GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Roma made it four games unbeaten on Saturday with a 1-1 draw away at Inter, a result that does no harm to their chances of catching the top four.
With AC Milan drawing to Parma earlier in the day, it was a major chance for Roma to finally rise into the leading quartet in Serie A again, and while they didn't get the win they needed to do so, it was far from a negative performance. Consequently, the Giallorossi remain just one point off fourth place. Roma's defenders stood out more than their attackers, with Inter dominating the ball. Claudio Ranieri's side showed resilience and solidity, making a big effort to keep their hosts at bay having taken the lead through Stephan El Shaarawy's tenth goal of the season. Ultimately, Inter did peg Roma back, but a point at San Siro is never easy. Here's how Giallorossi Yorkshire rated the players. Antonio Mirante - 6.5 It was a mixed afternoon for Mirante, who was starting his fourth game in a row. In the eighth minute, he pulled off a save of the season contender, somehow clutching the ball off the goalline to deny Lautaro Martinez's powerful header. However, later in the half, he fumbled at a long-range shot from Matteo Politano, in a moment which had the Roma faithful panicking. All in all though, Mirante is continuing to justify his selection ahead of Robin Olsen. Alessandro Florenzi - 5.5 Florenzi had quite the task on his hands, forced to nullify the double threat of Kwadwo Asamoah and Ivan Perisic down Inter's left-hand side. Roma's captain for the day went about his job with varying degrees of success. Sometimes he made a good block or challenge, but more often, he was bypassed by the direct nature of the Inter duo. Crosses over the top were a constant source of chances for Inter, and eventually it paid off, with Florenzi being caught out at the backpost for Perisic's goal. Federico Fazio - 7.5 He's starting to look like 'Il Comandante' again. Fazio has been steadily improving since the arrival of Ranieri, and on Saturday night, he continued his upturn in form. In the absence of Kostas Manolas, Fazio was the leader in the backline, showing heart and passion to protect Mirante's goal. When Mirante spilled Politano's shot as half-time approached, it was Fazio who was racing across the six-yard box to put in a challenge, preventing a follow-up shot from Matias Vecino. Juan Jesus - 8 Fazio's centre-back partner impressed in even greater measures. In the build-up to the game, the conversation revolved around the potential impact that Nicolo Zaniolo could have against his former club. But it was another ex-Inter employee, Juan Jesus, who was the real hero for Roma. Called into the starting lineup late, when Manolas was injured in the warm up, Jesus was focused from the off, winning several key challenges. He kept his attention levels high right until the end, putting in a big tackle to deny substitute Mauro Icardi late on. Aleksandar Kolarov - 7.5 The consistently inconsistent Kolarov had one of his better games, certainly in an attacking sense. He gave Roma their first real opportunity of the game, with a powerful left-footed effort from outside the box that flew just wide of Samir Handanovic's post. The full-back was visibly angry with himself that he hadn't hit the target, but what he had done was give Roma the impetus to start the game well. In the dying minutes, he nearly won Roma a penalty, somehow getting a shot away as he was pushed over by Keita Balde. Had he been a little less honest and gone to ground, VAR might just have been tempted to intervene. Steven Nzonzi - 6 Not one of his most noticeable performances. The midfielder won three aerial duels and made two tackles, as he played his part in nullifying former Giallorossi man Radja Nainggolan. However, he wasn't a major part in any of Roma's attacks, as the game seemed to pass him by a little. Bryan Cristante - 6.5 Cristante can also become a passenger figure on the pitch, but against Inter he was more heavily involved than usual. He played a big part in breaking up play to stop Inter counter attacks, trying to incite offensive moments of Roma's own. His passing was more accurate than usual, but he needs to start making more decisive contributions in the final third. Cengiz Under - 5 Handed his first start since January, the winger was brought off at half-time after a rather uninspiring 45 minutes. Cengiz tried to get in behind the Inter defence, but Asamoah defended well against him. Ultimately, he was reduced to a couple of snatched-at crosses, never really causing any danger. After a couple of months out, it will be a case of gradually getting back up to speed, but it looks like Under is a good few weeks away from his best. Lorenzo Pellegrini - 5.5 He had the right ideas, but the execution was a little off. Playing in the number 10 role, Pellegrini tried to create with through balls in behind, but they tended to be overhit. He had a disappointing left-footed shot near the start of the second half, sending it wide of the nearpost when he should have shown more composure. He could have no complaints about being brought off as Ranieri looked for more dynamism. Stephan El Shaarawy - 7 This season has been El Shaarawy's most consistent to date, and he capped it off