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Claudio Ranieri has told Paulo Fonseca to continue to implement his style of play following Roma's positive start to the season.
Fonseca was chosen as the replacement for interim manager Ranieri over the summer, and he has continued the good work laid down by his predecessor so far, only tasting one defeat. In the wake of Roma's most recent win over Lecce, Ranieri was asked for his thoughts on the new-look side by Radio Uno. "It seems to me that Fonseca is doing a good job, he is making the players understand," said the former Chelsea and Leicester boss. "He seems very intelligent, he has understood the difficulties of the team; now they start to take less through balls, they cover the depth better. "I believe that his philosophy is coming out, reading the newspapers I see that the players are very happy. He was a good choice." When asked to give a piece of advice to Fonseca, Ranieri replied that he should stick to that philosophy. "To go ahead on his way, he is working well. It is logical that the Roma fans, when you win, take you to the stars, but I believe that this year they know they are renewing many things. There is a good mix of young and experienced players, I am certain that Roma will have a great season." Roma's form under Ranieri towards the end of last season led some to believe he would have been a suitable candidate for the permanent manager's role before Fonseca was even linked, but the 67-year-old confirmed that he knew from the start that he would not be considered. "It was already agreed from the beginning, from when I signed I knew that at the end of the year I would go away. "For me it was not a bad ending, but it certainly was for Daniele [De Rossi] and Francesco [Totti]."
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed that he hopes to play in two cup finals for Roma this season after sealing a season-long loan move from Arsenal.
The attacking midfielder was a late addition to Paulo Fonseca's squad, and in terms of technical ability, is probably the best new signing Gianluca Petrachi has made so far. Mkhitaryan is yet to train with his new teammates, as he is on international duty with Armenia, for whom he is the captain and all-time leading scorer. But while with the national setup - with whom he will face new teammates Alessandro Florenzi, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gianluca Mancini against Italy tonight - he has been able to speak about his new club. "It all happened on the last day of the mercato," he explained at a press conference on Wednesday. "After playing the game against Tottenham my agent called me, telling me that the next morning I should leave for Rome to undergo my medical and sign the contract. "This for me is surely a great opportunity given that at Arsenal I didn't play much. "I decided to transfer to Roma because of Fonseca. He will surely give me more space and use my qualities. I am 100% ready. Not only physically, I also feel good mentally because in football you also need a good head. "I didn't play all the matches in the Premier League for 90 minutes, but I trained very well and even did more than necessary." In a separate interview yesterday, he gave more insight into the team's targets for the season. "The team has a new coach and new players," said the 30-year-old. "It's fantastic because the team is starting to take shape and I can have my space [in it]. "The club explained to me the objectives of the season: taking the team back into the Champions League, reaching the Europa League final and winning the Coppa Italia. I hope to do well, with the help of Fonseca." Legendary Roma goalkeeper Franco Tancredi has given Paulo Fonseca his full backing, while explaining what makes current number one Pau Lopez impressive.
Tancredi was Roma's keeper for their second Scudetto, in 1983, and in the European Cup final the year later - although few keepers since him have stood out for the right reasons. Now, the 64-year-old - who served as England's goalkeeper coach for four years under former Roma boss Fabio Capello - has revealed his optimistic outlook for the season in an interview with Tele Radio Stereo. "I trust the coach a lot, it seems to me that he knows his stuff and is determined," explained Tancredi. "He must improve with the language because otherwise it is difficult to transmit things to the group. He seems intelligent and I like how he sets Roma up on the pitch. "Roma's problem could have been the new coach, but as I said, he has convinced me and I see him going down well with the group. Now with the last signings of the transfer window, Roma will change their record and it will benefit them a lot. In midfield, [Bryan] Cristante and [Lorenzo] Pellegrini need time because they are adapting, not being natural defensive midfielders." The position that Tancredi is best-equipped to comment on, of course, is the goalkeeper role - and he has been impressed with summer signing Lopez. "He seems adapted to Fonseca's game, I see him as very reactive and alert. He has two very good qualities, especially for how the team plays: Tactically, he reads deep passes well, and has excellent exit times in one-on-ones. And with his feet, he is very precise and courageous. "He has had a good approach since day one, he is aware of his qualities but also has a great desire to learn. Unfortunately, from a technical point of view, foreign goalkeepers are not of the level of the Italian school. Even with the best ones, you can notice the different way of working." Although Tancredi worked in the goalkeeping department during his time with England, one player he will have briefly crossed paths with was Chris Smalling, who was given his senior international debut by Capello. And Tancredi believes that the defender, who joined on loan from Manchester United in the final days of the transfer market, will be beneficial to his new teammates. "Smalling is the classic English centre-back, hard as a rock and good with the head, in the attacking phase as well, but he also has a good sense of anticipation and is capable of commanding the defence. His only problem is that, being very tall, despite being fast, in the first few metres he is cumbersome." After two draws in the opening two games, some fans are already a bit restless, but Tancredi knows that once things click, Roma will be a force to be reckoned with again - especially improving in defence. "We have always historically been tight in the first rounds of the championship. Therefore, I believe there is a need, especially for those who have changed coach, for that physiological time to register the defensive department. I am convinced that, from the next game, things will change considerably." And in attack, Tancredi knows Roma are well represented, with Edin Dzeko named as the one striker who could have caused him problems if they had faced each other as players. "I am crazy for Dzeko. He has a shot that can anticipate the keeper's intentions and wrong-foot him, and it is something that very few have."
