Chiesa Di Totti - All PostsCautiously Optimistic Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48469/totti-fave.png2024-03-18T19:47:24+01:00http://www.chiesaditotti.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T19:47:24+01:002024-03-18T19:47:24+01:00Loan Updates: Do Shomurodov and Solbakken Have a Future With Roma?
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<img alt="AS Roma v US Salernitana - Serie A TIM" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SJEHVy0xa43AUxxbc0tX8EahUuE=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215887/1636110099.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Has Roma's change in philosophy given these two athletic but inconsistent wingers a new lease on life?</p> <p id="YfiZkV">For the past five years, we've worked ourselves into a tizzy, wondering, hoping, and praying that Roma would return to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>. Thanks to a spate of ill-advised purchases in the late 2010s, the club's sale, and the global pandemic, the Giallorossi haven't sniffed Europe's preeminent club competition in five years. </p>
<p id="2M9IF6">Roma was never a genuine threat to win the competition, mind you, but they were a regular visitor to the knockout rounds during the heyday of Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi. But thanks to DDR's impressive debut as Roma's manager and Serie A on the precipice of earning a fifth Champions League place, the Giallorossi's return to the game's biggest stage could soon be upon us.</p>
<p id="lxoLxt">However, if that doesn't happen, whoever Roma eventually appoints as its Director of Sport will be forced to re-arm the squad on a shoestring budget. It's not an impossible task, but it's certainly not an enviable one. CL or not, Roma has stumbled into a cost-saving measure by replacing the aging and expensive Rui Patricio with Mile Svilar, who is delivering better results at a fraction of the cost.</p>
<p id="0NZ8MH">At the request of several readers, we decided to do a loan update, only to realize that Roma doesn't have that many players out on loan. Considering that, we will limit our focus to two players who could offer similar savings to the club next year, at least in terms of not having to dip into the transfer market.</p>
<p id="EsXToS">First up, a player some of us may have completely forgotten about.</p>
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<img alt="AS Roma v US Salernitana - Serie A TIM" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6bVwy7dJt4bwZHl3GV9N21JzpfU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25342740/1636110099.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</cite>
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<h2 id="rWOgPT">Ola Solbakken </h2>
<p id="wsdm1O"><strong>Current club:</strong> Urawa Reds</p>
<p id="jchkfO"><strong>Loan terms:</strong> Expires June 2024</p>
<p id="0EEuML"><strong>Signed through:</strong> June 2027</p>
<h3 id="g6I0WY">How Did We Get Here?</h3>
<p id="sV6lbD">After scoring six goals in the inaugural Europa Conference League, including three against Roma, the Giallorossi moved quickly to acquire the Norwegian winger during the January 2023 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>. While he didn't light the world on fire, Solbakken managed a goal and two assists in only 500 minutes that spring. That wasn't enough to unseat anyone in José Mourinho's rotation, but it was certainly enough to warrant a more extended look.</p>
<p id="Zg5HS2">But that look never came as Solbakken was loaned to Olympiacos at the end of the 2023 summer transfer window, where he played all of 48 minutes before being shipped off the Urawa Reds in January. </p>
<h3 id="HEJffA">Does He Have a Future in Rome?</h3>
<p id="IHoH4I">If Solbakken were 19 rather than 25, this would be an easy question to answer. After all, he's a tall, powerful, left-footed forward, and players like that don't grow on trees. In that scenario, it's easy to talk yourself into giving Solbakken another chance, especially now that De Rossi has implemented a more attacking system that is crying out for a counterweight to Stephan El Shaarawy on the wings. </p>
<p id="m8z1vs">However, if you believe that cream rises to the top, then Solbakken's wasted spells at Olympiacos and Urawa speak volumes. That's not a shot at either club, but the fact that he couldn't get a shred of playing time at either stop doesn't bode well for his future in Rome if not Europe entirely. </p>
<p id="kdnwRG">(Here comes the but)</p>
