Sometimes people fear about the worst possible outcomes, hoping that it will not happen. Then, it happens. Last summer, Iago Falque and Castan were offloaded to Torino while Bruno Peres came the other way. We were all happy.
Today Falque was man of the match, scoring two goals. Peres was one of the worst on the pitch, responsible for many silly mistakes and causing the stupid foul for Torino’s penalty kick. Our keeper Szczesny was also man of the match, and still conceded 3 goals to the opposition. Today was a shambles performance, every Roma player on the pitch was awful. Spalletti needs a reality check. Roma needs a reality check. This game was presented as a great opportunity for Roma to close the gap and challenge the top of the table contenders. Al the good seen in the previous match down the drain. The team is badly assembled, once again there is no fighting spirit, players afraid to tackle and no game play whatsoever.
The defense played like it was the first time they ever played on a football pitch; Florenzi is a fish out of his bowl and was often ridiculed on the right flank; Peres is not a defender but does not attack either. In midfield, Nainnggolan is the ghost of the hardcore player we admired in the last two seasons. Strrotman is getting better but he still does not make the difference as he should. In attack is what we really think it’s the biggest problem. Salah is no longer getting one shot right and unable to get past his opponents; El Sharaawy is back to be an average player, and Dzeko keeps being Dzeko! For once and for all: He’s not a goalscorer, and he never will. In the second half alone, Totti has once again created several chances for him and he has capitalised none. He’s too clumsy, cannot do even simple things to put the ball in back of the net. This is the biggest mistake Spallletti has made in the summer. Believe that Dzeko could change the fortunes of the team. He did not do it before with his friend Pjanic behind, he cannot do it now with the magic of Totti behind. He’s not Icardi or Higuain, but Roma needs a volture in that penalty area.
@OfficialASRoma
At this stage, the fans are wondering what it’s going on, why did they get rid of all the strikers in the summer, players like Sanabria or Sadiq, and then why they did not sign anyone when Iturbe is not presentable. Why young brazilian prospect Gerson had been snapped from Barcelona for 20M and he does not play; why they did not replace the departure of Vainquer. After seen the “Cock Belotti” today there is a sense of lost opportunity, what it could have been with some valid options, at least upfront.
What is sad is that we are still at the end of September and already feel the season is already gone down the drain. Out of the Champions League, maybe fight for a third place again, and of course, the Europa League looming, a competition that looks like a burden rather a trophy to win. Astra Giurgiu permitting. See you on Thursday, then.
Stefano Sale
