GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Riccardo Calafiori has been called up to the senior Roma squad for the first time, just a year after a serious injury threatened his career.
The 17-year-old defender suffered a devastating knee injury in the UEFA Youth League last October, but after making a scoring return to action for the Under-19s recently, Calafiori has now been brought into the first team fold by Paulo Fonseca, as several members of the squad look to overcome injury issues of their own. With the squad further depleted by the absences of Bryan Cristante (ruled out until 2020), Nikola Kalinic (out for around two months) and Davide Santon (battling flu), Fonseca has had to turn to the youth sector to complete a 19-man squad for Thursday's Europa League tie with Borussia Monchengladbach, with promising midfielder Alessio Riccardi also included. There is a chance that the 18-year-old, who made his senior debut in a Coppa Italia game in January, could play some part in the match, given that the midfield options are very limited. Jordan Veretout is the only fit natural central midfielder, while Javier Pastore played there for most of the game against Sampdoria at the weekend - although his ability to play three games in a week is questionable. Nevertheless, it is Pastore who is expected to start alongside Veretout on Thursday. Roma have one win and one draw from their Europa League campaign so far, most recently being frustrated in Austria by Wolfsberger. Monchengladbach, meanwhile, have just one point after drawing with Istanbul Basaksehir - although they currently lead the way in the Bundesliga, with one point more than Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund or RB Leipzig. The game gets underway at 5:55pm UK time, and will be available to watch via the BT Sport red button service.
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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. 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.
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. The campaign gets underway tomorrow for Roma's Primavera side with a home match against Sassuolo.
Alberto De Rossi will be taking charge of the U19s for the 15th season in a row, and will be hoping to start the season on a positive note. This season, he welcomes a new group of players to the Primavera, as 15 players have progressed through the club ranks from the U17s. Among those are goalkeeper Matteo Cardinali, who travelled with the senior squad for this summer's pre-season tour of the US, and midfielder Jean Freddi Greco, who was a member of the Italy squad for the recent U17 European Championship. Key players for the match are likely to include defender Devid Bouah, who was involved in one first team squad last season, striker Zan Celar, who was the side's top scorer last season having arrived from Maribor in 2017, and Alessio Riccardi, the attacking midfielder who has been making waves in the academy system and is one of the strongest candidates from this crop of players to break into the first team in future. Also at De Rossi's disposal could be William Bianda. The defender was signed from Lens in the summer and has mainly played with the Primavera so far. Given that more money was spent on him than all the other players in the Primavera squad, he is one that Eusebio Di Francesco will be keeping half an eye on as the season progresses. Last season, Roma were eliminated by Juventus in the play-off round of the Campeonato Primavera, having finished third in the league. Sassuolo failed to qualify for the final stages having placed 10th in the league. The game kicks off at 10am at Stadio Tre Fontane. With the summer transfer window now closed across all of the major European leagues, here's a look back at all the transfers involving Roma this summer, including the ones you might have missed.
This extensive list covers not only first team transfers, but transactions at Primavera and youth level as well. In: Ante Coric (€6m, Dinamo Zagreb) Ivan Marcano (free, Porto) Bryan Cristante (€5m loan + €15m obligation to buy, Atalanta) Justin Kluivert (€17.25m, Ajax) Antonio Mirante (€4m, Bologna) Javier Pastore (€24.7m, PSG) Davide Santon (€9.5m, Inter) Nicolo Zaniolo (€4.5m, Inter) William Bianda (€6m + bonuses, Lens) Daniel Fuzato (€450k, Palmeiras) Robin Olsen (€8.5m + bonuses, FC Copenhagen) Steven Nzonzi (€26.65m + bonuses, Sevilla) Nicolo Buso (free, Cesena Primavera) Gennaro Nigro (undisclosed, Players Academy) Pietro Boer (undisclosed, Venezia Giovanili) Out: Bogdan Lobont (retired) Arturo Calabresi (€200k, Bologna) Marco Tumminello (€6m, Atalanta) Lukasz Skorupski (€9m, Bologna) Radja Nainggolan (€24m, Inter) Alisson Becker (€62.5m + bonuses, Liverpool) Leandro Castan (free, Vasco Da Gama) Kevin Strootman (€25m, Marseille) Bruno Peres (loan + €6m option to buy, Sao Paulo) Umar Sadiq (loan, Rangers) Mirko Antonucci (loan, Pescara) Elio