Roma vs Inter Talking Points #1766

Champions League slips 5th still in Play

Roma suffered a crucial defeat on Saturday night against Inter Milan. They put up a fight, but no points collected from the occasion. Roma position is even further out of their control. Their path to the Champions League has all of a sudden become more difficult than it already was. Now they'll need a lot of help from the opponents of the surrounding teams to pull off Champions League through the league. Avoiding seventh is still something Roma should be motivated by. Roma has been around the champions league picture for at least part of the season. However, 5th or 6th is still achievable. Juventus beat Atalanta which helps. Separates Roma from 7th to 5th. Fiorentina and bologna still remain on the schedule so it's not as if Roma has an easy pathway. However, with their adversaries having more difficult schedules if they were to win through could still have a shot at 5th if a little luck the bounces their way. Maybe fourth is still on the table, but it's hard to imagine. Top five still would show progress. If Roma manages to regain health outside of El Shaarawy. Maybe even Tammy Abraham can dig deep and provide support to Dybala during these last couple of games. Champions League is still achievable through the Europa League success, but at the very minimum they should have their eyes on fifth.

Recent Problems highlight the Senational job Jose Mourinho has done

Roma's recent skid to a certain aspect enhances the job Jose Mourinho has done. Roma had some exceptionally talented players. It is a fairly compact squad that can build into something slightly more threatening to the league. Jose has transformed this squad over the last 2 years. When he had arrived, Roma had finished outside of the top five twice in three seasons. Roma, over the last decade have been consistently qualifying for the Champions League fairly regularly. Over the last 5 years it's been difficult as they have not been in Europe's elite competition since 2018. They have found themselves dealing with difficult situations coming to mentality and getting respectable results against the European sides. This was the big issue under Paulo Fonseca. He lost what felt like every big match that was put in front of him. He did take Roma to the Europa League semi-final but his overall contributions to the side left something to be desired. Mentality consistency and handling the big occasions was a problem. When Jose arrived there was a lot of work to be done. He came in fully knowing the project was going to be challenging. Difficult decisions had to be made across the board. Jose had to inflict change from the ground up. Even though Roma seemed to be flaming out in this final stretch of the season. The progress he has made shouldn't go unnoticed. He ended a 14-year trophy drought in Albania with the conference League. Finally he beat Juventus in the season series this season. The first time that had been done and a decade strong. Double against Atlanta last season, humiliate Lazio in the derby last year. Took a point off Milan twice this season despite the circumstances. Beat Inter Milan away from home. Nonetheless, the amount of points that he is managed to get off of the big sides has drastically improved. The mentality of the squad improved. Roma have erased deficits and gone through European clashes. Roma have a chorus of problems in midfield and an attack. He was able to bring the likes of Dybala in Rome as he has been one of the biggest difference makers in the league this season. There's a lot of positivity surrounding what has conspired over the last two seasons. However, Roma still are underwhelming in several areas yet. Jose continued to find ways to be effective to get results. There's been very little controversy under his leadership. He is handled every difficult situation as well as he could have. He is making a huge difference with this team. Now if they fail to make the champions league I wouldn't blame him if he were to walk. However, Jose is very involved in transfers for next summer. He has gotten more out of less no disrespect to the players at the club. There is a lot of talented players but the job he has done here has been pretty remarkable considering what he walked into. Maybe they're not ready to compete for the title yet, but he's made a significant amount of growth over his time here and has Roma in another European semi-final they very well could win the Europa League which would give Roma to European trophies and back to back seasons. So as much as you want to look at this Roma team and how they are sliding as of late, the context needs to be understood of the job he is doing here is very impressive and I don't think a lot of people are really considering the changes he is made. Not to be cliche but Rome wasn't built in a day but with another season here with a couple more additions he could make Roma into a dangerous component to Italian football once again.