with another wonder goal to bring up a landmark. His effort to break the deadlock showed intelligence and precision, as he beat the obstacles of Danilo D'Ambrosio and Vecino to get himself into a shooting position. His connection was clean, giving Handanovic no chance. It's the first time he's reached double figures for a season in a Roma shirt, and he fully deserves it. He didn't have too many opportunities beyond that, but the goal was good enough to make up for it. Edin Dzeko - 7 The assist for El Shaarawy's goal came from Dzeko, who was slightly better than he usually has been this term. His hold up play was creditable, and his ability in the air shone through again. He only managed one shot on target, though, and should have done better with an opportunity on his left side early in the game. Subs: Nicolo Zaniolo - 5 Replacing Under at half-time, Zaniolo's freedom was restricted as he had to help cover Florenzi on the right-hand side. When he moved into a more central position following Pellegrini's withdrawal, it was too late for him to have an affect on the game. He went on to pick up a yellow card, which will rule him out of Roma's next game. The immature challenges are something he needs to quickly learn from and remove from his game. Justin Kluivert - N/A Only got 10 minutes to make an impact, and did try to get at Asamoah. Given Cengiz's disappointing showing and Zaniolo's suspension, he may get a chance to start against Cagliari next week. Coach: Claudio Ranieri - 6 A point away at Inter is not an easy accomplishment, but Ranieri was able to guide Roma to it. The Giallorossi's improvements in the defensive phase continued to shine through, all testament to Ranieri's work. With several players unavailable again, most of Ranieri's decisions made themselves. But he is continuing to get on with the job without complaints.
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As summer approaches, we should be getting closer to finding out who Roma's next head coach will be - however, there still doesn't appear to be an easy front runner.
Maurizio Sarri has reportedly been identified as the top target, but if he can guide Chelsea to a top four finish in the Premier League, or victory in the Europa League, then it could be hard to prise him away from London. Atalanta's Gian Piero Gasperini and Sampdoria's Marco Giampaolo are other prime candidates, but doubts remain over their ability to manage top clubs. And, unless a Qatari takeover does happen, Antonio Conte is surely out of Roma's price range. Perhaps there is one man who deserves to be in the mix, who hasn't been suggested yet. A man who is closer to Roma than all the others - current interim boss Claudio Ranieri. Ranieri is now halfway through his expected 12-game tenure, and he has completely transformed Roma's season. He took over a side deprived of confidence, having been embarrassed in the Derby Della Capitale and Champions League. It looked doubtful that Roma could even qualify for the Europa League, let alone finish in the top four. Now, after six games at the helm, Ranieri has guided Roma to fifth place, just one point off the target which seemed impossible just a few weeks ago. He has done so whilst juggling a number of injuries and suspensions to key players. But now, that final goal is within touching distance. Let that sink in. Everybody knew that Ranieri, in the short term, would bring his immense passion for the club and his demands of high commitment from the squad. His enthusiasm for the role has been evident in abundance. The way he says "noi tifosi" (us fans) in his interviews makes the fans feel connected with him. Ranieri is, and always has been, completely in love with this club. He is reminding the squad what it means to play for Roma, making sure they know not to take their place for granted. That mentality has made Roma competitive again. The other main hope when the 67-year-old arrived would be that he would bring defensive stability to the team. It seemed a mountainous task, with Roma having conceded more goals than most of the other teams in the top half. But, somehow, Ranieri has changed things. Thanks to a bold decision in replacing Robin Olsen with Antonio Mirante in goal, and the minor rebirth of Federico Fazio, Roma have now kept two consecutive clean sheets for only the third time this season. Under Ranieri, Roma now look hard to beat again. Earlier in the season, they allowed teams to roll over them, cutting through the backline with ease. Now, that's not happening anywhere near as often. The Giallorossi have a structure, and their spine is solid. Admittedly, it hasn't been perfect, with the loss to SPAL a blip and the heavy defeat to Napoli a major disappointment. But since the latter, Roma have negotiated three tricky fixtures, and have emerged on the other side unbeaten. Ranieri has transmitted to them a resilience that is meaning they are working harder than at any other time this season. Look at the way they bounced back twice to draw with Fiorentina. They showed huge determination to restore parity so quickly both times. He may not be the headline name that some fans want to see as permanent manager next season, but why doesn't he deserve a chance? If he does guide Roma to Champions League qualification, he will have