Categoria: AS Roma Corner

Rubrica in inglese gestita dagli amici del Roma Club Dublino

0 weekly review

15 Ottobre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Roma are back into the game after the Derby, also immediately after the success in the Conference League. Against Empoli the team finds itself again and the 3 points earned are essential to prepare the challenges at the top after the international break.

The trip to Turin against Juve is the first major test that Mourinho will have to face. Then immediately Napoli the league leaders at the Olimpico. In between, the trip to Norway at Bodo’s. We will think about Milan later. Apart from the Conference league match where we will certainly see a lot of changes, it is essential to come out unscathed from these two great challenges.

Juve are back on track, with Chiesa the greatest threat. Juventus at the J-Stadium is now a continuous taboo, apart from the picnic at the end of the season last year, in between Garcia’s violins, referees and so on. Winning in Turin right now would be an incredible driving force for the Mourinho gang, but also a half miracle. Allegri’s team has many internationals playing around the world, Roma gets along with only Vina in South America, and Tammy’s injury. What we know is that Juve makes a few mistakes at Allianz Arena, Roma will have to be good at making the perfect match to come out with at least a positive result.

The same goes for the next match with the Neapolitans, in the lead with full points, with the return of Spalletti who probably can’t wait to silence those whistles that will once again pour down on him from the stands of the Olimpico. If in Turin a draw would also go well, with Napoli at home it is hoped to be able to win despite Osimhen and his teammates are in great shape.

But the Napoli seen on the pitch so far is really scary, to beat them will need a masterful test, few distractions in defense, a solid and free-range midfield, ready to press to go on the break. I would like to be able to take at least 4 points from these two challenges, but I think that two draws would still be positive results for this team, right now, for technical and structural values, for the morale and to hold on to the train that leads to fourth place, the real objective of the season. In my opinion Jose ‘Mourinho thinks so too. Daje Roma.

0 Weekly review

30 Settembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

After the disappointment of the derby, Roma returned to victory in the Conference League with three goals against Zorya in Ukraine, a panacea after the post-Lazio controversy. The defeat in the derby left a lot of bitterness in the mouth for how it arrived, condemned by the episodes but also the feeling that the team made the same mistakes as the last derby last year.

I was hoping that Mourinho had taken notes and warned the team, but instead of the Special One and Sarri, the ghosts of Inzaghi and Fonseca were seen again. Pellegrini’s absence weighed heavily, and it shows. In Ukraine Lorenzo got the team back and despite the turnover there was another attitude. Pellegrini will never be Totti but in this team he makes the difference, and in my opinion the departure of Edin Dzeko has freed him mentally also for the captain’s armband and the leadership. Smalling also met in Ukraine, scoring with Tammy Abraham, two English players, with El Shaarawy.

Well Darboe, minus those who had been excluded and replaced as Villar and Mayoral, now clearly not very motivated and on the sideline with Diawara, with Cristante instead once again on the field. A game of ordinary administration against a very modest team, but which brings three points to for head the group. So a test that is not very reliable, against Empoli it will be another match.

It will take a good test to get back in the race, as Mourinho says there will be other tumbles during the season but absolutely we must not repeat the match in Verona, much less that of the derby. You need humility and compactness but also the awareness that you can’t always line up the same ones, the team has the obligation to try to finish fourth and they all serve to hit the target. Daje Roma.

0 Weekly review

25 Settembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Ridiculous, as José Mourinho says. The second yellow given to Lorenzo Pellegrini is the umpteenth wickedness of the referee class to the game of football, and not only for the damage caused to Roma. Now the Giallorossi captain will not be able to play on Sunday in the derby against Lazio.

As known, Roma will not be able to appeal as it is not provided for by the regulations in force. An actually wrong regulation that must be corrected immediately otherwise one wonders what the Var is for. In this case the referee makes a huge mistake that the Var must be able to correct since it is a second yellow card and therefore red, which alters the course of the game. Having said that, however, Roma must be able to do without the presence of its captain and face the game in the best way since there is no shortage of options up front.

Mourinho will have to be good at shuffling the cards. Motivations anddesire will not be lacking for sure. After the bad defeat in Verona we needed a reaction against Udinese, which there was, but only partially in the first half. In the second half the team struggled and suffered from a physical and athletic point of view in the end, however, conceding only a couple of chances to the bianconeri.

It seems quite evident, however, that the team is short in the changes in midfield and on the flanks. It also seems clear that Mourinho does not consider Diawara Villar and Reynolds reliable subs, and in fact he does not use them even when the regulars run out of gas. This is a very important aspect in the long run because Karsdorp, Cristante and Veretout will not be able to play every game every week. Not to mention the injury situation, finger crossed. Waiting for January with the reopening of the transfer market.

