Chiesa Di Totti - Europa League, Matchday 5: Istanbul vs. RomaCautiously Optimistic Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48469/totti-fave.png2019-11-29T16:25:46+01:00http://www.chiesaditotti.com/rss/stream/207495312019-11-29T16:25:46+01:002019-11-29T16:25:46+01:00Highlights of Roma's 3-0 Victory Over Istanbul Basaksehir
<figure>
<img alt="FBL-EUR-C3-BASAKSEHIR-ROMA" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XPi5ad_SFa27EPiVEcbeT1PsSPk=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65796414/1185280671.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Roma took care of business and look a good bet to advance to the knockout rounds. </p> <p id="gbvhMB">Roma have been under the guiding hands of an American owner since 2011, and if the rumors hold true that pattern will continue beyond 2020, and throughout the past eight years we've become acutely aware of how important <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> revenue is to owning and operating a successful football club. Well, I'm here to tell you about another reason to prefer the Champions League over the Europa League—there's no risk of Champions League matches being played on Thanksgiving.</p>
<p id="lDnoRp">For our American readership, you were likely faced with a multitude of lousy options for watching yesterday's match: skip it all together, watch it later and hope to avoid spoilers, or fight the unwinnable battle of convincing people to watch Roma and Istanbul over the slate of NFL games available on America's most glutenous holiday.</p>
<p id="CA2DeL">It was pretty much a no-win situation, one we wouldn't have had to endure if Roma qualified for the Champions League, and their sweet, sweet Tuesday/Wednesday fixtures, but if your plans were similar to mine, you at least got to catch the first half, which, as it turns out, was all you needed to see! Roma piled on three first half goals and cruised to a relatively easy victory, putting them even with Borussia MGB on eight points with one match remaining.</p>
<p id="8gbiI3">So, if you're waging a Black Friday battle at the mall right now and need a respite, enjoy the highlights. </p>
<div id="vZvCKG"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dNgx0rjVsOE?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2019/11/29/20987147/istanbul-basaksehir-roma-europa-league-highlightsbren2019-11-28T21:16:19+01:002019-11-28T21:16:19+01:00Roma Blitz Basaksehir in Turkey for a Dominant 3-0 Win
<figure>
<img alt="FBL-EUR-C3-BASAKSEHIR-ROMA" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1pge_wbkbBCoDaUMSRSx8YDiyOM=/0x36:3895x2633/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65794299/1185288236.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Giallorossi are now second in Group J with one game at the Olimpico left.</p> <p id="O0Sf5k">Roma travelled to Turkey this late afternoon to face Cengiz Under’s old club Basaksehir. The Turkish club played nothing like we expected they would at kick off. They were the ones sitting pretty with the two point lead at the top of Group J. Surely all they had to do was sit back at home and play for a draw to qualify? Even the most ardent Basaksehir fan would understand that approach.</p>
<p id="gN3hHa">Instead, true to their Netherlands <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> ‘98-look-a-like home kits, Basaksehir chose the gun-ho approach and eventually paid for it. At first the Turkish side started strong and could count themselves unlucky not to be ahead within the first twenty minutes, but eventually the space given to Roma to break onto the counter-attack would tell. And if there’s one thing Fonseca’s Roma love so far this season, it’s to bury teams on the counter.</p>
<p id="iivCLp">Was the pre-match plan from Basaksehir courageous or suicidal? You decide.</p>
<p id="kLUppq">To be real, I forgot Roma were slotted into an early kick-off this afternoon, and manage to miss nearly all of the first half. I tuned in just in time to see instant replays of Edin Dzeko chesting down a Lorenzo Pellegrini dink-ball over the top, then slotting it past the Basaksehir keeper.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="lso70N">
<h2 id="0n4dGs">Random Thoughts & Observations</h2>
<ul>
<li id="BMX8sl">Looking at the half-time replays, a weak and unconvincing tumble from Zaniolo leads to no penalty award. One thing that frustrates me about modern players is when they’re looking for the contact instead of thinking about scoring a goal. </li>
<li id="jmkTRI">Two assists from Lorenzo Pellegrini. Both balls over the top to Kluivert and Dzeko respectively. Even Roma’s opening goal comes from a handball award off a Lorenzo Pellegrini ball to get the penalty. </li>
