Chiesa Di Totti - Coppa Italia: Roma vs. SpeziaCautiously Optimistic Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48469/totti-fave.png2021-01-20T14:57:41+01:00http://www.chiesaditotti.com/rss/stream/220010042021-01-20T14:57:41+01:002021-01-20T14:57:41+01:00Sinners & Saints: Roma 2, Spezia 4
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<figcaption>Photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Still short of the silver star, no saints to be found.</p> <p id="splk25">I hate writing downer Sinners & Saints. For me, watching Roma underperform is cruel and unusual punishment, akin to that scene from The Simpsons when Sideshow Bob keeps stepping on rakes:</p>
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<p id="YKm3nr">It’s bad enough to have seen that 3-0 loss in the Derby Della Capitale, but to lose in the Coppa yet again, this time to Spezia? <strong>AND</strong> with a substitution error causing an automatic 3-0 loss? What an embarrassment. </p>
<h2 id="XLqY9w">The Sinners</h2>
<h3 id="pgdxl2">Paulo Fonseca</h3>
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<cite>Photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="5UHss0">I like to think of myself as fairly pro-Fonseca, but this match might be just enough to put me into the <em>#FonsecaOut</em> brigade. Losing 4-2 to Spezia, even in the Coppa, is unacceptable. Having that 4-2 loss turn into a 3-0 automatic loss because of a substitution error in extra time is a fireable offense, in my opinion.</p>
<p id="fhInVZ">Even if you ignore that horrific mistake, the flaws in Fonsecaball were on full display yesterday. Roma obviously has more quality than Spezia, but Giallorossi defensive errors were eagerly seized by their Ligurian opponents, and Roma did absolutely nothing worthwhile to exploit Spezia’s own defensive liabilities. I’m not one to jump to blaming the coach first, but these two losses in a row do beg the question of whether we’ve reached the ceiling of what Paulo Fonseca’s Roma can become.</p>
<h3 id="eYZZox">Borja Mayoral</h3>
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<p id="Ca9FCI">Come on, Borja. I’ve been hyping you up for a while, suggesting that you might even be the long-term replacement for Edin Džeko, and <em>this</em> is how you repay me? The Spanish striker had five key chances to score during his ninety minutes on the pitch. They turned into zero goals. That’s simply horrid, and against a shambolic Spezia defense, that’s unacceptable.</p>
<p id="yn3FcS">The fact that Mayoral is arguably the least sinful sinner on this list tells you something about the match. I still hold out hope that he can become Roma’s striker of the future, or at least a solid consistent backup option. Matches as horrible as these definitely give me pause, though.</p>
<h3 id="TrtY6m">Gianluca Mancini</h3>
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<p id="CobGdQ">I like Gianluca Mancini. I think he’s going to be a key cog in Roma’s defense for a long time. Personally? I think he’s a better defender overall than Roger Ibañez, but don’t tell the superclubs that will come hunting for defensive reinforcements from Rome I said that. Nevertheless, a red card is an automatic sinner spot by my rules, no ifs, ands or buts. </p>
<p id="RRFXns">This red was far better than the next sinner’s red, but still, Roma are supposed to be a serious club. Getting carded one minute into extra time in an elimination cup game is unacceptable. Hopefully, this can be a learning moment for Mancini, because of the three main sinners from yesterday’s match, he’s the only one I’m relatively confident will still be in Rome next season.</p>
<h3 id="pJtADE">Pau Lopez</h3>
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<p id="AtyDpR">At this point I almost feel sorry for the leader of the Pau Patrol. It’s obvious to anyone with eyes that he’s basically done in Rome and has probably lost his chance to be a goalkeeper for a big European side. The red card in the 92nd minute that forced Fonseca to put Daniel Fuzato between the sticks arguably ended Roma’s chance to advance in the Coppa, and this wasn’t a red card that was particularly inconspicuous. You kick someone in the face, you typically get sent off.</p>
<p id="VqXMa7">I don’t have much more to say about Lopez than that, mainly because I’ve written so much about Lopez’s let-downs now that anything I write will just be the same idea said in a different way. He’s not up to snuff, and Roma needs a new goalkeeper who can actually lead the solid defensive corps Roma has put together.</p>
<p id="yNohMW">It’s only late January, but matches like these are just making me wish for the end of the season. Let’s hope that Roma can find something new to show in the next few months, or 2021 is going to feel even longer than 2020.</p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/20/22240365/roma-2-spezia-4-player-ratingsJimmy Miotto2021-01-20T02:37:39+01:002021-01-20T02:37:39+01:00Highlights of Roma’s Coppa Loss to Spezia
