Roma brushes off Viktoria Plzen in style. The best performance of the season so far. It’s a different team. You can see that, clearly. Approach, fitness, legs, and changed attitude on the pitch. But also the game play system. We did not think that was an issue sometime ago. Instead, we were wrong.
EDF showed enough resilience to rotate his players trying to find the root problem. And looks like he’s found it. The new 4-2-3-1 formation is paying off. The midfielders are beginning to move better and interchange play. The wingers are also coming deeper into the area.
Players are starting to respond and deliver the goods, even subs and youngsters coming on, with Dzeko getting a great hat-trick last night. Cengiz and Justin also on the score-sheet both looked impressive. Nzonzi ruled in midfield, Cristante worked hard, backline solid with Fazio and Jesus, with Florenzi and Kolarov pressing on the sides.
But man of the match is once again on-form Lorenzo Pellegrini. Another impressive performance. Often criticized, he was very poor at start of the season, but like everyone else. But people often forget this lad was a prospect, has done very well before with Sassuolo and Italy U-21 and Roma brought him back home because believe in him.
EDF had the brilliant idea of playing him as attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 and he’s responded really well so far. Can he become the new Radja Nainggolan? He has shown he can cause damage in that position. Obviously, the goal in the Derby and the good performances have given him confidence that he didn’t have before. But it’s the whole team with confidence now, believing.
The only negative note come from Patrik Schick, who still does not look confident or settled in when he comes on. He tries hard but then he feels under pressure that he needs to quickly impress. Rick Karsdorp is the other negative note. He was meant to be our special guy on the right wing but he does seem to have fully recovered from the injuries. His attitude does not help either. EDF sent him a clear message to rethink about things. Nobody is in the position to make demands. Clearly not someone who has been out injured for whole year. Roma does not need personal issues and complaints. If does not fit in anymore better leave for other shores. Next game away to Empoli. Do it again! Forza Roma.