GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Giallorossi Yorkshire's season review continues with summaries of how Roma's defence fared this season.
Roma have always had good defenders recently, selling on players like Benatia and Marquinhos to major clubs, but have often struggled as a unit. This season, thanks mainly to Federico Fazio's assured presence, the defensive system worked much better together. In case you missed the first part of the season review, players are given an average rating and a season rating. The average rating is the sum of all their scores out of ten from the matches I watched this season, with man of the match performances counting double, divided by the number of games considered. The season rating is how I judged them overall. So who impressed most in Roma's backline? Alessandro Florenzi Average Rating: 7.5 Man of the Match: Once Season Rating: 6 It almost seems strange to remember that Alessandro Florenzi played this season. He has been plagued by injury, with two cruciate ligament injuries ruling him out for most of the season. Needless to say, when he returns, it will be a slow process, much like the slow integration of Kevin Strootman back into the first team after his similar troubles. When Florenzi did play at the start of the season, he showed the consistency that he has become associated with. A versatile player if there ever was one, realisation of Florenzi's impact on this team came not when he played, but when he was absent. His passion and ability was missed throughout this season, and hopefully next year we will see him return to the pitch. Kostas Manolas Average Rating: 6.20 Man of the Match: None Season Rating: 6 By his standards, Kostas Manolas had a disappointing season. Particularly towards the end of the season, he was at fault for some crucial goals conceded by Roma. He certainly did not look the coveted centre back that has attracted attention from Europe's elite. He has stated he wants to stay in Rome, which is a good sign, but is demanding a payrise that may not be warranted given the season he has just had. Nevertheless, you can expect a player of his ability to bounce back and find top class form again next season. He has various ideal qualities for a centre half, and is at a good age, so should do better next time around. Thomas Vermaelen Average Rating: 6.2 Man of the Match: None Season Rating: 4 Another defender to have a disappointing season, Vermaelen - who has had injury troubles over the past couple of years - looked shaky when he managed to find a rare appearance for Roma this season. Occasionally he played well, but overall, he did not look to be one of Roma's strongest options at the back. It is unlikely Roma will sign him permanently from Barcelona. Juan Jesus Average Rating: 5.53 Man of the Match: None Season Rating: 6 A definite contender for most improved player of the season, Brazilian defender Jesus had a difficult start to the season, playing mainly as a left back, but found form when Roma switched to a back three half way through the season. This is a system he is most comfortable in, as it suits his qualities best. He became a consistent performer in this formation and showed great signs of improvement, becoming a reliable figure at the back. Emerson Palmieri Average Rating: 6.61 Man of the Match: None Season Rating: 8 The surprise package of 2016/17, we got a hint of left back Emerson's potential at the back end of the prior season, with Spalletti giving him a run of games culminating in a goal against Milan. This form carried over into this season, and he established himself as a first team regular. He even sometimes appeared on the right hand side of defence as cover, despite being left footed. This was a great help to the team and showed his adaptability. He switched allegiance to Italy this year, and was about to be capped by Ventura, before an untimely ACL injury ended his great season. Federico Fazio Average Rating: 6.68 Man of the Match: Four times Season Rating: 8.5 Premier League reject Fazio found some of the greatest form of his career at Roma this season. The former Tottenham and Sevilla man was easily Roma's best centre back, exuding calmness and responsibility at the back. He is good on the ball, good at marking, and good at reading the game. He even managed to make one of Europe's best defenders, Kostas Manolas, look weak in comparison. Without a doubt, Fazio was one of the best players of Roma's 2016/17, and hopefully will stay in the Italian capital. Bruno Peres Average Rating: 5.77 Man of the Match: None Season Rating: 5.5 Oh, Bruno Peres. The man who had arrived at Roma with so much promise. The man who many believed would be the answer to Roma's right back problem. And it just didn't happen. For whatever reason, the Brazilian didn't live up to his reputation, something he himself nobly acknowledged. His first half of the season was decent, but the remainder of the year was almost disastrous, as he was kept out of the team by Antonio Rudiger (a centre back) and Emerson (a left back), and when he did play, he was lacking quality. Better things were expected from a player who had promised so much. Antoni0 Rudiger Average Rating: 6.19 Man of the Match: None Season Rating: 7.5 Recovering from a serious ligament injury which kept him out of Euro 2o16 (a tournament he would surely have done well in), Rudiger's season started a little later than most, but he made up for it in quality. With a big reputation to follow given his excellent debut season in Italy, Rudiger once again lived up to the pressure of playing for Roma. Playing at either centre back or right back, and adapting as part of a back four or back three, he had another solid season, and is yet again the subject of interest from other clubs. No less than 40 million euros is expected to move him. Mario Rui Average Rating: N/A Man of the Match: Once Season Rating: 6 Another player who missed the start of the season through injury, Rui would surely have had a good season had he not damaged his knee ligaments in pre-season. Unfortunately, he was sidelined for a good portion of the season, debuting in January. He was understandably a little off the pace, but showed signs of being a good full back, capable of defending well and putting in good crosses for his strikers. It is unknown where he will be next year - his former boss at Empoli, Maurizio Sarri, is interested in taking him to Napoli. All in all, a good season for Roma's defence, which saw just 38 league goals conceded. Only the champions Juventus conceded less, which, given their defensive reputation, is a good indicator of Roma's defensive success in 2016/17.
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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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