So far, Roma have always won 3 points apart from the match in Verona, alternating flashes of good aggressive play at intervals and breaks with related risks. This is Mou’s Rom in this first phase of study and adjustment, in search of amalgamation and automatisms between the various departments, so we just need time. For now the important thing is to achieve results, concreteness regardless of the beauty of the game, starting as early as next Sunday. Daje Roma!

0 Weekly review

18 Settembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner · Rubriche

Francesco Totti is right. Lorenzo Pellegrini is now a worthy captain, the undisputed leader of this team. The one seen so far this year is another Lorenzo. He has finally taken confidence in his great potential, he has taken the team in his hand, provides assists, dribbles and scores in great class. A bit like Totti, with the proper proportions.

Once again player of the match, with R. Patricio in the crazy match against Sassuolo, even with CSKA there is his hand in everything that revolves around the new Roma of Mourinho. Meanwhile Josè is busy racing around the fans, Lorenzo delights the crowd with his magic on the pitch. Six out of six. The team is hungry for victory, like its coach. If Sassuolo turned out to be a great team tamed only at the last breath, the CSKA case was easily fixed but some subs did not convince.

Villar and Diawara aren’t doing as good with Mou quickly reverting to the regulars. El Sharaawy and Perez are well in the loop, Calafiori is decent change for Viña while Mayoral is not getting much play this season with Shomurodov well ahead in the pecking order. Reynolds is a mystery and possibly Mou will sign another right back in January. A strong playmaker is badly needed in the middle. The squad is way too short and tight to carry on this way Josè keeps saying.

All good so far but wont work long term. The team has lots of confidence even though we are only at the beginning, and it will not always be like this. With Sassuolo we won but we could have also lost. The important thing is to have everyone available, build to aim high, then let’s see if something more comes along. Match by match. Next in Verona. Go on, daje Roma, keep going if you can, like this.

0 Salernitana 0 Roma 4 “The Four Courts”

1 Settembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Four out of four. Roma flies on the wings of enthusiasm thanks to its driver, a character of great media depth but also of a lot of footballing wisdom. Mourinho hasn’t made a mistake so far, both on and off the pitch. The trip to Salerno presented some pitfalls on paper instead it was the easiest and most convincing match so far, at least in the second half, with the sumptuous performances of Capt. Pellegrini and Jordan Veretout, more and more leader and goalscorers, and of Tammy Abraham at his first seal in the yellow and red jersey.

Many beautiful actions and four wonderful goals. In short, a great Roma that looks like another team compared to last season, the mirror of his coach who leads and pushes the team and fans in pure symbiosis. Josè knows that it will not always be victories and a good games, sooner or later there will also be bad games, draws and defeats. The important thing is to always stay on track, aware of your strength to achieve the goals, which at the moment no one can yet decipher. No calculations or predictions, you play to win, always. Everyone is identifying with Mou, from Tammy to Lorenzo, then Miki, Jordan, Eldor, Mancini and co., all seem ready to battle on the pitch.

The owners continues to work in silence in a confidential way away from the spotlight, for that there are Mou and Pinto, in total control of the technical-tactical media operations. Transfer market closed without a bang in midfield and even less a reinforcement for the right wing, even if Reynolds is already there, signed by the Friedkins themselves. The same ones who had accustomed us to certain last minute operations.

Perhaps we expected the theatrical coup, but this time we preferred to wait for January and see how it will end with the redundancies, with the exit of Pastore then we will see what will be with Nzonzi and Fazio, as well as the various Villar, Diawara and Santon. Perhaps a missed opportunity, because there was the possibility of completing the squad to give even more annoyance to those teams that on paper are better equipped to win. But surely there were no conditions, and then on like this. Now, international break and then we start again with Sassuolo and CSKA. Daje Roma.

0 Roma 3 Fiorentina 1 “Tammy up”

23 Agosto 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner · Rubriche

Great start of the campaign by Josè Mourinho. Second win in a row following success in Turkey. And what a start by Tammy Abraham only days after his arrival from Chelsea. Gets the opposition keeper sent off, provides two assists for two goals, goes close to scoring by hitting the crossbar with an impressive header, runs like a wild horse with some fine touches. And what a great surprise is Eldor Shomurodov, class movements and power, unlucky not to score its fourth goal in four matches.

The starman is nonetheless Jordan Veretout winning the match with a fine brace. Mkhytarian also on target. Pity for Zaniolo for a stupid red card that might have cost us dear. Fiorentina looked very good and it was an even match at some stages, so it took a stubborn Roma team to secure the three points. Thanks to the new manager for bringing a new winning mentality. His appointment is crucial to see this team moving forward. He wanted those players and he got them. Next, sign a strong central midfielder like Xhaka and a solid defender to support the shaky backline. The future looks good. Next Trabzon and then to Salerno. Forza Roma!

