Chiesa Di Totti - Europa League, Round of 16: Sevilla vs. RomaCautiously Optimistic Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48469/totti-fave.png2020-08-06T21:16:54+02:00http://www.chiesaditotti.com/rss/stream/211182992020-08-06T21:16:54+02:002020-08-06T21:16:54+02:00Roma's Season Ends With a Whimper in 2-0 Loss to Sevilla
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<img alt="Sevilla FC v AS Roma - UEFA Europa League Round of 16" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZY7ECQqdNi7n8ZeZysJN0AGIg0o=/0x12:3000x2012/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67167149/1264343953.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Wolfgang Rattay/Pool via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Roma were flat-out dominated by their Spanish opponents tonight, making for a relatively easy win for Sevilla.</p> <p id="WfpMDr">Yesterday was the rare day in the Romaverse where nearly every fan in sight was beaming with joy at the news of Dan Friedkin's impending takover of the club. After nearly ten months of negotiations, James Pallotta and the Friedkin Group agreed to a <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/6/21356861/roma-release-official-statement-on-club-sale-to-friedkin-group">€591 million deal for the 93-year-old club. </a></p>
<p id="PqsqBl">That tide of glad feelings sort of masked over the more immediate concern: Roma's Round of 16 fixture against Sevilla. What was once a standard two-leg tie was re-conceived as a one-off match on a neutral ground thanks to the <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/1/31/21113178/what-is-coronavirus-symptoms-travel-china-map">Coronavirus</a> pandemic shuttering the original schedule.</p>
<p id="hrjAgu">Nevertheless, with the fanbase beaming at last night's news, expectations were high for today's Europa League match against Sevilla. Even without the sale, Roma were ride a positive wave, toppling <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a> on the road for the first time since 2011 and pushing their unbeaten run to eight matches. </p>
<p id="MRrYrZ">We weren't necessarily predicting a dream run to the final in Cologne, but Roma were peaking at just the right time. However, when it comes to European play, Roma seldom take the road more traveled. </p>
<p id="4qkbTl">This match was painted as Roma's shot at revenge against Monchi, but the real tale may have been one of rest. Sevilla's La Liga season wrapped up on July 19th, a span in which Roma played not one, not two, not three, BUT FOUR MATCHES. Roma may have had the continuity advantage, but Sevilla were definitely the more relaxed side. And it showed almost immediately.</p>
<p id="oZ2BUq">In only the fifth minute, Lucas Ocampos fired a shot at Roma's goal, which was narrowly parried over the cross bar by Pau Lopez (don’t get used to that sentiment, FYI). Sevilla would test the laws of physics once more in the 12th minute when Jules Kounde's header struck that very same cross bar.</p>
<p id="kQyP2h">The match barely had a chance to breathe, but Sevilla already had Roma on the backfoot. Beating them to loose balls, passing quicker and with more purpose and generally looking more interested and energetic. </p>
<p id="qn1iHX">All that good will soon paid off on the score sheet as Sevilla exposed Roma's defense for what it was: disorganized and confused.</p>
<h3 id="C73U8m">Sergio Reguilón: 22nd Minute (Sevilla 1, Roma 0)</h3>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">GOLO | GOAL | GOL <br><br>o primeiro do <a href="https://twitter.com/SevillaFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SevillaFC</a>! lo hizo Sergio Reguilón <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/6yKsegZzVJ">pic.twitter.com/6yKsegZzVJ</a></p>— (@UCLUEL00) <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLUEL00/status/1291424026020241410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a>
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<p id="9PCBbH">We <em>should </em>be quick to blame Pau Lopez here—he was beaten five-hole relatively easily—but this whole play was a disaster from start to finish. After Reguilón received the switch of play on the left, he quickly darted around Bruno Peres (who was either simply late or took a horrible route to the ball) and had a virtually unobstructed path towards the 18-yard-box. From there, he just charged right at the goal, and with Ibañez in no position to cut off the run or even make the angle more acute, Reguilón had Lopez on a virtual one-v-one and beat him right between the legs.</p>