<li id="iHWVrV">Since 2013, <strong>Jordan Veretout has now scored 16 of his last 18 penalties taken</strong> for an 88.8% success rate from the spot. First-choice taker over Kolarov from now on? Kolarov still has some goal-records to smash for 2019 before the year is up but evidently the team comes first.</li>
<li id="5Vywt9">I wish I knew what Basaksehir’s half-time epic music is, as it plays of the PA system.</li>
<li id="JzKcq5">52 minutes in and the home side have used all their subs while, a minute later, Spinazzola comes back from injury off of the bench to give Kolarov a breather. Is Under going to get a run-out against his old club? Surely.</li>
<li id="L1nb2r">Here we go, 70 minutes have gone by and Cengiz is subbed on for Pellegrini. In the very same sequence, it looks like Mkhitaryan is subbed on for Dzeko and it’ll be <strong>Zaniolo playing up front as Roma’s striker. Paulo Fonseca’s CdT subscription confirmed.</strong>
</li>
<li id="59o4mV">This also means <strong>Chris Smalling wears the captain’s armband</strong>, and it’s not that big a surprise. Ever since his first game for Roma, Smalling has personnified leadership on the field.</li>
<li id="xkl2KE">At this point, the game is made up of Roma constantly playing balls just shy of the halfway line through Basaksehir’s last line of defence. It is baffling why the home side are playing like this, still leaving acres of space behind their backline to goal. I guess when you’ve used all 3 subs, you’ve got to try and go to where the ball is and keep the play compact to keep the yards-run count down. But they’re even failing at that. If Roma wanted to win 4 or 5-0 they could, but both sides are playing casual by now.</li>
<li id="h4rGcc">It’s a selfish play from Cengiz who, when released on the right wing to cut in across Istanbul’s 18 yard line, just keeps searching for an opening to shoot and ignores three teammates. Can you blame him though? The temptation to want to make a mark back home is huge.</li>
<li id="ulKtD9">This is really becoming a Fonseca team now. Roma relentlessly stringing together 5 yard passes all around the home side, as the<em> Giallorossi </em>hold onto possession to the end of the game.</li>
<li id="bgi4SF">Roma played with the most width I’ve seen all season, and showed no respect to the Turks by pushing up 4-5 forward players to keep Basaksehir’s backline stretched wide. The <em>Giallorossi</em> weren’t even trying to stand in between the lines, but just camped out all along Basaksehir’s backline, period. Fonseca must have figured Roma have the better midfield here. Speaking of which...</li>
<li id="DNATcH">Let there be no doubt who pulled the strings for this Roma victory. He’ll won’t score many goals (if any at all) and has all the athleticism of Fazio, so he’ll never be a headline-grabber in Rome, but <strong>Amadou Diawara racks up a truly monstrous 110 touches of the ball tonight</strong>. That is 34 more touches than second-placed Jordan Veretout. I can’t remember the last time I saw a player go into triple-figures on touches of the ball for Roma.</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="QxiGko">
<p id="6oUhug">So, Roma are now second in Group J. The <em>Giallorossi</em> and level on points with Borussia Monchengladbach but behind on results against (I think that’s the tie-breaker here). Roma will now go into their remaining game against Wolfsberg at the Olimpico, aiming to beat the bottom-placed side and hope that Basaksehir can nab points off ‘Gladbach.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="FBL-EUR-C3-BASAKSEHIR-ROMA" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q13LP-_0cHekpVpW6gompf3pSzI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19416537/1185288240.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="fqVsfN">As for tonight’s game, it’s worth nothing that Roma have managed to dominate games regardless of fielding the Mancini-Veretout or Diawara-Veretout pairing in the heart of midfield. Aleksandar Kolarov has firmly been relieved on the creative burden in this side, and you’ve got to give credit to Paulo Fonseca’s setup for the equilibrium in Roma’s play. </p>
<p id="10kljY">It doesn’t matter who he plays in deep-lying midfield as Roma tend to keep calm and control of the ball all the same, with intelligent use of it to hurt opponents and score. The only question is: Do you prefer your players to look for the killer ball and rack up the goals and assists? Or do you like the “balancers” of the team who keep the play ticking over from further back? </p>
<p id="gadS1w"></p>
<div id="5hjxCo"><div data-anthem-component="poll:8970074"></div></div>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2019/11/28/20987252/roma-blitz-basaksehirdallagente2019-11-28T18:13:06+01:002019-11-28T18:13:06+01:00İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. vs. A.S. Roma: Lineups & Match Thread