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<p>Roma kept up their 100% losing record to Spezia, and in unique fashion.</p> <p id="FJoyGo">The annual Roma “winter blackout” of rock-bottom form is in full flow, as the club fell to one of the lowest points in <em>giallorosso</em> history tonight. This match had everything you wouldn’t want (and couldn’t even imagine) in a Roma loss: Losing to a smaller team, an ex-Roma forward scoring the winner on the night, Roma defaulting the match by making too many substitutions, and chuck in a couple of red cards to boot.</p>
<p id="068ABi">Roma virtually began this match 1-0 down, thanks to a very soft penalty call inside the first five minutes of the game. That would be just the opening salvo of an erratic refereeing performance to come but, make no mistake, this loss was (without taking away too much credit from Spezia) mostly of Roma’s own making.</p>
<p id="hfOnlz">As if going 1-0 down on the night wasn’t enough of a red flag, the individual errors continue to plague Roma’s backline as rotation defender Max Kumbulla made a glaring fault to help Spezia go 2-0 up in the first half. Roma did pull one back before half-time through a Lorenzo Pellegrini penalty and eventually fought back to 2-2 in the second half. But Borja Mayoral would fluff a golden moment (one of many), put through one-on-one with the Spezia keeper, for the chance to send Roma through to the next round at the very end of 90 minutes. That only let the door open for a further half-hour of extra time that had to be seen to be believed.</p>
<p id="bL3Z5E">There were two red cards and Paulo Fonseca unintentionally revealing he didn’t even understand the rules of the game, by trying to make an illegal sixth substitution (the second time this season that Roma would have lost a football match by default, that has to be some kind of first in top-flight football?), on a night that ended with 4-2 win for Spezia; a club now looking to defend their 100% win record over Roma in the next round of Serie A this Saturday.</p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/20/22239442/roma-2-spezia-4-highlightsdallagente2021-01-20T00:18:02+01:002021-01-20T00:18:02+01:00Roma Masters The Epic Fail Against Spezia, Crashes Out of Coppa Italia in Horrific Fashion
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<p>Penalties. Defensive Gaffes. Red Cards. Former Roma players twisting the knife. This match had it all! </p> <p id="CBhVW5">Generally speaking, we can whip up thoughtful prose on most Serie A clubs, but that task becomes a bit more difficult when dealing with a club that's spent its entire existence in the lower tiers. We caught a bit of a break with today's Coppa Italia match because these two clubs have squared off exactly once before: in the Coppa Italia five years ago, with Spezia shocking Roma 4-2 in a penalty shootout.</p>
<p id="EMg123">Given that symmetry, not to mention the slightly similar trajectories of Roma's managers in both of these respective matches (Rudi Garcia in ‘15 and Paulo Fonseca in ‘21), we made that the focus of our match preview, but I couldn't help but feel it was a bit too...<em>convenient</em>. </p>
<p id="pB870Z">After all, Roma came into this fixture in third place while Spezia were in 11th; an impressive run for a debut Serie A club, but 11th place nonetheless. Surely, Roma couldn't fall to Spezia in the Coppa Italia again, right? And even if they did, there was no way they'd suffer the same scoreline, right? And even if <em>alllll </em>of that happened, there's no way they'd be done in by a former player, right?</p>
<p id="zGTet5">If you're reading this, you know what happened: precisely all of that. So, everything underneath this line represents the moment-by-moment blows of today's match as it happened. </p>
<p id="Z0CymB">We weren't expecting history to repeat itself, but you know what they say: fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...</p>
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<p id="NmiEly">With the sting of the derby defeat still in their eyes, it was important for Roma to get off to a quick start this evening against Spezia, and the fates <em>almost </em>complied. With only 25 to 30 seconds burned off the clock, Roma were nearly gifted a goal when a Spezia defender attempted to head a ball back to keeper Titus Krapikas, only to see the ball miss its mark and drift into no man's land. Borja Mayoral immediately seized on the ball but wasn't able to get a clean shot on goal, but it was a good omen for Roma. </p>
<p id="1XYSJ0">Undaunted by that near-miss, Roma continued to exert their technical and physical advantages with Henrikh Mhitaryan and Leonardo Spinazzola running a sort of reverse overlap, with Mkhitaryan surging forward down the left flank in the fourth minute. While Spinazzola's ball was picture perfect, Mkhitaryan's shot was fired right at Krapikas for an easy save. </p>