performed nothing short of a miracle. That would surely be enough to at least put him in contention - especially when many of the other names touted are unrealistic. If Roma appointed a manager from elsewhere, it would hit them financially. Sarri, Gasperini and Giampaolo are all currently employed by other clubs and compensation fees would need to be paid, whereas Conte's wage demands would put a major strain on the club. In contrast, Ranieri is already at Roma. Giving him another season in charge would be a much better scenario in terms of cost. One of the more unusual outcomes that has been suggested is for Daniele De Rossi to retire and immediately take over as coach. It's clear that coaching is in De Rossi's blood, and that is where is future will lie, but isn't it too soon to throw him straight into the cauldron? If he does decide to retire this season, then he could become Ranieri's assistant instead. It would be a great combination on the touchline - two men of different generations, both embodying what it means to love Roma. Ranieri could be the tutor that De Rossi needs to give him the grounding in preparation for his future as a head coach. Obviously, at his age, Ranieri would be a short-term solution, but with there being no guarantees over many of the targeted names, he represents the option with least risk. He has been the father figure that Roma have needed to get them out of a difficult patch, and now the players are returning to form under him. Roma shouldn't be afraid to let that continue for one more year, until someone younger and more realistic does become available. Until then, Ranieri deserves to be in with a shout. Want more Roma features on your timeline? Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page! With seven games remaining in the Serie A season, it's still all to play for in the race for the Champions League spaces, with at least six teams still in contention to join Juventus and Napoli in the top four.
After a positive week that saw Roma draw with Fiorentina and beat Sampdoria - dealing major blows to both sides' prospects of sneaking into fourth spot - Claudio Ranieri's side have reaffirmed the belief that they too are well in the mix, and they now lie just one point away from their target. It's still all to play for, as Roma, Lazio, Atalanta and Torino look to catch out the two Milan clubs that currently sit in third and fourth. Here are 10 players - five belonging to Roma, and five opponents - who could have a major say in whether or not the Lupi end the season in the top four. Stephan El Shaarawy The Italian winger is on course to record his first season with double figures of league goals since 2012-13 thanks to his impressive displays for the Giallorossi this season. El Shaarawy has been a threat from the left-hand side, and having recently returned to full fitness, he will be ready for the final push at the end of the campaign. While Edin Dzeko continues to misfire, El Shaarawy's goals could be crucial to Roma's top four ambitions. Moise Kean (Juventus) He's the name on everybody's lips at the moment - Moise Kean looks like the real deal, and has scored in each of his last five games for club and country. Before the end of the season, the champions elect play Inter, Atalanta, Roma and Torino. With Kean's current goalscoring form, Juve boss Max Allegri simply has to keep playing him, and if he continues the way he is, the 19-year-old could do some serious damage to any of their opponents' hopes for the remainder of the campaign. Rolando Mandragora (Udinese) Like Juventus, Udinese will face four of the six sides competing for a place in next season's Champions League before the end of the season, starting with Roma on Saturday. Midfielder Mandragora has been one of their most-used players this season, and the 21-year-old is in good form, having scored in two of their last five games. He will be at the centre of any midfield battles when Udinese take on Inter, Atalanta and Lazio. Cengiz Under This season has been disrupted by injuries for Roma's exciting young winger, but Under is now healthy again and looks set to make a big contribution in the final few weeks. With his eye for goal and willingness to run at opponents, he could create meaningful chances for his teammates. Under can be an important option for Ranieri. Alessandro Florenzi 2018-19 has been a disappointment for Roma's vice-captain. He gave away the decisive penalty which saw La Magica eliminated from the Champions League, and has struggled with niggly injuries. However, he is on the mend, and with fellow right-backs Rick Karsdorp and Davide Santon both injured, he has a role to fill in the immediate future. What he sometimes lacks in ability, he can make up for in passion and desire, and he will need to call on that winning mentality to help his beloved team in the all-important run-in. Senad Lulic (Lazio) A player that Roma fans have come to hate, Lazio's Senad Lulic scored the winning goal against the Giallorossi in the 2013 Coppa Italia final, and has delivered a fair share of nasty blows against opponents in the Derby Della Capitale, both on and off the pitch. With Lazio having Milan, Atalanta and Torino left to play, and Lulic being on a high after scoring a last-minute equaliser in their most recent game, how