<figure>
<img alt="AS Roma v Cagliari - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/riKeIyo7WPDJa7uZlk3i2vUeonA=/0x0:2724x1816/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65793750/1174195669.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Europa League Group J, Matchday 5 of 6</p> <div id="sLwea4">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | TEAM NEWS | <br> <br>Here is our starting XI for tonight’s key Europa League game! DAJE! ⚡️<br> <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://twitter.com/hashtag/IBFKRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IBFKRoma</a> <a href="https://t.co/GWCuMIY9LE">pic.twitter.com/GWCuMIY9LE</a></p>— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/status/1200093665047306243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="SLirM7">Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Chiesa di Totti!</p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2019/11/28/20987132/istanbul-basaksehir-f-k-vs-a-s-roma-lineups-match-threadJimmy Miotto2019-11-28T00:00:00+01:002019-11-28T00:00:00+01:00How to Watch Istanbul Basaksehir vs. Roma: TV and Streaming Options
<figure>
<img alt="AS Roma v Brescia Fc - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VAr5clr5yAVcFCiSiBsTkzP9qPk=/0x0:2386x1591/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65790684/1184543197.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Europa League Matchday 5 is upon us. Here's how to catch Istanbul vs. Roma. </p> <h3 id="HS9R7c">MATCH INFO</h3>
<p id="GlsyV1"><strong>Location: </strong>Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu, Istanbul</p>
<p id="R7GPPj"><strong>Kick-off time:</strong> November 28th. 18:55 CET, 12:55 pm EST</p>
<h3 id="pmqbq5">WATCH IT</h3>
<div id="jGpfeb">
<div id="lstv-root-match-3433512" class="lstv-match" data-match="3433512" data-open="0" data-width="100%" data-height="auto"><a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3433512/istanbul-ba-ak-ehir-vs-roma/">İstanbul Başakşehir - Roma</a></div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;js.src = "https://www.livesoccertv.com/widgets/sdk.js?v=82";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "lstv-jssdk"));</script>
</div>
<p id="N8QIat">If you live elsewhere in the world, there are plenty more viewing options <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3433512/istanbul-ba-ak-ehir-vs-roma/"><strong>here</strong></a>, and if you like snap judgments, cursing, and sarcasm, you can follow us <a href="https://twitter.com/chiesaditotti"><strong>on Twitter</strong></a>. If you haven’t already, join the fray on our message boards; we don’t bite. We’re also available at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Chiesa.Di.Totti">Zuckerberg Discount Data Warehouse</a>.</p>
<p id="V3Hq4t">Check out the stream below for our match preview, probable formations and more.</p>
<p id="wKEsnl"></p>
<p id="eDI4qm"></p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2019/11/28/20985512/how-to-watch-istanbul-basaksehir-vs-roma-tv-and-streaming-optionsbren2019-11-27T22:00:00+01:002019-11-27T22:00:00+01:00Probable Formations: İstanbul Başakşehir vs. Roma
<figure>
<img alt="Borussia Monchengladbach v AS Roma - UEFA Europa League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LIjY74l-HyNROIY6Rbm3kplAplU=/0x0:3212x2141/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65788956/1180821346.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Fonseca finally has the depth to make a few changes in this one. </p> <p id="ynPizf">As we outlined in <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2019/11/27/20985346/istanbul-basaksehir-roma-europa-league-preview">our match preview</a>, Roma head to Istanbul needing a win badly. The good news is that Paulo Fonseca’s group is closer than ever to getting back to full fitness— meaning he should have some options for this one. Unfortunately, <span>Alessandro Florenzi</span>, Javier Pastore, and <span>Antonio Mirante</span> will miss out with minor ailments. In addition, Bryan Cristante and Davide Zappacosta remain on the long-term injury list. Also missing on the squad list is <span>Juan Jesus</span>, who was also left off <a href="https://romapress.net/2019/11/27/juan-jesus-not-called-up-for-basaksehir-roma-due-to-a-technical-decision/">due to a technical decision</a>. </p>
<div id="hwNWpf">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | SQUAD LIST | <br> <br>Here are the players making the trip for Thursday's Europa League game in Istanbul! ⚡️<br> <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://twitter.com/hashtag/IBFKRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IBFKRoma</a> <a href="https://t.co/opSQ5lWd2d">pic.twitter.com/opSQ5lWd2d</a></p>— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/status/1199663616796102657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="ZVXPeJ">Nevertheless, as you can see on the squad list for Thursday’s game, some other long-term absentees return. Both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Nikola Kalinic are back after long injury layoffs, giving Fonseca nearly a full assortment of attackers. </p>
