Roma vs Hellas Verona Talking Points #2661
A.S Roma 1 Verona 0FT
Shomurodov’s Redemption Arc
Roma pulled off a narrow 1–0 victory on Saturday night, securing a much-needed three points against Verona in what was expected to be one of their more manageable fixtures remaining this season. The match wasn’t a masterclass, but Roma did enough to get the job done. With tougher challenges ahead and Verona sitting safely in 14th place, Claudio Ranieri opted to rest Artem Dovbyk, keeping the Ukrainian forward fresh for next week’s crucial clash against Inter Milan. Dovbyk, Roma’s top scorer with 16 goals and three assists in all competitions, has been one of their most dangerous players in recent months. However, with an intense run of fixtures ahead, resting him was a calculated decision. He eventually came on for the final 20 minutes, allowing him to stay sharp while preserving his energy. In his place, Ranieri turned to Eldor Shomurodov, who is experiencing a remarkable resurgence with Roma this season. Shomurodov’s time at Roma has been turbulent. Initially signed by José Mourinho after a standout season at Genoa, he was expected to play a major role in attack. However, Roma’s acquisition of Tammy Abraham shifted him into more of a rotational position. Despite contributing five goals and six assists in his first season, he struggled to cement a permanent place and was subsequently loaned out to Spezia and later Cagliari under Ranieri. This past summer, he was on the verge of a move to Venezia, but circumstances kept him in Rome. Early this season, under previous managers, Shomurodov barely featured and was seemingly on the way out. However, Ranieri’s arrival changed everything — not just for the team, but for him personally. Despite January transfer discussions, he stayed, and since Roma’s unbeaten run began, he has been a key figure in squad rotations. He played a vital role in securing their Europa League knockout stage qualification, scoring against Frankfurt, and netted the winner in the round of 16 first leg against Bilbao. Now, his redemption arc is in full swing. He recently earned a new contract and has become a reliable asset for Roma, even if Dovbyk remains the first-choice striker. He stepped up in big moments — scoring an equalizer against Juventus just minutes after coming on, and again proving decisive against Verona with the match-winning goal. With seven goals and three assists this season, he’s enjoying his best campaign since arriving in Italy. Beyond his impact on the scoresheet, his resurgence has given Ranieri the flexibility to manage key players like Dybala and Dovbyk while ensuring squad depth heading into critical matches. Alongside Matias Soulé, who has also had an impressive second half of the campaign, Shomurodov has solidified his place as a valuable contributor. He was vital against Verona, crucial against Juventus, and will continue to be an asset in the grueling fixtures ahead against Inter Milan, Fiorentina, AC Milan, and Atalanta. His steady rise over the past months has been rewarded with a new contract — fully deserved for a player who has consistently delivered when called upon.
18-Match Unbeaten Run: A Historic Club Record
As Roma secured their first victory in three weeks, they reached a significant milestone. Claudio Ranieri, as has been emphasized many times before, has completely transformed the club since taking charge. After enduring a brutal introduction with tough fixtures, he has barely put a foot wrong, losing just once in the league since his appointment. That lone defeat came against Como on December 15th, but since then, Roma have been flawless. While that performance left much to be desired, Ranieri made the necessary adjustments, and the results have been outstanding ever since. Some may point out that during this run, Roma have faced several teams in the bottom half of the table — a fair argument. However, it’s crucial to note that many of these sides had previously caused Roma problems under different leadership earlier in the season. Ranieri has transformed multiple aspects of the team’s approach, including formation shifts and effective squad rotation. His decision to reintegrate Eldor Shomurodov and Matias Soulé into the regular lineup has paid dividends. Additionally, Roma have shown their mettle even in the toughest matchups. Their Europa League campaign saw them advance past the knockout round, though their journey was ultimately cut short against Bilbao — largely due to an early red card in the second leg after securing a first-leg victory at home. Beyond European competition, Roma’s performances have been sharper and more disciplined under Ranieri’s guidance. He has unlocked the best versions of his players, with Artem Dovbyk standing out as a completely different force this season — especially over the last few months. His form was so impressive that he was recently named Serie A Player of the Month. Ranieri’s tactical rotations, mid-game adjustments, and overall leadership have galvanized Roma, propelling them into a Champions League race they had no business being in at the start of the season. This