<p id="XKjKbM">This goal was a perfect encapsulation of the match to that point: Sevilla were quick, aggressive and had a clear plan of attack—exploiting the wide areas—while Roma were flat-footed, confused and lacking inspiration. </p>
<p id="Z3qilj">Roma's lack of precision and pace continued throughout the remainder of the first half. Having more energy is one thing, but Roma literally just finished their season a few days ago, so logic would dictate they'd play with more fluidity and purpose, not Sevilla, the team coming off a two-week break. Yet the Spanish side looked like they just left La Liga while Roma were slowly going through the motions, as if this were an ICC friendly in Dallas.</p>
<p id="e5HbAM">Things would open up a bit for Roma in the 35th minute when a loose ball in the box fell to Nicolo Zaniolo, but his effort (which was quite a hit) was deflected up and over the bar by the Sevilla defense.</p>
<p id="hL3wDa">Roma's lack of cohesion and execution would bite them in the ass once more.</p>
<h3 id="1AhnP5">Youssef En-Nesyri: 44th Minute (Sevilla 2, Roma 0)</h3>
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<p lang="cy" dir="ltr">GOLO | GOAL | GOL <br><br>o segundo do <a href="https://twitter.com/SevillaFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SevillaFC</a>! Youssef En-Nesyri<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/MBZxGo171G">pic.twitter.com/MBZxGo171G</a></p>— (@UCLUEL00) <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLUEL00/status/1291429601827270658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a>
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<p id="9nF9cg">Another front-to-back disaster did Roma in here. With Lucas Ocampos streaking down the right flank, Ibañez (who had help behind him) decided to make a haphazard slide tackle at the edge of the area, leaving Ocampos with a clear shot at Lopez, albeit from a tight angle. While Lopez came off his line, his dropped save attempt was too late and Ocampos found En-Nesyri at the far post practically unmarked for an easy goal. </p>
<p id="866BDF">It's easy to second guess, but I'm not sure Ibañez's slide tackle attempt was necessary. He had Kolarov's support behind him (and he's certainly fast enough to run with Ocampos) but by ceding the ground, Ocampos then had a clear path towards the area, forcing Lopez to charge off his line parallel to the end-line. Should Lopez have been able to stop that cross? Yeah, maybe, but instead of Ibañez on his back, Kolarov coming across the box, and Lopez hugging the near post, Ocampos had no pressure on him, Lopez making an awkward run, and En-Nesyri at the ready for the tap in at the opposite post. </p>
<p id="4jZ0Lc">Just like the first goal, this was a microcosm for the match to that point: Sevilla were playing football, Roma were waiting for the half-time whistle.</p>
<p id="bMzxHh">The whistle mercifully came moments later, but Roma dug themselves quite a hole and would need a miracle to reverse their fortunes.</p>
<h2 id="A0R0aT">Second Half</h2>
<p id="jVvJ0I">As much as I'd like to say that Roma flipped the script immediately in the second half, well...</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Roma with an early foray forward, Dzeko passes on a shot plays it out wide to Spinazzola,who promptly dribbles right into multiple defenders and concedes a goal kick</p>— Chiesa di Totti (@chiesaditotti) <a href="https://twitter.com/chiesaditotti/status/1291435608754343936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a>
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<p id="OMdgxt">Sensing a lack of speed and simple bite in his attack, Fonseca made two early subs in the second half, swapping Zaniolo and Diawara for Carles Perez and Lorenzo Pellegrini, respectively. Diawara had a quiet but steady first half while Zaniolo was noticeably frustrated with his inability to get in the flow of the match.</p>
<p id="TfjquA">Roma would have a couple of half-chances early in the second half, one through Henrikh Mkhitaryan and another through a turn and hit effort from Dzeko that sailed wide and high. But outside of that, the story remained the same: Sevilla won all the individual battles, played with more energy and a clearer idea how to attack Roma, who continued to look listless, lost and lackadaisical. </p>
<p id="ugpQVX">And that was really that. Despite this match dragging on into the 97th minute, Roma never mounted a credible threat at Sevilla's back line, while Monchi's squad continued to hunt for a third goal, beating Roma to nearly every loose ball, probing the back line and playing with a swiftness and sense of desire we haven't seen from Roma in god knows how long, even during their recent uptick.</p>
<h2 id="hJOQn0">Conclusions</h2>