<p id="25qgPQ">With Florenzi out, it should be Leonardo Spinazzola returning to start at right back after missing Sunday’s match. The rest of the defense will remain unchanged in front of Pau Lopez. The omnipresent Aleksandar Kolarov will start on the left with Roma’s reunited first choice center back partnership of Gianluca Mancini and Chris Smalling in the middle. </p>
<p id="j6cuDP">Meanwhile, the double pivot of Jordan Veretout and Amadou Diawara will again patrol the heart of the pitch. The attack will likely see one change from Sunday’s match against <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/brescia">Brescia</a>: Cengiz Ünder in for Justin Kluivert on the wing. The Turk should have plenty of motivation as he returns to his old stomping ground. Meanwhile, Edin Dzeko, Nicoló Zaniolo, and Lorenzo Pellegrini are all expected to remain in the starting XI. </p>
<h2 id="9JtCcn">Probable Formations (<a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/europa-league/2019-2020/basaksehir-roma-probabili-formazioni-e-statistiche_sto7554393/story.shtml">EuroSport</a>) </h2>
<p id="xriv93"><strong>Basaksehir (4-2-3-1): </strong><a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/mert-gunok_prs208435/person.shtml">Gunok</a>; Caicara, Ponck, <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/martin-skrtel_prs32826/person.shtml">Skrtel</a>, <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/gael-clichy_prs27939/person.shtml">Clichy</a>; <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/mehmet-topal_prs207318/person.shtml">Topal</a>, <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/mahmut-tekdemir_prs207671/person.shtml">Tekdemir</a>; <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/edin-visca_prs245525/person.shtml">Visca</a>, <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/nihat-kahveci_prs6836/person.shtml">Kahveci</a>, Gulbrandsen; Crivelli. Manager.: Buruk.</p>
<p id="HJ2lo2"><strong>Roma (4-2-3-1): </strong>Pau Lopez; Spinazzola, Mancini, <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/chris-smalling_prs174948/person.shtml">Smalling</a>, <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/aleksandar-kolarov_prs87584/person.shtml">Kolarov</a>; Diawara, Veretout; Under, <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/manuel-pellegrini_prs54648/person.shtml">Pellegrini</a>, Zaniolo; <a href="https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/edin-dzeko_prs120695/person.shtml">Dzeko</a>. Manager : Fonseca.</p>
<p id="rfqX8U"></p>
<p id="4wLWop"></p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2019/11/27/20981922/probable-formations-istanbul-basaksehir-vs-romassciavillo2019-11-27T16:24:50+01:002019-11-27T16:24:50+01:00Roma Need Victory in Istanbul to Keep Europa League Hopes Alive
<figure>
<img alt="Roma’s Italian midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo celebrates after..." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bS5_kRUpsl2YIeps3FrPBDph7Pk=/0x0:3500x2333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65784665/1169763277.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Antonio Balasco/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Roma need three points tomorrow if they want to stay alive in Group J</p> <p id="lYYTk9">With their Europa League life at an unexpected crossroads, Roma head to Istanbul, the crossroads of civilization, with a chance to reclaim the top spot in their group—a <em>chance</em>. After falling to the Bundesliga-leading Borussia MGB in match-day four, Roma slipped from first to third in Group J and are now even with MGB on five points, with both clubs sitting two points behind group leading Istanbul Basaksehir. </p>
<p id="dDfI31">So when I say it's a chance, I mean precisely that. Roma have to win this six pointer first and foremost, and hope that Wolfsberger can at least steal a point from MGB in order to reclaim the top spot in Group J. The nightmare scenario, the one that would send us all scrambling for permutation calculators, would see draws in both matches on Thursday, leaving only three points between the top and the bottom of Group J heading into the final match-day.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="2ZO1J9">
<p id="htppk0"><strong>Istanbul Basaksehir v. Roma</strong>: November 28th. 18:55 CET/12:55 EST. Terim Stadyumu</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="CJXfw5">