The transfer window closes next Monday, so here is the last episode of Mercato Monday this summer - looking at two areas of need that were highlighted after Roma's draw with Genoa.
Manchester United are willing to offload forward Alexis Sanchez to Roma on loan, according to various reports.
Despite the English transfer window closing yesterday, United have no place in their plans for Sanchez, who has failed to live up to expectations since moving from Arsenal. According to reliable La Stampa journalist Matteo De Santis and Teleradiostereo, the Chilean has now been offered to Roma, with the English club even willing to pay most of his salary. De Santis warns, however, that it remains a difficult operation for Roma. Sanchez's European breakthrough came in Serie A more than a decade ago when he joined Udinese, and the former Barcelona man could be on his way back to Italy. The 30-year-old can play either as a winger or a central striker, which would help Roma account for the loss of Stephan El Shaarawy earlier this summer, and the impending lack of a centre-forward, with the futures of Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick looking increasingly like they lie away from the capital. Dzeko is pushing for a move to Inter, to team up with another striker who has just left United in Romelu Lukaku, while a separate report from Gazzetta Dello Sport (via ForzaRoma.info) suggests that Paulo Fonseca has decided that Schick is not part of his plans after judging him in pre-season. The Czech forward has been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund, and it is claimed that Fonseca believes he lacks the appropriate character to succeed at Roma. Join the Giallorossi Yorkshire fantasy football league before the Serie A season kicks off!
A look at two Premier League-based targets for Roma, and whether they will be able to be signed before Thursday's English deadline.
Paulo Fonseca's first competitive game in charge of Roma will be at home to Genoa, while the Giallorossi will face fierce rivals Lazio as early as the second matchday, after the Serie A fixtures were drawn on Monday evening.
A trip to Bologna is sandwiched between home clashes with Sassuolo and Atalanta to complete Roma's first five games of the season, while the campaign will end with two visits to Turin, to face Torino and then reigning champions Juventus. Roma's schedule will run as follows (the Giallorossi Yorkshire calendar will soon be updated with the provisional dates). Matchday 1: Genoa (H) Matchday 2: Lazio (A) Matchday 3: Sassuolo (H) Matchday 4: Bologna (A) Matchday 5: Atalanta (H) Matchday 6: Lecce (A) Matchday 7: Cagliari (H) Matchday 8: Sampdoria (A) Matchday 9: AC Milan (H) Matchday 10: Udinese (A) Matchday 11: Napoli (H) Matchday 12: Parma (A) Matchday 13: Brescia (H) Matchday 14: Verona (A) Matchday 15: Inter (A) Matchday 16: SPAL (H) Matchday 17: Fiorentina (A) Matchday 18: Torino (H) Matchday 19: Juventus (H) (Return fixtures to be played in the same order)
Lorenzo Pellegrini has explained why he is starting to feel like a senior player in the group, having returned for pre-season with Roma.