<p id="DYWhpX">Nevertheless, four minutes into the match and this had the makings of a Roma beatdown; Spezia simply couldn't match Roma's speed, size, or technique, but then disaster struck. In the 6th minute, Spezia made their first real run at Pau Lopez's goal with a darting run into the box right between Spinazzola and Bryan Cristante. Unfortunately, Cristante got a bit too much of the Spezia forward and gifted the visitors a PK, which was easily converted by Andrej Galabinov.</p>
<p id="avyYAy">It was a pretty clear cut penalty, but you have to credit Roma for their resolve; they immediately came right back at Spezia and created a decent chance in almost the very next minute when Pedro got loose in the box but overran the ball into the area by maybe a foot. That missed chance did win Roma a corner, though; one that they played short and generated a clean look from Mkhitaryan at the edge of the box but his effort sailed wide of the mark.</p>
<p id="K5e6vg">Penalties happen but Roma seemed determined to level the match as quickly as possible but were done in by a poor clearance in the area.</p>
<h3 id="F2FC4a">Riccardo Saponara: 15th Minute (Roma 0, Spezia 1)</h3>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">G⚽L DE SPEZIA‼️<br> Saponara ⏱️15'<br>Roma 0️⃣ 2️⃣ Spezia<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerieA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SerieA</a> <br>SUSCRÍBITE ✅ a nuestro canal de Telegram y mira todos los goles cuando quieras ⤵️<a href="https://t.co/GyJSTUmTqy">https://t.co/GyJSTUmTqy</a><a href="https://t.co/OFlp9PAzvG">pic.twitter.com/OFlp9PAzvG</a></p>— El forastero deportivo (@ElForastero1982) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElForastero1982/status/1351629461364613120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a>
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<p id="LnuotT">Now, we've definitely seen worse errors than this before, but Marash Kumbulla's pass out of the area was hit, maybe, 10% too soft (or maybe too hard since it sailed over a Roma player) and fell right to Spezia who quickly turned that error into a beautiful two-touch sequence capped off by an incredible bit of skill from Saponara, who only just signed with the club. </p>
<p id="G42yVd">Again, this wasn't the most egregious faux pas we've seen this year, but let's give credit where it's due: Spezia turned that mistake into an incredible goal in the blink of an eye. At this point, the Romaverse was in full doomscrolling mode with calls for Fonseca's head, a Friedkin sale, and more filling our timelines.</p>
<p id="36re2B">But here's the thing...</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seriously, Spezia are playing so haphazardly at the back, it's miracle Roma hasn't scored. They're trying to give the match back, they want to give the match back, but Roma aren't complying.</p>— Chiesa di Totti (@chiesaditotti) <a href="https://twitter.com/chiesaditotti/status/1351631284255252483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a>
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<p id="UZlcEe">At seemingly every turn, if Spezia weren't struggling to clear the ball, miss-hitting passes in their own area or generally looking out of sorts defensively, Roma were bursting through their ranks and whipping balls into the area with little resistance. Spezia were doing all they could to invite Roma back into the game but the Giallorossi simply couldn't take advantage. </p>
<p id="udFrZO">Things started to tick up as we crept towards the half-hour mark as Lorenzo Pellegrini had two great looks at goal: a left-footed curler that sailed just wide of the mark and a wonderfully struck 25-yarder that forced Krapikas into a stretched save. Borja Mayoral had a clean look of his own, getting on the end of a Bruno Peres cross into the box, which was precipitated by a <em>perfect </em>long ball from Cristante in midfield, but Borja found little more than the side netting with his effort. </p>
<p id="qfMGho">With five minutes left to play, it seemed like Roma would head into the locker room with their tails tucked between their legs but they caught a big break in the 43rd minute when Pellegrini was fed into the box by Pedro, only to be taken down by Ardian Ismajli. Roma's captain converted the penalty after faking out Krapikas with a little pigeon hope before firing the ball into the back of the net.</p>
<p id="CXlaRH">A little salvation but Roma still got the short end of the stick in the first half.</p>
<h2 id="xdwh34">Second Half</h2>
<p id="mEYhJQ">Despite the doom and gloom of the first half, Spezia, in no way, shape or form, looked capable of preserving a 2-1 lead. With precious little speed or size up front and an almost utter lack of composure at the back, it was only a matter of time before their luck ran out.</p>
<p id="Ca85i5">But...they nearly stole a third goal early in the half when Giulio Maggiore got loose on a give and go at the edge of the area, only to be taken down by Gianluca Mancini. It was a good, technical foul from Mancini as he stopped Maggiore from getting a one-v-one on Lopez and Roma were lucky that Spezia completely bungled the ensuing free-kick, firing it right at Lopez for an easy save. </p>