<p id="6lnP8s"><em>But</em>... he has three more years on his deal, and De Rossi's system requires multiple wingers capable of playing a rather intense brand of football, so it's not out of the question that he returns next summer and carves out a rotation role. </p>
<p id="N1Qotp">His chances of being a game-wrecking winger are slim, but he could be a decent weapon off the bench for DDR next season. </p>
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<img alt="Cagliari v US Salernitana - Serie A TIM" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/M9tXMNd88VO7zI8mn5heNd0Ta_4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25342781/2064213662.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Alessandro Tocco/NurPhoto via Getty Images</cite>
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<h2 id="h9lLOF">Eldor Shomurodov</h2>
<p id="AXast1"><strong>Current club:</strong> Cagliari</p>
<p id="xF2umw"><strong>Loan terms:</strong> Expires June 2024</p>
<p id="WTOF0F"><strong>Signed through:</strong> June 2026</p>
<h3 id="6KhYpB">How Did We Get Here?</h3>
<p id="CCvwRc">Signed in the summer of 2021 for an eye-popping €18 million, former GM Tiago Pinto was rolling the dice on the then 26-year-old Uzbekistani winger, who had a grand total of 24 league goals in his previous five seasons. Given the expectations that came along with that hefty transfer fee (relative to his historic production), the odds were stacked against Shomurodov. While we had issues with this transfer, with four goals and six assists in approximately 1,100 minutes in all competitions, Shomurodov brought <em>something </em>to the table during his first season with the club. </p>
<p id="S7kjz7">In and of itself, that's not a bad return for a part-time player. Still, Shomurodov's contract and transfer fee demanded greater output, which may explain why he was loaned to Spezia during the January 2023 transfer window. After scoring a single league goal in 809 minutes for Spezia last spring, Shomurodov was sent to Cagliari for the 2023-2024 season, where he's managed two goals and two assists for Claudio Ranieri's crew.</p>
<h3 id="icOVxp">Does He Have a Future in Rome?</h3>
<p id="nGPuWx">On the surface, Shomurodov is in the same bind as Solbakken: a tall, powerful winger looking for a place to belong. And while he's older and more expensive than Solbakken, he's at least been good enough to hang around Serie A for five seasons now. So, if nothing else, you can plug him in as a rotation piece and/or spotstarter without stressing <em>too </em>much. </p>
<p id="Z1J3hQ">But is that enough to keep him around, or would Roma be better served trying to unload the final two years of his deal on a smaller Serie A club?</p>
<p id="Z9CUoT">Your answer to that depends on how you view his first season with the club. Could he improve on those four goals and six assists with more consistent playing time, or is that simply who he is: a guy who will bag six or seven goals off the bench but wilts when exposed as a full-time player? </p>
<h2 id="BS3C20">Other Loanees: Belotti & Kumbulla</h2>
<p id="n1XSVi">Apart from these two erstwhile wingers, Andrea Belotti and Marash Kumbulla are the only players of note currently on loan. We got a first-hand look at Belotti in Roma's thrilling 2-2 draw with Fiorentina last week. Still, it was par for the course for Belotti: lots of hard running, an unquestionable effort but no tangible impact in front of goal. </p>
<p id="hmSmLl">Meanwhile, Kumbulla, who we “saw” over the weekend, has struggled to get off the Sassuolo bench. Since moving to the Neroverdi in January, the 24-year-old Albanian center-back has played only 19 minutes for the relegation-battling club.</p>
<p id="SIs8re">Both players' contracts expire in 2025, so they'll likely be sold at a discount rate or spend their final contractual year on loan. It's a sour ending to what were both promising transfers, but it may be time for the club to move on anyway. </p>
<p id="RPPIyI">So, what do you say? Do any of these players have a future with Roma? </p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/3/18/24105006/loan-updates-do-shomurodov-and-solbakken-have-a-future-with-romabren2024-03-17T20:11:01+01:002024-03-17T20:11:01+01:00Roma 1, Sassuolo 0: Pellegrini Saves the Day in Tightly Contested Match
