GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Roma brushed aside any doubts of underestimating SPAL and being distracted by Liverpool by beating their opponents 3-0.
Several key players were rested for the game, including Edin Dzeko, Aleksandar Kolarov and Daniele De Rossi, allowing some of Roma's fringe players to make an impact. That was the case, as it was a comfortable win in the end. Schick breaks Serie A duck Patrik Schick's debut season in Rome hasn't been plain sailing, and before yesterday, he was without a league goal all season. The striker put that right against SPAL with a header for 3-0. The goal will have done his confidence a world of good. Roma fans will be hoping he can now follow in Cengiz Under's path by going on a scoring run after his first goal. Defence shaky at times Although Roma were a level above SPAL, it was the hosts who could have taken the lead in the first half. There were claims for a penalty after some clumsy defending from Federico Fazio, although the referee was not interested. Nonetheless, it was untidy from the Roma player, and is an area that will need to be improved upon against Liverpool's pacy attack. Roma find success with narrow formation In attack, Roma played without much width, instead attacking SPAL down the middle. Playing a 4-3-2-1 with Radja Nainggolan and Stephan El Shaarawy occupying the attacking midfield positions allowed Roma to get at their opponents, something that may work well at Anfield. With Nainggolan more naturally a central player, and El Shaarawy cutting inside from the left onto his stronger right foot, plenty of chances were created. This tactic could be utilised again in midweek, bearing in mind that Liverpool full back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been at fault for a couple of goals recently having got caught out from runners inside. The use of this tactic against SPAL was the perfect dress rehearsal for Tuesday's game. Final Thoughts SPAL could have been a banana skin game for Roma, with the relegation candidates preventing Fiorentina last week, and the Giallorossi preoccupied by the Champions League. Instead, Roma kept their concentration, gave much needed minutes to some players (including Jonathan Silva's debut), and came home with three points and a clean sheet. Not much more could have been asked for.
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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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