GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
The Paulo Fonseca era at Roma began yesterday with a 12-0 win over local side Tor Sapienza in a friendly match.
Fonseca selected two entirely different lineups for each half, with new signings Pau Lopez and Leonardo Spinazzola making their debuts. A Roma side featuring the duo, Steven Nzonzi, Gregoire Defrel and Javier Pastore took a five-goal lead into half-time, before Mirko Antonucci took centre-stage in the second half with a hat trick, playing alongside the likes of Edin Dzeko, Alessandro Florenzi and Robin Olsen. Against opposition of little quality, it’s hard to read too much into the performance, but even so, there is a story behind every game. And especially with this being the first in charge for Fonseca, there were some interesting observations to be made. Pastore’s movement This year could be a fresh start for Javier Pastore, who struggled tactically and fitness-wise in his first season with Roma. While last season he was often quite lazy, against Tor Sapienza he roamed freely about the pitch, looking to get on the ball. It was still hardly a display of top level dynamism, but it didn’t exactly need to be against such opposition. Perhaps he can build on this to find a rhythm ahead of the new campaign. Spinazzola’s positive debut The reaction to most of Roma’s signings this summer has been positive, but perhaps the one to have received the most mixed reception was Leonardo Spinazzola. His quality wasn’t in doubt, but fans were concerned over his fitness, and the fact that his arrival meant the sale of Luca Pellegrini to Juventus. However, his debut showed he can become a solid presence for the team at left-back. He even marked the occasion with a goal, in which he cut inside onto his stronger right foot. Notably, he was one of the only players to break into a smile after scoring - another sign that he seems genuinely pleased to be at the club, and ready to kick on and prove himself. Anonymous strikers Both Dzeko and Patrik Schick got on the scoresheet, with the former contributing an impressive assist for Cengiz Under’s goal as well, but besides that, their involvement in the play was minimal. Schick’s two goals were good finishes, but he still looks unsettled in a Roma shirt, struggling to get involved in the play. Dzeko dropped off massively in intensity after getting his goal, wasting a couple of opportunities. Unlike Spinazzola, his head is clearly not with Roma right now. Meanwhile, fellow striker Defrel returned to the right wing, after impressing centrally with Sampdoria last year, and encountered similar problems to the ones he had in his first season at Roma. In patches he was lively, but lacked the conviction to take on some shots as well. He remains not quite up to standard for a club of Roma’s ambitions. Youth's contrasting fortunes Fonseca called up Primavera midfielders Emanuele Spinozzi and Alessandro Bordin - both of whom spent last season out on loan - for the game, with each playing in one half. The former even got on the scoresheet, and looked eager to get forward. The most successful youngster on the pitch, though, was undoubtedly Antonucci. Also returning from a loan, and the only one of the three to have featured for Roma's first team in a competitive match to date, the attacking midfielder took his opportunity by adding three goals and an assist for Florenzi. Whether the 20-year-old has the physicality to compete at a more realistic level remains to be seen, but he was certainly central to Roma's fluidity. Right-back experiments Four right-backs took to the pitch, but only two were used in that role. In the first half, Davide Santon partnered Juan Jesus at centre-back, and while he wasn't tested much, it may be an experiment worth persevering with. Perhaps more significant was the deployment of Florenzi as a left winger in the second period. The captain has played there before, only rarely, yet he didn't look out of place. He's no Stephan El Shaarawy, but perhaps he can revive his reputation by putting in some good performances from the opposite side of the pitch to usual. Player Ratings: (First Half) Lopez 6; Karsdorp 6; Santon 7; Jesus 7; Spinazzola 8; Nzonzi 6; Spinozzi 7; Defrel 6; Pastore 7; Perotti 7; Schick 6 (Second Half) Olsen 6; Bouah 7; Capradossi 6; Fazio 6; Kolarov 6; Cristante 6; Bordin 6; Under 7; Antonucci 8; Florenzi 7; Dzeko 6 Man of the Match: Antonucci