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<img alt="AS Roma v US Sassuolo - Serie A TIM" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fuI0hM3RP0uK9qTpbOvyqN2hxuM=/1x0:3000x1999/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213521/2091888249.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn't exactly a banner day for attacking football, but a sensational strike from Lorenzo Pellegrini sent Roma into the international break on a high note. </p> <p id="29mqoT">Thanks to Bologna's last-gasp win over Empoli on Friday night, <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma's</a> chances to pull even with Thiago Motta's fifth-place club vanished in thin air. However, the Giallorossi still had everything to play for today as they welcomed 19th-place Sassuolo to the Stadio Olimpico for this Round 29 fixture. With the race for the final <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> place as thick as ever, these three points were as crucial as any. </p>
<p id="v13Qff">Roma may be on a roll, but Daniele De Rossi was dealt a blow late in the week with news that Paulo Dybala would be sidelined for approximately two weeks. De Rossi likely breathed a sigh of relief when Romelu Lukaku was deemed fit for action today. Still, he made a few surprising changes to his starting lineup today, opting for Houssem Aouar as Dybala's nominal stand-in, leaving Tommaso Baldanzi on the bench. At the same time, Rick Karsdorp and Diego Llorente returned to the first eleven for today's fixture. </p>
<p id="GA6g3l">Taking a page from the Torino/<a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a> playbook, Sassuolo began the match by pressing Roma deep in their territory, stymying De Rossi's high-flying attack. We've seen this tactic frustrate Roma in recent weeks, but they managed to break the press early in the match thanks to the combined speed of Leonardo Spinazzola and Stephan El Shaarawy on the flanks. The former set up Lukaku at the near post for the first chance of the match—a glancing header that Lukaku pushed wide right. </p>
<p id="kaW5o7">While Sassuolo's press waned as the first half wore on, the match remained bogged down in midfield, with the two sides combining for one attempt on goal through 20 minutes. Roma was dominating possession and cycling the ball around the attacking third, but they were seldom able to actually threaten Andrea Consigli's goal. </p>
<p id="j3tGKL">With his attack frustrated by Sassuolo's now compact defense, things took a turn for the worse in the 37th minute when Spinazzola was forced to leave the pitch due to injury, making way for Angeliño at left-back. </p>
<p id="IWod5w">Lukaku sent another header wide of the mark in the 45th minute, a perfect mirror image of his earlier miss, which was Roma's only other attempt on goal in the first half. Although, to their credit, they showed more attacking intent in the final five minutes than at any other point in the first half.</p>
<h2 id="7hHHda">Second Half</h2>
<p id="xBeOvK">Just when it seemed like Roma would be foiled by the same sluggish play we saw in the first half, Lorenzo Pellegrini took matters into his own hands. After cutting in from the left channel and evading multiple defenders, Pellegrini curled a 25-yarder past Consigli's outstretched arms at the opposite post, putting Roma up 1-0 after 50 arduous minutes. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A STUNNER FROM PELLEGRINI ☄️ <a href="https://t.co/zSuNtcItC0">pic.twitter.com/zSuNtcItC0</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1769427498431819932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="DfOX70">Moments later, Pellegrini played Karsdorp into the box with a chipped pass toward the right post, but the Dutch full-back couldn't quite catch up to it. Still, this represented the most fruitful stretch of the match for the Giallorossi, who now looked poised to slot home a second goal and put the match beyond reach. </p>
<p id="Nl3oIA">With Sassuolo surging forward and threatening to level, De Rossi made a double change in the 69th minute, bringing Tommaso Baldanzi and Zeki Celik into the fold in place of Houssem Aouar and Rick Karsdorp, respectively. Now, with 20 minutes left to play, the only question was whether Roma would continue to hunt for a second goal or retreat into a shell and choke the remaining life out of the match. </p>
<p id="g7OIY7">Roma played it both ways in the end, with Lukaku seeing his third effort of the night miss the mark (though this one was deflected, to be fair), while Baldanzi had two efforts denied by Consigli. At the back, Roma had to defend multiple corners down the stretch and dodged a bullet late in the match when Diego Llorente nearly coughed up an own goal while attempting to turn away a low cross, a blunder that produced a meaty rebound for Sassuolo, who weren't able to convert. </p>
