Roma rediscover character against Parma as Fonseca shows he’s ready for the fight

Roma picked up their first win in four games on Wednesday night, as they defeated Parma 2-1.

Recent form has been a struggle for Roma, enough to put Paulo Fonseca’s future in doubt. But ever since James Pallotta gave him a public vote of confidence, the performances have improved.

While their recent clash with Napoli still ended in defeat, it saw a tactical change which worked better for the players. And against Parma, Fonseca stuck with the back three – and got back to winning ways.

It has been a long time coming for Roma, but ensures they keep hold of fifth place, ahead of in-form duo Napoli and AC Milan.

Hence, Roma need to put together some more positive results to ensure they become a form team as well. Importantly, though, they looked much more confident against Parma.

One of the things Roma have been lacking recently is character. This squad is full of technically gifted players, but they have looked timid when things have got tough. Against Parma, though, the joy seemed to be restored to Roma’s play.

For example, Bruno Peres showed a great deal of determination as a right wing-back. He is a player who has struggled to reach the heights expected of him in Rome, but against Parma, he was constantly looking to get into dangerous positions.

One of the players to benefit most from Fonseca’s switch to a back three, Peres got high up the pitch at every opportunity. He was playing with freedom, and looked like he was enjoying his football. That’s important at a time like this.

If his shooting had been sharper, he could have got himself a goal. But this is a player who hasn’t scored for Roma since March 2017. Against the expectations of what he could achieve in the final third, at least he was showing the drive to get involved and play his part.

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Peres’ reward came in the form of an assist – with a bit of help from a Lorenzo Pellegrini dummy – for Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s equalising goal. And the man who got the finish was another who epitomised the work rate that Roma rediscovered on the night. Mkhitaryan looked exhausted when he came off.

This season, Roma have struggled to get back in the game when falling behind. However, they showed newfound resilience to turn the scoreline around against Parma. This was the attitude Fonseca has needed from his players.

Eventually, Roma got themselves in front, through a well-taken Jordan Veretout strike. He is one of the players who least deserves criticism for his performances this season – the Frenchman has been consistently strong.

Goals have been one of the only things lacking from his game – certainly given the comparisons he receives to former Roma star Radja Nainggolan. But his curling finish showed that he too wants to improve wherever he can.

Veretout’s work rate is exemplary. He holds down the midfield with drive and desire. If those goals can become more regular, he will be the complete package.

However, those around him also need to add goals. Roma should have scored more against Parma – substitute Gonzalo Villar missed two big chances, while fellow January signing Roger Ibanez was millimetres away from opening his account with a header.

Roma just need to become a bit more clinical, and more results should start building. The important thing is that they showed the desire to get back to winning ways. Even if the performance wasn’t perfect, the attitude pretty much was.

And defensively, they were better, not allowing Parma a single shot on target from open play. Their opponents still overran them in midfield on occasion, which is an area Fonseca may have to re-consider the balance of again. Overall, though, the defence stayed alert – once again showing greater will to win.

Sometimes a group just needs a bit of confidence from elsewhere to get their belief back. Perhaps Fonseca felt more safe after Pallotta’s message, and in turn has transmitted that to the players.

Fonseca has shown understanding of Roma’s recent problems in the last two games, and deserves credit for adapting his tactics. The side have created more since, using their stronger psychology as the foundation for their improvements.

It’s a transition that won’t happen overnight. The players will take some more time before they feel fully free again, but Roma have looked like they are beginning to wake up in their last two games.

Now, with a game against relegation-threatened Brescia up next, there is a chance to build some late momentum.

There’s a lot to learn, still, but the first step out of a difficult patch of form is always the hardest. Roma have taken theirs, and have shown they are ready for the remaining challenges ahead.