<p id="awdm2a">There's no dodging it: Roma were awful today. After their thrilling win over Juventus to end the season and all the positivity from the Friedkin takeover, this was perhaps the most bitter pill we could have taken to end the season; there were absolutely no positives to take from this match.</p>
<p id="2h39Nw">Would this matchup have played out differently over two legs? Given how thoroughly dominant Sevilla were, I severely doubt it, but that's really academic at this point. With Wolves, Manchester United and <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/">Inter Milan</a> all remaining in the competition, Roma's odds to win it all were probably always long.</p>
<p id="8qvASt">Still, given how quickly Fonseca turned things around after the three-match losing skid at the beginning of the restart, it was nice to dream.</p>
<p id="taHALd">And with that, we'll put a pin on our 2019-2020 matchday coverage.</p>
<h2 id="BsAZan">Up Next</h2>
<p id="epjMxN">We've got a Pallotta postmortem roundtable, a Friedkin expectations roundtable, two season review roundtables, positional reviews, Serie A Femminile previews, men's U23 countdown, women's U23 countdown and so much more coming at you over the next two weeks.</p>
<p id="QWc5FR">And once again, a heartfelt thank you to everyone for reading, sharing and commenting throughout this insane season. Better days are ahead!</p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/6/21357390/sevilla-2-roma-0-europa-league-reviewbren2020-08-06T17:58:14+02:002020-08-06T17:58:14+02:00Sevilla vs. Roma: Lineups & Match Thread
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<img alt="Juventus v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pc1r9J4pB6l1ppdShQeeWgZxKxs=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67165719/1263213203.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It's winner take all in this special one-off Round of 16 affair against Sevilla.</p> <p id="LKVI2R">Yesterday was a banner day for Roma as, after months of speculation, rumor and updates, Dan Friedkin officially took control of our beloved AS Roma. Well, not <em>officially </em>in the strictest sense of the word, the final details have to be sorted and signed by the end of the month. But after nearly ten months of back and forth, the Friedkin Group is set to acquire Roma for a cool €591 million.</p>
<p id="slHMLZ">But that's a broader concern/cause for celebration, today is all about Roma's Round of 16 match against Sevilla in the Europa League. Both sides are missing a few key components, but in this winner take all match there are no excuses.</p>
<aside id="i9N3QX"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data="{"stories":[{"title":"How to Watch Sevilla vs. Roma: TV and Streaming Options","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/6/21356037/how-to-watch-sevilla-vs-roma-tv-and-streaming-options"},{"title":"Winning Battle on Wings Key to Underdog Roma's Chances Against Sevilla in Europa League Clash","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/5/21354930/sevilla-roma-europa-league-preview"}]}"></div></aside><p id="JrVetW">Can Roma rise to the occasion?</p>
<h2 id="76HrQU">Lineups</h2>
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<p lang="it" dir="ltr"> FORMAZIONE <br><br> Ecco gli undici giallorossi scelti da <a href="https://twitter.com/PFonsecaCoach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PFonsecaCoach</a> per <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SevillaRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SevillaRoma</a> <br><br>DAJE ROMA!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/cKQrgVmZn7">pic.twitter.com/cKQrgVmZn7</a></p>— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/1291403713031045122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr"> XI del <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SevillaFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SevillaFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialASRoma</a>: <br><br>Bono - Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Reguilón - Fernando, Jordán, Banega, Ocampos, Suso - En-Nesyri. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeareSevilla?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeareSevilla</a> <a href="https://t.co/jQlBy0ajLw">pic.twitter.com/jQlBy0ajLw</a></p>— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SevillaFC/status/1291404975160152064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/6/21357170/sevilla-vs-roma-lineups-match-threadbren2020-08-06T01:00:00+02:002020-08-06T01:00:00+02:00How to Watch Sevilla vs. Roma: TV and Streaming Options