<p id="sLQ8Yy">Still, with four minutes of stoppage time tacked on by the officials, De Rossi and Roma had to sweat out the result but quelled any remaining Sassuolo threat to walk away with three essential points.</p>
<h2 id="qyNg8w">Final Thoughts</h2>
<p id="99YGIP">Daniele De Rossi won't exactly add this match to his highlight reel, but his side did just enough to avert disaster today, holding over 60% possession and never truly looking bothered by Sassuolo's efforts. At the back, Gianluca Mancini, Diego Llorente, and company seemingly always got a foot in at the right moment, blocking five Sassuolo shots and clearing away 19 balls this evening.</p>
<p id="syDrwF">It wasn't pretty, but Roma dug deep and got the job done today, waltzing into the international break winners of nine of thirteen matches since De Rossi took over in mid-January. After 29 rounds of play, Roma has sole possession of fifth place while trailing fourth-place Bologna by three points.</p>
<h2 id="a0FBMn">Up Next</h2>
<p id="N1JhJO">The international break, but Roma returns to action on April 1st with an away match in Lecce. </p>
<p id="FBfGI6"></p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/3/17/24103923/roma-1-sassuolo-0-match-recapbren2024-03-17T17:01:16+01:002024-03-17T17:01:16+01:00Roma vs. Sassuolo: Lineups & Game Thread
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<img alt="AS Roma v Feyenoord: Knockout Round Play-offs Second Leg - UEFA Europa League 2023/24" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IDOc7E8C4EQjK4aTbwpOOsnnXbk=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213286/2038528314.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Serie A, Matchday 29</p> <p id="9BaWmc">Since it's St. Patrick's Day, it’s only fitting that <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma</a> is facing Sassuolo in yet another critical fixture for the Giallorossi's <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> hopes. Sassuolo, the only Serie A squad kitted in green, has fallen on hard times this season, slipping from their usual mid-table perch all the way down to 29th place with 10 matches remaining. With the Neroverdi fighting for their top-flight lives, we should expect a taut match at the Stadio Olimpico today.</p>
<p id="vOwXFQ">While Roma is missing Paulo Dybala for today's tilt, they did receive some good news over the weekend: Romelu Lukaku is fit and ready for action. The signing of Tommaso Baldanzi gives Roma a reasonable facsimile for Dybala, at least in terms of role and function, but the same cannot be said for Lukaku, who really is one of one on this squad. </p>
<p id="GOT8Or">The lineups are in, so let's see if Big Rom can help deliver three points to Roma.</p>
<h2 id="aIz0ej">Lineups </h2>
<h3 id="9IZP3b">Roma </h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <br><br>Our starting XI against Sassuolo! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASRoma</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RomaSassuolo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RomaSassuolo</a> <a href="https://t.co/R7JV9yMyuz">pic.twitter.com/R7JV9yMyuz</a></p>— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/status/1769393324794786085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<h3 id="tYVqrA">Sassuolo</h3>
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<p lang="it" dir="ltr">L’1⃣1⃣ iniziale di <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RomaSassuolo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RomaSassuolo</a> <br>Powered by <a href="https://twitter.com/StarCasinoSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StarCasinoSport</a> <br><br>Forza ragazziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaSasol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaSasol</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IlNuovoModoDiVivereIlSassuolo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IlNuovoModoDiVivereIlSassuolo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VinciPremiConStarCasin%C3%B2Sport?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VinciPremiConStarCasinòSport</a> <a href="https://t.co/tFntLVLTKc">pic.twitter.com/tFntLVLTKc</a></p>— U.S. Sassuolo (@SassuoloUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/SassuoloUS/status/1769401570364400118?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<h3 id="LU2c6o"> </h3>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/3/17/24103857/roma-vs-sassuolo-lineups-game-threadbren2024-03-16T22:18:43+01:002024-03-16T22:18:43+01:00Probable Formations: Roma vs Sassuolo
