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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As Roma's Europa League campaign gets underway, there is a general sense of optimism that the club will take the competition seriously and be among the contenders for the trophy.
Paulo Fonseca has already confirmed that Roma have "big ambitions" for the competition, with the coach having previously reached the quarter-finals with Braga in 2015-16, before being knocked out by his next club, Shakhtar Donetsk. Over the summer, Roma assembled an experienced squad, with the lineup now featuring several players who have good history in European competition. Here is a brief look at the furthest stage each player has reached in both the Champions League and Europa League. Davide Zappacosta Champions League best: Round of 16 (Chelsea, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Chelsea, 2018-19) The first of five former Europa League winners in Roma's squad, Zappacosta got his hands on the trophy at the first time of asking last season. The previous year, he had seen his new Chelsea side qualify behind Roma in their Champions League group before being eliminate in the Round of 16. Having never competed in Europe before leaving Italy to join Chelsea, he now has the opportunity to make his mark with a club from his homeland.
Bryan Cristante Champions League best: Quarter-final (Milan, 2011-12) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) The Champions League gave Cristante his professional debut as a 16-year-old, with the midfielder featuring for Milan in a group match. The Rossoneri reached the quarter-finals that year, but he played no further part. He was more involved when Atalanta reached the Europa League Round of 32 in his final season in Bergamo, scoring three goals as he played in all of their eight games in the competition. Only Josip Ilicic scored more for them in Europe that year. Juan Jesus Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Inter, 2012-13; Roma, 2014-15 and 2016-17) One of several players to follow on this list whose best European run came with Roma, Jesus was a starter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final loss to Liverpool. It was the Europa League that gave him his first taste of European football, though, when he reached the Round of 16 in his first full season with Inter - a feat he has repeated twice with Roma since. Chris Smalling Champions League best: Runner up (Manchester United, 2010-11) Europa League best: Winner (Manchester United, 2016-17) An unused sub in both games when his Fulham side faced Roma in the 2009-10 group stage on their route to the Europa League final, Smalling went one better by winning the competition with Manchester United in 2017, playing all 90 minutes of the final. At the start of his United career, he had even come close to winning the Champions League, watching from the bench as his side lost to Barcelona at the end of his first season there. He had played nine games on their journey to the final.
Lorenzo Pellegrini Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Group stage (Sassuolo, 2016-17) Pellegrini was a member of the squad that got Roma further than ever before in the Champions League era, starting the second leg of the semi-final against Liverpool in which his side came within a whisker of another extraordinary comeback. Preparing him for that adventure, and his time at Roma as a whole, had been a two-year stint at Sassuolo, where he helped Eusebio Di Francesco's side qualify for Europe for the first time, before they were knocked out in the group stage. Diego Perotti Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Sevilla, 2013-14) Brought to Europe by future Roma sporting director Monchi in 2007, Perotti worked his way through the ranks at Sevilla, with his time with the La Liga club culminating in victory in the Europa League in his last year with the club - although at the time, he was out on loan at Boca Juniors. It was the first of three consecutive triumphs in the competition for Sevilla, but Perotti wasn't able to play in Europe again until joining Roma in 2015. He scored in the first leg Champions League semi-final defeat to Liverpool, giving some late hope of a Stadio Olimpico comeback. Edin Dzeko Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Wolfsburg, 2009-10) For someone who spent four-and-a-half years with high-spending Premier League giants Manchester City, it may come as something of a surprise to learn that neither of Dzeko's best runs in each of Europe's two competitions came while at the Etihad Stadium. Instead, it was as part of a successful Wolfsburg side that he reached the Europa League quarter-finals, having dropped down from the Champions League the year after winning the German title. Nearly a decade later, he was the only Roma player to score in both legs of the CL semi-final against Liverpool. Aleksandar Kolarov Champions League best: Semi-final (Manchester City, 2015-16; Roma 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Manchester City, 2010-11 and 2011-12) Another part of the unfortunate Roma side to lose in the Champions League semi-finals, Kolarov