At the Olimpico, Fonseca’s team only needs equal to pass the round: Dzeko replies to Brobbey. United next opponent
The Roma continues to hold high the colors of Italy in Europe. After the first leg victory (1-2), to the team of Fonseca is enough the 1-1 in the return of the quarters of Europa League to eliminate Ajax and fly to the semifinals with United. At the Olimpico in the first half it is the Dutch who make the match, but the Giallorossi resist. In the recovery Brobbey (49 ‘) unlocks the game, then Tadic doubles and scares Roma, but the referee cancels the goal with the help of the Var and Dzeko draw (72 ‘).
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THE MATCH
In Europe, Rome suffers, but smiles. And he does so at the end of a test played with a lot of fear, but strong nerves. At the end of the day, it is the victory of the first leg that weighs heavily on qualifying for the semi-final, but the draw in the second round with Ajax tells a lot about a group that does not give up and continues to chase the great European dream towards Gdansk. A dream that the Giallorossi still cherish thanks to a great defensive performance and a tactical plan without many frills. Of course, Ajax made the match at the Olimpico, but the Giallorossi accepted the fight until the end without ever pulling back on the leg and relying on the usual Dzeko to remove the chestnuts from the fire. Details that now extend the European horizon and move the bar a little higher against Manchester United.
For the race of the season, Fonseca relies on heavy artillery. Leading the attack is Dzeko with Pellegrini and Mkhitaryan in support. In the median it’s up to Diawara and Veretout with Karsdorp on the right and Calafiori on the left in place of the injured Spinazzola and the suspended Peres. Muscles to contain the enthusiasm of Ajax and quality to try to hit the restart. At the Olimpico, after all, Ten Hag shows up with the same form as Amsterdam and only two changes: the former Giallorossi Stekelenburg and Klaiber. Choices that give more solidity to the Lancers than in the first round and advise a prudent start to Roma.
After a few minutes of study, Tagliafico breaks the delay, but his cross does no damage. An opportunity to which Fonseca’s men immediately reply with Pellegrini, good at starting the ball but imprecise sills. Short and compact, Roma left the possession to Ajax, but when they attack the depth they lean well on Dzeko and accompany the maneuver with many men. On the one hand, Veretout scores after a good Calafiori-Dzeko combination, but the Frenchman’s position is irregular and Taylor cancels. On the other hand Diawara walls Klaassen after a mistake by Pau Lopez in disengagement. At a good pace, Ten Hag’s team make the match, but Dzeko is always lurking. Under pressure, the Lancers push with Neres and Antony. Roma instead tightens the lines, defends itself and tries to lower the pace. Tadic kicks weakly into Pau Lopez’s arms after a foray by Klaiber, then Mancini closes well on Klaassen and Martinez tries his head. Attempts that increase the Dutch forcing, but that do not break through the Giallorossi bunker.
The second half began with Brobbey entering the field instead of Antony. A colossus that increases the weight of Ajax’s attack and immediately punishes Roma starting on the edge of the offside and mocking Cristante and Pau Lopez. Goal that unlocks the game and undermines the yellow and red certainties. Frightened and too renounced, Fonseca’s team suffers the pressure and is unable to maneuver. A free-kick from Pellegrini ends high, then Taylor cancels a goal from Tadic with the help of the Var for a foul by Tagliafico on Mkhitaryan. Alarm bell that forces Roma to increase laps and maneuver with more courage and conviction. Qualities that the Giallorossi 20 ‘from the end of the game, making perfect use of the Calafiori-Dzeko axis to balance the score, let the team breathe and send a signal to Ajax. Despite the forcing until recovery, in fact, in the end the Giallorossi bunker holds up under the blows of the latest assaults by Tadic & Co. and Fonseca flies to the semifinals.
REPORT CARDS
Dzeko 7: Few balls arrive in its parts, but he is always ready to hold the ball and play on the shore. A lot of dirty work in a tight race, then the paw that evens the scores and drives away the ghosts.
Pilgrims 7: for most of the match he is the only one pushing and trying. Leg and personality to the end
Calafiori 6,5: he has little room to push, but when he manages to find the right gap on his side comes the greatest dangers for the defense of Ajax. Auspicious Dzeko’s goal with a nice foray
Mkhitaryan 5,5: first time at a trot. He can’t find the right position and struggles to help Dzeko and Pellegrini in the restarts. More combative in the second half, but still not very reactive and in the heart of the game
Brobbey 6,5: muscles and speed. Enter and change the inertia of the match by giving more weight to the attack. On the goal mockery Pau Lopez and Cristante
Neres 6: pushes left with technique, ideas and speed. He forces Karsdorp to stay low and often engages Mancini in scoring
Klaassen 6: starts behind Tadic, but as soon as he can he attacks the depth and taking on the role of an added tip. In the first half he has the right ball to hit on the right, but Diawara blocks him
Antony 5: stationed in the area of Calafiori and tries to assert his left in one on one. Lots of smoke and little roast. Ten Hag takes him off at half-time and lets Brobbey in
THE TABLE
ROMA-AJAX 1-1
Roma (3-4-2-1): Pau Lopez 6; Mancini 6,5, Cristante 6,5, Ibanez 7; Karsdorp 6, Diawara 6, Veretout 6, Calafiori 6.5 (36 ‘st Villar 6); Pellegrini 7, Mkhitaryan 5,5 (42 ‘st Pedro sv); Dzeko 7 (36 ‘st Borja Mayoral 6.5).
Available: Mirante, Fuzato, Santon, Carles Perez, Ciervo, Darboe, Morichelli. All.: Fonseca 6.5
Ajax (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg 6; Klaiber 6 (22 ‘Schuurs 6 – 38’ st Idrissi sv), J. Timber 6, Martinez 6,5, Tagliafico 6; Alvarez 6 (25 ‘st Kudus 5.5), Klaassen 6.5, Gravenberch 5.5; Antony 5 (1 ‘st Brobbey 6.5), Tadic 6, Neres 6 (38’ st Traoré sv).
Available: Scherpen, Kotarski, Ekkelenkamp, Kasanwirjo, Q. Timber. All.: Ten Hag 6
Referee: Taylor
Markers: 4′ st Brobbey (A), 27′ st Dzeko (R)
Ammonites: Ibanez, Veretout, Mancini, Dzeko, Cristante (R); Tagliafico, Martinez (A)
Expelled: –
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