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v AS Roma - Serie A TIM" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jxsBGm3EDeqJSBe9LkSkJ3eRQws=/0x0:2207x1471/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212228/2071902168.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lukaku returns, but Dybala is ruled out of the last match before the international break. </p> <p id="WkjiAj">On Thursday against Brighton, Daniele De Rossi took full advantage of <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma</a>’s 4-0 aggregate lead over Roma’s English hosts by rotating quite a few members of his starting XI. Regular starters like Romelu Lukaku, Paulo Dybala, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Leandro Paredes were held out of the starting line-up in favor of Sadar Azmoun, Tommaso Baldanzi, Nicola Zalewski, and Edoardo Bove. </p>
<p id="74zMdk">Lukaku didn’t make the trip to Brighton due to injury. However, the Belgian hitman has been ruled fit enough to feature against Sassuolo on Sunday, though Dybala is set to miss the next 10-14 days with a minor muscle issue. This will see him miss out on this match and an Argentina call-up, which may not be the worst thing in the world from a Roma perspective. </p>
<p id="P3Ma2c">Lukaku is expected to return to the starting lineup to lead the attacking trident, which will also see Stephan El Shaarawy return to its ranks. Meanwhile, with Dybala out, Houssem Aouar is expected to get his second consecutive league start. After spelling Lorenzo Pellegrini at the <em>mezz’ala</em> position against <a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a>, Aour is expected to play on the right of the attacking trident. </p>
<p id="V49E4T">The midfield will see a rested Leandro Paredes return to the <em>regista</em> position. That will shift Bryan Cristante back to <em>mezz’ala</em> along with Pellegrini. Also expected to return to the starting XI are Rick Karsdorp and Angeliño, who will replace Leo Spinazzola and Zeki Çelik at the full-back positions. The starting XI will be rounded out by Mile Svilar and the preferred center-back duo of Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka. </p>
<p id="Clv0uV"><strong>ROMA (4-3-3):</strong> Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini, Ndicka, Angeliño; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Aouar, Lukaku, El Shaarawy. </p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/3/16/24103367/probable-formations-roma-vs-sassuolossciavillo2024-03-16T14:46:10+01:002024-03-16T14:46:10+01:00Mile Svilar Reportedly Drawing Interest From England
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v AS Roma - Serie A TIM" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ki5JGkeaBRDrmOk_gtaUYXQWJQw=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211523/2071902347.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Svilar's breakout campaign is drawing eyes from abroad, but will Roma be able to resist an injection of Premiership cash?</p> <p id="1bOWiW">While it's still too soon to tell whether or not <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma</a> has stumbled into a superstar keeper, Mile Svilar's ascendency under Daniele De Rossi hasn't gone unnoticed. After taking the reins from veteran keeper Rui Patricio, who had made over 100 appearances for the Giallorossi since signing with the club in the summer of 2021, Svilar has steered the club through the most successful stretch of the season. He hasn't been flawless, but his command of the area, positioning, and shot-stopping prowess (particularly on penalties) have been on full display, traits that point towards a bright future for the 24-year-old goalkeeper.</p>
<p id="xrF5O1">Signed through 2027, Roma is under no pressure to sell Svilar, but his recent heroics have placed him on the radar of multiple Premiership clubs, according to the <em>Gazzetta dello Sport </em>and the <em>Corriere dello Sport. </em>Speculation holds that Wolves and West Ham are among the teams interested in snagging Svilar from Roma to the point where they reportedly sent scouts to Thursday's Europa League match in Brighton. </p>
<p id="83QhRN">Svilar's recent performances have many in Rome dreaming of a return to the halcyon days of Wojciech Szczesny and Alisson Becker, but that hasn't deterred the rumor mill from linking the Giallorossi to a host of up-and-coming keepers, including Monza's Michele Di Gregorio. Still, with the club's transfer budget remaining a closely guarded secret, Svilar's emergence should save the club quite a bit of money, enabling them to reallocate the €15 to €20 million they would have spent on Di Gregorio to other areas of the pitch.</p>
