barcelona, in which he scored the decisive goal. In 2018-19, however, he didn’t live up to those standards. Perhaps his head was turned by talk of a move away, but as a senior player he needed to stand up more when his side were struggling. Federico Fazio Average Rating: 5.97 Season Rating: 6 It’s unfashionable to say it, but Fazio had as many good games as Nicolo Zaniolo over the course of the season. Under Eusebio Di Francesco, he struggled, exposed by the coach’s preference for a high line, but when Ranieri replaced the former Sassuolo boss, Fazio once again became the strong defender he had been in the prior two seasons. Juan Jesus Average Rating: 5.14 Season Rating: 6 A player who never gives anything less than 100% when he steps onto the pitch, Jesus was a touch unlucky not to have played more, especially when Fazio was struggling. He has vastly improved in his three years with Roma, even if he hasn’t been given the chance to be a regular starter. Ivan Marcano Average Rating: 5.08 Season Rating: 5 The acquisition of Marcano on a free from Porto appeared to be something of a coup at the time. Roma were getting an experienced player who could provide competition in a problematic position. However, the centre-back did not feature as much as expected, even if he did show that he could have been an option at left-back as well. Aleksandar Kolarov Average Rating: 6.28 Season Rating: 6 A player who has as many good games as he does bad, Kolarov managed to get through another full season as Roma’s first choice left-back. When it's not his day, he can be a liability in defence, but going forward he was a positive presence, with only Edin Dzeko and Stephan El Shaarawy scoring more than him. However, it is essential that Roma have a younger player to compete for a starting role in the position next season. Steven Nzonzi Average Rating: 6.13 Season Rating: 6 Big things were expected from Nzonzi when he joined Roma in the summer, fresh from winning the World Cup with France. However, his season was a slow burner – perhaps due to fatigue from that gruelling tournament. Like Fazio, he improved vastly under Ranieri, being a combative presence in midfield, breaking up play and making good passes. He didn’t quite reach the world class standards expected of him, but he was nowhere near as poor as some people have made out. Daniele De Rossi Average Rating: 6.05 Season Rating: 7.5 It’s not just sentiment because of who he is – De Rossi could easily have been player of the season if he had been fit all year. His presence on the pitch made a massive difference to his beloved team, as he inspired those around him to raise their games when others were backing down. Fully committed despite his increasing years, the departing captain proved that he could still influence games. In the last of his 18 seasons with Roma, he went out on a high. Lorenzo Pellegrini Average Rating: 5.91 Season Rating: 7.5 One of the players that will have to step up in the absence of De Rossi next year, Pellegrini proved that he could be a future leader in a campaign that demonstrated how much he has progressed since he returned to his hometown club. When deployed in a more advanced role, the number seven was a creative force, helping link up his team’s play. Injuries meant the second half of his season wasn’t as productive, but he has shown that he can be a key player in the near future. Bryan Cristante Average Rating: 5.21 Season Rating: 6.5 It’s still hard to know what to make of Cristante. What kind of midfielder is he? Signed after a high-scoring season with Atalanta, the Italian did not replicate the kind of form he showed in front of goal with the Bergamo side. Later in the campaign, he started to play better in a deeper role, breaking up play well, but he must improve his forward passing if he is to nail down a regular spot at a club of Roma’s stature for years to come. Ante Coric Average Rating: N/A Season Rating: 5 One of the first players in the door in the summer transfer window, Coric’s opportunities were seriously restricted. At 22 years old, he should not be treated as a youth player, but his coaches did not see him as part of the first team picture, meaning his ability is still up for question. Nicolo Zaniolo Average Rating: 5.9 Season Rating: 7.5 An unknown quantity when he arrived with Santon from Inter in the summer, Zaniolo wasn’t expected to take on much responsibility, but after holding his own against Real Madrid on his debut in the Champions League, the teenager began to force himself into the starting lineup. Quickly emerging as a fan favourite, Zaniolo impressed with his skill and strength, but faded slightly towards the end of the year. He must be more careful not to