Categoria: AS Roma Corner

Rubrica in inglese gestita dagli amici del Roma Club Dublino

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.

0 Roma 1-1 Atalanta ‘last grab’

23 Aprile 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Preparation for the Europa League semi-finals has begun. It has been a few games that head and concentration have been aimed at Manchester United. From the defeat in Parma, the team gave up the race in fourth place, until the coup de grace at the hands of Torino that definitively compromised the whole discussion in the league.

Unacceptable in my point of view, the team with only these 6 points more would still be close to the others. The draw with Atalanta is flattering for what we have seen on the pitch, at least until the 75th min. It took Gosens red to wake up the team, to the point that Roma even risk winning it. But Atalanta plays and runs much more, at times it seems to be of another level, a consolidated reality in the upper floor of European football.

But Roma could get closer. The hope is that head, heart and concentration can repeat the miracle done against Ajax. To change future prospects, starting next year, a new cycle, new players and new coach. But in the meantime, let’s stay on track. At Old Trafford we will play it all. But first there is a fierce Cagliari at the Sardegna Arena. The last training before leaving for England. Fingers crossed. Always Forza Roma.

0 Roma 1-1 Ajax ‘Semi-awake’

16 Aprile 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Roma are in the semifinals of the Europa League. The opponent will be Manchester United. Another English team is back as the last obstacle to the cup final. Similar to the ride in the Champions League of a few years ago then closed against Liverpool. Another very prestigious result. But now it’s time to raise the bar.

Roma have come a long way in Europe and eliminated important teams like Ajax last night. A lot of suffering, of course. That was expected. But the extreme containment tactic of the first half was perhaps not the best option. Defending and starting again, yes, but being crushed in that way constantly could cost you dearly.

And in fact, Roma then risked a little less when in the second half they came out of their shell after Ajax took the lead. It was important to keep them in their own half, and look for the safety goal. Which then came. Again he, the cup hero Edin Dzeko to unravel the problem, after the cancellation of their doubling from the Var, that luckily puts the result back in place.

Along with Edin, good play by Cristante, Karsdorp and Mayoral, very good at keeping the ball in the last 10 minutes. And Calafiori also for the assist to Edin. The final whistle was a liberation. And here we are now. At Old Trafford we will have to play like at the Amsterdam Arena. We are underdogs but we will play for it. Head and heart. Bring it on. Until April 29th. Forza Roma!

0 Ajax 1-2 Roma ‘Roger’s bomb’

9 Aprile 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Without Mkhitaryan, Smalling, Karsdorp and all the other long-term patients. To which are added the usual muscle injuries that have gripped us for the last century during matches. Spinazzola went like a train last night, then surrendered. Calafiori inside. We all feared the worst. An almost announced collapse that was slowly materializing. The Diawara-Mancini mess says it all.

In short, here is the usual Roma that goes into confusion after a negative episode. Then the turning point you don’t expect. Pau Lopez. Joy and sorrows. A mix between Yashin and Goicoechea. The one that was taken because he was strong with his feet but which is perhaps a little better between the posts.

After a few too many uncertainties here is the spell on Tadic. He doesn’t move. He stays there pointing and rejects with his fists the penalty of the turning point. The team takes courage. Then the turn in reverse. Their goalkeeper does worse and gift us the draw. Pau instead starts his show again, between improvised rescues and instinctive saves.

Then the apotheosis a few minutes from the end. Roger’s bomb. Chest stop and missile that fills the net. A masterpiece mix between Falcao and Agostino. Who thanks from up there. Rome explodes with joy. A little luck every now and then also passes through here. But that’s not all. Far from it. On the way back it will be a bedlam. A perfect Roma will be needed and Fonseca knows it well. Meanwhile, we are there. Manchester too. Ad Maiora.

0 Roma 3-0 Shakhtar ‘EuroQuarters’

14 Marzo 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

After the comforting results in the league with the latest victories against Fiorentina and Genoa, the Europa League confirms that Roma are in good health, despite the defeat against Milan.

Roma played one of the best matches of the season against Shakhtar, against a tough opponent. But the tactics adopted by the Ukrainian coach turned out to be a boomerang. A very high defense to press on the Giallorossi half to close the spaces, but which did not last long.

Over time, the orange shirts have been overcome with the insertions of ours, deadly cuts with the right timing that have ended up crumbling to former team of Mr. Fonseca. Among the author’s performances, Lorenzo Pellegrini certainly stands out, they happen everywhere, with plays. top class goals and assists.

Great performance also by Pau Lopez who saves the result at least on a couple of occasions, good between the posts but less with his feet, unlike his opposite on the other side of the field. In defense good play by Kumbulla and the usual Cristante in the role of central defender. Best of the field in my opinion is Gianluca Mancini, leader and goalscorer, on and off the pitch. Smalling was not there as a precaution and will not be available for the next one either.

