A dull game. Same old story, same old result. Narrow defeat at the Alianz Stadium. Juve did not need to produce much to win this game. Mandzukic header in the first half was just enough. Roma never gave the impression to get back into it. Too many players out and lots of youngsters in, this team lacked in personality and experience for a game like this. Juve did not concede much and played a game that looked more like a training session.
Roma approach was casual in the first half, hard defending at the back and hardly creating any chances upfront. Juve looked relaxed and confident to get the goal anytime coming forward, and so they did. In the second half Roma changed attitude and went on to get most of possession playing into the Juve’s half, but in the end failed to sting upfront.
Cengiz and Schick were not seen thoughout the game. Kluivert the same when he came on. Edin Dzeko returned to play the last 10 mins after a month in the sideline. Nothing much to add apart for Zaniolo’s usual commitment, Santon bad night and the good night of Robin Olsen, who reedemed himself of the bad mistakes against Cagliari.
So, another defeat. Yet Roma are only 4 points from 4th place, other teams keep losing points too, so game on in this respect. Consolation. EDF is still the Roma coach, and he will be for at least until the last game of the New Year, unless disaster happens with Sassuolo and Parma. He needs all his players back, Dzeko, De Rossi, El Sharaawy, Perotti and Lo. Pellegrini.
Judgement day for the coach? We’ll see. But he needs to turn this around soon with the second part of the season coming up. His fate is in the next few games with the small-medium teams, the same we lost all the points in the first part of the season. Sassuolo, Parma, Torino, Atalanta. He needs to collect at least 10 points. If he survives then he will be the man to take us onto the chase for 4th spot and Champions League clash against Porto. If he doesn’t do that, then it will certainly be “Arrivederci Eusebio”.
In the meantime, we wish you a very Happy Christmas to all our readers, and to all Carlo Zampa readers! Next, 26th December, Roma v Sassuolo. Forza Roma, always!