<p id="ptNL55">Sensing blood in the water, Roma ratcheted up the pressure on their overmatched opponents, bursting down the flanks and firing cross after cross into the area. The problem, quite simply, was that the corresponding runs into the box were a split second too late or too early, particularly when Mayoral overran a left-to-right low cross from Mkhitaryan and tried to haphazardly backheel the ball into the goal as he overran the pass.</p>
<p id="vThbEp">Mayoral left another chance begging in the 68th minute when Pedro played the ball across the face of goal, leaving Mayoral with no one to beat but the keeper, but his shot—which was practically on the doorstep of the goal—sailed over the crossbar.</p>
<p id="CKE08n">Fonseca would make his first changes a minute later: Rick Karsdorp and Jordan Veretout on for Spinazzola and Villar, respectively. While they didn't factor immediately, Roma's patience was soon rewarded.</p>
<h3 id="Od7WyJ">Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 73rd Minute (Roma 2, Spezia 2)</h3>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">Mkhitaryan juega a otro ritmo. Y tiene otra calidad. <a href="https://t.co/rgQpbKJtDC">pic.twitter.com/rgQpbKJtDC</a></p>— Maxi Friggieri (@MaxiFriggieri) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxiFriggieri/status/1351647991912931329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a>
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<p id="d643FO">Unfortunately, you can't see the roots of this goal in the clip, but suffice it to say, it was a deserved goal from Roma and typified Spezia's struggles in the match. Struggling to clear their area, Spezia's defense played the ball back to the keeper to seek some momentary relief from Roma's pressing, only to see Krapikas play it straight back to the same defender, who was practically trapped in the corner. As a result, the ball quickly swung back to Roma, eventually falling to Mkhitaryan for this lovely chipped effort. </p>
<p id="cYY5kd">With the prospect of 30 minutes of added time and potentially a penalty shoot out, Fonseca continued to make attacking changes, swapping out Mkhitaryan for Carles Pérez in the 85th minute. Mayoral would add another miss to his stat pack in the 86th minute, once again firing wide on a clear-cut chance.</p>
<p id="WmLrUL">Thanks to a gaggle of substitutions and a few clattering challenges, the match officials added five minutes of stoppage time to this match before it inevitably headed to extra time—though Spezia almost stole it at the death when teenager Roberto Piccoli forced Lopez into a diving save in the 94th minute. </p>
<h2 id="U5zpEo">Extra Time</h2>
<p id="NiA5T2">To the surprise of absolutely no one, Fonseca started extra time by swapping out Mayoral, who could have had at least two goals, for Edin Dzeko. And I wish I could say that was the storyline of extra time.</p>
<p id="FUxGv2">In the 91st minute, Gianluca Mancini was booked for the second time and was sent off for accumulated yellows. Not good, but those kinds of things happen. But things got so, so, so much worse 60 seconds later.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Collapsed<a href="https://t.co/MBI66SAp0z">pic.twitter.com/MBI66SAp0z</a></p>— (@Ahmed94_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ahmed94_/status/1351657327154388995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a>
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<p id="FUdOO7">With Spezia mounting a rare rush at goal, Pau Lopez came way off his line to the edge of the box in an attempt to prevent Piccoli from getting onto a loose ball, but rather than dispossessing the ball, Lopez nearly kicked Piccoli in the face and was shown a straight red, with his only saving grace being that the foul didn't occur in the box.</p>
<p id="yxFVT4">To recap: two red cards in less than 60 seconds, Roma down two men with Daniel Fuzato in goal—his first competitive match since Round 38 against <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> late last summer. I'd say this was a classic Roma Happened moment, but I've literally never seen this in my almost decade covering the club. (And, per reports during the match, even if Roma won the game they wouldn't have advanced as they illegally made six subs after Lopez's ejection.)</p>
<p id="AUVGQm">Despite going down two men, despite all the misses and despite <em>everything </em>that went wrong tonight, Roma were lucky to be facing a club as powerless as Spezia. Through the first 100 minutes of the match, Spezia weren't really worthy of praise, having been the recipient of two bits of good luck—the penalty early in the first half and Kumbulla's poor clearance—but their two-man advantage eventually proved too much for Roma to combat.</p>