Villar finds himself playing a little further ahead with Diawara behind in a solid, compact and concentrated midfield helped very well by Karsdorp and Spinazzola on the flanks. In front Miki and Pedro are running well, too bad for the Armenian injury, the Spaniard moved well until he came out, but then El Shaarawy enters and upsets the game for the right way, great goal and a lot of quality. Mayoral good for movement when he enters but not very polished in front of goal lately.

Eventually the team comes out of this game victorious and with a foot and a half in the quarterfinals, crossing their fingers. Older players will remember an unfortunate episode in 1980 against Carl Zeiss Jena, three to zero in the first leg with goals from Pruzzo, Ancelotti and Falcao, but then incredibly defeated four to nil in the second leg in an incredible match in old East Germany.

Well, maybe we would like to repeat the match against Slavia Prague, without the goal in the second leg that cost us the last-ditch qualification, one of the blackest pages of the Roma fan in the European field. I’m sure this time it will go differently. Now head to Parma, score points to keep the Champions place. Daje Roma.

0 Roma 1 Milan 2 ‘Oblivion’

2 Marzo 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Another Roma story gone pear-shape. Whenever you need to raise the bar. That famous leap going to the future. Roma goes back 10 years. The new stadium plans have been erased by the new american owners. Too complicated, bureacratic and no longer cost-effective. Ten years gone in one statement. Another stadium will be built in a different location. We’ll see.

In the meantime on the pitch we have taken a similar direction. Roma unable to step up and beat a direct competitor. Now no longer a competitor. Milan has taken Roma by storm. The first twenty minutes looked like a horror movie, with an Hitchcock finale. We were battered to the floor and if Milan were not up by three goal after twenty minutes it’s only their fault. Then they managed to score one just about when Roma looked back in the game. Mystery.

However, Roma did manage to pick themselves up afterwards, creating some great chances with equalising eventually. And with the game going fairly equal here’s the usual referees to spoil everything. A soft penalty called by the tv people also known as Var, when the ref on the pitch did not think so. So that was it. But then Mancini’s header with Miki’s goal was disallowed for heading and leaning on their defender, while the same ref allowed the same goal to stand in Milan’s favour vs. Verona not so long ago. That goal was scored by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Differences.

And then, the cherry on the cake. Miki is brought down by Theo, a clear penalty that would give Roma the chance to equalise. The ref thinks otherwise, calling a previous foul that does not exist. Var does not intervene. Ref should go and review it by the same token but he doesn’t. Another farce. Roma were simply robbed.

At the same we cannot deny that Milan were impressive for most of the game, played better than Roma in the 90 minutes and so they are deservedly winners. But in football games aren’t won only because played better. Roma were nevertheless stripped of their entitlement. Denied. Not good enough.

And not good enough the way we played, especially those dreadful 20 minutes. The chase is now over, we are just not equipped to challenge for the league title. We must aim to get a fourth place spot and try to progress in Europe. It won’t be easy, though. Contending with Atalanta, Napoli, Lazio. Ir will be paramount not to fall in despair, as we normally do. Fiorentina next tomorrow night. Tough test. We must pull our socks up and react. Forza Roma.

0 Roma 3-1 Braga ‘Last 16’

28 Febbraio 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Roma returned to Europe after the Benevento disappointment. We had not been able to create any dangers despite Dzeko, Pedro and El Sharaawy together later with Borja Mayoral. Too many forwards stamping on each other’s feet. Too much confusion in seeking unlikely solutions to undermine their excellent defense.

In the end, a strong disappointment for not having brought home the three points. A wasted opportunity to shorten the gap with Milan. An opportunity that now comes back against the Rossoneri on Sunday evening. Same goes for the Europa League. Mission accomplished against Braga, ready for the last 16 clash against another former team of Paulo Fonseca.

We meet Shakthar Donetsk reminiscent of that incredible save by Peres on the line a few years that took us forward in the Champions League. Only three opponents now separate us with the cup final. Who knows if it will be the right time. But now Milan arrives, already back from the defeat with Inter in the derby, now slipped behind the Nerazzurri. Watershed challenge. A Milan that always remains dangerous despite an evident decline.

But we are still crippled with injuries, out Smalling and Ibañez in defense, and without Edin Dzeko, too. Cristante will play with Mancini and with either Fazio or Jesus, if Kumbulla is not fit. The team can continue the positive streak, let’s resume the journey, we now have El Sharaawy as the extra ace to play upfront. This is the real opportunity. We have to beat Milan. Time to beat competitor teams at the top. The definitive leap that will give us momentum also for the European journey. Forza Roma.

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