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<img alt="Atletico Madrid v Sevilla - La Liga Santander" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8HxmzpAZRE5N1lk-9MuLff98EFo=/0x0:3381x2254/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67162399/1205623748.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Roma's quest for a Europa League title (re)begins Thursday against Sevilla...in Germany.</p> <h3 id="HS9R7c">MATCH INFO</h3>
<p id="GlsyV1"><strong>Location: </strong>MSV Arena, Duisburg, Germany.</p>
<p id="es5LaA"><strong>Kick-off time:</strong> August 6th 18:55 CET/12:55 EDT</p>
<h3 id="pmqbq5">WATCH IT</h3>
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<div id="lstv-root-match-3695732" class="lstv-match" data-match="3695732" data-open="0" data-width="100%" data-height="auto"><a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3695732/sevilla-vs-roma/">Sevilla - 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>
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<p id="Oj0XeG">If you live elsewhere in the world, there are plenty more viewing options <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3695732/sevilla-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>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/6/21356037/how-to-watch-sevilla-vs-roma-tv-and-streaming-optionsbren2020-08-05T22:00:00+02:002020-08-05T22:00:00+02:00Probable Formations: Roma vs. Sevilla
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<img alt="Nicolo Zaniolo of AS Roma in action during the Serie A..." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tOS-5v0xveMTQ4OfwtQPWcAJSIA=/0x0:3259x2173/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67161330/1227880779.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Giallorossi will have to get it done without Chris Smalling and Jordan Veretout against Monchi’s Men. </p> <p id="jL3DcE">Coming off it’s first win ever at the <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a> Stadium and seven wins in its last eight matches, you’d think Roma would be in fine shape heading to Germany for the Europa League Round of 16 against Sevilla. And while mentally the Giallorossi should be feeling good, from a line-up perspective they enter with some major questions. That’s because Paulo Fonseca will be without both Jordan Veretout and Chris Smalling—two of the most consistent performers in an inconsistent side. </p>
<p id="Rd6bVU">Veretout will miss out on this one due to accumulation of yellow cards. Meanwhile, Fonseca will be without Smalling for the entirety of the tournament (no matter how far Roma advance), thanks to some hardball negotiations from Manchester United. While Smalling will be replaced in the three man back line by Aleksandar Kolarov, Veretout’s replacement is still to be determined. </p>
<p id="awSeUo">Starting in the back, Pau Lopez will return to his starting role after Daniel Fuzato was given his Roma debut against Juve. Joining Kolarov in the back three will be Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibañez. Expect Ibañez to center the trio with Smalling unavailable. </p>
<p id="5g50lI">Moving into the midfield, there’s no doubting that Bruno Peres and Leonardo Spinazzola will start at the wing back positions. The lock to start between them in the center of midfield will be Amadou Diawara. Diawara will sit in front of the defense with either Bryan Cristante or Lorenzo Pellegrini replacing Veretout, according to Fonseca. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="it" dir="ltr">Fonseca: “Zaniolo giocherà dall’inizio, è pronto. Su Pellegrini non ho ancora deciso, nella posizione di Veretout giocherà uno tra lui e Cristante”<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SevillaRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SevillaRoma</a> <a href="https://t.co/YOlVywR2wx">pic.twitter.com/YOlVywR2wx</a></p>— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/1291046877513814018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2020</a>
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<p id="gTtmXK">Meanwhile, as Fonseca’s pointed out, Nicolò Zaniolo will get his second consecutive start. He’ll be flanked by Henrikh Mkhitaryan. That duo will attempt to provide plenty of service to lone striker Edin Dzeko. </p>
<h2 id="3KEZKq">CdT Lineup Prediction</h2>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CT_iA0uTQcDVjZOLc9JFTe4YvaE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21699260/lineup.png">
<cite>Created using buildlineup.com</cite>
