How Roma could use Edin Dzeko and Borja Mayoral more efficiently

This season, for the first time in a long time, Roma have had two strikers of similarly good quality at their disposal.

Edin Dzeko had broken several records across his first five seasons with the club, but Roma had struggled to find an appropriate deputy for him in that time.

Their search for a second striker led them to Borja Mayoral last summer. After the Spaniard arrived on loan from Real Madrid, he finally began to lift the burden from Dzeko.

Mayoral hit a purple patch of form in January, scoring braces against Crotone and Spezia. There was even talk that he had surpassed Dzeko in the hierarchy.

That became the case by necessity when Dzeko fell out with coach Paulo Fonseca, prompting his exclusion from the squad for a number of games. But now, those issues have been resolved, and Roma have two decent strikers to work with again.

Having two options up front has been a major benefit to the club this season. Mayoral has scored 10 goals in all competitions so far, and Dzeko is just one behind him.

Finally, Roma seem to have found the right mix of personnel in attack. But as good as Dzeko and Mayoral have been this season, the question must be asked: could Roma be getting more out of them?

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It may seem a harsh question to ask. After waiting to have two capable strikers for so long, why raise an issue when that finally becomes the case? But Roma need to maximise the danger the duo can provide.

Neither Dzeko nor Mayoral are currently in the top 10 scorers in Serie A this season. With a good run of form, they may end up in that territory, but there have been instances when they have been less effective.

For example, against Benevento on Sunday, Mayoral started up front. Roma drew a blank, with the Spaniard struggling to make an impact even when Dzeko came on alongside him for a rare glimpse of the two in tandem.

It was the latest example of either of the strikers not quite showing what they are capable of in certain games. This hasn’t necessarily been their fault – as stated, they are both doing well this season and that should be celebrated – but it is a question of picking the right players for the right games.

Neither striker can play in every game, so Fonseca must weigh up which matches suit which players better. Sunday’s decision was an example of when he chose the wrong option.

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Mayoral has thrived this season in games in which Roma play on the front foot or counter attack. His link-up play with his fellow attack-minded players has been a positive, and he has produced some clinical finishes when given the space to do so.

But against Benevento, there was little space. That was a game in which Dzeko may have been a wiser choice; the Bosnian can act as a focal point, encouraging the ball to be played into his chest or feet so he can bring others into play.

Dzeko perhaps offers more in tighter games, not requiring large amounts of space to make use of the ball.

In general, Fonseca has used Dzeko in the bigger games and Mayoral against smaller teams. It has worked for the most part, but this should not be an automatic delineation when choosing between the two.

There have been bigger games in which Dzeko has not been himself, and smaller games in which the same has gone for Mayoral. Most of the time, they have done well, but sometimes, it just hasn’t been their day.

Perhaps Fonseca needs to think more carefully about the specific details of each match and each opponent. He admitted after the Benevento game that he does not have a set starter in any position, so clearly sees opportunities for both Dzeko and Mayoral; he just has to work out when best to use them.

If Fonseca expects Roma to be free-flowing in attack in one game, Mayoral may be the best choice. If he is preparing for a tighter game, Dzeko could be the wiser option. Ultimately, the coach will have to decide on a game-by-game basis, but that general rule could see both strikers enhance their output even further.

Seeing Roma have two strikers regularly among the goals has been a welcome relief this season. But with more careful consideration, perhaps Dzeko and Mayoral could become even more effective.

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