give cheap fouls away in future, but these are minor details. As far as debut seasons go, Zaniolo couldn’t have done much better. Alessio Riccardi Average Rating: N/A Season Rating: N/A Included for sake of completeness, Roma’s promising academy prospect made his debut against Virtus Entella. He was deployed in a deeper role than he is used to, and wasn’t brought on early enough to showcase just how good he can be. Javier Pastore Average Rating: 2.88 Season Rating: 3 The less said, the better. Eyebrows were raised when Monchi vainly parted with nearly €25m for a 29-year-old player who not only had a recent history of injury problems, but didn’t even fit into the only tactical system used by Di Francesco. Pastore, who was inexplicably offered a five-year contract, showed a bit of promise early on with two backheel goals, but after that, the injuries came back to bite him, and he showed an unacceptable lack of effort. Cengiz Under Average Rating: 6.06 Season Rating: 6 Cengiz had announced himself to the world with a number of wonder goals in his first season with Roma, and he started on the right path in his second campaign with a great strike against Frosinone. However, like many of his teammates, injuries hampered his progress, meaning he couldn’t match his tally from the season before. Justin Kluivert Average Rating: 5.71 Season Rating: 6 Roma beat off some strong competition to sign Kluivert from Ajax, but the winger’s debut season with the club was hot and cold. It started on the right note, with an impressive assist for Edin Dzeko in the season opener against Torino, but he struggled for regular gametime thereafter. Di Francesco was reluctant to use him on the right wing when he was a capable option there. Kluivert seems to have no regrets though, even with his former side reaching the Champions League semi-finals without him. Diego Perotti Average Rating: 5.29 Season Rating: 5.5 An often under-appreciated member of the squad, Perotti played less than in any of his three other campaigns with the club – one of which only lasted half the season. However, he still managed to stick away a few of his trademark penalties, as well as netting an impressive half-volley against Fiorentina. Stephan El Shaarawy Average Rating: 6.09 Season Rating: 9 A player who arrived at the same time as Perotti three-and-a-half years ago, El Shaarawy was superb in his first half-season with the club, but had struggled to replicate that form on a regular basis since. In 2018-19, though, he finally stepped up again, shedding the inconsistency which had been holding him back, to become Roma’s most important player. The most frequent source of goals for his side in Serie A, El Shaarawy was a constant threat on the left flank. Tying him down to a new contract should be a matter of urgency for the next sporting director. Edin Dzeko Average Rating: 5.37 Season Rating: 5 Dzeko was the only man to outscore El Shaarawy in all competitions for Roma, but in reality, his season was much worse than his teammate’s. The Bosnian forward looked a shadow of himself as he struggled to make an impact on games. His finishing ability was much more reminiscent of his nightmare first season with Roma than the two that followed, in which he became a club hero. However, despite his disappointing campaign, he should be remembered as just that if he leaves this summer. It wasn’t to be in 2018-19, but Dzeko has still made a big contribution to this club. Patrik Schick Average Rating: 5.68 Season Rating: 5.5 Looking at his form with Czech Republic compared to with Roma, it seems like his club coaches haven’t quite known how to get the best out of Schick. Once again, he struggled to justify his big price tag, but he did start to improve after hiring a mental coach, to help him with the psychological side of the sport. Has he done enough to stay? It’s hard to tell, but there is still a player waiting to be unleashed in there somewhere. Zan Celar Average Rating: N/A Season Rating: N/A Like Riccardi, included for completeness. The Primavera striker had a very impressive season in the youth ranks, but was only given one late cameo for the first team. Perhaps during one of Dzeko's or Schick's barren spells, he should have been given more chances from the bench. Giallorossi Yorkshire's review of 2018-19 will conclude this Friday with the season awards. Don't miss your opportunity to vote for the goal of the season via the poll at the bottom of this link. Giallorossi Yorkshire's end-of-season review 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.
Giallorossi Yorkshire's end of season review gets underway with a look at five areas that could have changed how things went for Roma in the past campaign.
