Categoria: AS Roma Corner

Rubrica in inglese gestita dagli amici del Roma Club Dublino

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.

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.

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