In what turned into one of Roma’s best performances in some time, some unexpected players starred for Roma. Pretty much everyone who started for the Giallorossi put in a strong shift, as none received a lower rating than Antonio Mirante’s 7.10, according to whoscored. While all involved deserve plaudits, let’s narrow it down to those who are true man of the match candidates.

The Candidates

Javier Pastore

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Of all the players in Roma’s XI, Pastore is probably one of the last one’s many would’ve expected to be on this list. In what has been a disappointing first season in the capital, El Flaco had been written off as a complete bust. However, he showed exactly what Romanisti dreamed of when he was signed this summer. Pastore played 63 minutes in his first appearance in almost two months and was an absolute stud. The Argentine scored Roma’s second goal and nearly scored a second when he hit the crossbar. Could he be the unexpected piece that helps Roma into the top 4 over the final month of the season?

Federico Fazio

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Like Pastore, Fazio was written off as done as he’s struggled through an awful season, but on Saturday he continued his turn around under Claudio Ranieri. The Argentine was massive for Roma today, earning the highest player rating on whoscored thanks to his solid all around performance. Fazio opened the scoring with a brilliant header and didn’t put a foot wrong in defense. With Fazio playing at this level, Roma are a threat to post a clean sheet, week in and week out.

Justin Kluivert

Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images

The theme continues with Kluivert, as he is another player who didn’t display his true talents under Eusebio Di Francesco. However, like Fazio, Kluivert has begun to pick up his game under Ranieri’s leadership. The young Dutchman assisted Pastore’s goal and was a threat to Cagliari’s backline throughout the match. Kluivert had five key passes and three successful crosses while also helping track back defensively. This is the player Roma imagined it was getting from Ajax this summer.