2018-19 was one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory for the Lupi, as they missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time in six years. But could things have turned out differently? What if Antonio Mirante had been first choice all year? One of the worst decisions made by Monchi in the summer was to sell Alisson and replace him with the unproven Robin Olsen. The gamble didn't pay off, as the Swede showed he was not up to the standard required to be Roma's number one. Claudio Ranieri recognised this when he came in as interim manager, and after Olsen had conceded four goals against Napoli, the coach made back-up keeper Mirante his first choice. Immediately, it was the right decision. Mirante gave much more confidence to his backline - perhaps a factor in Federico Fazio's improvement during Ranieri's tenure as well - and pulled off some impressive saves to ensure Roma got better results. There's no doubting that Olsen cost Roma some points, whereas Mirante helped his side to gain them. What if Eusebio Di Francesco had noticed the problem before, and Mirante had been between the sticks all season? What if Di Francesco had been sacked earlier? The decision to make Mirante the first choice keeper was not the only one where Ranieri showed himself to be more prudent than his predecessor. Di Francesco deserved a chance to carry on with Roma after the previous season's miraculous Champions League run, but - not helped by the fact that Monchi signed players that didn't fit into his preferred system - the former Sassuolo boss showed naivety throughout the season. The best time to dismiss Di Francesco would have been straight after the 7-1 loss to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. Such a result was unacceptable, and it made his position untenable. Yes, Ranieri was still in employment at Fulham at the time, so maybe it would have been another, less successful interim manager, but nonetheless, it was clear to everyone that a change was needed - at least, everyone other than Monchi, the man with the power. What if Nicolo Zaniolo hadn't been played out of position? One of the brighter notes of Roma's season was the emergence of teenager Nicolo Zaniolo, who was shown faith from the start, with Di Francesco giving him his debut against then-Champions League titlists Real Madrid before he had even made a Serie A appearance. The summer signing held his own in the midfield three, thriving in a central area. However, partly enforced due to injuries, Zaniolo was moved out to the right wing midway through the season. His attacking output and ability to cut in onto his left foot suggested he would be a competent option for the role, but if anything, it worked to his detriment. Often, the former Inter academy player found himself isolated from games, or crowded out with a lack of space. By the end of the season, his confidence was gone, and he looked a shadow of the player that had announced himself to the world earlier in the season. Maybe if he had been kept in a central role, he would have maintained his high standards right to the end. What if Monchi had made a January signing? As mentioned above, the only person who didn't seem to realise that everything was going wrong was the club's chief decision maker, Monchi. Going into the January transfer window, it was obvious that he needed to sign reinforcements. Roma were in sixth place, and had conceded more goals than even 15th-placed Udinese. However, Monchi stated that the solutions to Roma's problems were to be found within the present squad. In some ways, he may have been right. Fazio and Steven Nzonzi particularly improved when Ranieri came in, but it was obviously not enough. More depth was needed, especially in the full-back areas and attack. That could have helped avoid the problem listed in the point above regarding Zaniolo. If a winger had been signed to cover for the injured Cengiz Under, then maybe Roma could have made a more sustained challenge to break into the top four. What if Daniele De Rossi had been fit all year? Another of Roma's better players throughout the season, despite all the factors against him, was Daniele De Rossi. Matches changed when the captain was involved, as he encouraged those around him to raise their games via his own quality and leadership. He may have only scored one league goal all season, but his presence on the pitch was enough to influence results. Sadly, he spent much of the campaign on the sidelines with injury. If he had been available more, then Roma would surely have done better. Of course, he would not have played in every game, but he would have been there enough to make more of a difference. Perhaps he would have even earned himself the one last contract extension that he was eventually denied. Alas, we shall never know.
As Roma prepare for one legend's final game on Sunday, with Daniele De Rossi set for an emotional departure, there is another huge Romanista who will be overseeing his last game for the club.
Claudio Ranieri's second spell in charge of Roma may have lasted only 12 games, but in that time, he has led a minor transformation, which has nearly seen the club sneak into the Champions League places. Alas, that dream looks virtually impossible now - even if the man himself retains a glimmer of hope - but that should not undermine the work Ranieri has done. When the 67-year-old took charge of his hometown club for a second time, Roma were at one of their lowest ebbs under the American ownership. They had just been dumped out of the Champions League by Porto - not embarrassingly, but in a naive, frustrating manner - coming days after a 3-0 loss to bitter rivals Lazio. The team looked devoid of confidence and ideas. All optimism was gone. Eusebio Di Francesco was removed from his post as head coach, kick-starting a turbulent 48 hours which also saw the resignation of sporting director Monchi. It would require a brave man to take up the reins. The club had not been under this much scrutiny by its fans for a long time, and they were in desperate need of someone who could get them onside again. In Claudio Ranieri, they couldn't