Midfield Reinforcements have Arrived: Houssem Aouar Signs with Roma

Although Roma seemed to be falling apart a bit in this closing stage of the season, they're still plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Aside from Roma's improved performance against Inter Milan. If they take care of business the rest of this campaign, they still could end this season on a high note. However, with all of that, there are still plenty of issues that need to be addressed in the summer to give Roma an opportunity at taking that next step forward. Ended the trophy drought last season this season. Possibly winning another European trophy and getting back in the Champions League. There will be departures and different things that will need to be sorted out. A while there could be some level of concern of not giving the license to spend the money that they need to to truly compete. There still is light at the end of the tunnel reinforcements seem to be on its way. There's no hiding that Roma needs significant upgrades in the midfield to compete at a higher level. Even though Roma should like what they have with Matic, Crsitante, Bove, Gini Wijnaldum if he remains. Roma still in need of adjustments and reinforcements in the middle. Most of Roma's midfield is primarily defensive oriented or young. Lorenzo Pellegrini Is the orchestrator of the team and creates the high volume chances. However, lack of playmakers and technical players in midfield has forced him into dropping back and playing more centrally. We all know Lorenzo Pellegrini's best position is when he is pushing forward playing underneath the attack with Dybala or Abraham in front. It isn't some coincidence that he scored 14 goals last season playing in that natural position. Named Confence league player of the season. This season only four goals in open play. The reason being quite clear that he has had to take a sacrifice in responsibility due to the lack of playmakers that Roma has in the middle. This is an issue that needed to be continued to be explored. However, this week Roma has been given wonderful news! Reinforcements have arrived for Roma's midfield. They brought in a playmaker and a technical player that can take the pressure off while providing for Roma in a completely different dimension in the midfield. Olympic Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has been souled out for a number of years. At one point he was one biggest rising stars in Europe impressing in the Olympic Lyon midfield. He had previously had interest from Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, Dortmund and many others. He is flied under the radar. His talent level and potential hasn't disappeared. He's continually been productive in his midfield role. His contract is expiring at the end of the season. Roma has been a transfer target for a number of years. They finally have managed to pull it off. At the expense of Frankfurt Real Betis and AC Milan. The French midfielder has agreed to join Roma on a free on a 5-year deal as he will be the first arrival going into next season. He will officially join on July 1st with the official announcement to follow. Fabrizio Romano had reported earlier in the week that it was close to done around Wednesday. The medical and paperwork was eventually signed Friday night to complete the deal. There are two things about this. On the one hand, Roma need to be willing to spend in the transfer market. Roma can't continue to live off of free transfers. However, on the contrary of the players that joined on a free last summer, only one has been a disappointment. Andrea Belotti arrived. Expecting to provide 10 plus goals this season. He has yet to score in the lead despite some contributions in the Europa League this season. Matic has had an up and down season but has been very productive. Dybala goes without being said One of the best players in the league this season. Roma need to start spending more money to be aggressive. The way Napoli were last summer. That doesn't mean they have to spend a ton of money but they need to be going out there and spending. Only two teams in Italy last season spent less money than Rome. Would the money they've reinvested from the sales of zaniolo and the money they will get from the rumor departure of Leo and potentially Tammy Abraham Although Tammy Abraham in all honesty, probably is likely to stay. However Roma have got themselves in extremely special player on no cost. Outside of Dybala there was an element of risk behind many of the players they brought in on a free transfer. As much as we want to be fair and not over excited ourselves I don't see any level of risk in the arrival of Houssem Aouar. As I said, he has been a rising star in France for a number of years. Just a short few years ago he made the Champions League came of the season helping Lyon make it to the semi-final. He is still only 24 years old as he will be just entering his prime upon the arrival in the Italian capital. This is a blockbuster move that could make a huge impact on Roma's midfield inquisitions next season. It's not be the only midfielder that Roma will go after. However, he slides into a Roma team that need a midfielder with his precise qualities. He is very versatile, capable playing in the attacking role while also playing centrally. He's not the type of player that will offer a lot. Defensively Roma can operate around that by signing a more defensive oriented, midfielder or a box to box. In addition to what he brings. He is extremely technical with the ball. He is dangerous with the ball at his feet, has great self-control and most importantly, at least from my perspective he is a playmaker in midfield. The fact that he can play centrally as I said in my opening will allow Lorenzo pile of greening to go forward as we can see him back to his best in that role. He also has a certain calmness ien. He's not the type of player that is going to make a certain pass for the heck of it. He is very calculated with the ball head speed and which passes he distributes and to who. Not only will he make an instant impact as he fills the needs occupied by aroma but Eduardo Bove has very similar qualities. The 20-year-old Maybe less experienced but they have similarities. Houssem Aouar could possibly be the exact aid that the youngster needs to thrive. The two of them together could play off each other very well. Other midfielders will be in the plan in the summer as I imagine they'll make another run for Roma academy graduate Davide Frattesi who had previously stated that he be willing to reject moves in favor of Roma. He will be targeted by many, but as far as what Roma do with their next move, that's probably the answer. However the acquisition of Houssem Aouar is absolutely perfect for Roma. He checks all the boxes. Only 24 years old has a ton of experience playing European football and is a massive coop by Roma especially getting him on the free. This is another thing that could incline Jose to stay. He has been heavily involved in pulling this deal off and it has been officially confirmed by for Fabrizo Romano that he will join in the summer. A brilliant move and a necessity of a need. While Roma are not having the best moment and perhaps seeing their Champions League spot slip. The French midfielder is intrigued by the project. Signing this deal before Roma's Champions League status is determined. That speaks volumes to his commitment and intrigue with a project and a few months time. Roma will have a midfielder a playmaker that can make a huge difference.