From euphoria to depression. From heaven to hell. All in just four days. The great victory against Atalanta had awakened the Giallorossi fans. In these four days nothing else has been talked about. Roma were back in the fight for fourth place, then we see, perhaps with some insertion in the transfermarket, with the direct clashes for the resumption of the league in January, with a favourable calendar to follow, here is already the great “catch up”. And instead here we are to comment on yet another step back and not forward.
A badly prepared and worse game played, which leaves a bad taste in the mouth. A tie that none of us had budgeted for. A huge disappointment. Perhaps Bergamo’s performance now needs to be reviewed and perhaps even resized. Perhaps we have taken some credit beyond what is due, considering what Atalanta has done in Genoa. Perhaps Roma play better when they don’t have to lead the match, also given their recent home form. Perhaps Roma is a team where they perform better when attacked, strong on the counter, with Zaniolo, Abraham and co. Perhaps Roma are not yet a team capable of competing at certain levels, and as Mourinho says, this is the place we are in at the moment, from fifth to sixth place.
Having said that, Sampdoria did a bit like Roma in Bergamo, but without the same quality , therefore not able to come here to win. But in defense they played a great game, with Yoshida and Colley amazing, a little like Smalling and Ibanez in Bergamo. Certainly, but the regret remains, also because after the advantage we had at least a couple of good opportunities to go 2-0, badly not exploited. And now maybe we were talking about something else. But the blame cannot be given to the young Felix, guilty of having failed an easy goal, rather to players like Mkhitaryan, who has never made a difference even as a playmaker.
A Roma team that had sprung up as it had been against Spezia up to a certain point. And then we must take note. This team is not yet equipped, in personnel, gameplay and attitude. You have to build it with a couple of pieces at a time to take it to a higher level and then try to compete, hopefully in one or two years. Jose Mourinho knows this well and only he is able to make us grow to bring us to that level. Now it is up to the Club to make further efforts, if that is the goal.
The arrival of Grillitsch or whoever for him, with a deputy Karsdorp and perhaps another central that can guarantee continuity and solidity as deputy Smalling, given that Kumbulla is not really a favorite of Mou. All the more reason. The englishman is a certainty when he is well, the whole department plays better with him on the pitch. With the return of Pellegrini and co. and Spinazzola on his return there are the conditions to do something good again. There remains the Italian Cup and the Conference League, two real targets, much more than the fourth place, now faded away. Waiting for the new year, a wish for everyone. Happy Christmas. Forza Roma!