<figcaption>Here’s our CDT projected line-up for Roma vs. Sevilla. </figcaption>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/5/21355873/probable-formations-roma-vs-sevillassciavillo2020-08-05T18:00:00+02:002020-08-05T18:00:00+02:00Winning Battle on Wings Key to Underdog Roma's Chances Against Sevilla in Europa League Clash
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<img alt="Juventus v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KW62zgoA4A2aIVM1706_VwuoptE=/0x0:4270x2847/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67159797/1263361409.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The key to victory tomorrow could rest in Bruno Peres ability to create <em>and </em>contain out wide. Roma are underdogs but Sevilla have suffered some late changes to their squad.</p> <p id="QowihT">We’re still gutted that Chris Smalling has not been cleared to finish his Europa League journey with Paulo Fonseca’s troops. But <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a> have gone through a number of last-minute will they or won’t they conflicting changes to their squad this August, too.</p>
<p id="9eEARu">The uncertainty around both team’s lineups tells you everything you need to know about the haphazard nature of hosting a “winner takes all” Europa League tournament at the end of summer; a tournament that will last no longer than two and a half weeks, until that very winner is raising aloft the EL trophy. </p>
<p id="Zh32xT">Will the winner be Roma? Unlikely. But to dream is free. And now the squad has traveled to Germany, they should make the most of it.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="GBoBbl">
<p id="U6RR9a"><strong>Sevilla v. Roma</strong>: August 6th. 18:55 CET/12:55 EDT. MSV Arena, Duisburg, Germany.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="kMaA1N">
<p id="MlAKnM">So what of Sevilla’s changes? There’s the MCL injury to first-choice keeper Tomáš Vaclík, though it didn’t stop reserve keeper Yassine Bono walking in from the cold and helping Sevilla to maintain their 17-game unbeaten record in all competitions that’s still going strong. Bono has conceded just one goal in Sevilla’s last four games, but Vaclik has travelled with the squad.</p>
<p id="lMPB0c">Further up field, maybe Ever Banega was forced out the club after his curfew-breaking antics, or maybe he simply walked out of Sevilla on his own steam. Either way, Banega signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab; the same club rumored to be chasing Diego Perotti’s signature.</p>
<p id="dt4Su3">Then there’s fellow Sevilla play-maker Nemanja Gudelj, just tested positive for Covid-19 last week. If he had traveled with the squad (as was being reported until late yesterday) it would have completely defeated the purpose of social distancing in general. So common sense has prevailed.</p>
<p id="Zdgjll">Despite Sevilla being stripped of their first-choice midfield and uncertainties at the back, the bookies make Sevilla the favorites to score first, and to beat Roma, who themselves are dealing with the loss of Chris Smalling, a suspended Jordan Veretout and the questionable match-readiness of Lorenzo Pellegrini.</p>
<h2 id="qTg9gN">What To Watch For</h2>
<h3 id="zVpTKz">Can Roma Counter Monchi?</h3>
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<img alt="Villarreal CF v Sevilla FC - La Liga" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FKa7HkkuUPAED3WA-YHgzjCEUt8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21697780/1251359608.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="L367Ih">There will be mentions of exes crossing paths, and a revenge sub-plot touted by the commentators. That’s exactly when TV images of Monchi in the stands could create a 1 vs 0 overload on Roma’s flank.</p>
<p id="sRWbsF">Stripped of their first-choice sporting director Gianluca Petrachi (who could have easily counter-pressed Monchi’s bald + beard combo with a devastatingly square-jawed beard of his own) Roma will be relying on CEO Guido Fienga to aggressively dominate any cut-scenes of Monchi; Fienga himself is tasked with the role of flying through the stands and turning this bout into an aerial duel. </p>
<p id="hfBcK5">At that point TV directors will be forced to cut away from the stands and back onto the pitch for fear of any class-action lawsuits, while the pitchside mics are left to pick up the background noise that should be easy to explain, but hard to understand. </p>
<h3 id="N4nQrh">A Long Night Ahead For Roma’s Wide Men</h3>