was the only member of that squad for whom the last four wasn't uncharted territory. Man City were edged out by eventual champions Real Madrid in the semi-final in 2016 - certainly a higher calibre opponent than the ones who had curtailed their furthest Europa League era ventures, with Dynamo Kyiv and Sporting CP being responsible for their Round of 16 exits in Kolarov's first two years at the club. Pau Lopez Champions League best: Group stage (Tottenham Hotspur, 2016-17) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Tottenham Hotspur, 2016-17; Real Betis, 2018-19) Despite being Roma's most expensive goalkeeper signing of all-time, Pau Lopez is yet to fully convince in his short time at the club. Unless Fonseca opts to rotate, the Europa League could be where Lopez comes into his own, but he has limited international pedigree. He never played in his sole season at Tottenham, where their European record was poor, meaning his Europa League debut only came last season, with Real Betis. They conceded six goals over two legs as they lost to Rennes, despite having won their group with just two goals conceded. Mert Cetin Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: N/A Roma's least high-profile summer signing, Cetin has never featured in European competition - and is unlikely to change that this year, having been left out of the squad for the group stages. Cengiz Under Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Play-off round (Istanbul Basaksehir, 2016-17) Under has grown into one of Roma's most important players over the last two years, but is yet to feature in the Europa League group stages. His only previous taste of the competition came when Fonseca's Shakhtar beat Istanbul Basaksehir - one of Roma's Group J opponents this season - in the play-off round. He secured his move to Roma the year after, playing his part in the run to the last four of the Champions League in his first taste of the competition. Davide Santon Champions League best: Winner (Inter, 2009-10) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Newcastle United, 2012-13) The only Champions League winner in Roma's squad isn't even a regular starter. Santon made one appearance on Inter's road to the 2010 final, where they beat Bayern Munich 2-0. He returned to Inter in 2015, a couple of years after reaching the Europa League quarter-finals with Newcastle. Nikola Kalinic Champions League best: Round of 16 (Atletico Madrid, 2018-19) Europa League best: Runner up (Dnipro, 2014-15) Roma's new back-up striker won the UEFA Super Cup in 2018 (as an unused sub), but was not part of the Atletico Madrid side that qualified for the event by winning the previous year's Champions League. Instead, his best ever CL run came last season, when Atletico, like Roma, lost in the Last 16 despite winning their first leg match. He has scored in a European final though, giving Dnipro the lead in the 2015 Europa League final, which they weren't able to defend against Sevilla. Federico Fazio Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Winner (Sevilla, 2013-14; 2015-16) Kalinic's Dnipro couldn't topple Sevilla in that game, which was sandwiched between the two Europa League titles that Fazio won with the club. In 2014, he played all of the final as Sevilla beat Benfica on penalties in Turin, while having returned to the club on loan from Tottenham for the latter half of the 2015-16 season, he was not used as the Spaniards beat Liverpool - who exacted their revenge on Fazio at Roma two seasons later in the Champions League semis.
Jordan Veretout Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: Round of 32 (Saint-Ettiene, 2016-17) One of the least experienced members of Roma's squad in terms of international activity, midfielder Veretout has only played in the Europa League once before. His Saint-Ettiene side topped their group after navigating the qualifiers in 2016-17, but were the first knockout victims of Smalling's Man Utd, who beat them 4-0 on aggregate in the Last 32. Nicolo Zaniolo Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: N/A Zaniolo's Roma debut actually came in the Champions League, before he had even played in Serie A. The midfielder made the most of his opportunities and became the youngest Italian player to score a CL brace in the Round of 16 first leg against Porto. The return leg did not go to plan, however, as Roma crashed out of the competition. Now, he will have his first chance to play in the secondary competition, the Europa League. Gianluca Mancini Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) Mancini had the chance to be part of Atalanta's first ever Champions League side this season, and thus to make his debut in the competition, but sacrificed it to move to a bigger club in Roma. Another player upon whom expectations will be high despite a lack of European experience, Mancini did not play in any of the games when Atalanta reached the Round of 32 in his first season there. The year after, he played three times, scoring once, as they lost in the play-off round on penalties to Copenhagen. Alessandro Florenzi Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2014-15 and 2016-17) A