<h3 id="cAB7j6">Daniele Verde: 107th Minute (Roma 2, Spezia 3)</h3>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">G⚽L DE SPEZIA‼️<br> Verde ⏱️107'<br>Roma 2️⃣ 3️⃣ Spezia<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerieA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SerieA</a> <br>SUSCRÍBITE ✅ a nuestro canal de Telegram y mira todos los goles cuando quieras ⤵️<a href="https://t.co/GyJSTUmTqy">https://t.co/GyJSTUmTqy</a><a href="https://t.co/iJHbsOpPFB">pic.twitter.com/iJHbsOpPFB</a></p>— El forastero deportivo (@ElForastero1982) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElForastero1982/status/1351662859034488833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a>
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<p id="egpCKr">This was almost like an NHL powerplay, with Spezia just linking passes together around the edge of the area, simply biding time until they found the perfect shot, which they eventually did as Daniele Verde ran onto a hanging cross before heading it past a helpless Fuzato.</p>
<p id="7qaNBl">That was the match-winner—a headed ball from a diminutive former Roma castoff—and if that didn't’ take the wind out of Roma's sails, Saponara added this beauty for good measure.</p>
<h3 id="anmw3Y">Ricardo Saponara: 119th Minute (Roma 2, Spezia 4)</h3>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">G⚽L DE SPEZIA‼️<br> Saponara (2) ⏱️119'<br>Roma 2️⃣ 4️⃣ Spezia<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerieA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SerieA</a> <br>SUSCRÍBITE ✅ a nuestro canal de Telegram y mira todos los goles cuando quieras ⤵️<a href="https://t.co/GyJSTUmTqy">https://t.co/GyJSTUmTqy</a><a href="https://t.co/0B4WRv7FDc">pic.twitter.com/0B4WRv7FDc</a></p>— El forastero deportivo (@ElForastero1982) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElForastero1982/status/1351663769215238145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a>
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<p id="WVh0xE">Sometimes you just have to tip your cap. That was a perfect ending to the evening for Spezia.</p>
<h2 id="tX3jDx">Final Thoughts</h2>
<p id="5gpyTo">That'll do, pig. That'll do. </p>
<h2 id="Gw1sXZ">Up Next</h2>
<p id="HnWNqH">Spezia...again. On Saturday at the Olimpico.</p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/20/22239324/roma-spezia-match-reviewbren2021-01-19T20:15:56+01:002021-01-19T20:15:56+01:00Roma vs. Spezia: Lineups & Game Thread
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<img alt="AS Roma v Sassuolo Calcio - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Bu4xAXJQzFHdj8vI3ngtdRmi2XU=/0x0:1005x670/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68690065/1229979633.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It's Coppa Italia time. Can Roma exact revenge on Spezia?</p> <p id="HdppZw">Roma's quest for their 10th Coppa Italia gets underway today as the Giallorossi welcome Spezia to the Stadio Olimpico. And, as we all know, these two clubs have only met once before in their almost 200 years of shared existence: in the 2015 Coppa Italia. On that dark day, Roma was held in check by Spezia, with the then Serie B side forcing extra time before defeating Roma 4-2 on penalties.</p>
<p id="etJl7b">It was a shocking defeat for many reasons and was ultimately the beginning of the end for Rudi Garcia, whose near three-year reign in Roma came to an end less than a month after that defeat.</p>
<aside id="nkdOoD"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"How to Watch Roma vs. Spezia: TV and Streaming Options","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/roma-matchday-coverage/2021/1/19/22237979/how-to-watch-roma-vs-spezia-tv-and-streaming-options"},{"title":"Roma Kick Off Coppa Italia Quest Against Spezia","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/18/22235794/roma-spezia-match-preview"}]}'></div></aside><p id="xBpXvN">Five years is ancient history in the sport of football, but it would still be nice to see Roma exact a bit of revenge on Spezia.</p>
<p id="mla0tk">The lineups are in, let's get down to business!</p>
<h2 id="x3GgeL">Lineups</h2>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="it" dir="ltr"> <br><br>Ecco la nostra formazione per <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RomaSpezia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RomaSpezia</a> di <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoppaItalia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoppaItalia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASRoma</a> <a href="https://t.co/uOe2GmSims">pic.twitter.com/uOe2GmSims</a></p>— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/1351609161365278725?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="h06rVe"></p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/19/22238931/roma-vs-spezia-lineups-game-threadbren2021-01-19T14:00:00+01:002021-01-19T14:00:00+01:00How to Watch Roma vs. Spezia: TV and Streaming Options