have asked for a better man. Rome-born and a big Roma fan, Ranieri would relish the opportunity to coach his beloved team once again. From the outset, he made it clear that he was only focusing on the 12 remaining games and nothing thereafter, but in the process, he unearthed a sense of unity that had been missing for months, even years. Di Francesco had been divisive - his supporters pointed to when he masterminded Roma's comeback victory against Barcelona in the Champions League, but his critics observed a lack of flexibility in his tactics. His own predecessor, Luciano Spalletti, similarly split the fanbase - he guided Roma to a record points total, but treated club legend Francesco Totti in an ungracious manner in his final seasons as a player. But in Ranieri, Roma found someone that, albeit temporarily, everyone could get behind. His optimistic personality made him an instantly likeable character. He had achieved great things with Roma before - being the last man to really lead them close to the title, although Spalletti wasn't far away either - but this time, his reign would be different. Yes, in both his spells, he took charge during a time of chaos, but in his second stint as Roma's coach, he knew he would only have a short time to work with the players. Deep down, he knew he would be leaving once the 12 games were over. Ranieri had a lot of problems to deal with - a leaky defence and a struggling goalkeeper to name but two - but he immediately set to work to make Roma hard to beat again. That was the crucial first step. Some fans may have been longing for free-flowing attacking football, but at that moment in time, Roma needed to go back to basics. Step by step, they could rebuild. Under Ranieri, Roma have been much more compact and hard to break down. They have only conceded more than two goals in a game once, in a loss to Napoli which is one of the only blots on Ranieri's record. After that game, the caretaker coach made a bold decision, dropping Robin Olsen and putting veteran keeper Antonio Mirante between the sticks. Instantly, it paid off. Roma have kept five clean sheets from the eight games since Mirante usurped the Swede as number one. All of a sudden, Roma's distant dreams of reaching the Champions League looked a possibility again. They were grinding out good results against difficult opponents - a win over Sampdoria, a draw against Inter. Roma had worked their way back into contention for a top four place, somewhere they hadn't been all season. Unfortunately, it appears to have been too little, too late. Even with an impressive 2-0 win over champions Juventus, some costly draws against smaller teams look to have proven fatal. But that's no real fault of Ranieri's. Without him, Roma might have been a lot further away. He did enough in his few games to become a genuine candidate for the club's next permanent manager, yet he remained humble all the way through. When Antonio Conte was linked with the club, Ranieri offered to drive him from the airport, so that Roma would have a high-calibre coach. What Ranieri didn't realise, even when Conte declared he wasn't interested in the job, was that he himself was one of the best men Roma could have chosen. For Ranieri, it has always been about the team first. His approach has been completely selfless, but strong. In turn, the atmosphere around the team has improved. Players like Steven Nzonzi and Federico Fazio have played much better under his leadership, and consequently, the side have performed as a more effective unit, greater than the sum of their individual parts. The league table will tell a story that not much has changed since Ranieri returned. Before he arrived, Roma were in fifth, three points off the top four. Going into the final matchday, they are sixth, still three points off the pace. But that story does not paint the full picture. Ranieri restored a spark of belief that Roma's dreams might have been possible again. Thanks to him, they were looking up the table again, rather than down it. It will be a sad day for many reasons on Sunday, as De Rossi bids farewell to the only shirt he has known in his career. But Ranieri should also be given the send-off he deserves. He has been a noble father figure, leading the way as the man to remind everyone what it means to love Roma. What an honourable person he is.
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.
Roma's top four hopes suffered a setback yesterday with a 1-1 draw away at Genoa, leaving Claudio Ranieri's side three points behind with three games left.
It was a tight game, but Roma thought they had found the winner when Stephan El Shaarawy powered the ball home in the 82nd minute. However, a stoppage time equaliser from Cristian Romero meant it was a case of two points dropped for the Giallorossi. The result was nothing other than what Genoa deserved, having caused several problems for Roma's defence. In the end, their poor finishing - including Antonio Sanabria's missed penalty in stoppage time - spared Roma from defeat. If Krzysztof Piatek had still been at the club, then one has to wonder if it could have been a whole lot worse for Roma. Nonetheless, the top four race isn't over, and the performance wasn't as bad as some have made it out to be. Whilst it was definitely one of the lower points of Ranieri's brief tenure, there were some positive signs from individuals, that will give Roma hope of getting six points from their last three matches. It may not be enough to secure Champions League football, but in reality, fifth place would be an achievement given where the side was at Christmas. As the fallout continues from the game, here are the Giallorossi Yorkshire player ratings. Antonio Mirante - 6.5 It was probably Mirante's worst game since he usurped Robin Olsen as first choice. However, he still made some important saves throughout the game that Olsen probably wouldn't have managed. Mirante's positioning for Romero's goal should be called into question, as he didn't fully commit to punching the ball clear or staying on his goalline. Then, he gave away the penalty that could have handed Genoa all three points, but he made