unbeaten run, now stretching to 18 matches, is nothing short of historic. It places Roma level with Luciano Spalletti’s 2016 squad for the longest streak in club history. A potential Champions League qualification — Roma’s first since 2018 — remains within reach. While Ranieri is set to depart after this season, his impact cannot be overstated. If Roma secure a top-six finish, he should be a serious contender for UEFA Coach of the Year. No other manager would have been capable of lifting Roma from their early-season struggles to this level of consistency and competitiveness. That said, the toughest stretch of the season lies ahead, with four difficult matches in their final five. The outcome of these fixtures will determine Roma’s ultimate standing, but their recent performances have been nothing short of remarkable. At one point, Roma had collected the most points in Europe since the start of 2025 — though recent draws may have altered that statistic. Regardless, the fact that Roma have even been in contention as one of the hottest teams in Europe, or at the very least in Italy, speaks volumes about the growth and resilience of the squad under Ranieri. With the unbeaten streak now at 18 games, the next hurdle is perhaps the hardest of all — an away fixture against Inter Milan, a side chasing a historic treble. Given the challenge, Roma’s run may soon meet its end, but based on how they’ve handled big moments, securing something in Milan is far from impossible. The record has been leveled with Verona, but next weekend will determine whether Roma can push it even further or see it come to an end against the league’s dominant force.
Defensive Adjustments & Midfield Dominance Made the Difference
As expected, Roma secured the three points against Verona, though it wasn’t through sheer dominance — it was a tactical battle, more chess than spectacle. Throughout the season, Roma’s encounters with bottom-half teams have followed a similar pattern. While they’ve had a few comfortable victories, many of their wins have been narrow, settled by a single goal. Saturday’s clash was no different. Even after taking the lead inside five minutes, the match carried the potential to turn scrappy. Roma’s vulnerability was exposed early, nearly allowing an equalizer inside the first 10 minutes. A defensive lapse saw the backline push too high, leading to a dangerous counterattack and a one-on-one with Mile Svilar. Fortunately, the Verona attacker completely mishandled the moment, sending his effort wide. Pablo Zanetti was furious on the touchline, watching his side squander what could have been a turning point. Roma recognized the danger and swiftly adjusted, shutting down that side of the field to prevent further breakdowns. While Roma held a slight possession advantage, their attacking approach remained methodical. They primarily relied on wide play before cutting inside, avoiding unnecessary risks. The defensive setup remained compact, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné orchestrating the midfield. The duo alternated between offensive and defensive shifts — when one surged forward, the other held back. This structure stifled Verona’s ability to attack through the midfield, forcing them into low-percentage opportunities. Roma’s quick and athletic fullbacks covered the wings, adding further frustration to Verona’s attempts to build momentum. Despite Verona generating a handful of chances, only two required action from Svilar, both relatively routine. One was a powerful but direct strike that he collected comfortably, while the other was pushed aside without difficulty. Beyond that, Roma’s backline aggressively cut off passing lanes, correcting their earlier lapse and ensuring most of Verona’s shots went straight into defensive congestion. Their best opportunity came on that early counterattack, which they misjudged, leaving them with little else to exploit. The midfield proved just as crucial as the defense. Koné and Cristante provided a reliable shield, supporting Roma’s control in the center of the pitch while also facilitating passing lanes when Roma pressed forward. The overall tactical shift, rather than sweeping changes, ensured defensive stability. While Roma could have pushed harder for additional goals, doing so would have risked leaving them exposed — a risk they weren’t willing to take with three of their next four matches against European contenders. Roma understood the stakes and played accordingly. Their strategy wasn’t about overwhelming Verona but securing three points the right way — through disciplined defense, controlling the midfield, and frustrating their opponents into submission. A more aggressive attack may have produced a larger winning margin, but Roma never felt the need to chase goals. They remained in control throughout the match, shutting down Verona’s offensive efforts after the early scare. It was a gritty, calculated performance — low on attacking flair, high on defensive mastery. After nearly conceding early, Roma locked down the field and handled the match with precision, ensuring their unbeaten run remained intact.