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<img alt="FC Crotone v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bwauA5oOi1djcy58msoJ7Cv9Rpo=/0x0:939x626/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68687927/1230448190.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Viewing options for Tuesday's Coppa Italia match against Spezia</p> <h3 id="HS9R7c">MATCH INFO</h3>
<p id="GlsyV1"><strong>Location: </strong>Stadio Olimpico, Roma</p>
<p id="es5LaA"><strong>Kick-off time:</strong> January 19th, 21:15 CET/3:15 EST</p>
<h3 id="pmqbq5">WATCH IT</h3>
<p id="jGpfeb"><strong>United States</strong>: ESPN +</p>
<p id="LkEyMB"><strong>Canada</strong>: DAZN</p>
<p id="DTVd7E"><strong>UK</strong>: BTSport.com, BT Sport App, BT Sport ESPN</p>
<p id="N8QIat">If you live in the United States, you can watch on <a href="http://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/482924/535100/9070?sharedid=ChieseaDiTotti">ESPN+</a> (affiliate link) and we get a portion of the subscription if you use this link.</p>
<p id="Oj0XeG">If you live elsewhere in the world, there are plenty more viewing options <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3868395/roma-vs-spezia/"><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/roma-matchday-coverage/2021/1/19/22237979/how-to-watch-roma-vs-spezia-tv-and-streaming-optionsbren2021-01-18T22:03:09+01:002021-01-18T22:03:09+01:00Across the Romaverse Podcast, #24: Derby Wrap, Coppa Italia Preview & More
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<img alt="AS Roma v AC Spezia - TIM Cup" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X5DtsrIB6SRgpbu7T6G6awx7XFA=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68685885/501559438.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We put a brief wrap on the Derby della Capitale before looking ahead to Tuesday’s Coppa Match Up with Spezia.</p> <p id="w7sBOO">Normally on ATR we like to take a deep dive into Roma’s glorious victories, hard-fought draws, and even the tough defeats. However, with the way Friday’s Derby della Capitale unraveled, Roma left us at a loss for words in many ways. So, instead of dwelling on the derby debacle, we briefly discuss the match before looking ahead to Tuesday’s Coppa Italia match against Spezia. </p>
<p id="djsPfY">As you may recall, Roma and Spezia have only played once before, in the 2015 Coppa Italia, a match Roma lost on penalties. In this episode, we reflect on that match and some of Roma's other 2000s Coppa high points. </p>
<div id="J2T5IQ"><iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=VMP9258652471" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<p id="5SIS3A">You can also listen and subscribe on the following platforms:</p>
<ul>
<li id="by9czY"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chiesa-di-totti-for-as-roma-fans/id1533825599"><strong>iTunes</strong></a></li>
<li id="ipUBld"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0zGBgWoRuntC6vHX7Ap3U0"><strong>Spotify</strong></a></li>
<li id="FCsH4b"><a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/chiesa-di-totti-for-as-roma-fans"><strong>Stitcher</strong></a></li>
<li id="RwyRrc"><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vY2hpZXNhLWRpLXRvdHRp"><strong>Google</strong></a></li>
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<p id="NX3xEN"></p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/18/22237508/across-the-romaverse-podcast-24-derby-wrap-coppa-italia-preview-moressciavillo2021-01-18T21:35:18+01:002021-01-18T21:35:18+01:00Coppa Italia Probable Formations: Roma vs Spezia
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<img alt="FC Crotone v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XY0tPsLZWM3BzVPBDmC5a4syh_8=/0x0:1192x795/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68685757/1230467667.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Giallorossi will square off against Aquilotti twice in four days, so expect some turnover after Friday’s derby embarrassment. </p> <p id="Syfh2P">After being humbled by its heavy derby defeat to Lazio on Friday, Roma must bounce back in the Coppa Italia or risk being eliminated from the competition for the second time in five years to Spezia. On paper, Roma is favored but if there’s anything history can tell us, is it’s to not underestimate smaller sides in cup competitions. And for Roma, there is a bit of unfamiliarity with Spezia, as the Aquilotti are the only side the Giallorossi haven’t play thus far in league competition—that will happen on Saturday. </p>
<p id="qbPLDz">It’ll be interesting to see how Fonseca’s side approaches this match after Lazio ran roughshod over the Giallorossi on Friday. However, one thing is for certain, there should be ample turnover in Fonseca’s squad. A cup competition against Spezia was likely always bringing some changes, but the heavy defeat will likely prompt Fonseca to make just a couple more. </p>