0 Spezia 2-2 Roma ‘The final cut’

31 Maggio 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

We are at the epilogue. The arrival of Mourinho has brought back the enthusiasm of the fans, a hint of an almost epochal change. The last game at Spezia, on the other hand, did not enthuse anyone, a symbol of a season that had started badly in the league and ended worse. Apart from Europa League. A poor Roma display lacking ideas.

Farewell to Fonseca, an honest technician, at times even brilliant but definitely alone and in confusion. Thanks to Petrachi’s farewell, many injuries, but also misunderstandings, incredible mistakes but above all disappointment and lack of certain elements, a team that is not very team, intermittent, fluctuating and inconclusive.

Too little malice and desire to fight. Or maybe they just gave it their all but weren’t up to par. Certainly a middle ground between all that I have mentioned. The fact is that now we really start again, we need another gear, we need a bad and ugly Roma. We need a proud, indomitable, little head, playing with poisoned teeth, and always respecting itself. Then in football you can win or lose. But now we need to find the right spirit and the right players, for a more combative football.

The task of the Special One is to bring new characters to find the right stimuli. The bar is raised, but also the competition, from Juve Allegri-remake, to the Italian champions without his old leader but with an Inzaghi who leaves the Lazio side perhaps to Sarri or Sinisa.

Then Gattuso to Fiore and the old Spalletti in the shadow of Vesuvius. Then Juric in Turin, Venezia promoted after 20 years and so on. In short, Serie A changes face, the pandemic is slowing down, more vaccines, more spectators back to stadiums. A wish for the restart in August. But first the Azzurri at the European Championships. Everything starts from Rome. Always Forza Roma!

0 Roma 2-0 Lazio ‘Redemption’

21 Maggio 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Derby redemption. Waiting for the Special One, Roma makes the derby their own. Winning the derby so clearly has certainly raised the fans’ mood but does not cancel a troubled and fluctuating season, thanks to many injuries but also dotted with many wrong choices. Fonseca has shown seriousness and attachment to the Roma colors but the numbers are merciless. It has been a negative two years in terms of results.

Despite the journey in Europe, which ended with regret. The new ownership is omnipresent but works in silence and concealed, looking for new paths to make the leap in quality, to raise that famous bar that all fans wish for. Mourinho is proof of this. The Roma environment is in turmoil. Right so. There is a lot of enthusiasm but then it will be the field to judge, as always.

Meanwhile, Mou takes notes. New players will arrive, hopefully more ready and stronger. Much is expected. The spark ignited by the engagement of the Special One is a lot of stuff but it must be the starting point. Now we want level-up signings, to start setting up an ambitious team to try and compete right away.

There are so many names. The important thing then is to understand who remains. Edin Dzeko is the tip of the balance. I would see him well for another year with Mourinho at the helm. He’s intact and only needs to be re-motivated. Let’s leave aside for now the many rumours about Belotti or Vlahovic. Let’s start again from the derby and from Mou. Forza Roma.

0 Roma 3 Man Utd 2 ‘Pride is restored’

7 Maggio 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Roma exit the Europa League but with a lot of pride and dignity. We had a great match against Manchester United after that cursed 6-2 suffered in the first leg. It was a very difficult game to recover, we knew that, but we made a great performance and we won with merit.

We were also unlucky for a penalty not given – very questionable the referee’s decision – as well as a red card not given to the Manchester player in the first half. In short, there is a bit of regret, this was a feat, and it hadn’t been for that second half in Manchester where we conceded 5 goals, now maybe we were talking about something else.

A pity really because then Villareal would have been the opponent in the final and therefore we would have the chance to go for it. So big regrets but aware that with the arrival of Mourinho next year the music will change. It will be a great Roma. I am sure. Let’s look forward now. Always Forza Roma.

0 Man Utd 6-2 Roma ‘Crippling’

30 Aprile 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Too disappointing. We are all saddened by how things went. But clearly the injuries in the first twenty minutes, including the goalkeeper and two and among the best players, really cut our legs. Then, having no more changes to make, we had to play for the rest of the game with the same men.

We had already made a miracle to be ahead by two goals in the first half. There were the conditions to believe but then the team deflated because it was no longer able to keep up. Out of breath, legs and head. Clearly then Manchester took advantage. Maybe you had to be more careful, defend and throw balls in the stands instead we continued to play as before, making a big mistake, and we were too exposed to their lethal counterattack. Big regret.

In the end, the result in my opinion is also too heavy, because the penalty is really harsh but that’s not exactly what made the difference in the end. Even if there is an undoubted technical gap, however, we could have gone home with a different result. At the end of the first half we all believed a bit that Roma could work a miracle. Unfortunately we have collapsed.

The fact of not being able to make changes in the end penalized us extremely and here the result is now compromised. It was important to keep hopes alive but I fear it will now be a formality for the British. History repeats itself. From that magical evening with Barcelona. Very difficult to overturn it. But woe to not try. Anyway, always forza Roma.

Page 1 of 231 2 3 … 23 »