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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. Part three of Giallorossi Yorkshire's season review highlights the 10 best goals Roma scored in 2018-19 - and gives you the chance to have your say in the end of season awards for the first time ever. A shortlist of goals has been selected, with readers able to vote for their favourite in the poll at the bottom. The winner will be revealed as part of the annual Giallorossi Yorkshire end-of-season awards, at the conclusion of this year's season review. So sit back and enjoy looking back at these 10 great goals that lit up an otherwise underwhelming campaign. Edin Dzeko v Torino (19/8/18) In the end, it was one of Dzeko's least productive goalscoring seasons, but it certainly started on the right note. The Bosnian ensured Roma started the season with a win by volleying in - with his weaker left foot - late on against Torino. Javier Pastore v Atalanta (27/8/18) Another player whose season did not match the standards it initially promised, Pastore opened his Roma account two minutes into his home debut with an intelligent backheel against Atalanta. Cengiz Under v Frosinone (26/9/18) The prior season had seen Cengiz develop a reputation for scoring long-range spectaculars, and his first goal of the new campaign saw him pick up from where he left off - a strike made even better by the way he effortlessly dribbled past opponents beforehand. Lorenzo Pellegrini v Lazio (29/9/18) This was actually Pellegrini's first ever Derby Della Capitale appearance, and the boyhood Roma fan made his mark on the game by scoring with a cheeky backheel after getting beyond opposing keeper Thomas Strakosha. Edin Dzeko v CSKA Moscow (23/10/18) In their third match of the Champions League group stage, Roma opened the scoring with an incredible team move. Every outfield player touched the ball in a 29-pass move, which finished with a great combination between Pellegrini and Dzeko. Cengiz Under v CSKA Moscow (23/10/18) Later in the same game, Cengiz wrapped up the win with a well-executed half volley that went right into the top corner. It may have been from closer range than usual, but still required incredible ball control. Stephan El Shaarawy v Sampdoria (11/11/18) El Shaarawy's goals were key for Roma all season, as he scored 11 times - and this was one of his best. Going away from goal, he turned back inside and chipped the ball into the far corner, barely having to look at his target. Nicolo Zaniolo v Sassuolo (26/12/18) It was the day when Zaniolo really announced himself to the world, grabbing his first ever senior goal in quite some fashion. The teenager cut inside from the right, before making the defender sit down and lifting the ball over keeper Andrea Consigli. Nicolo Zaniolo v Torino (19/1/19) Zaniolo carried on the positive momentum in the first league game after the winter break, showing determination and improvisation to open the scoring against Torino. Stephan El Shaarawy v Inter (20/4/19) As someone who made his name at AC Milan, El Shaarawy will have loved scoring against Inter - especially with a goal this good. The winger dribbled forward at pace before picking his moment and sending the ball flying beyond Samir Handanovic. NOW VOTE! Having re-watched all 10 goals, now it's time to pick your favourite. Simply choose your preferred option in the form below.
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. Stephan El Shaarawy will be hoping to fire Roma to victory against the club he started his career at, as the Lupi take on Genoa on Sunday evening.
El Shaarawy is enjoying his most productive season with Roma to date, and made it 10 goals for the campaign with his strike in the 1-1 draw with Inter a fortnight ago. Tonight sees the winger return to where it all began. It’s more than 10 years since El Shaarawy made his debut at the age of 16 in Genoa’s away match against Chievo. Since then, his career has taken him several places, but he has finally settled at Roma. So far, he has only scored once against Genoa in a Giallorossi shirt, but having established himself as Roma’s main goal threat this term, the onus will be on him to help inspire the win. In Roma’s most recent game though, a 3-0 win over Cagliari, the goals came from more unlikely sources. Aleksandar Kolarov and Federico Fazio both extended their impressive scoring records for defenders - with Kolarov leading the way among Europe’s top five leagues - and Javier Pastore netted on his first league start of the year. Tonight, Roma won’t mind where the goals come from, as long as they find a way to win. Genoa are hovering six points above the relegation zone, so will be motivated to pull away and secure their Serie A status for next season. The hosts have struggled in recent weeks though, failing to win any of their last six games. Nonetheless, their last win was against champions Juventus, so Roma should know they can’t afford to underestimate their opponents. Roma’s squad is getting nearer to full strength, with only Daniele De Rossi, Davide Santon and Diego Perotti missing from the 21 men called up. The game starts at 5pm UK time and will be shown live on Premier Sports 1. 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. 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.
Roma returned from the winter break with a comfortable 4-0 win over Virtus Entella to kick off their Coppa Italia adventure for 2018-19.