<p id="dbqoeJ">One player who likely won’t be changed is goalkeeper Pau Lopez. Antonio Mirante remains out, while Daniel Fuzato has only recently returned from his failed loan spell in Portugal. Therefore, this match will give the Spaniard another chance to lock down Roma’s starting job. </p>
<p id="a4C5eC">In front of Lopez, Gianluca Mancini is the only member of the back three guaranteed to retain his place. Mancini will be suspended for yellow card accumulations on Sunday, so expect to see him in the cup. Meanwhile, Roger Ibañez will be replaced by Max Kumbulla, after a horror show performance against Lazio. Chris Smalling’s fitness was questionable heading into Friday’s match, so don’t be surprised if Federico Fazio spells him in this one. </p>
<p id="UHHeLC">Moving forward, in the central midfield, both Gonzalo Villar and Jordan Veretout should be rested. If so, they’d be replaced by Bryan Cristante and Amadou Diawara. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Veretout rather than Diawara considering the Guinean’s poor form this season and the fact Veretout only played 45 minutes against Lazio. On the wings, Leonardo Spinazzola will retain his place on the left as he continues to work back to full match fitness. Meanwhile, Bruno Peres will spell Rick Karsdorp on the right. </p>
<p id="uxbmvS">Henrikh Mkhitaryan could finally get a bit of rest ahead of this match. The Armenian has played a ton of minutes so far for Roma and the Giallorossi would be wise to rest him. He and Lorenzo Pellegrini should be replaced by Pedro and Carles Pérez in the attacking midfield. Rounding out the starting XI will be Borja Mayoral, who will replace Edin Dzeko at striker, giving the attack a real Spanish flavor. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6boXMwEkam9KhoJnNfic7QSDVoQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22242874/2950DCD4_65CF_4DD1_A85B_099445CA4DE1.png">
<cite>createformation.com</cite>
<figcaption>CDT Projected XI v Spezia (Coppa Italia)</figcaption>
</figure>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/18/22236839/roma-spezia-coppa-italia-probable-formationsssciavillo2021-01-18T16:04:15+01:002021-01-18T16:04:15+01:00Roma Kick Off Coppa Italia Quest Against Spezia
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<img alt="AS Roma v AC Spezia - TIM Cup" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_np9R3aAoIamjPNXM_oDceMYems=/0x0:3926x2617/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68684386/525112508.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Things didn't go so hot the last time Roma played Spezia in the cup. Will history repeat itself or can the Giallorossi make quick work of Spezia?</p> <p id="GR6fpU">Despite having a combined history of 199 years, <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">AS Roma</a> and Spezia Calcio have shared the pitch just once over those almost two centuries of shared existence. On December 16, 2015, Roma, just as they will tomorrow, welcomed Spezia, who were in Serie B at the time, to the Stadio Olimpico for a Coppa Italia fixture. On that early winter evening, Rudi Garcia rolled out a lineup featuring Mohamed Salah, Edin Dzeko. Miralem Pjanic, Antonio Rüdiger, and Emerson Palmieri. Despite that star-studded starting lineup, Roma couldn't crack the Spezia defense and eventually fell to their visitors 4-2 in a penalty shootout.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="PHztY9">
<p id="MySqBq"><strong>Roma vs. Spezia</strong>: January 19th. 21:15 CET/3:15 EST. Stadio Olimpico, Roma.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ooAJEJ">
<p id="ONJEYN">For Garcia, it was perhaps the lowest of lows, as this ignominious defeat was the unofficial end of all the goodwill he engendered over the previous two seasons. The 10-0 start, the camaraderie with his players, the violin GIF; all of that was rendered moot by this defeat, which ultimately proved to be Garcia's undoing as he was sacked less than a month after this match.</p>
<p id="Tzop0U">While I wouldn't dare say that Paulo Fonseca is in the same boat yet, there are some parallels worth noting, or, at the very least, might appeal to the extreme skeptics among us. Fonseca, much like Garcia before him, was a bit of an odd hire for Roma, if for no other reason than he wasn't Italian and/or cut his coaching teeth in Serie A. Fonseca, much like Garcia before him, eschewed traditional wisdom to experience a bit of success in the capital. And Fonseca, much like Garcia before him, experienced wild swings in the press, alternatively being hailed as a paradigm-shifting genius or simply a mediocre coach who caught a bit of luck.</p>
<p id="zSH6Mi">The analogy isn't perfect—Garcia was in the middle of his third season with the club, where Fonseca is only in his second—but with bettors in Roma already speculating on possible Fonseca replacements in the wake of the 3-0 derby defeat, one can't help but notice the coincidences as a possibly embattled coach embarks on a Coppa Italia fixture against Spezia. </p>
