GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Roma enter tomorrow night’s Champions League clash at Qarabag in good form, having gone unbeaten in four games, and conceding only one goal. The Giallorossi will be expected to return from Azerbaijan with all three points, but the game might not be as easy as it looks on paper.
As addressed, Roma come into the game in good form, currently sitting 5th in the league table. Edin Dzeko has scored 6 goals in 5 Serie A games so far this term, and he will be hoping to get off the mark in the Champions League tomorrow, after failing to net against Atletico Madrid. The Bosnian has started the new season in superb form and has shown his value to the club with his goal tally. He could be a key performer on the night. There have been plenty of positives for Roma so far, and the team will be optimistic they can continue their purple patch of form tomorrow evening. However, opponents Qarabag have also started their domestic season in fine shape. They sit top of the Azerbaijan Premier League after winning all five of their games so far. Just as Dzeko has begun the campaign well, Qarabag also have a striker finding the net frequently, as 20-year-old Mahir Madatov has scored 5 in 5 for them in the league. Roma’s defence will have to be aware of the Azerbaijani youngster. Qarabag’s first fixture in this year’s Champions League group stage didn’t quite go to plan, as they were brushed aside 6-0 by Chelsea. But in reality, they were never expected to return from Stamford Bridge with any points. Chelsea are the top seed in the group after winning last season’s Premier League, while Qarabag are the bottom seed. However, the team from Baku will be keen to show they are not simply here to make up numbers. For any fourth seed, on paper, the best chance of getting a result would be at home against the third seed – which is exactly the situation Qarabag will find themselves in on Wednesday. Hence, they will enter the game with the intention of denying Roma the three points. Historically, Roma don’t have a good record in Eastern Europe. For example, in 2015-16 (the last time Roma featured in the group stage of the Champions League), Rudi Garcia’s team lost 3-2 at Belarussian side BATE Borisov. That side didn’t look accustomed to the climate, and put in a poor performance. Euesbio Di Francesco will be hoping his men don’t do the same tomorrow, in his first away Champions League match as a coach. Fortunately, the weather forecast for the match looks to be of a decent temperature (although rain seems likely), and Roma should be able to play their normal game. Whether in Eastern Europe or a hotter environment, the Giallorossi haven’t won an away Champions League match since 2010, when goals from Jeremy Menez, Francesco Totti and Leandro Greco helped Claudio Ranieri’s side to a 3-2 win over Basel. Perhaps tomorrow’s match presents the best opportunity to put that record right. Of course, there are many reasons to believe that Roma will be victorious tomorrow. The last few games have shown that Di Francesco’s tactics are starting to click with his new squad, and the results are following. A win against Qarabag would make it four on the bounce, clear evidence that the coach is proving his doubters wrong and beginning to build something at Roma. His squad enter the game as favourites to pick up three points, and they will be disappointed with anything less. If all goes to plan, a win would put Roma in a very favourable position in their Champions League group. The other fixture this matchday is between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, a game you wouldn’t bet against culminating in a draw. Thus, if Roma won, they would be joint top with Chelsea after two games. Or, if Atletico won, being the home side, but Roma won by a bigger margin, Roma would find themselves top on goal difference. In a group Roma weren’t expected to get out of, that would be a very healthy start. For some, Roma’s recent form may be put down to the level of opposition the side has faced, with Verona, Benevento and Udinese not being the toughest obstacles to remove. Those same fans will surely look at tomorrow’s opponents as another side that won’t provide too stern a test for the team. But Roma would be taking a risk by underestimating Qarabag, and will need to take their opponents seriously. They should win the game, but shouldn’t treat it as if it will be easy. Rather than viewing it as the end of a favourable run of fixtures, they should see it as the springboard to propel them for a challenging October. A win will help provide momentum for the upcoming ties with AC Milan, Napoli and Chelsea. Hard work tomorrow will ensure they enter those following games with high confidence.
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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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