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<img alt="AS Roma v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vcPoEfGUhC9SHYJdMX-TDVxGOz0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21697795/1227803417.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="Cepvp6">Both Paulo Fonseca and Julen Lopetegui like their sides to play narrow and condensed towards the ball for 90 minutes. Leonardo Spinazzola and Bruno Peres will want to be open for Roma switching the play to the weak side, and fancy their chances of taking on and getting behind Sevilla’s wide players, though it’s far more likely to be Peres trying to attack the space behind La Liga Left Back of the Year Sergio Reguilón, than Spinazzola taking on the more conservative, deep-lying veteran and club-captain Jesus Navas.</p>
<p id="3NJevm">If Roma can keep somehow psyche out Sevilla’s full-backs, then box-to-box midfielders Torres and Jordan may be tempted to come out wide and help Sevilla defend the flanks. That’ll leave the middle of the pitch open for Roma, and it’s up to Peres and Spinazzola to distribute the ball wisely.</p>
<p id="ScTMU7">It’s a huge ask of Bruno Peres mentally, though. We could just as easily see the ever-confident Reguilón win that battle early on and cause Roma to sit deep instead.</p>
<p id="4xO6kH">It doesn’t end there for both Roma’s wide men. Sevilla will want to try and build-up through their wide forwards Ocampos and Suso, so Spinny and Peres can’t just sit up field and attack all day, no matter how many center backs Roma field on the night. </p>
<p id="RF3kww">That’s really a big workload to ask of Roma’s full backs, knowing that they’ll potentially have to do it all over again just four days later in the quarters. But it’s better to just play this game like it’s their last.</p>
<h3 id="senXdY">Will Sevilla’s Backline Come Out Too Aggressive?</h3>
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<img alt="Sevilla FC v Valencia CF - La Liga" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UplIIDUwfbGMp_EnuO-v51-6pFo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21697828/1257115676.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="G7Dlyh">One of the many weapons Sevilla do bring to Germany are a couple of strong, fast and confident ball-playing center halves in Diego Carlos and Jules Koundé. Both defenders are wanted by Europe’s richest clubs this summer. Once you get over the fact Diego Carlos is linked with a 66 million-euro move to Premier League champions Liverpool, you’re immediately met with rumors of Koundé being headhunted by <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> for similar monopoly money.</p>
<p id="ALamDi">Diego Carlos, in particular, can play aggressive in rushing up field to tackle the ball early, while Koundé loves to bomb up field and join in attacks. Lopetegui has mitigated this danger by playing 4-3-3 this season but, with Gudelj unavailable, Sevilla may have to turn to 33-year-old Fernando to drop deep and cover for Sevilla’s unit playing up field.</p>
<p id="Cek3vL">That leaves Sevilla’s backline potentially lacking recovery speed in defensive transition, if they get caught with their center-halves out of position. Two of the three Sevilla players most likely to sit back off the ball with be Navas and Fernando, which has counter-attack attack written all over it for the <em>Giallorossi</em>.</p>
<p id="uGudny">Roma can pick among a number of pacey attacking midfielders like Zaniolo (a confirmed starter in Paulo Fonseca’s pre-match comments today), Mkhitaryan and Perez - but to name a few - that have to break behind the last Sevilla man, and get through onto goal. Meanwhile Fonseca has openly debated whether to start Lorenzo Pellegrini or Bryan Cristante alongside Amadou Diawara in midfield.</p>
<p id="N9XeYM">With Cristante, you get a better chance of recovering the ball early in transition but Pellegrini offers you the ability to put Roma clean through on goal. Nicolò Zaniolo starting this game is a gamble on the player’s fitness, but it highlights Fonseca’s desire to get the psychological advantage on that right side of the pitch, evening out the physical match-up for Roma straight out the gate.</p>
<p id="sPaFTI">Roma are clearly second-favorites in this game, and treating this match as anything more than an extra excuse to crack open a summer beer is likely to leave you open to disappointment by final whistle. But there’s enough uncertainty in Sevilla’s makeshift lineup to leave room for an upset.</p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/5/21354930/sevilla-roma-europa-league-previewdallagente2020-08-04T19:30:00+02:002020-08-04T19:30:00+02:00Europa League Recap: How We Got Here, What's Next & What's at Stake
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<img alt="UEFA Europa League”KAA Gent v AS Roma”" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CQYNUJHLzjL0xAAmtoXjWykbWTY=/0x0:3318x2212/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67154888/1204100519.jpg.0.jpg" />