loyal player whose only permanent home has been boyhood club Roma, Florenzi will be hoping to captain Roma to success this season. In the past, when serving as a vice-captain behind Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, he reached the Europa League Round of 16 on two occasions. Roma lost to Fiorentina and Lyon respectively, before he was part of the first post-Totti side, which instantly reached its furthest ever stage in the Champions League era. Javier Pastore Champions League best: Quarter-final (PSG, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16) Europa League best: Group stage (Palermo, 2010-11; PSG, 2011-12) For a player of his pedigree, Pastore's record in Europe makes for rather disappointing reading. The attacking midfielder was part of a PSG side still finding their feet on the continent, as they lost in the quarter-finals in four successive seasons. In the Europa League - which he will be playing in for the first time in eight seasons - he has never made it beyond the group stage, as both Palermo and PSG finished third when he was involved with them. Leonardo Spinazzola Champions League best: Quarter-final (Juventus, 2018-19) Europa League best: Round of 32 (Atalanta, 2017-18) Despite being at Juventus since 2012, a series of loan spells meant Spinazzola's European debut was delayed until 2017, when he helped Atalanta to the Round of 32, playing in six games. His form in Bergamo was rewarded with a Juventus return the next season, but they couldn't beat Dutch giants Ajax in the quarter-finals. He played just one game in the tournament, but will have more opportunities in Europe with Roma. Amadou Diawara Champions League best: Round of 16 (Napoli, 2016-17) Europa League best: Quarter-final (Napoli, 2018-19) One of the players who could benefit from Fonseca's rotation policy in Europe, Diawara's only previous experiences in continental competitions came with Napoli. In his first year there, they reached the Round of 16 of the Champions League, the furthest the club has ever been in the tournament. After coming third in their group in each of the last two seasons, they dropped down to the Europa League, losing to RB Leipzig in the Round of 32 in 2018, and reaching the quarter-finals in 2019, where they were beaten by Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Arsenal without scoring. Mirko Antonucci Champions League best: Semi-final (Roma, 2017-18) Europa League best: N/A Only included on Roma's secondary squad list for the group stage, the Italian youngster came on as a last-throw-of-the-dice sub in the second leg against Liverpool in the Champions League two seasons ago. Daniel Fuzato Champions League best: N/A Europa League best: N/A Signed from Palmeiras last summer, Fuzato is yet to make his senior debut for Roma, and has not been included on the squad list for this year's group stages. Henrikh Mkhitaryan Champions League best: Quarter-final (Shakhtar, 2010-11; Borussia Dortmund, 2013-14) Europa League best: Winner (Manchester United, 2016-17) The last Europa League winner on this list, Mkhitaryan started and scored in Man Utd's 2-0 win over Ajax in 2017. After moving to Arsenal, he should have had the chance to play in another final last season, but political tensions between host venue for the final, Azerbaijan, and Mkhitaryan's home country, Armenia, meant he did not travel as his side lost to Chelsea. In the Champions League, he has reached the quarter-finals on two occasions. In 2011, after beating Roma in the Round of 16, Mkhitaryan's Shakhtar lost to Barcelona. Later, the Dortmund side he joined in 2013 had reached the CL final the season before, but weren't able to repeat the feat.
Antonio Mirante Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: Group stage (Sampdoria, 2008-09) Veteran keeper Mirante made his Champions League debut with Roma last season, playing once in the group stage versus Viktoria Plzen and then in the first leg of the Round of 16 against Porto. Roma won that leg, but when Robin Olsen returned in his place for the second leg, it was an extra time elimination for the Giallorossi. This year, Mirante may be given the chance to play in the Europa League for the first time in over a decade, having previously kept goal for Sampdoria on three occasions over two seasons in the tournament. Justin Kluivert Champions League best: Round of 16 (Roma, 2018-19) Europa League best: Runner up (Ajax, 2016-17) Kluivert had to watch on as a spectator as his former Ajax side marched to the semi-finals of last season's Champions League, having moved to Roma last summer. He could only reach the Round of 16 with his new side, but it was still better than the qualifying eliminations he had experienced in his previous two seasons with the Dutch side. The first of those led them to the Europa League final, where Kluivert stayed on the bench as Mkhitaryan helped fire Man Utd to the trophy. Now, the duo are teammates, and with both having unfinished business in the competition, they will be hoping to go far with Roma. Roma got back to their high-scoring best on Saturday morning with a win over Rieti in the first of two friendlies played today.