<p id="q2cj7J">The aim, as it so often is in group stage competitions, is to simply just win the match. Tempting fate by bringing those advancement scenarios into the equation is the last thing Roma needs, unless you're of the mindset they should punt the competition completely.</p>
<p id="RJfwjM">But, assuming you want Roma to give it their all in Europe's second leading club competition, let's take a quick look at how Roma can win this one convincingly. </p>
<h2 id="aeYQ8i">Last Match</h2>
<h3 id="irjDQZ">September 19th: Roma 4, Istanbul 0</h3>
<div id="nQmTfs"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gSq-F62OgGM?rel=0&start=9&list=PLClGsOKgoNybhO3urlFdqKI79jbUczkYg" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="uyWu4B">Roma debuted their new third kits in grand fashion on this September evening. While the scoring started with an own goal from Junior Calcara, Roma would throw three more logs onto the fire before the match was through, with Edin Dzeko, Nicolo Zaniolo and Justin Kluivert each finding the back of the net in the second half. </p>
<p id="WVvnie">There's no telling if this time around will be quite as easy, but we may be able to take some lessons from the weekend's 3-0 victory over Brescia. </p>
<h3 id="8hG3Ng">You Don't Want to See Me Go to Ten</h3>
<div id="S2UL1J"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0jc188iS5Tg?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="chFomA">With his side struggling against <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/brescia">Brescia's</a> compact defense in the first half of Sunday's Serie A match—lacking aggression and not making proper use of attacking space—Roma coach Paulo Fonseca <a href="https://www.football-italia.net/146819/fonseca-had-raise-my-voice">unleashed the fury</a> at half-time, </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="U1bkPk">Sometimes you need to raise your voice. In the first half, we had space, but didn’t play with the right tempo, we were not aggressive enough, so we had to change that.</p>
<p id="2CcVk1">My approach depends on the situation. At times I get angry in the dressing room, at others I calmly explain to the players both collectively and individually what they need to do.</p>
<p id="ueI26m">We need to improve in every area. It’s true that we won 3-0 today and scored from set plays, but we had other situations where we could’ve had even more goals.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="m8Svhe">Now, I'm not suggesting that Fonseca needs to pop his top again, but if we look at his critiques, we might see a path forward for Roma tomorrow. If we assume than Istanbul will approach this match much in the same way Brescia did over the weekend—jamming up the middle of the pitch in their defensive third—then Roma has to make better use of, and be more aggressive in, the wide areas of the pitch. </p>
<p id="Nwyjcq">If Istanbul's defense resembles a tightly packed school of fish, Roma can work this to their advantage by simply pulling them to one side of the pitch and then quickly switching play to find a fullback isolated on the opposite side. And then, god willing, they can create a chance through the combination of a well-placed cross and a well-timed run. </p>
<p id="gclLvy">We can't, however, assume that what worked against Brescia will work against Istanbul. Indeed, if we look at the highlights of the first match, Roma's breakthroughs came from simple, direct play. </p>
<p id="7Uyk9k">The passes were quick and intuitive, there were give and gos, overlaps and <em>beautifully </em>slotted through balls that met with well times runs from Dzeko, Zaniolo and Kluivert, who perfectly timed their departures off the last defender to get behind Istanbul's defense, creating numerical advantages, and even a few one-v-ones with the keeper. </p>
<p id="rTzMbr">These results stemmed more from individual effort, concentration and aggression than they did in the moment tactical tweaks. It's simple execution. Roma can't hesitate; if there's an opening or a chance, they have to take it. This is the Roma we expected when Fonseca was hired, and it’s the Roma we saw when the club was closest to fully fit. </p>
<p id="mLS6Zw">The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and while Fonseca Football has proven to be remarkably adaptable (to injuries, to poor runs of form and to opponents counter moves), sometimes the best path is the most direct one.</p>
<p id="kdZpsw">Between the size and strength of Zaniolo and Dzeko, and the agility and craft of Cengiz Ünder and Justin Kluivert, if Roma sticks to what they know—what they do best—then they should be able to take care of business tomorrow.</p>
<p id="jzE7cd"></p>
<p id="6m4PDk"></p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2019/11/27/20985346/istanbul-basaksehir-roma-europa-league-previewbren