<p id="TIcWyr">When the season began, a Daniele De Rossi-Mile Svilar tandem leading the club would have seemed like a fever dream, but this happy accident has set Roma on a promising path, so I'd expect both men to be front and center for Roma next season and beyond.</p>
<p id="apoDZf">Still, it's nice to know that other clubs are jealous, right? </p>
<p id="tobhk6"></p>
<p id="dUjFDL"></p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/3/16/24102950/mile-svilar-reportedly-drawing-interest-from-englandbren2024-03-15T14:31:54+01:002024-03-15T14:31:54+01:00Roma Draws AC Milan in Europa League Quarterfinals
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<img alt="UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Quarter-finals And Semi-finals Draw" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bS5GIpTCjO8_f_FgDngqKDsHaUA=/0x0:5000x3333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73209190/2077982153.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It could have been much worse, but Roma will face mighty AC Milan in the Europa League Quarterfinals. </p> <p id="V0iaJB"><a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma</a> may have fallen to Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday at the American Express Stadium in Brighton, but thanks to the 4-0 advantage they carried over from the first leg, the Giallorossi sailed to the Europa League Quarterfinals with ease. The only question, of course, was who was the next club standing between Daniele De Rossi and European glory?</p>
<p id="AsVM8u">With a slate of candidates that included <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, West Ham, Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille, Atalanta, and <a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a>, this wasn’t your typical Europa League Quarterfinal round. Sure, some of these sides are hotter than others, but at this stage in the competition, there are no easy outs. The only question that remained was who Roma would face on their path to the finale in Dublin.</p>
<p id="Ema4UA">Well, wonder no more...</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The quarter-finals are set! <br>Most exciting tie?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UELdraw?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UELdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/s70kFqKjOH">pic.twitter.com/s70kFqKjOH</a></p>— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuropaLeague/status/1768611656953635054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<p id="WzBbwG">Earlier this morning at UEFA HQ in Nyon, De Rossi and Roma were drawn against AC Milan in a two-legged quarterfinal that will take place next month. Rather than traipsing all over the continent, Roma’s travel itinerary for the Europa League Quarterfinals will see the club take a quick jaunt up the E35 to the San Siro, where they'll face AC Milan on April 11th before welcoming the Rossoneri to the Olimpico on the 18th.</p>
<p id="pXQgzN">Milan, which trails league-leading <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a> by a whopping 16 points, swept Roma this season, defeating José Mourinho's club by a combined 5-2 scoreline. That second victory, a 3-1 win at the San Siro on January 14th, was the final note on Mourinho’s Roma résumé, as the Special One was sacked two days later.</p>
<p id="YHib9J">So, while these two clubs are quite familiar with one another, Milan hasn't faced De Rossi's Roma yet, which may give the capital club a <em>slight </em>advantage. </p>
<p id="U2O2Qk">We'll soon find out, but in the meantime, how do you feel about Roma’s chances against Milan?</p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/3/15/24101723/roma-draws-ac-milan-in-europa-league-quarterfinalsbren2024-03-14T23:04:23+01:002024-03-14T23:04:23+01:00Roma Advances to Europa League Quarterfinals After Defeating Brighton 4-1 on Aggregate