In the morning match, Roma defeated the local Serie C side 7-0, despite only being 1-0 up at half-time. New signings Leonardo Spinazzola, Gianluca Mancini and Amadou Diawara were on display again, but it was a familiar face from last season who opened the scoring, in the shape of Nicolo Zaniolo. After an own goal doubled the lead in the second half, Davide Santon, Cengiz Under, Alessandro Florenzi and Patrik Schick (2) scored to complete another comprehensive victory. Many players got at least an hour on the pitch as the intensity of their workload begins to increase (with those who didn't likely to play a major part against Ternana tonight). Thanks to that extended gametime, we learnt even more about what to expect from the players next season. Central Santon lifted by captaincy It seems unlikely that Santon will be a starter this season. Having been utilised in several different positions in pre-season so far, it appeared that Paulo Fonseca viewed him as more of a utility player. But he showed against Rieti that he still has a big part to play. Fonseca handed him the captain's armband as he was deployed in central midfield again, from where he looked solid and created a couple of chances - including a through ball to Juan Jesus in the second half. Even if he is just a rotation player, Santon's versatility and experience could come in handy this term. Roma not afraid to be patient Rieti proved quite hard to break down in the first half especially, suffocating the space for Roma with a compact formation. However, Roma didn't panic, and adapted their game accordingly. The Giallorossi weren't afraid to keep moving the ball so the could start fresh, with the increased time in possession undoubtedly being beneficial. The approach was about waiting for the right moment to pounce, and Roma did that, punishing their opponents when they began to grow tired in the second half. At any level, that ruthless edge is the difference between a good side and a great one. Nzonzi building up a rhythm Steven Nzonzi still looks likely to leave Roma this summer, but he put in another positive display. He was the bridge between defence and attack, getting on the ball and showing composure as the play went through him. If one of his passes went awry, he quickly rectified the mistakes by closing down the opponent and regaining possession. The Frenchman could still become an important player for Roma if he shows the right desire and commitment. Set piece struggles In a game that was broken up fairly often by fouls, Roma struggled to capitalise on their chances from set pieces. From one of their first free kicks, Zaniolo and Justin Kluivert made their plans too obvious, with the latter rolling the ball across to the former, whose shot was blocked. It was too easy for the onrushing opponents to read, meaning it was a good chance wasted. Likewise, from corners, Roma rarely hit the right areas, with many of Kluivert's crosses in particular going too deep. If the coaching staff can think of a way to vary up the set piece routines, Roma may have more success. Schick's finishing something to build on Patrik Schick will be causing Fonseca a headache at the minute. He has got on the scoresheet frequently this pre-season, but has struggled to get involved in the build-up play. In his shorter cameo against Rieti, he managed two good goals, through which he showed he can be a clinical finisher. It gives Fonseca something to work with; now the coach needs to work out how to integrate him better into the system and to play to his strengths. Of course, Schick may have to make some adjustments to his game too, which could be seen in more detail in tonight's game against Ternana. Player Ratings: Olsen 6; Karsdorp 5; Mancini 6; Bianda 6; Spinazzola 8; Nzonzi 7; Santon 8; Zaniolo 7; Antonucci 7; Kluivert 6; Defrel 5 Subs: Fuzato 6; Florenzi 7; Fazio 6; Jesus 6; Kolarov 6; Diawara 6; Cristante 6; Under 7; Pastore 7; Perotti 6; Schick 7 Man of the Match: Spinazzola 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 If there's one transfer rumour that hasn't gone down too well with fans, it is the one linking Gonzalo Higuain with a move to Roma.
Overweight, 31 years old, a high salary - several factors appear to be stacked against the arrival of the striker in Rome. Not to mention, his past with rivals Napoli and Juventus would further render him a rather unpopular figure if he was to sign up with Roma. Despite a promising start with AC Milan last year, his form derailed, as he scored just one goal in his last 12 games for the club before the deal was terminated. A red card against former club Juventus did little to change the negative perception of his time at San Siro, and it's understandable why Roma would be a little bit skeptical over the proposition of signing him - especially if it would involve Nicolo Zaniolo moving the other way. But there is a bigger question at the heart of this matter. After an underwhelming campaign, Roma find themselves in need of a rebuild, in order to return to the levels they have grown accustomed to in the past six years. As part of that project, then, do Roma need to look at the long-term or the short-term? A move for Higuain would be indicative of the latter. While his spell at Milan showed that he is far from a guaranteed source of goals these days, on his day he remains a potent finisher capable of finding the net even in games in which he hasn't been heavily involved. Contrast that to current Roma man Patrik Schick, who has struggled in the capital - which he has partially attributed to not feeling involved enough in the play. At 31 years old, of course Higuain's best days are behind him. But his career is far from over. He has two years left on his Juventus contract, which shows how far the Bianconeri believed he would keep up his form when they spent big to snatch him from Napoli. If an arrangement would involve Zaniolo heading to Turin, it would surely be a blow for the fans. The teenager was one of the standout players of last season, despite the limited expectations placed upon him. However, he blew hot and cold towards the end of the year. At times, it looked like Roma had picked up a bargain, but in reality, it's still unclear