Patrik Schick scored early in either half to help Roma on their way to victory, with Ivan Marcano netting his first goal for the club - just minutes after seeing a goal disallowed - and Javier Pastore completing the scoring. It wasn't Roma's smoothest performance, but it didn't need to be. This was a case of getting the job done against a lower-ranked opponent, giving some players essential minutes and getting back into the routine of competitive football after a couple of weeks off. Here are the game's biggest talking points. Karsdorp slots in well Rick Karsdorp's time at Roma has been an injury-plagued nightmare. One-and-a-half years after joining the club, he started for just the third time. The Dutchman fitted in well and didn't look like a player who had missed most of the last 18 months through injury. Going forward he was a threat, linking up well with Cengiz Under. Apart from a few lapses in concentration, Karsdorp did reasonably well in the defensive phase too. Whether this was a sign of things to finally come in a Roma shirt, or just an opportunity to put him in the shop window during the January transfer window, remains to be seen - but if it was the former, then there are plenty of positives to take. Kolarov influential in first half 2018 was a mixed bag for Aleksandar Kolarov, who after starting the 2017-18 season in amazing form, seemed to run out of steam. However, for the first 45 minutes at least, he was back to something resembling his best, powering up and down the left flank and putting in some inviting crosses - including the one from the set piece which led to Marcano's disallowed goal. The Serbian seemed to drop off the pace a little bit in the second half, but that was probably more prudence than fitness; the game was already won, and Kolarov didn't need to run himself to the ground when there are tougher challenges coming up.
Kluivert overcomes quiet start to make an impact
Whatever Kolarov lost in the first half, his companion on the left side, Justin Kluivert, seemed to gain. The first half saw Kluivert engaged in a battle with Entella right-back Francesco Belli, which proved to be much more competitive than he would have expected. Kluivert is still a young man and was getting outmuscled and struggling to find space. After the break, however, he began to grow in confidence on the ball, getting more touches and contributing to attacks. So much so, that he assisted both goals in the second half, with the through ball for Pastore's goal particularly standing out. Coppa confidence booster for Schick Patrik Schick lives for the Coppa Italia. He may have failed to live up to expectations at Roma in general, but in the domestic cup he becomes a different proposition. It was the competition in which he scored his first Roma goal last season, and once again it gave him a platform to build on. He led the line well, using his physicality in a way not often seen during his time with the club so far. He had a hand in the first three goals, backheeling the first one in and using the same technique to set up Marcano for the second. Whether anything different should have been expected ought to be addressed. Schick thrives in games against lower opponents. In pre-season, he scored a first-half hat-trick against Latina and followed it up with a goal against Avellino. It was enough to deceive some into believing that this could be his breakout season at Roma. The first half of the season hasn't proven those claims, and perhaps it would be hasty to say that this is the moment from which Schick kicks on. However, it will have done his confidence a world of good, and with the psychological aspects boosted, who knows how this will affect his form going forward?
Pastore is becoming Roma's Ozil
If there was one player who could be criticised for not doing enough, even though he scored, it would be Javier Pastore. The attacking midfielder played at virtually a walking pace throughout, when he really needed to take this opportunity to remind everyone of his qualities. In terms of technical ability, there are few, if any, better players in this squad. Pastore certainly believes so, and he needs to pull his head out of the clouds, knuckle down and work harder to become a truly important, functioning part of the starting lineup. Much like Mesut Ozil at Arsenal, he has bundles of talent, but if he doesn't break out of a jog every now and then to impose himself on games, he will soon find himself falling down the pecking order. Perhaps it was telling that it was Pastore starting this game instead of Nicolo Zaniolo. With the latter a former Entella player, he was expected to be assigned a key role in the match. However, Pastore was given the nod ahead of him. Was this because Eusebio Di Francesco sees Zaniolo as a more important player now and wanted to rest him? Or was it just to give Pastore minutes to boost his fitness again, in a bid to reintegrate him into the first team? Either motive could be possible, but with Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini also vying for that attacking midfield spot, Pastore must realise his position in the team isn't to be taken for granted and that he could have used a game like this to make a strong statement. Witnessing the start of something special? Roma are lucky enough to have four academy graduates plying their trade for the first team, in Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi, and Lorenzo and Luca Pellegrini. Against Entella, a fifth Primavera product was given his first opportunity in the senior team. Alessio Riccardi has been tipped by many as the most likely player in the current youth setup to follow in the quartet's footsteps and break into the first team. With less than 10 minutes remaining, Di Francesco gave the Roman the chance to make his senior debut from the bench. Although usually an attacking midfielder, Riccardi slotted into a deeper role, and managed to get involved with the play. He looked a little nervous at times, but that's understandable for a boy of his age. Riccardi was barely two months old when Roma last won Serie A. The youngster looked to get involved and looked composed when playing short passes. He even went close to accidentally opening his Roma account with a goal when his (slightly rushed) cross nearly dropped in at the far post. It was only 10 minutes, and it could have been a lot more. Di Francesco could have brought him on a lot earlier, with the game already wrapped up early in the second half. However, a debut is a debut, and Riccardi did well enough to suggest that this might not be the only time he is seen in a Roma shirt. His next opportunity might not come for some time - the route to the Coppa final will not pair Roma with an 'easy' side again, and the battle for the Champions League spots in Serie A may be seen as too important to risk a teenager in certain games - but Di Francesco has shown that he is not afraid to use youth players unexpectedly. Zaniolo made his debut away at Champions League holders Real Madrid, for example. Perhaps Riccardi will get more chances to mix with the first team in 2019, and fans could be looking at a fifth Roman representing the team. Roma will be looking for their first home league win in over a month when they face Sampdoria on Sunday afternoon.
