GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Roma came from behind to clinch a 1-1 draw with AC Milan on Sunday night, in the side's first game since their 7-1 drubbing at Fiorentina.
Understandably, there were a few whistles and protests from the fans, but across the 90 minutes, Roma put in a good enough performance to earn a point - possibly more - and showed a positive reaction. It wasn't Roma's best performance in recent memory, but it was a solid outing with only a few individual errors. The draw is surely enough to keep Eusebio Di Francesco in his job for a little longer. EDF reverts to 4-3-3 After a few weeks using a 4-2-3-1, with varying degrees of success, Di Francesco went back to his usual 4-3-3 formation, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolo Zaniolo playing either side of Daniele De Rossi in an all-Italian midfield. For the most part, this helped Roma to cover ground effectively and combat Milan's physicality in the middle of the park. If Di Francesco continues with the 4-3-3 once Steven Nzonzi and Bryan Cristante return from suspension remains to be seen, but the switch showed a reaction to adversity and offers the Giallorossi another important option. De Rossi rolls back the years Seriously, how good was De Rossi? At 35 years of age, making his first start for more than three months after an injury, the captain came straight back into the side and was the calming influence that Roma have desperately needed. Without him, Roma become disjointed and frantic, so his presence on the pitch was a welcome relief. He won all of his duels and gave Roma momentum by playing more long balls forward than anyone else on the pitch. In total, De Rossi covered an unbelievable 12.1km over the 90 minutes. He's been sorely missed over the last few months, but last night, De Rossi proved that age is just a number.
Schick's best performance for Roma?
When the team sheet was announced and Patrik Schick and Edin Dzeko were both named in the starting lineup, it led to debate about their roles. Ultimately, Schick was shifted out to the right wing, with Dzeko starting centrally. Some attribute the lack of confidence in Schick's previous displays to his deployment on the right wing, an unfamiliar position before his arrival at Roma. However, against Milan he made the role his own. He hustled throughout, creating chances and tracking back to help out right-back Rick Karsdorp (who impressed again himself). Why he was replaced by Di Francesco is a serious question - Schick was a positive influence throughout and deserved the chance to stay on for the rest of the match. If it wasn't his best performance yet for Roma, it was certainly the best he's ever done out on the wing. Donnarumma's excellence shows Roma are creating chances While De Rossi and Schick impressed for Roma, there was one clear candidate for Milan's man of the match. Gianluigi Donnarumma answered his critics by producing an amazing display in the Rossoneri goal. The 19-year-old pulled off a number of saves that weren't just great, but world class. His double stop on Dzeko and Schick in the first half was a standout moment. On another day, Roma would have had plenty more goals, but Donnarumma gave one of his best performances of the season to keep the Giallorossi at bay. Nonetheless, having 17 shots and creating 1.79 expected goals proves that Roma are still creating chances and finding ways to penetrate defences. Every player needs to celebrate like Zaniolo Zaniolo showed hunger, desire and primal striking instinct to give Roma the equaliser early in the second half. The timing of his movement in the box was perfect, arriving late at the back post so he could fire home. And even though it was an empty net by the time he got there, he wasn't taking any chances - fully pummelling the ball into the net. His ferocious strike from yards out was a release of nervous energy among the team and his consequent celebration shows just how much scoring means to him. He stood under the Curva Sud, pumping his fists in the air. He may not be a Romanista, but you'd be forgiven for thinking so if you didn't know any better. The passion he embodies in every performance and celebration is a textbook example of how all players should show their commitment to Roma.
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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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October 2019
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