Okay let’s forget the unlucky Cagliari game. Next.
Roma, an old nemesis. Although the hatred history between us isn’t as fierce as that of Juve or Milan, I still loathe them due to some personal history with their fans.
Quite ironic tbh, since they are actually the one which quite resembles us in many ways compared to other Serie A clubs atm. As example, they reorganized themselves due to foreign acquisition several years ago, which was happened because their previous owner (red: Sensi Family) were having financial woes that ‘too big to handle’ to support the club. The new management wasted no time to restoring the club; strategic decisions such as a new stadium or marketing strategy were quickly arranged.
In addition, good for them bad for others, their new owners installed a very competent sporting management to be the foundation of the club. A leading figure like Walter Sabatini who has eagle eyes for young talents, made immediate impact by getting players like Lamela, Marquinhos, or Ljajic, in relatively low expenses. In another words, all are done to bring a provincial club with great potential to the next level of competing with the tops.
Another obvious similar thing is they had a poor season to begin with. It was visible that Zeman’s
gung-ho philosophy is too vulnerable to compete for the highest position in Serie A. For that reason, they recruited a new manager namely Rudi Garcia to give them a fresh start. In spite of the fact that he came from a weaker league, Garcia is proved to be as meticulous when it comes to tactics. His Roma team is playing a good attacking football as that of Zeman, but the difference is, unlike the previous season, they are looking much more balanced as a team (heck, I even saw in one match last season, Zeman instructed 6-7 players to stand at the middle line of pitch, to attack jointly when the match began).
Furthermore, young potential players like Pjanic or Florenzi, who had difficulties with Zeman’s scheme, are being quickly integrated into the team, meaning despite the urge to win silverwares, a consistent youth project is always to be top of the priorities. The old guards like De Rossi, whom many football pundits considered as ‘finished’, is replenished, giving his hand to help the youngsters and providing leadership qualities on the pitch.
Interestingly, the team is looking to have no problem with adaption for all of those, making them as a serious Scudetto contender this season……well, just like us (yes, I am saying this to spread the positivity after the Cagliari draw
).
(Cont'd)
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Preferred Formation
In his Lille days, Garcia actually used 4-2-3-1 as his preferred formation. However, anyone who follows Roma games this season may notice that he apparently favors 4-3-3 formation. Hence, the latter choice seems the most possible option.
Playing Style
Roma are traditionally a team which prefers to maintain possession. Under Garcia’s regime, they are still the same, but quicker and more dangerous in counter attack. Tactical wise, Garcia likes to play two fullbacks (Maicon and Balzaretti) high up to the end of pitch. In this sense, the two fullbacks are giving the team more attacking options from the wide areas, either dangerous crosses or even scoring goal (as showed in the derby match against Lazio, when Balzaretti scored a poacher goal inside Lazio’s penalty box). Another thing is they apparently use Totti as a false striker. In that case, we can expect to see Totti dropping back often into midfield area, in order to find more space to send passes to the ‘real strikers’ (Gervinho, Florenzi/Ljajic [usually as a sub], or the two mentioned fullbacks).
Strenghts
As I said before, Roma are very dangerous at counter attack this season. The reason behind is because they have some players who actually fit the scheme. Gervinho might be mediocre at times, but he’s fairly fast as well as having a pair of lungs to run for a whole game. Florenzi is unsuitable on the wings, but he has ability to make intelligent runs. I wouldn’t even need to mention Totti passing’s threat, it’s a given fact. Watch out for Adam Ljajij in the second half; beside his shooting ability, he has potential to outskill every defenders with ease. Those and the fact that they currently have a very solid defense, lead by Benatia and Castan, make them a very hard team to beat.
Weaknesses
By all means, if there’s one thing to improve this Roma team is a battering-ram type of striker. I noticed many times in their previous matches that they are lacking of finishing inside opponent’s area. They actually have Boriello to play in this position, but he’s not a top-level striker. This weakness should be giving them a hard time when they face a team that has a good defensive structure in front of their backline. In addition, among their four defenders, I always think that Balzaretti is the one who is the most vulnerable; probably we could exploit one or two from his shakiness.
Notable Players
Francesco Totti. The biggest bitch in Serie A. Okay seriously, he isn’t (I will save the credential for Balotelli later instead). Well, isn’t it obvious? One doesn’t simply not mentioning Totti as Roma’s most dangerous player. Although his goal productivity is not as similar as several years ago, Francesco Totti just never lost his magic. Once he said that currently only few remaining players in the world who can perform as well as him despite old age. He definitely had a point there. When Totti eventually retired, it would such a shame to not rank him among the geniuses ever graced the game. A legend.
Daniele De Rossi. He’s back! (Cannot be happy about it, though). Prior to this season, there were actually clouds over his future due to his poor performances last season. But, he proves many critics wrong with his performance this season. De Rossi is always De Rossi. If not because of his lower speed, he might have become an Italian version of Steven Gerrard. Hard tackling, leadership qualities, offensive awareness, great delivery, long-range ability, what other things do you expect from a midfielder? De Rossi is definitely a great player on his own, and when he’s in top form, he’s an epitome of perfect midfielder. That should mean something coming from a Roma hater.
Mehdi Benatia. Frankly, I’m quite divided for the third position, since Roma have several other interesting players such as Pjanic, Strootman, or Ljajic. But, it would be a sin to not mention Benatia here, because the guy is simply in a beastly form in this season. To put Benatia in words, he is a great defender who offsets his speed disadvantage with great anticipation abilities. Not to mention that he’s also colossal at aerial duels. Due to that reason, he’s as lethal when there is possibility of going forward at set pieces. Hopefully I’m wrong here, but our team would be having a difficult time to deal with this Algerian monster.
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kay: Nagatomo got a yellow in the '90 minute and will not play against Roma? You sure about that yellow being the third one?
