When your team shoots 30 times on goal but only manages to win thanks to a penalty kick in the 99th minute. Tammy’s shot slips into the lower corner with the goalkeeper sensing but unable to deflect out. Rejoice. Game dominated from start to finish, lots of ball possession and many goals that failed dramatically, but also some little thrills on counterattacks. In the end, Roma deservedly wins, but the media debate still ignites. Resilient team that never gives up – Juve style – or slow and not cynical team?
Winning while suffering would be a virtue, but it seems only in certain parts of Italy. In Rome, on the other hand, it seems that winning in recovery is a sort of meager consolation. In short, when it happens to Juventus to win at the last breath – even playing badly – we speak of great character, always incensed with praise and so on. Here, on the other hand, there is an immediate tendency to put everyone on the cross, even when you produce a sea of chances from the net. Lots of untapped opportunities to score, certainly, but then justice is done from the penalty spot.
And if we look closely, despite everything we are still in the running for the Champions League, but only if it is full points against Atalanta, Udinese and Lazio. If the glass is always half empty it will be difficult to fill it without believing and trying. The fans and the city deserve it, just as the world does not deserve to witness yet another absurd geopolitical war of power. Finding peace right away is another undertaking.