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<img alt="FBL-EUR-C3-BRIGHTON-ROMA" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vrEV-IM1tedHeWBjLWlsV5oH7NY=/0x0:3837x2558/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207961/2076706786.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With a four-goal lead in their pockets, Roma's passage through to the quarterfinals was all but assured. Still, that didn't stop Mile Svilar from adding to his growing highlight reel. </p> <p id="HZingo">Under normal circumstances, the second leg of a European tie on the road would be cause for consternation in the capital. However, thanks to Roma's utter domination of Brighton in last week's first leg, a 4-0 romp at the Stadio Olimpico, Daniele De Rossi and the Giallorossi had a bit of breathing room in tonight's fixture. As a result, De Rossi shuffled the deck, giving rare starts to Edoardo Bove, Nicola Zalewksi, and Sardar Amzoun, among others, </p>
<p id="bgC43I">That's not to suggest that De Rossi was taking Brighton lightly, but with another critical league match looming this weekend, you take the rest where you can get it. Despite the level of turnover, Roma still had stalwarts like Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, and Evan Ndicka starting from the word go. </p>
<p id="LuAcka">Given that advantage, the first 10 to 15 minutes went as you'd expect: Roma, with no real pressure to score, were content to sit back and absorb whatever Brighton threw at them, picking and choosing their spots to rush forward. But thanks to Roma's defensive shape, plus a couple of key interventions from Gianluca Mancini, Brighton was held in check for the first 15 minutes.</p>
<p id="quV9h6">In fact, the first chance of the match saw Roma force a turnover deep in Brighton territory, with the ball finding its way to Azmoun at the edge of the 18-yard box. However, in his haste, Azmoun's shot skipped wide of the far post. But it was proof positive that Roma could still keep Brighton honest despite abandoning any sense of attacking football in the early stages of the match.</p>
<p id="T3zqOe">Despite their passive approach, Roma created the first <em>genuine </em>clear-cut chance of the match in the minute when Azmoun pulled off a stunning overhead volley. However, before he could even turn his head around and race towards the corner flag, the goal was disallowed for a high boot offense on Azmoun—a somewhat controversial one as De Rossi was given a yellow card for dissent after barking at the fourth official.</p>
<p id="VryO1Z">Judge for yourself:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a finish from Azmoun… and the ref gives… a free-out…? Has to be one of the worst refereeing performances in a long time <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrightonRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrightonRoma</a> <a href="https://t.co/qRRTqT1GDJ">pic.twitter.com/qRRTqT1GDJ</a></p>— Forza27 (@Forza27_RS) <a href="https://twitter.com/Forza27_RS/status/1768375387086598413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="lzRE9I">Brighton finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Danny Welbeck curled in a shot from the left edge of the 18-yard box, cutting Roma's aggregate lead to 4-1. The Premiership club had miles to go before leveling the tie, but Welbeck's goal awoke the crowd at the American Express Stadium from its slumber. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A magnificent strike from Danny Welbeck <a href="https://t.co/r2h0fDXIeg">pic.twitter.com/r2h0fDXIeg</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1768377519441403991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="zoJNRc">Despite the goal and the reinvigorated crowd, Roma managed to stem the tide and head into the dressing room with a healthy 4-1 aggregate lead.</p>
<h2 id="T6dWSr">Second Half</h2>
<p id="B60LwV">The second frame picked up right where the first left off: Brighton battling the Roma defense for space and time while the Giallorossi did everything they could to kill the clock, wringing precious seconds out of every dead ball situation. This match was tilted so heavily in Brihgton's favor that Roma didn't win their first corner kick until the 52nd minute, though they nearly provoked their hosts into an unforced error. </p>
<p id="iNyLvh">With the match creeping towards the hour mark, Brighton became increasingly desperate and more aware of their circumstances, resulting in wave after wave of white/blue shirts crashing into the Roma box. To his credit, Mile Svilar was up to the task, reading every approach angle correctly and easily controlling the aerial space. </p>
<p id="NHV6Md">Relying on the counterattack as their sole means of punching back, Roma nearly stole a goal in the 60th minute when Leonardo Spinazzola burst through the left channel, rushing headlong into the box and firing a tight-angled attempt off the left upright. </p>