he would love to play the role of pantomime villian yet again by helping his side make the top four at the expense of any of the above. It's a sight every Roma fan will be hoping they don't have to see. Antonio Mirante Recently usurping Robin Olsen in the Roma goal, Mirante is now Ranieri's first-choice keeper, and must continue to be the reliable figure that the Giallorossi need between the sticks. Mirante kept a clean sheet last time out, against Sampdoria - the side's first in nearly a month - and will be a pivotal figure as Roma look to thwart the dangerous attacks of the likes of Inter, Juventus and Sassuolo. Gervinho (Parma) Another opponent that Roma have left to play is Parma, who they will meet on the final day of the season. In doing so, they will come up against a player who was once their own in Gervinho. The pacy attacker has excelled in his first season back in Italy following a stint in China, netting 13 goals in 27 matches in all competitons. As well as Roma, Parma can dent the top four aspirations of Milan when the two sides meet next Saturday. Could Gervinho make one last contribution to his former teammates by helping them make ground on the Rossoneri? Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) With Atalanta, Roma and Torino left to play, Sassuolo could derail a number of opponents in the race for UCL qualification. Central to their hopes of doing so could be their one-club man, Domenico Berardi. The Italian winger has scored six league goals this season, more than he managed in either of the previous two campaigns. Among his victims have been Lazio, Inter and Napoli, so he isn't averse to scoring against a big opponent, and will be a threat to anyone he comes across in the closing weeks. Nicolo Zaniolo Roma's star of the season, Nicolo Zaniolo has impressed with his skill, physicality and eye for goal. Truth be told, he came off the boil a little bit in the last few weeks of Eusebio Di Francesco's tenure as head coach, but he looks like he's rediscovering his best form - and not a moment too soon, as Roma need all their key players to step up for the last push. Zaniolo is firmly among that group now, fully established as a first teamer and potential match winner. Having scored against Fiorentina, he will be eager to add to his goal tally, and he knows he has the faith of his coach, teammates and fans as he prepares himself to sign off his maiden Serie A campaign on a high note. Roma will be looking to bounce back from their weekend nightmare against Napoli when they host 10th-placed Fiorentina tomorrow evening.
Roma go into the game on the back of successive defeats either side of the international break in Serie A, and after losing 7-1 to La Viola in the most recent meeting between the two sides, the optimism isn't too high ahead of Wednesday night's encounter. The Giallorossi defence has been all over the place recently, and no opponent has exploited that better than Fiorentina did in their January Coppa Italia clash. Roma struggled to cope with the pace of Federico Chiesa on that day, but La Viola might have to manage without him tomorrow, as the winger has been sidelined with a groin problem. He is back in the squad, but unlikely to start. It will no doubt be a relief for Roma's makeshift backline, which will not include the suspended Kostas Manolas. Antonio Mirante could replace Robin Olsen in goal after the Swede's latest poor performance for Roma. Boss Claudio Ranieri admitted he would have to wait until after training to make a decision over who will occupy the position - a response in stark contrast to his claims before the Napoli game that Olsen is the side's number one. The game gets underway at 8pm UK time and will be available to view on Premier Sports 2. It's the first game of Claudio Ranieri's second spell in charge of Roma tonight, as the Giallorossi entertain relegation-threatened Empoli.
Ranieri will be hoping to inspire the team to their first win of March, after disappointing performances in the Derby Della Capitale and Champions League saw Eusebio Di Francesco lose his job. Whilst the level of the opponent gives Roma a good chance to put those wrongs behind them, a number of absences are causing complications to their preparation for the clash. As many as seven first team players are absent, with Edin Dzeko, Federico Fazio and Aleksandar Kolarov suspended, and Daniele De Rossi, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Cengiz Under and Javier Pastore injured. Five Primavera players have been called up as reinforcements, including Alessio Riccardi, who made his senior debut in the Coppa Italia win over Virtus Entella earlier this year, and Zan Celar, who is top scorer for the U19s this term. Due to all the absentees, there won't actually be many major decisions for Ranieri to make. However, the coach must choose whether or not to drop goalkeeper Robin Olsen for Antonio Mirante, after the Swede's recent struggles. As for the opponents, Empoli have only won one game in 2019, and are yet to win on the road all season. The stats, then, certainly favour Roma, but let's see how they cope without the influence of so many key players. Claudio Ranieri is all set to begin his second spell as Roma coach, with his debut in the dugout coming tomorrow against Empoli.
