Roma realise importance of Veretout in his absence against Sevilla as Europa League journey ends

Roma’s season came to an underwhelming end on Thursday night, as Sevilla dumped them out of the Europa League.

After ending the Serie A season on a high note with an eight-game unbeaten run, Roma could not continue their momentum against a Sevilla side who were incredibly sharp for a team who hadn’t played for three weeks.

A sluggish first half display did not help proceedings, as goals from Sergio Reguilon and Youssef En-Nesyri gave the Spaniards the advantage. Roma never looked like getting back in the game.

Several players have been singled out for criticism since. But in truth, the performance as a collective just wasn’t of the same level as their opponents.

Much was made in the build up to the game of the absence of Chris Smalling. The English defender had been one of Roma’s most important players all season, but with his loan from Manchester United having expired, he was not allowed to compete.

Even if Smalling had been available, it may not have made that much of a difference. Sevilla were that much better and more dangerous in attack.

But one absentee who might have changed things was Jordan Veretout. Another player who has excelled in his first season at Roma, the midfielder missed the clash with Sevilla through suspension. It was a huge loss for the team.

Veretout has established himself as Roma’s most complete midfielder this season. He has bundles of energy, positive passing ability and composure in front of goal – especially from the penalty spot.

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Against Sevilla, Paulo Fonseca opted to deploy Bryan Cristante alongside Amadou Diawara in the midfield, where Veretout would normally roam. For whatever reason, Roma lost their balance.

One of the key problems for Roma against their adversaries was a lack of connection with the front three. Edin Dzeko, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Nicolo Zaniolo were isolated from the play.

Between them, the trio managed just 105 touches. It gave them little to work with; Roma ended up with just one shot on target.

Dzeko’s comments after the game were telling. The Roma captain acknowledged that his side should have realised they were not penetrating Sevilla with short passes, and they should have gone longer to get him more involved.

Perhaps if Veretout had been available, though, there would have been a greater link between the midfield and the final third.

In the 3-4-2-1 formation Roma have adopted recently, the attacking midfielders have been able to get closer to the striker. And in behind them, Veretout has been a driving force. But without him, the structure was lost.

In recent games – not just against Sevilla – the shape has begun to resemble more of a 5-4-1, especially out of possession. With the attacking midfielders pushed out wide as cover, Dzeko as a lone striker has been isolated.

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Consequently, there have been fewer opportunities for Roma to create meaningful links going forwards. Veretout can resolve this with his attacking bursts, but neither Diawara nor Cristante could replicate it.

There was an argument before the game that Gonzalo Villar should have started. He had impressed against Juventus and was familiar with Sevilla’s style of play, having spent his entire career in Spain before joining Roma.

The 22-year-old’s intricate footwork and passing ability would have made him a decent option. Unfortunately, the midfielders that Fonseca chose instead did not find their rhythm.

Hence, midfield may be an area Roma need to look at in the transfer market. It’s hard to single out one area of the pitch for criticism against Sevilla, but overall, for this shape to work in the long-term, that is where balance is needed most. One additional option there would not harm.

Of the current crop, though, it is becoming increasingly clear that Veretout leads the way. He is the link that Roma need to dominate the territory – which unfortunately, is what Sevilla did on Thursday.

Some controversy may have arisen when Veretout was photographed in a restaurant in Naples on the night of the game – with Napoli’s sporting director present as well – but the Frenchman’s agent insists he wants to stay at Roma.

That will be of paramount importance to the club in the future. As seen against Sevilla, Roma miss Veretout immensely when he is not there. To lose him for good would set the club back.

Hence, as Roma prepare for an intriguing summer rebuild – and just because the season ended with defeat, it does not mean they have to start from scratch – Veretout is one player they must build around.