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<p>Serie A may be winding down, but Roma still have work to do in Europe. </p> <p id="gO6uAr">September 19, 2019: International Talk Like a Pirate Day, the weather in Rome was a balmy 81 degrees Fahrenheit and the city's favorite football team had been under the stewardship of Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca for less than a month. With two draws and one victory under his belt at that point, Fonseca's first steps in Serie A were solid, albeit a bit wild—Roma had outscored their first three opponents eight to six. </p>
<p id="QDeOIy">But on this particular Thursday evening he was facing another series of firsts: not only was this his first European match on Roma's bench, but it marked the first time Roma had faced Istanbul Basaksehir, the club that gave us Cengiz Ünder. With his squad still adapting to his tactics, Fonseca faced the difficult task of preparing for an opponent his club had never before faced in their 93 year existence.</p>
<p id="eZY9ZY">Given all that, predictions were a foolhardy business, and while their Turkish opponents put up a good fight for the first half hour or so, Roma caught a huge break in the 42nd minute thanks to Junior Calcara's own goal. Fonseca's crew would pile on three more goals in a 4-0 romp, establishing themselves as the team to beat in Group J. </p>
<p id="EgZfvi">If only it were that easy...</p>
<h2 id="Ec48UE">Group Stage Recap</h2>
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<img alt="Borussia Moenchengladbach v AS Roma: Group J - UEFA Europa League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_itGz-E3qCkVStA6AR4RJxKUO-Q=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/20533730/1180870822.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="eYqTgR">In addition to Istanbul Basaksehir, Roma were cast into a lot with Wolfsberger AC and Borussia MGB. Three relatively unfamiliar foes, but Roma seemed like favorites to win the group, especially after waxing Istanbul Basaksehir 4-0 on matchday one.</p>
<p id="Ofu0DZ">I wish we could say that the rest of the group stage was a breeze, but following that opening victory, Roma dropped points in three straight matches, including a pair of ugly and controversial fixtures against Borussia MGB. You may recall the first match from October, when <span>Chris Smalling</span> was cited for a handball in the 95th minute (even though it actually hit him dead in the face), allowing MGB to snatch a point from the match. The 95th minute would prove pivotal in the return leg in early November as well, when Gladbach stuck a match winner at the death.</p>
<p id="IsY3Q5">With another cleansheet victory over Istanbul in late November and a 2-2 draw against Wolfsberger on December 12th, Roma escaped the group stages by the skin of their teeth, clinging to second place by one single point.</p>
<p id="5zMsW2">It was harder than expected, but Roma advanced to the knockout stages where a strangely familiar foe awaited them.</p>
<h2 id="HRIlEQ">Knockout Round Recap</h2>
<p id="M1hBZs">After escaping Group J, Roma were drawn against Belgian side Gent, or as our resident Belgian dubbed them “<a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/2/18/21040189/getting-to-know-aa-gent-the-most-roma-team-in-belgium">The most Roma team in Belgium</a>.” With a similar <em>good but not great</em> standing and a fan base just as desperate for success, the parallels between the two clubs were almost too numerous to count. And that lack of division found it's way to the pitch too, as the two clubs played an incredibly tight two-legged fixture back in February.</p>
<h3 id="CEGmEk">The First Leg</h3>
<p id="F53qqj"><strong>February 20, 2020: Roma 1, Gent 0</strong></p>
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<p id="3PXBsv">Carles Pérez, who had been with Roma for barely a month at this point, scored his first goal for the club in the 13th minute. Little did we know it at the time, but that strike would stand as the match winner, as the two sides were engaged in a rather tight affair. Roma held the lion's share of possession yet were out-shot, out-dribbled and out-tackled by the visitors.</p>
<p id="lGUDgI">It was closer than you'd like, but Roma won the match without conceding the always precious away goal, setting up an anxious return leg in Belgium a week later.</p>
<h3 id="ezKvTr">The Return Leg</h3>
<p id="5fzsJC"><strong>February 27, 2020: Gent 1, Roma 1</strong></p>
