We’re one final down in UEFA’s trio of cup competitions and it did not go well for Serie A representatives AS Roma.
Roma’s heartbreaking end
José Mourinho’s European run with Roma ended after more than 147 minutes of gruelling play and a penalty shootout in the final against Sevilla. It was a game that from a Roma point of view was marred by refereeing decisions, but the team was also unfortunate with some of their finishing. For example, there was Andrea Belotti’s volley that was saved by the fingernail of Bono in what was a world class moment for the Moroccan keeper. Centre-back Chris Smalling’s looping header that caught the top of the crossbar was also millimetres away from finding the back of the net.
Despite Roma’s defensive approach to the game, often sitting back with 11 men behind the ball, they created the chances to trouble Sevilla but ultimately had their weaknesses exposed. Just take a look at the players that the Andalusian side were able to bring on – experienced, talented wingers like Suso and Érik Lamela, who both completely changed the course of the game when they replaced the quiet pairing of Óliver Torres and Bryan Gil. Mourinho’s only real attacking change was putting in a shockingly out of form Andrea Belotti, who has appeared in 30 Serie A games this season without scoring a single goal.
Aside from the squandered chances, Roma didn’t get any help from the officials either. Mourinho approached the referees post match to tell them he thought their performance was a disgrace. There were a few episodes in particular that turned the tide of the game in Sevilla’s favour. The most glaring was Youssef En-Nesyri’s apparent handball that wasn’t given. The ball made contact with the Moroccan’s arm that was slightly outstretched from his body. I’ve seen penalties given in nearly identical situations, so Roma have a reason to feel frustrated about that potentially game changing decision. Even more ominously, it seems like Mourinho isn’t committing long term to the club. The Portuguese manager has complained about lack of depth in the past, as the injuries Roma have accrued throughout the season have exposed a rather thin squad who have had to rely on some of the inexperienced youngsters to fill the holes in the lineup.
The main issue has to do with the striker situation. Roma’s two main attackers, Tammy Abraham and Andrea Belotti, have combined for 13 goals in 98 matches in all competitions this season. Normally a decent striker has a return of a goal every other game, not every other nine. You could make the argument that Mourinho’s defensive setup isn’t ideal for any striker to get loads of chances, but a closer look at the FotMob stats puts more of the blame on the players themselves. Both Tammy and Belotti have a much higher expected goals rate in Serie A than what they’ve actually scored. This suggests a wastefulness and lack of clinical ability when they are put in a position to trouble the goalkeeper.
Roma’s defence is also inconsistent. While Chris Smalling was arguably the player of the match for Roma, winning countless headers against the dangerous aerial threat Youssef En-Nesyri, his partners at the back weren’t as assured. Gianluca Mancini might’ve provided the assist for Dybala’s goal and showed plenty of grit, but he also scored an own goal and then missed a penalty in the shootout. The third centre-back is possibly the most worrying. Roger Ibañez is too error prone to be trusted in big matches at this point. The man behind them, Rui Patrício, has also been at the very bottom of every advanced goalkeeping statistic in Serie A this season.
So how do we sum up Roma’s season? For me, bringing in José Mourinho and giving him signings like Paulo Dybala means that a top four finish and Champions League football are the fair expectations. Winning the first ever Conference League was a good start to the Mourinho era, but the second season needed to be followed up with a stronger domestic showing. Without any silverware or Champions League football next season, this second campaign will ultimately be summed up as a disappointment. Roma would be in seventh place currently had it not been for Juventus most recent points deduction.
A word on Sevilla…
Sevilla’s World Cup winner Gonzalo Montiel knows a thing or two about scoring important penalties – after all, it was his penalty that won Argentina the World Cup last year. He also got the chance to win Sevilla’s seventh Europa League.
His first try was saved by Rui Patrício, but VAR spotted encroachment by the Roma keeper and this time Montiel made no mistake. Sevilla’s story is nothing short of incredible. When journeyman manager José Luis Mendilibar took over the club this year they were just two points away from relegation. He was their third manager of the season and came with little fanfare.
The 62-year-old Mendilibar is someone who was used to saving teams from relegation, not fighting for trophies or European competitions. It’s what makes this story so surreal – the club’s fortunes turned around instantly as the new manager brought them a sense of calm and optimism behind the scenes. Sevilla’s impressive run in the Europa League saw them knock out both Manchester United and Juventus on their way to facing Roma in the final.
(images from IMAGO)
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