Ranieri was appointed on Friday to take over from Eusebio Di Francesco, signing a contract until the end of the season. The bad patch of form which led to Di Francesco's sacking has seen the chances of the side reaching the top four diminish. However, with Ranieri's positive outlook, there is hope that the team can turn things around and achieve their target. Here are five things the new coach will have to solve in a short space of time if that is to occur. Sort out the defence It's an unenviable task that's easier said than done. Roma have already conceded more goals in Serie A this season than they did in the entirety of last season, and there's still 12 games to go. However, perhaps it isn't a lost cause. Whilst Federico Fazio has been poor this season, he did stand out for the right reasons in his first two seasons with the club, so maybe with some small tweaks - a deeper line, for example - he could rediscover his form to become a reliable partner for Kostas Manolas again. Likewise, Juan Jesus and Ivan Marcano - who are set to start together against Empoli - have played better in the past with Roma and former clubs, so maybe they can improve. If Ranieri can bring some stability to the defence and just make Roma hard to beat again, then it will be a good platform to build from. Get Edin Dzeko firing again Another experienced player who has been slightly off-colour this season has been Edin Dzeko. The striker is still yet to score at home in the league and has netted just seven Serie A goals this term. Somewhat surprisingly, none of those goals have come against fellow members of the 'big six' - Juventus, Napoli, Lazio and the two Milan teams. Dzeko has lost his mojo as a big-game player, but is the kind of forward that just needs one thing to fall his way before a scoring run starts. Ranieri has already hinted that he will play Dzeko alongside fellow striker Patrik Schick, which could help him receive more chances - it nearly worked in Di Francesco's last game, against Porto, as Dzeko got more involved after Schick came on. Play Zaniolo in a central position Nicolo Zaniolo has been the breakout star of the season, but his recent performances from the right wing have left a little to be desired. Whilst patience is needed with the youngster, it's clear that most of his best displays so far have come when he has played more centrally. In the 4-4-2 that Ranieri is expected to use, Zaniolo has enough energy to feature in the central midfield pair, or he could even play as a false nine, with a licence to drop into the attacking midfield role. Either way, playing centrally gives him more freedom to have an impact on games, and should get the very best out of a very good player. Make a bold decision with the goalkeepers Robin Olsen has come in for some stick recently, and Ranieri now faces a tough decision. Does he keep Olsen as his number one, or give the starting berth to Antonio Mirante? The latter has done reasonably well in his four appearances this season, keeping two clean sheets. From the initial pictures of Ranieri meeting the players, it seemed like he got on instantly well with Mirante. The coach needs to make a strong decision over which keeper to prioritise. That player could well still be Olsen, but a clear focus is needed from the off. Restore Alessandro Florenzi's confidence Alessandro Florenzi looked completely downtrodden after giving away the penalty that led to Porto's winning goal on Wednesday. The vice-captain needed to be consoled by teammates Daniele De Rossi and Lorenzo Pellegrini, as well as opposition veteran Iker Casillas. True, Florenzi has been poor for some time now, in comparison to his old standards, but he might be able to rediscover the passion and determination to win that made him a good player in the first place. If anyone can benefit from Ranieri's insistence on positivity and starting with a clean slate, it could easily be Florenzi. It's the opportunity he needs to leave previous mistakes behind him, knuckle down and rediscover his best form. Final thoughts Ranieri has a short space of time to work with this team, and even if he does well, who knows if his stay will be extended beyond the current season? That doesn't seem to faze the 67-year-old, who is determined to get Roma back where they belong in the short-term. As a supporter of the club, he will want to see positive changes as much as the fans at the stadium. And with a bit of unity, he might be able to steer Roma back in the right direction. It's all change at Roma, with sporting director Monchi exiting the club less than 24 hours after the dismissal of head coach Eusebio Di Francesco.
