Rome-Montecatini, Mourinho’s first test. Zaniolo, goal and captain’s armband

ROMA – First friendly of the season for José Mourinho’s Roma. The Giallorossi team this afternoon at 18 played in an armored Trigoria against Montecatini, a club that plays in Serie D. The result of course was never in question, with Roma’s 10-0 win with goals from Carles Perez Mancini, Calafiori, Zaniolo, Zalewski, Diawara, Santi’s own goal and Mayoral hat-trick.

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A test that served Mourinho above all for assess the athletic condition of the players, with the experimental formations (also thanks to the absences of the national team and the injuries) both in the first and in the second half. The form used was the 4-2-3-1, game plan that Mourinho will use permanently throughout the season.

The first indication comes from Nicolò Zaniolo, deployed in the second half and completely recovered after a season of inactivity. And Mourinho wanted to immediately trust him, making him wear the captain’s armband that Mancini had worn in the first half. Absent from the match Dzeko, El Shaarawy, Karsdorp, Veretout and Pellegrini.

In the first half Fuzato defended the Giallorossi goal with Tripi, Kumbulla, Mancini and Calafiori in defense. In midfield, the couple Bove, Villar, with Carles Pereza, Mkhitaryan and Zalewsky behind Borja Mayoral. Dzeko didn’t play, he was out for all ninety minutes. In the second half Reynolds, Smalling, Ibanez and Feratovic in defense, Diawara and Darboe in midfield and Zaniolo with Zalewski and Ciervo always behind Mayoral.

Rome-Montecatini 10-0
Networks: 9’ C. Perez, 19’ Mancini, 34’, 54’, 88’ B. Mayoral, 35’ Calafiori, 40’aut. Santi, 61’ rig. Zaniolo, 80’ Zalewski, 86’ Diawara

ROME FIRST HALF
Roma (4-2-3-1): Fuzato; Tripi, Mancini (c), Kumbulla, Calafiori; Villar, Bove; Carles Perez, Mkhitaryan, Zalewski; Borja Mayoral.

ROME SECOND HALF
Roma (4-2-3-1): Boer; Reynolds, Smalling, Ibanez, Feratovic; Diawara, Darboe; Zaniolo, Zalewski, Ciervo; Borja Mayoral.

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