Roma haven’t won a Serie A game at Stadio Olimpico since beating Lazio at the end of September, and need to pick up all the points they can get if they are to revive their ambitions for the season. They head into the Sampdoria fixture - their last game before the international break - off the back of a 2–1 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, but they have drawn their last two Serie A games 1-1. Sampdoria have also hit a rough patch of late, losing 4-1 to Torino last week. They are winless in over a month, and have slipped to 12th in the table despite a promising start, which included a 3-0 win over title challengers Napoli. The top scorer for Marco Giampaolo’s side this season is a certain Gregoire Defrel, the French striker who was a massive disappointment at Roma last season. It would add insult to injury if the 27-year-old was to score a decisive goal against his parent club today. The other ex-Roma attacker in their ranks, Gianluca Caprari, has weighed in with two goals from seven league games, while Fabio Quagliarella remains a danger man even at the age of 35. Midfield creators Dennis Praet and Gaston Ramirez could cause problems for Roma, while Joachim Andersen has been everpresent at the back. The Danish defender renewed his contract at Sampdoria in the week, despite interest from Inter, Juventus and Manchester United. For Roma, ex-Sampdoria man Patrik Schick will start the game, although Eusebio Di Francesco refused to confirm whether he would do so on the wing or up front. Justin Kluivert has a chance of retaining his place in the starting lineup, while Juan Jesus could be restored at centre-back. Daniele De Rossi, Diego Perotti and Javier Pastore miss the game through injury, however. The game gets underway at 2pm UK time. Expected Roma lineup: Roma face off with rivals Napoli in the Derby Del Sole on Sunday evening as they look to build on the midweek win over CSKA Moscow.
Eusebio Di Francesco's side put in a fluent performance on Tuesday as they beat the Russians 3-0 in the Champions League, and they will be looking to show similar form in the league, having won less than half of their Serie A matches this season. They come up against a strong Napoli side who have dealt well with transition under Carlo Ancelotti. The former Roma midfielder has helped his new club to seven wins from nine in the league, ensuring they haven't fallen off the pace since Maurizio Sarri's departure in pre-season. Ancelotti has overseen a tactical switch to something that more resembles a 4-4-2 than the 4-3-3 Sarri used last season. As part of this, Lorenzo Insigne has been used more centrally, offering support to Dries Mertens. Insigne is always a danger man and has responded well to his new role, scoring eight goals in 11 games in all competitions. He scored in both games between the two sides last season, including the winner for his team in the first meeting back in October. Di Francesco hinted in his press conference that he could use the same lineup as he did on Tuesday, meaning the double midfield pivot of Daniele De Rossi and Steven Nzonzi could continue. De Rossi will be making his 450th Serie A appearance for Roma if selected. Ahead of them, Lorenzo Pellegrini will be looking to have as big an influence as he did against CSKA, while at left-back, Davide Santon should keep his place in the side while Aleksandar Kolarov continues his return to fitness. Fresh from scoring a double in midweek, Edin Dzeko is expected to lead the line against the side he has scored against more than any other team in Serie A. The Bosnian has netted four times against Napoli. As he looks to continue his ascension up the club's goalscoring charts - which recently saw him overtake the man who has scored the most Derby Del Sole goals, Dino Da Costa - his teammates will be relying on him to once again have an impact in a big game. Justin Kluivert misses out on a place in the squad through injury, while Javier Pastore is also absent. Rick Karsdorp continues his prolonged spell on the sidelines, with the Dutch full-back's long-term Roma future looking increasingly in doubt. If Roma can get a win, they will move to within four points of their opponents, potentially rising to 5th place. The game kicks off at 7:30pm UK time. Expected Roma lineup: |
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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