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<p id="Tm2SVg">With Gent needing at least a one-goal victory (one of many possible advancement permutations), they threw everything at Roma on this cold February evening. With 23 total shots and nearly 500 passes, Gent were pulling out all the stops to advance to the Round of 16. </p>
<p id="i09HQf">And after Jonathan David gave Gent the lead in the 25th minute, the pressure immediately shifted to Roma. While his fortunes have varied since then, Justin Kluivert turned in a man of the match performance, using his speed and athleticism to put pressure on the Gent back-line all evening. </p>
<p id="60x1V3">And then, only four minutes after David's strike, Kluivert teamed up with <span>Henrikh Mkhitaryan</span> on a beautiful overlapping run to level the match at one apiece with 60 minutes remaining. Roma would survive a second half onslaught in which Gent fired 13 shots at their goal but thanks to Kluivert's goal, which was worth its weight in gold, Roma survived and advanced to face <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a> in the Round of 16; a match that was originally slated for Mid-March.</p>
<p id="m58MNv">But then the world changed and life went on pause for three months. With most European leagues weathering the Corona storm and completing their leagues within the past several days, the Europa and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>s are set to resume this week.</p>
<h2 id="d9U7jB">An Awkward and Unbalanced Round of 16</h2>
<p id="GNg9Xu">While the Round of 16 was set by the time the pandemic really took hold in Europe, with Italy serving as an early hotspot for the virus, both Roma and <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/">Inter Milan</a> saw their Round of 16 fixtures against Sevilla and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/getafe">Getafe</a>, respectively, postponed indefinitely. The remaining six fixtures played their first legs before the sport completely shutdown in late March, putting UEFA in a bit of a pickle.</p>
<p id="bM1sv3">To sort out this logistical nightmare, the sport's European governing body decided that Roma vs. Sevilla and Inter vs Getafe would be contested as one-off fixtures played at neutral grounds (Duisburg for Roma vs Sevilla and Gelsenkirchen for Inter vs. Getafe) while the remaining six fixtures will resume where they left off—with the second leg.</p>
<p id="ZphFmD">So, while it looks a bit different and is five months later than we expected, Roma and Sevilla will finally square off on Thursday, August 6th at the DSV Arena in Duisburg, Germany for the right to advance to the Quarterfinals.</p>
<p id="UKDQi9">Should Roma advance, they would face the winner of the Olympiacos vs. Wolves fixture in the Quarterfinals on August 11th. If they win that match, they will face the winner of Quarterfinal Match Two in the Semifinals—which could be <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>, Istanabul Basaksehir, Copenhagen or LASK—on August 17th.</p>
<p id="mbdlT2">If Roma make it all the way to the end, they'll contest the final on August 20th in Cologne, Germany.</p>
<h2 id="gPXewO">What's at Stake?</h2>
<p id="xJVI1C">Well, two things of varying importance and lasting impact. In the most immediate sense, Roma breezing past Sevilla and going on a miracle run to win the Europa League would give the Giallorossi it's first trophy since they hoisted their last Coppa Italia title way back in the spring of 2008. For a young team learning the ropes under a new manager, and coming off a strange and unprecedented season, winning the Europa League could give Roma's latest project the boost it so desperately needs.</p>
<p id="O6SYlz">While that's all well and good, the real pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is qualification for the Champions League. Since the 2014-2015 season, the winners of Europe's junior varsity tournament gain direct qualification to the big show the following season. Winning a trophy and then joining the ranks of Europe's best clubs in the Champions League in one fell swoop would be a tremendous windfall for Roma at this point in their developmental curve.</p>
<p id="d4bCJA">None of us wanted the Europa League, but the enthusiasm with which this trophy pursuit has been greeted by the fans and club alike is quite encouraging to see. If you're in it, you might as well win it. And after finishing their domestic season on an eight match unbeaten streak, Roma have as good a shot as any club at hoisting the Europa League trophy.</p>
<p id="BHiwf9">And it all starts Thursday against Sevilla. Stay tuned for our match previews, lineups and more over the next two days. </p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/8/4/21335473/europa-league-recap-how-we-got-here-whats-next-whats-at-stakebren