It's fair to say that Monchi didn't live up to expectations at Roma, and the pressure seems to have got to him, as he reached a mutual agreement to leave after less than two seasons. Monchi will be remembered for orchestrating some big sales at Roma - with the likes of Alisson Becker, Radja Nainggolan and Mohamed Salah moving on under his stewardship - but it's the incomings that have come under even more scrutiny. Even with the big cash generated from those sales, Monchi didn't always replace the talent effectively, opting for depth rather than improvements to the starting lineup. One or two key players he brought in will stand out as a legacy of his brief tenure, but many will be remembered as disappointments. Here is a rundown of all his signings that made a senior appearance for the club, ranked from worst to best. 19. Javier Pastore One of Monchi's most expensive additions, and certainly his most disappointing. Pastore has been an embarrassment to the team with his lazy attitude and lack of desire. It always seemed like a pointless signing - Pastore didn't fit into the 4-3-3 system that Di Francesco was using at the time, had struggled with injury in recent years, and was past his prime. What's more, for Monchi to offer a 29-year-old player a five-year contract was ludicrous. 18. Jonathan Silva Remember him? When, in Monchi's first season, Aleksandar Kolarov was suffering from burnout and Roma needed a genuine alternative at left-back, Monchi decided to bring in an injured player who was struggling for gametime at Sporting. It's still baffling to this day. 17. Hector Moreno A player that Monchi had pursued for a long time, but it didn't go as he would've hoped. Moreno made just six appearances at the back end of 2017 before quickly being moved on to Real Sociedad. A huge impact, then. 16. Maxime Gonalons On the face of it, this initially seemed like a decent signing. Roma needed someone to gradually take over from Daniele De Rossi in holding midfield, and former France international and Lyon captain Gonalons could well have been that man. Alas, he struggled to adjust to the demands of Italian football, and rarely put in a good performance. Another one to soon be moved on, he joined Sevilla after just one season. Incidentally, he has only made five appearances there all season. 15. Ante Coric Coric could turn out to be a decent player after all, but with just 19 minutes of Serie A action to his name so far, it doesn't seem like this was the wisest move from Monchi. Roma's midfield has been overcrowded this season, meaning there has been no space for the Croatian to develop. Time will tell if he goes on to become a top class player, but for now he seems like a waste of money. 14. Gregoire Defrel He could have been a suitable vice-Dzeko, but Defrel didn't cope well with making the step up to Roma. Often being deployed out of position on the wing made things hard for him, but even so, he looked out of his depth and not strong enough to compete at the highest level. His form for Sampdoria this season has been much-improved, so perhaps there is still a player in there and Roma just didn't use him right. 13. Ivan Marcano Marcano can go into the same category as Gonalons. At first sight, it seemed like a shrewd move. Picking up an experienced player on a free transfer in a position where Roma needed to improve - it all sounded good. However, Marcano has struggled to nail down a regular place in the side, and doesn't appear to have the required physicality. 12. Rick Karsdorp This one could have been a lot lower if it hadn't been for Karsdorp's resurgence in 2019. When Roma desperately needed cover at right-back, Monchi for some reason decided to sign a player for the role who was already carrying an injury. Those problems kept Karsdorp away from the team for the majority of his debut season, meaning the uninspiring Alessandro Florenzi and Bruno Peres had to share the position. However, on the odd occasion this term, Karsdorp has come into the side and shown enough quality to suggest why Monchi put his faith in him. Future performances could definitely see his position on this list rise. 11. Robin Olsen Whilst some of the criticism Olsen has come in for this season has been a tad unfair, he was hardly the most inspiring replacement for Alisson. True, most keepers worldwide would have been a downgrade on the Liverpool-bound Brazilian, but fans were probably hoping for a better replacement. He has put in some decent performances, and he remains a starter for Sweden internationally, but he has made some high-profile blunders this year which suggest Roma should have been a bit more bold in bringing in a new keeper. Still, on the balance of things, he probably deserves a second season to prove his worth. 10. Antonio Mirante The other goalkeeper brought in by Monchi in the summer - as well as Daniel Fuzato, who is yet to appear for the first team - Mirante just pips Olsen in this list due to the lower expectations on him. Mirante has been a capable back up so far, and probably has some justified arguments to say he should have started more matches. His experience will come in handy during his time at Roma, but even so, he still seems like a downgrade on last season's number two, Lukasz Skorupski. 