amends with a comfortable save from Sanabria's spot kick. Alessandro Florenzi - 7.5 Defensively, Florenzi still leaves something to be desired. He struggles to deal with crosses over his head, and it was a tactic Genoa could have utlised more to threaten Roma further. Offensively, however, it was Florenzi's best game in a while. He put in a number of inviting crosses - a quality that is often missing from his game - and got forward into some good positions. He was replaced late on after pulling up with a muscle injury. Kostas Manolas - 6 Manolas' underwhelming season continued as he found it difficult to deal with the pace of Christian Kouame. Genoa found no problems in getting at the Roma backline, and it was Manolas who was the weak link, with his reading of the play not the best. It wasn't a terrible performance, and thankfully none of his errors led to goals, but he is struggling to live up to his reputation at the minute. Federico Fazio - 7 Alongside Manolas, Fazio continued his upturn in form with a better display. 'Il Comandante' made a few important blocks, including one from a Kouame shot late on. He looks more confident than Manolas at present, and it will be critically important for Roma's season that he continues the way he is in the final three matches. Aleksandar Kolarov - 6.5 On the night, it was Kolarov's opposite full-back Florenzi who was delivering the majority of the better deliveries, which went against the usual plot. As for the Serbian, he didn't dominate his side of play like he sometimes can. He did occasionally indulge himself with his trademark chop, but he stopped short of breaking into the box like he sometimes does, ultimately making things easier for Genoa. Defensively, he struggled to keep pace, which is maybe why he was playing with more caution than usual. Bryan Cristante - 5.5 For a midfielder, Cristante's passing accuracy leaves something to be desired. Even when his passes did go to their intended target, he often put his teammates under pressure by playing the ball to them when they were being marked. There were a couple of better moments for him, when he tried switching the play, but his struggles in helping the team keep possession needs closer inspection from the coaching staff. Steven Nzonzi - 6.5 It was another better performance for Nzonzi, but he didn't quite grab the game by the scruff of the neck as he should be doing - or as the absent Daniele De Rossi would be. In his defence, he won several headers and made some good challenges. He's playing at a good level at the moment, but needs to make one more step up to reach the great levels which brought him to Roma in the first place. All in all though, not bad. Nicolo Zaniolo - 6 Once again, Zaniolo was a marked man, and it affected his output. Whilst he is more than capable of holding his own in a physical battle - just ask Domenico Criscito, who was outmuscled by him, fairly or otherwise, a couple of times - the very fact that he is being forced to get involved in them is affecting his ability to do what he does best. With his space and freedom restricted, he can't get the ball out of his feet and create things. There was one moment shortly before he was substituted, when he managed to break away inside and fire a shot in with his left foot, but his former Inter youth teammate Ionut Radu tipped it over. Lorenzo Pellegrini - 5 Perhaps one way that Zaniolo can rediscover his best is by being restored to a central position, and judging by Pellegrini's recent performances, he may get his opportunity soon. It's not through a lack of effort, but Pellegrini is not meeting the standards he reached earlier in the campaign. He found his time on the ball limited, and he was ultimately frustrated, being the first man to be withdrawn. Stephan El Shaarawy - 7.5 How many times is he going to be Roma's saviour? The winger got his 11th goal of the season with a cushioned left-footed volley, making it seem like he had inspired the side to victory again. He wanted to keep the celebration muted against his former club, but after a goal like that, he couldn't help himself break out into a little smile. He deserves all the plaudits he's getting, and is becoming more and more pivotal to Roma's potential success week by week. Edin Dzeko - 6 Technically got the assist for El Shaarawy's goal, nodding on Justin Kluivert's cross, but could have contributed more. Statistically, he had more shots than any other Roma player, but none of them really stick out in the mind, with just one of them being on target. He needs to get involved more, with better movement, if he wants to give himself a better chance of reaching double figures of league goals, needing two more from his last three games. Substitutes: Patrik Schick - 4 The first man to come on, Schick didn't do much with his 25 minutes on the pitch. He switched off and lost his man for the goal Genoa scored. Justin Kluivert - 4 Kluivert got 20 minutes on his 20th birthday, and he did get a card for the occasion - it was one of the yellow variety, given by the referee. Other than that, his major contribution was the cross that led to the goal. Rick Karsdorp - N/A Came on as a late replacement for Florenzi, making a return to action after not playing for a month due to injury. Coach: Claudio Ranieri - 5 Ranieri set Roma up a 4-2-3-1 formation which has become the norm in recent weeks. His decision to take Kluivert out of the starting lineup was not vindicated, as Zaniolo had a hard time of it out wide. Bringing the Dutchman on, as well as Schick, should have had an effect, but nothing much changed. Ranieri is trying his best for his team, but his faith in some players is perhaps not being repaid. Nonetheless, Roma would have lost this game earlier in the season. The minor improvement in mentality has coincided with Ranieri's tenure, and he will be making sure the players aren't resting on their laurels for the three games he has left with them. |
samuel bannister
Founder and editor of Giallorossi Yorkshire, who is also a columnist for Roma's official website about the women's team. Categories
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