“Second half, Roma enter the field, play well, scored two more to win the match. What about the first half? Apart from a couple of chances, and Salah ‘s equalizer at the end of the first half, Sassuolo came and put Roma under pressure big time, scored a goal, and could have doubled the advantage easily with Defrel, Politano and Pellegrini. All Roma related players somehow. Defrel was apparently close to join Roma in January but apparently either Sassuolo did not want to sell or Roma did not come up with a suitable offer. Politano is a Rome born, on loan to Sassuolo but then the Nero Verdi paid the buy out clause to sign him permanently. Pellegrini was another on loan but will definitely come back to Trigoria in the summer.
After the first half in the hands of Sassuolo, Roma came back in the second half, displayed a convincing performance especially after Edin Dzeko came on the pitch. He made the difference and scored another beautiful goal. The team controlled and clinched the result thanks to Dzeko’s incision. Now 21 in Serie A, 34 in all competitions. Great numbers for the Bosnian! Second place is ours again. Napoli kept at bay.
Off the pitch: President Pallotta is in town. New stadium on top of his agenda, Spalletti renewal, plans and programming for the future. We heard the Roma boss talking to the media. We believe his opinions and his way of thinking clash with the Roma coach. Both parties seem far away from each other, you can sense that, unless what we see is not the real story.
Spalletti is not going to renew unless Pallotta plans and programmes include not only invest on new players but also not selling our best ones. He wants to know next years the big one are still here. And rightly so. Pallotta’s comments aren’t reassuring at all. He talks about young players currently on loan (at Sassuolo as well), Primavera and the fact there isn’t a need to do big spending. The coach is not impressed, we can see that. The fans are not impressed, either. There is a real possibility Spalletti will leave Roma at the end of the season, both parties might already know that but aren’t talking because of the current open championship and Coppa Italia still to fight for. But we hope they have talked, and clarified so everyone can move on, regardless.
International duties next, then, Empoli in two weeks time. Time to break. Forza Roma!”.
Stefano Sale @ ASROMA EIRE