Pellegrini, tipped by many to become the club's next vice-captain, returned later than some of his teammates due to his involvement with the Italy U21 side over the summer, but now he is back at Trigoria, he has relished the opportunity to get back to work. He told Roma Radio that his first impressions of the sessions under new coach Paulo Fonseca have been positive. “Very good indeed – I’ve enjoyed it very much,” he explained. “The training sessions are very intense. “I knew many of the new arrivals already and I’m getting to know the others now. I think we’re a nice group, with good lads. As a youngster you’re able to take certain things on board, which makes it easier out on the pitch. “I see [Fonseca] as a very direct person and that’s something I like. He tries to make you feel at ease, in order to communicate what he wants from you. I like the way he thinks about football. “Now we have some time to really push on, because we’ve only been working with him for a few weeks and it’ll take time to implement the football that he’s demanding. Nonetheless, the feeling within the squad is positive.” Pellegrini has returned to a Roma that is now far more well-stocked in his midfield position, following the signings of Amadou Diawara and Jordan Veretout, plus the apparent resurgence of Javier Pastore. But rather than viewing this as a hindrance, the 23-year-old is looking forward to the competition for places and how it may affect his role. “It’s not something we’re talking about at the moment because this is only the beginning, also because some players are behind and are therefore training to get back to top condition. We know that, like last year, there are a lot of games to be played and it would appear that playing in midfield will be very demanding, given the way the coach wants to play. So, we’ll all make ourselves available. “I think the attacking phase of play comes more naturally to me but I’m working hard to improve my defensive skills. I’d say I’m a central midfielder, a role where nowadays you need to know how to do everything, from the holding role to playing in behind the forwards.” Despite only being 23, Pellegrini is growing into a key leader in the squad, particularly given that he is one of the few remaining Romans at the club. And he revealed that he is eager to take on a role of more responsibility, especially helping out younger players in the team. “I try to give them support, because I know it’s not easy. It wasn’t easy for me when I went to cut my teeth at Sassuolo, so I need to try and help everyone, such as [Alessio] Riccardi and [Mirko] Antonucci, who have come through at Roma like I did and are now part of the squad and could well become excellent players.” Pellegrini is also keen to lift the morale of the team after a disappointing season, by reinforcing to the new arrivals that they can play a part in helping things improve. “We ‘older’ players are trying to get that message across and so are the staff and the coach. We’re doing good work and preparing the ground to have a very good season. I hope we don’t do worse than last season – we have to improve. “It was a tough campaign last time out, not just for us players but also for the club. We now just need to focus on working hard, playing football and winning games. "I can’t deny that we listen to the goings-on around us but we do need to stay out of that as much as we can and focus on our work – the staff are helping us a great deal in that respect.” Jordan Veretout has revealed that a phone call from Paulo Fonseca was the key factor that convinced him to join Roma.
The midfielder had a number of offers to leave Fiorentina this summer, including from AC Milan, but he eventually signed for Roma in a deal that could cost the club nearly €20m. At his first press conference as a Giallorossi player, Veretout told reporters: “I chose Roma because this is a huge club and I was impressed by what Fonseca said to me. Roma are playing in the Europa League this season and I see this as a step forward in my career. “Roma are a huge club who want to be playing in the Champions League every season. For now it's the Europa League but our aim is to get back in the Champions League. We're going to have to work very hard if we're to achieve that.” Echoing a sentiment from fellow new arrival Amadou Diawara earlier this week, Veretout says he is ready to adapt to the demands of Fonseca's 4-2-3-1 system. “I've played everywhere in midfield and learnt a lot from playing in the holding role. It's made me a more mature player because you have to think a bit more carefully. I still have plenty of room for improvement, though. “In a three-man midfield I have more freedom to get forward. With two I have to be more careful about providing defensive cover.” When asked for more detail on what Fonseca said to him, Veretout painted a positive picture of the coach. “He told me he needed someone with my skill set. He convinced me instantly and I never looked back from there. “The boss likes to play attacking football. He wanted me as a deep-lying playmaker but in that position you need to know how to defend too.” Veretout was responsible for set pieces in Florence, but Roma already have Diego Perotti to take penalties and Aleksandar Kolarov on free kicks. Nonetheless, the Frenchman laughed that he could end up overtaking them in the pecking order, as long as he had the right work ethic. “We'll see about free kicks and penalties further down the line. In the meantime I'll keep practising them!” Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page! New Roma signing Amadou Diawara has explained why he is confident of a successful first season with the club.
The midfielder's signing was announced on 1st July as Kostas Manolas moved the other way to Napoli, but did not arrive until this week due to his participation at the African Cup of Nations. He was formally presented at a press conference on Monday, where he discussed how he will adapt to the tactical demands of new coach Paulo Fonseca. “I’m used to playing in a three-man midfield, but I have adapted to play in a two as well,” said Diawara, knowing that Fonseca favours a 4-2-3-1 formation. “The important thing is that I do what the coach asks of me and I help the team. “I know that the midfield is an important area for the coach, because he wants us to bring the ball forward with our feet. When he called me on the phone a few weeks ago it was a big thing for me. I am honoured that he will be coaching me.” Diawara has made a positive impression by returning to Italy as soon as possible after the Cup of Nations, showing commitment to his new club. “I cut short my holidays to come here as quickly as possible, to get to know my new teammates and the coach. These extra days of training will help me recover after the games I played at the African Cup of Nations. I feel good, I’m just thinking about being at my best as soon as possible – even for training today.” The 21-year-old was also asked about Roma's targets for the upcoming campaign, with the side looking to improve on last season's disappointing sixth-place finish. “The aim for this season is to get back into the Champions League. We need to do everything we can to try and manage that.” Diawara is aware of the impact the likes of Radja Nainggolan and Kevin Strootman had on Roma's midfield in recent years. He is keen, however, to forge his own path. “They are great players; I’ve seen them play and they caused me a lot of problems whenever I played against them in the past. I am still young and I hope to give my best in training and the games in order to do what they did here, and perhaps even more.” |
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