Capradossi (loan, Spezia) Gerson (loan, Fiorentina) Ezequiel Ponce (loan + option to buy, AEK Athens) Moustapha Seck (loan, Almere City) Edoardo Soleri (loan, Almere City) Gregoire Defrel (loan + option to buy, Sampdoria) Daniele Verde (loan, Real Valladolid) Maxime Gonalons (loan, Sevilla) Jose Machin (€800k, Pescara - last year's loan made permanent) Norbert Gyomber (€500k, Perugia) Juan Manuel Iturbe (€5m, Club Tijuana - last year's loan made permanent) Ervin Zukanovic (€1.2m, Genoa - last year's loan made permanent) Nicola Falasco (€90k, Avellino - last year's loan made permanent) Giammario Piscitella (free, Carpi) Kevin Mendez (undisclosed, Karpaty) Christian D'Urso (loan, Apollon Smyrnis) Matteo Ricci (undisclosed, Spezia) Lorenzo Di Livio (loan, Siena) Alessandro Bordin (loan, Perugia) Emanuele Spinozzi (loan, Piacenza) Eros De Santis (undisclosed, Siena) Ismail H'Maidat (released) Jacopo Ferri (released) Conor Borg (free, Hamrum Sport) Luca Petrungaro (free, Torino Primavera) Filippo Franchi (free, Matelica) Stefano Ciavattini (free, Reggina) Matias Nani (free, Belgrano) Giacomo Molinari (free, Catania Primavera) Rezan Corlu (loan, Lyngby BK) Niccolo Tofanari (undisclosed, Gubbio) Keba Coly (loan, Ascoli) Andrea Romagnoli (loan, Renate) George Ganea (undisclosed, Cluj) Lorenzo Crisanto (loan, Pistoiese) Lorenzo Valeau (loan, Ascoli) Lirim Kastrati (undisclosed, Bologna Primavera) Maoudo Diallo (undisclosed, Sconosciuto) Dario Anatrella (free, Paganese Primavera) Riccardo Cataldi (loan, Venezia Primavera) Francesco Laurenzi (undisclosed, Torino Primavera) Alessandro Barbarossa (loan, Perugia Primavera) Alessio Giuliani (released) Matteo Marini (released) Francesco Proietto (released) Marco Carruolo (released) Francesco Totti. Daniele De Rossi. Giuseppe Giannini. Agostino Di Bartolomei. Bruno Conti.
When it comes to producing youth talent for the first team, Roma have had more success than a lot of teams across the globe. As seen from the players listed above, the athletes who graduate from the club's Primavera squad often go onto become not just top professionals, but club legends. Because of this rich history of homegrown players, Roma fans are always keeping half an eye out for who could be the next in the list. Sunday's final of the UEFA U17 European Championship in England gave a good hint. Italy may have lost out on penalties to Netherlands after a 2-2 draw, but the two Roma youngsters playing in the side impressed. Midfielder Jean Freddi Greco was the only Italian who scored from the spot, as the Azzurrini lost the shootout 4-1. And one of his teammates impressed even more. Meet Alessio Riccardi. Riccardi was named as Italy's captain for the tournament, and donned the number 10 shirt. Not a bad start for a player who cites Totti as his idol. The 17-year-old played as a left-sided forward for Italy. He is right-footed, athletic, and has great technique. This was exemplified in the second half of the final, as Riccardi put his side 2-1 up with a phenomenal finish. Receiving the ball on the left wing, he turned inside and sent the ball flying into the top corner with an expertly curled finish. It was a goal worthy of winning a tournament, and his teammates celebrated emphatically with him, thinking that would be the case. It didn't turn out to be, as Holland equalised late on, but that takes nothing away from Riccardi's finish. It was the best goal of the game. Riccardi had also scored in Italy's opening game, against England. Again, this strike came from outside the box. The youngster arrowed the ball right into the bottom corner from a similar position, leaving the opposing goalkeeper helpless. It wasn't just the goals that impressed about Riccardi though. In the final, he wore the captain's armband well. As Italy's first two penalty takers missed their 12-yard efforts, Riccardi walked towards them as they returned to the half way line, wrapping his arms around each player to console them. It's little acts like this that stand out at youth level, showing which players are mature beyond their years. Eagle-eyed readers may recognise Riccardi's name. He was called up to Eusebio Di Francesco's senior squad for Roma's 5-2 win over Benevento in February. Although he did not feature in the game, the experience he gained from being around great professionals, and potential future teammates, will have been invaluable. He also got to play around four minutes as a substitute in the September friendly against Chapecoense, and has featured heavily for Alberto De Rossi's U19 side this season, predominantly as a midfielder. Appearances in the UEFA Youth League have also been awarded to him. This is a young man getting big opportunities at a tender age. In total, he has played 25 times for the Primavera in the league this season, scoring seven goals - despite being one of the youngest members of the team. Those 25 appearances are more than Mirko Antonucci, Rezan Corlu or Andrea