what the midfielder is really worth. Sometimes a club has to take a step back to take a step forward - taking risks in the short-term in an attempt to make an instant return to the top. That may mean potentially regrettable decisions on long-term prospects, but with the financial consequences that come with a lowly finish, sometimes the luxury of keeping hold of them isn't there. It’s an issue that was highlighted in the recently confirmed swap deal with Juventus, in which Roma acquired Leonardo Spinazzola at the expense of losing Luca Pellegrini. Many fans had high hopes for the young left-back, but the reality is that the man that the Giallorossi have brought in is a much more proven quantity at this level, and is far better equipped to be a starter. And that’s what Roma need right now - ready made talent. That said, it would be irresponsible for Roma to fill the squad with veterans. One only needs to look at how Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov underperformed at times throughout the campaign to get a clear idea that sometimes younger blood is more effective. Hence, a blend is needed. Without a few experienced players, it may take Roma a long time to break back into the top four. But without the younger ones, any returns to the highest berths would likely be short-lived. Contrary to what many fans believe, Higuain would not be a terrible signing for Roma - as long as the salary is realistic compared to his output. However, it would be important for him to be supplemented by younger alternatives. His former teammate at Milan, Patrick Cutrone, would be perfect - an instinctive finisher, someone who can still develop but who is more than ready for a role of responsibility in a major squad. Furthermore, some signings in the past have shown that fans should not be prejudiced before their arrival. Many were critical of Davide Santon based on his time with Inter, but after he had put in some good displays for Roma, the general perception of him changed to a more positive one. Similarly, Federico Fazio was hardly the best name fans could have hoped for to alleviate the team's defensive concerns, but he soon won them over, at least in his first season, becoming their 'Comandante’. Gianluca Petrachi will need to find the right balance this summer, but the overriding message will be this - you never know how a player will perform for a club until they pull on its jersey. Higuain's might be a bit larger than those of others, but no signing should be overly criticised before a ball has been kicked. They could turn out to be just what Roma need.
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. Roma will be looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time in Claudio Ranieri's second spell in charge when they face Udinese on Saturday evening.
Thanks to a draw with Fiorentina and a win over Sampdoria, belief has been restored that Roma can still finish in the top four this season. Tomorrow, a home match against a relegation-threatened opponent presents them with a good chance for a third game unbeaten, but Udinese themselves have been enjoying an upturn in form of late. Since the return of coach Igor Tudor in March, Udinese have not tasted defeat in three matches, steering themselves away from the drop. Rodrigo De Paul, their top scorer this season with nine goals, netted twice in their most recent outing, a 3-2 win over Empoli, whilst other key players like Rolando Mandragora and Kevin Lasagna have also found the net since Tudor's arrival. Roma coach Ranieri is preparing himself for a tough game, and knows he may need to adapt his system. Aware that Udinese like to play on the counter, Ranieri explained at his press conference that he may play with just one striker instead of his preferred two, meaning one of Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick is likely to miss out. The Giallorossi will have to field a makeshift backline, with none of their full-backs fully available. Aleksandar Kolarov is suspended, while Davide Santon and Rick Karsdorp will both be sidelined for a few weeks. Alessandro Florenzi is himself only just returning from an injury, but may have to be thrown straight into the lineup to accommodate for the lack of options. Juan Jesus will likely deputise in the other full-back role. Nonetheless, there will still be a weight of expectation on Roma to win this game, as they look to chase down the top four. Stephan El Shaarawy needs one more goal to reach 10 for the Serie A season, while fellow winger Justin Kluivert could be in line for a third straight start, and will be hoping to increase his contribution to goals. The game kicks off at 5pm UK time, but will not be available to watch on TV in the country. Claudio Ranieri will once again have a depleted squad at his disposal as Roma travel to face SPAL on Saturday evening.
Roma got through Ranieri's first game in charge since his return without influential figures such as Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas, and in tonight's trip to Ferrara, several big players will be absent again. Aleksandar Kolarov missed the win over Empoli through suspension, but he hasn't returned to the matchday squad for the SPAL clash. With Davide Santon a minor doubt as well, Juan Jesus or Ivan Marcano could be forced to fill in at left-back, with the other pairing the returning Federico Fazio in the centre of defence. Lorenzo Pellegrini also remains among the absentees, while Alessandro Florenzi is suspended after picking up a red card against Empoli. However, there is some good news, as Dzeko has returned to the squad. Therefore, it's likely that we will see him play alongside Patrik Schick in the first proper taste of Ranieri's 4-4-2 system. For SPAL, the main danger man will no doubt be former Atalanta striker Andrea Petagna, who has scored 10 goals in 25 Serie A games this season. A forward with physical presence, Roma's defence will need to be wary of his threat. The game kicks off at 5pm UK time, and will be shown on Free Sports, with coverage starting from 5:15pm. 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 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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