9. Patrik Schick Roma parted with a lot of money to bring Schick to the club, in a deal which could eventually surpass their record transfer fee. He hasn't always carried that weight on his shoulders well. In his first season, the pressure he felt was visible, and after battling with injury, he made a few poor mistakes upon his return. This season has improved slightly - especially since his hiring of a mental coach - but he certainly hasn't provided value for money. However, it's beginning to look like he could develop and recapture the form he showed at Sampdoria with the right attitude. 8. Justin Kluivert The jury's still out. Kluivert is an exciting player with big potential, but has perhaps come to Roma too early in his career. He hasn't seen as much gametime as he would have liked - and probably would have deserved - but a change of manager could see him get a run in the team. There's plenty of time for Kluivert to grow. 7. Bryan Cristante Another expensive player who could eventually cost Roma €30m, Cristante has endured mixed fortunes with the Giallorossi. The Italian midfielder sometimes looks composed, but can ghost out of games. He's a long way off matching the 12 goals he scored for Atalanta last season, but at least he hasn't stood out for being bad. 6. Steven Nzonzi Arguably the marquee signing of summer 2018, Nzonzi arrived as a freshly-crowned World Cup winner to add more quality to the centre of the park - trying to do a better job of it than Gonalons did. That he has most certainly done, but he's still sometimes looked a shadow of the world class player he can be. He's done well enough, but hasn't shown what he is fully capable of. 5. Lorenzo Pellegrini In terms of potential, he would probably top this list, but Monchi can't take the full credit for his signing. When Walter Sabatini sold Pellegrini to Sassuolo in 2015, he inserted a buyback clause into the deal, which was duly exercised as one of Monchi's first decisions in Rome. After an inconsistent but decent first season, Pellegrini has kicked on this campaign, and is a player that Roma really need to build around for the future. 4. Davide Santon Many fans were disappointed when Santon came to Roma as a makeweight in the deal to take the popular Nainggolan to Inter. However, Santon has proved his doubters wrong by putting in some solid, if unspectacular, performances. Like Mirante, he will probably feel like he has done enough to earn more starts. But at just shy of €10m, he has been a shrewd addition who can offer cover in either full-back position. 3. Aleksandar Kolarov Another one that wasn't fully down to Monchi, but has still been a really shrewd purchase. Reportedly on the suggestion of his former Manchester City teammate Edin Dzeko, Kolarov came to Roma in 2017 when the club's other left-back Emerson Palmieri was injured. Kolarov made an instant impact on the team, scoring on his debut and emerging as a key leader. As mentioned above, he did start to suffer from burnout, but that was because of his exceptional levels of performance. He's had a few hairy moments this season, but is still standing out as a senior figure in the dressing room and will feel like he maintains a lot to contribute. 2. Cengiz Under Monchi arrived with a reputation for plucking wonderkids out of relative obscurity and seeing them become top class talent, and Under was perhaps the one player he brought to Roma who embodied that most. Few would have heard of his exploits with Istanbul Basakeshir in the Turkish Super Lig, but, after a patient first half to the 2017-18 season, Under really began to turn on the fire in a Roma shirt with a string of wonder goals in the first few months of 2018. His form has reportedly caught the attention of Bayern Munich and Arsenal, among others. Monchi himself is expected to end up at the latter, so Roma may need to be wary of the London club coming in for him. No doubt, though, that the Lupi would turn a huge profit in the event of a sale. 1. Nicolo Zaniolo He wasn't the inspiring name that Roma fans wanted to see following Nainggolan's exit. He'd never played in Serie A. He was only 19 years old. It just didn't look like he was going to be a first team player. But Zaniolo's hard work changed that. Now, he is the blossoming star of Italian football, catching the attention of fans inside the country and even beyond. He has been a bright spark in a disappointing season, impressing with his confidence, creativity and movement. He has now reached five goals for the club - some of them spectacular - and has started nine of the team's last 10 matches. Some have even heralded him as the new Francesco Totti and called for him to be given the number 10 shirt, and while that may be taking things a little too far, it can't be denied that Zaniolo has got every Roma fan excited for the future. And for less than €5m? He's looking like an absolute bargain. It's a make-or-break game for Roma's season tonight, as they look to defend their slender first leg lead over Porto in the Champions League Round of 16.