Romagnoli have managed, for example. In fact, only five players have featured more than him. And his seven goals have been bettered only by Zan Celar, with 11. So, can we expect big things from Riccardi in the future? It's important not to heap too much pressure on a young player by talking about potential, but he is progressing at a very good rate. He is clearly impressing his coaches at club and international level. As he continues to feature for the Primavera, he will progress under the tutelage of an excellent youth coach. De Rossi has had a hand in the development of many great young players, and his expertise will greatly benefit Riccardi. He is a player with great talent, and is one to keep an eye on as he rises through the ranks and tries to emulate the paths of his role models. Remember the name of Alessio Riccardi. Yesterday Roma took part in their first pre-season friendly of the summer against amateur side Pinzolo Val Rendena. Emerging as 7-0 victors, a few young players stood out for their performances. For example, Marco Tumminello scored a brace from up front, generating discussion about his potential. But there was one other young player who stood out in particular, alongside Tumminello in the attacking trident: Riccardo Cappa.
While several Roma fans would have already been fairly familiar with Tumminello’s name, Cappa was a less well-known inclusion in the line-up. Despite this, he impressed in his 45-minute outing, adding one goal himself and creating several other chances. Roma fans may be eager to find out more about this young player after his impressive display. Here is what you need to know. Riccardo Cappa was born on the 29th April 1999 in Latina, meaning he is currently 18 years old. He is a left-footed forward and was yesterday deployed on the right wing. As is customary with Eusebio Di Francesco’s wingers, he came inside to get involved with the team’s attacking play, but also appeared comfortable playing directly down the wing towards the byline, making assists for his teammates from such areas. This was seen in Roma’s fifth goal yesterday, when he set up Matteo Ricci from the touchline with the outside of his left foot, an impressive piece of quick thinking and technique. Cappa’s goal – Roma’s third – came from a central area, a position he is also often found in. But it was not just yesterday that people at the club have seen his potential. In 2013/14, Cappa helped Roma’s Giovanissimi Nazionali academy side (Under 15s) win the Scudetto, scoring a couple of goals along the way beyond the regular season. He continued to contribute goals from a centre forward position as he progressed through the age ranks, though often his opportunities came from the bench. He was clinical enough to make the most of whatever time he got on the pitch, ensuring he still made a valuable contribution to the team. An important moment came in February 2015 for Cappa, as he wore the iconic number 10 shirt in an Under 16s derby against Lazio. The responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt for a Roma player is huge, but Cappa rose to the occasion, helping the team to a victory with a goal and an assist. The next season, Cappa went on to impress further. Scoring 20 goals in 29 matches, he was a key player for the Under 17s (Allievi Nazionali). He scored important goals in the Final Eight, as the team reached the semi-finals. His impressive goals-to-game ratio did not go unnoticed and he was keen to continue his upwards trajectory. During an international break in November 2016, Cappa, now with the Primavera, had the opportunity to train alongside some of Roma’s first team, with the rest of his Under 19 teammates. A 75-minute friendly match ensued, with Cappa’s Primavera up against a Roma XI that featured the likes of Radja Nainggolan, Kevin Strootman, Diego Perotti and Federico Fazio. Seemingly unfazed, it was Cappa who scored the Primavera’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat. He was now playing his part alongside some major footballers, as well as progressing at the top youth level. A late addition to the squad list for the Pinzolo training camp, Cappa has certainly made the most of his opportunity so far, drawing praise from head coach Eusebio Di Francesco. After yesterday’s match, Di Francesco said that he “enjoyed” Cappa’s performance, complementing all the youngsters who have made the trip as being “receptive” to his methods. Should Cappa continue to impress, he may have a chance to go with the squad on their pre-season tour of the US. If not, he will be in line for a big Primavera season under coach Alberto De Rossi, as he will look to continue to stand out and carve out more opportunities for himself. He is certainly an exciting prospect, and we may become accustomed to seeing more of Riccardo Cappa in the future. |
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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