<p id="SMPMKE">Brighton nearly cut Roma's lead in half in the 62nd minute when Simon Adingra snapped a header at Svilar in the middle of the box. The young Belgian keeper, who seldom had a moment to rest in the second half, denied him with a quick reaction save. </p>
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<p id="rHBQk5">Svilar remained on his toes for the next 10 to 15 minutes as Brighton continued their desperate search for a second goal. They threw everything they had at Roma and, at times, stretched the Giallorossi backline paper thin. De Rossi responded in the 73rd minute by bringing in Diego Llorente for Zalewski, giving Roma three center-backs for the final 15 minutes plus stoppage. </p>
<p id="sb9k0g">With 14 shots through 76 minutes, Brighton's M.O. was clear: take a shot, any shot, it didn't matter. However, with only three of those attempts considered on target, Roma's defense did well in denying Brighton any effective attacking space, keeping their shot attempts on the periphery of the area. </p>
<p id="tJzvNQ">De Rossi went to the bench again in the 83rd minute, swapping out Baldanzi for Houssem Aouar. Baldanzi didn't do much of note, but he was one of the few threats dressed in red tonight. He carved out his own space multiple times in the final third but couldn't find the final pass or crevice of space to impact the scoreline. </p>
<p id="YpG0op">Ultimately, it was academic, as Roma's commanding 4-0 lead was too much for Brighton to overcome. Thanks to the good work done in the first leg, not to mention the ferocious defending tonight, the Giallorossi are through to the quarterfinals! </p>
<h2 id="iSDPzY">Up Next</h2>
<p id="5oi9VH">Roma hosts Sassuolo on Sunday</p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/3/14/24101098/roma-advances-to-europa-league-quarterfinals-after-defeating-brighton-4-1-on-aggregatebren2024-03-14T20:02:00+01:002024-03-14T20:02:00+01:00Brighton vs. Roma: Lineups & Game Thread
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<figcaption>Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With a four-goal lead in their pocket, Roma should pass through the second leg of today's Europa League Round of 16 match against Brighton...<em>should</em>. </p> <p id="MSGOPF">Thanks to last week's 4-0 thrashing at the Stadio Olimpico, Daniele De Rossi and <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma</a> are facing far less pressure than they might otherwise as they travel to southern England to face Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16. And considering how tense their ensuing match was, a 2-2 last-gasp draw against <a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a>, the last thing Roma needed right now was another tense, win-or-go-home match, so let's thank our lucky stars for last week's performance.</p>
<p id="TqLhp9">In addition to lessening their collective anxiety, last week's 4-0 romp affords De Rossi the chance to rest many of his regulars ahead of this weekend's league match against Sassuolo. And indeed, that's exactly what De Rossi has done, as he's given Tommaso Baldanzi, Sardar Azmoun, Nicola Zalewski, Edoardo Bove, and Zeki Celik rare starts. Still, Roma is no stranger to epic European upsets, so despite the four-goal cushion, the capital club cannot take anything for granted today in Brighton. </p>
<p id="krEXTJ">The lineups are in, so let's get down to business!</p>
<h2 id="abGzeW">Lineups</h2>
<h3 id="xybMW9">Brighton</h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TEAM NEWS! Here's our starting XI to face <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialASRoma</a> tonight. <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv">https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BHAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BHAFC</a> ⚪️ <a href="https://t.co/hHocgagH99">pic.twitter.com/hHocgagH99</a></p>— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1768351396020044023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<h3 id="nrRiJW">Roma</h3>
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<p lang="it" dir="ltr"> Ecco la formazione scelta da mister De Rossi per <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrightonRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrightonRoma</a> <br><br> DAJE ROMA DAJE! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASRoma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/a76awFOuiT">pic.twitter.com/a76awFOuiT</a></p>— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/1768350235619692823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/3/14/24101042/brighton-vs-roma-lineups-game-threadbren