Roma won the home leg 2-1, but their form since then has been far from convincing, with narrow wins over strugglers Bologna and Frosinone followed by an embarrassing defeat to Lazio. So much so, that several reports suggest that if Roma lose tonight, Eusebio Di Francesco will be relieved of his duties as head coach. However, EDF's Roma have been known to step it up for the European nights, so they will be hoping to build on their first leg advantage to reach the quarter-finals for the second season running. Changes are expected from the team that lost to Lazio, with Antonio Mirante potentially replacing Robin Olsen in goal and centre-back duo Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus expected to be dropped for fit-again Kostas Manolas and ex-Porto man Ivan Marcano. Further upfield, winger Diego Perotti could make just his second start of the calendar year. Roma haven't won an away game in the Champions League knockout stages since beating Real Madrid in 2008, so fate may be against the Giallorossi. However, the form of key players such as Nicolo Zaniolo - who is expected to be fit despite limping off against Lazio - and Lorenzo Pellegrini gives some cause for optimism. The game kicks off at 8pm UK time and will be shown live on BT Sport 3. Edin Dzeko has a great chance of finally scoring his first home Serie A goal of the season tonight, as Roma play host to relegation-threatened Bologna.
The Bosnian attacker has not enjoyed as prolific a season as his previous two, and has scored just five league goals so far - all coming away from Stadio Olimpico. However, with Patrik Schick ruled out of the squad, Dzeko is certain to start the matchup against a side who have conceded 35 goals all season. Justin Kluivert may start alongside him, with the young Dutch winger set for a first start since the win over Torino one month ago. Diego Perotti and Stephan El Shaarawy have both been passed fit, but it is likely to be Nicolo Zaniolo joining Dzeko and Kluivert in the attacking trident as a right winger. Robin Olsen is expected to return in goal despite Antonio Mirante's competent displays recently, while Steven Nzonzi could come back into the midfield after coming on as a substitute in the midweek Champions League win over Porto. Former Roma striker Mattia Destro is absent for the visitors, but Lukasz Skorupski will feature in goal. Bologna will be managed by a former Roma player in Sinisa Mihajlovic, who recently replaced Pippo Inzaghi in the role and inspired a 1-0 win over Inter. Roma have a major motive to get three points today. In the reverse fixture, Bologna condemned the Giallorossi to a 2-0 defeat - one of just three times the Rossoblu have won in Serie A this season - so it is important for Eusebio Di Francesco's men to put that right. If Roma do get the win, they will find themselves just one point behind Milan, who currently occupy fourth place. The game kicks off at 7:30pm UK time and will be shown live on Premier Sports. Roma are set to name more Italians than foreigners in a starting lineup for the first time this season when they take on Porto in the Champions League Round of 16 tonight.
The Giallorossi’s midfield is expected to comprise of Daniele De Rossi, Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini, with Nicolo Zaniolo and Stephan El Shaarawy likely to occupy the wings. Further back, Robin Olsen faces a late fitness test, meaning Antonio Mirante has a chance of keeping his place in goal, while at right-back, a muscle injury to Rick Karsdorp means either Alessandro Florenzi or Davide Santon will come in. Roma reached the knockout stages of the UCL after finishing second in Group G, behind holders Real Madrid. They will be hoping to emulate their achievements in the competition from last season, when they defied all expectations to come within touching distance of a first European final since 1991. It was a major improvement on the previous season’s showing in the Champions League, when they were dumped out in the play-off round by none other than tonight’s opponents, Porto. There have been several personnel changes since then, with only Juan Jesus, Diego Perotti, Edin Dzeko, Kostas Manolas and De Rossi remaining from the starting lineup that lost 3-0 in the second leg. Manolas could return to the lineup for tonight’s clash, after a brief injury lay-off. The other good news for the Giallorossi’s defence is that Porto will be without key strikers Vincent Aboubakar and Moussa Marega , while winger Jesus Corona - who scored the final goal in the last meeting between the two sides - is suspended. Nonetheless, it should be a competitive affair. Roma have never beaten Porto in four previous meetings, and the Portuguese side were on fire in the group stages, only dropping two points. Domestically, they are top of the Primeira Liga, although they have drawn their two most recent matches. Roma’s goalscoring prowess gives them cause for optimism though - the Lupi have reached the last eight of the competition whenever they have scored over 12 goals. Having already netted 11 in Europe this season, Roma will be hoping that the tradition isn’t broken this year. The game gets underway at 8pm UK time and will be shown live on BT Sport 3. |
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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