<p id="yL9Vez">So, let's take a quick look at how Fonseca might avoid a similar fate against the Little Eagles.</p>
<h2 id="oj9DJC">Spezia: Stats & Stuff</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Spezia’s French striker M’Bala Nzola looks on during the..." data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8EXEIXBMLYWjgpGMy3UEhvhvohk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22242954/1230467308.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Antonio Balasco/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="4jVkOL">Spezia, who make their home in Liguria in the Northwestern corner of Italy, gained promotion to Serie A for the first time in their 105 year existence this year after defeating Chievo and Frosinone in the promotion playoffs last year. And with 18 points through 18 matches, it's safe to say their promotion has been a rousing success thus far.</p>
<p id="idxusN">Fueled by a breakout campaign from French forward Mbala N'Zola, who has found the back of the net nine times already, Spezia's attack has been decidedly mediocre—a monumental accomplishment for a club tasting the top flight for the first time. With 23 goals scored, Spezia are tied for 10th league-wide and have actually outperformed their xG total thus far, while their shots on target, goals per shot, and goal-creating actions are all similarly midtable(ish). </p>
<p id="DpijRP">Out of context, there's nothing terribly overwhelming about that, but when you consider that this is their first season in the top flight, that's actually quite impressive. However, as one might expect, their defensive numbers are practically a perfect inverse. Through 18 league matches, Spezia have conceded 32 goals, the fourth-most in the league, while they're surrendering 0.14 goals per shot, the second-worst mark in the league. </p>
<p id="Cq302I">In some ways, Spezia are your classic newly promoted team: they give away goals like a cheap hardware store passes out shoddy tape measures but they have enough punch to surprise you, meaning an upset is always on the cards. </p>
<h2 id="0ioUCS">Roma: Looking for a Rebound</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Lazio v AS Roma - Italian Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kuUMbk9IIxwsxxA78V5JTkDm3pI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22240055/1230605121.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Claudio Pasquazi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="Rvz4IP">If we told you way back in September that, after 18 rounds of play, Roma would be seated in third place <em>ahead </em>of Napoli, <em>ahead </em>of <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> and <em>ahead </em>of Atalanta, you probably would have jumped for joy...in a responsible, socially-distanced manner, of course. And while it may feel like Roma are struggling, we have to face facts: Fonseca has this team in third place. </p>
<p id="EsQIpn">So why, then, does it feel like we're on the brink of disaster again? Is it because the club always tends to tank in the winter months? Does it have something to do with Edin Dzeko and <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/17/22234689/o-captain-where-art-thou-a-reason-for-dzekos-disappearance">his increasingly incongruent performances</a>? Do the nature of their struggles (a 4-1 undoing by Atalanta and a 3-0 derby disaster against Lazio) make things seem bleaker than they actually are? Or do Roma fans always think the sky is falling? (Don't answer that last one).</p>
<p id="4v5b8T">Whatever the case may be, one can't help but feel we're at another inflection point. Roma's struggles against the top clubs are well documented and <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/12/9/22163743/roma-record-top-clubs-serie-a">their continued struggles against those “big six”</a>, as we've come to call them, means Fonseca has practically no room for error against the remaining 13 clubs in the league, Spezia included.</p>
<p id="XIB6uB">All of which makes tomorrow's Coppa Italia tilt, as well as their league match against this same Spezia side later in the week, a chance for Roma to silence the doubters. And in some ways, the manner in which Roma wins is more important than actually winning. If Roma struggle tomorrow (or on Saturday for that matter) and barely scrape by Spezia, will that silence the rising chatter from critics?</p>
<p id="FwNzQq">Despite being in third place, make no mistake: the heat is on Paulo Fonseca. Roma <em>needs </em>to finish in the top four; no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Putting together a two-for-two clean sweep of Spezia could go a long way towards restoring Roma's confidence after two crushing defeats over the past month. </p>
<p id="8afk9X">But, if Roma struggles or, dare I say it, loses either of these matches, Fonseca may want to call Garcia for some comforting words. </p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2021/1/18/22235794/roma-spezia-match-previewbren