Roma claimed their first away win since Serie A re-started by beating Brescia 3-0 on Saturday.
It was another step in the right direction for a team – and manager – looking to turn a corner after a difficult few weeks.
Paulo Fonseca had been under considerable pressure until his switch to a back three led to improvements in Roma’s displays, first in the loss to Napoli, and then in wins over Udinese and now Brescia.
The former Shakhtar coach’s focus cannot be questioned. By adapting in the way he has, Fonseca has shown once again how determined he is to succeed.
Fonseca has never been concerned by outside noise, which makes him the personality Roma need in charge. He knows he wasn’t the club’s first choice to take over last summer, but that never bothered him. And recently, when the heat was turned up – and not just because games are taking place in the summer – he has sought the most proactive way to respond.
Indeed, Roma look more comfortable in their back three with every game. In each of the three times they have used the system, the personnel at the back have been slightly different. But as a collective, Roma are growing into a new identity because of that tactical change.
Roger Ibanez, for example, grew into the game. The January signing still needs to develop some fundamental skills at the back, such as his reading of the play, but considering that was just his fourth start for the club, he is beginning to look like a genuine option.
Embed from Getty ImagesEither side of him, Federico Fazio and Gianluca Mancini also had decent games. Fazio has been somewhat jettisoned by Fonseca, but proved he is still reliable when needed. And Mancini – the only constant at the back for Roma in the last three games – continues to establish himself in his first season in the capital.
Aleksandar Kolarov also put in an impressive performance as a wing-back, before slotting into the back three late on. For someone perceived as an attacking full-back – which he very much is – the Serbian does not get enough credit for his ability as a defender.
Kolarov showed intelligence in the defensive third, shielding the ball well and making good clearances. His functionality when called upon at the back was crucial to Roma’s new system being effective.
Thanks also to the performance of Antonio Mirante in goal – who continues to prove himself as one of Roma’s most reliable back-up keepers in recent memory – the Giallorossi were able to keep their first clean sheet since the 4-0 win over Lecce in February.
It’s a sign that things are heading in the right direction, but they are by no means perfect yet. Roma’s recent turnaround has been a case of gradual improvements – and they must keep seeking to make those marginal gains if they are to ensure their stronger mentality completes its recovery.
If that psychology can recover as quickly as Nicolo Zaniolo has, then Roma should end the season strongly. It seemed unlikely that the 21-year-old would play again this season when he suffered an ACL injury in January, but due to the unforeseen circumstances that have affected the world in 2020, his return has coincided with the delayed conclusion of the campaign.
Even though he has only featured as a substitute so far, things have looked better with Zaniolo on the pitch. The attacking midfielder has come back hungry, but he has been wise to manage his workload. While he is still taking the kind of risks that make him such an exciting prospect, you sense from his movements that he knows what would be pushing it.
That’s allowing him to get back into the rhythm he was building up prior to his injury. Zaniolo is starting to do the things he does well in short, sharp bursts. Any concerns of his physicality post-injury appear to have been quashed; the proof will come when he puts together a run of starts.
That can wait, though. For now, Zaniolo is providing what Roma need from him. He has always been one of their most dangerous players, even when there were no expectations on him. And he showed why with his lethal finish for Roma’s last goal – a deserved moment for a special player.
Was it really that simple? Was Zaniolo’s absence the only factor that was stopping Roma’s momentum in 2020? It certainly now looks like it was the main reason, if not the only. As well as the change in shape, Zaniolo’s return has coincided with Roma getting back on track.
His impact from the bench was fitting, as few substitutes have scored for Roma this season. But players are now knocking at the door, demanding more faith from Fonseca. And that gives the coach enough options to manage the workload of the upcoming run of games.
Indeed, many of Roma’s fringe players impressed against Brescia. As stated earlier, Mirante sent a reminder of his qualities while filling in for Pau Lopez in goal. But there were also impressive cameos from the likes of Nikola Kalinic and Carles Perez.
Both have had to bide their time this season, Kalinic especially having been there since the start. The striker’s impact as a substitute has been limited, but when given a chance from the start, he is beginning to make himself useful.
The 32-year-old has now scored three goals from his last three starts. And Kalinic also impressed with his hold-up play and dribbling. It was arguably his best performance in a Roma shirt. He definitely looked at his most confident.
Kalinic’s goal looked like bad control at first, but with every replay, it seems more and more like he meant to take the touch that wrongfooted the keeper. If it was intentional, then it was a piece of really intelligent play.
And the goal came about from another moment of quality from a fringe player. The inswinging cross from Perez, most of whose appearances have been from the bench, was another bright spark.
In patches, the former Barcelona prospect is starting to impress for Roma. The new system allows him to get closer to the striker, and if he can get more involved in the action with contributions like that, he could force his way into contention for more starts.
With the confidence that comes from these extra minutes, players are now showing they are valuable options for Fonseca. It leaves the coach with some comfort over how to rotate in forthcoming matches. Once players feel his trust, they are taking their opportunities.
Hence, Fonseca has some big decisions to make ahead of the upcoming clashes with Hellas Verona and Inter Milan. That can only be a good thing, as he doesn’t need to feel any strain of the games being so regular.
With Roma reaping the rewards of giving players time to get up to speed, Fonseca may finally have unlocked the potential of depth at his disposal.
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