Chiesa Di Totti - Serie A 2021-2022, Matchday 37: Roma vs. VeneziaCautiously Optimistic Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48469/totti-fave.png2022-05-15T14:00:00+02:00http://www.chiesaditotti.com/rss/stream/228368602022-05-15T14:00:00+02:002022-05-15T14:00:00+02:00Sinners & Saints: Roma 1, Venezia 1
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g1ZGahqESpSNYNApf4moE1Lt2HM=/0x133:2050x1500/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70871222/1397245798.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With 46 attempts on goal, Roma could have conceivably scored at least 10 goals, but they struggled mightily to breakdown a compact 10-man Venezia defense. But there were still a few bright spots—if you looked hard enough. </p> <p class="p--has-dropcap" id="NWXoQn">After a one-week hiatus, Sinners & Saints, our post-match player rating series, returns. And what a return it was. In all my years of covering <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">AS Roma</a>, I'm not sure I've ever seen a match <em>quite </em>like yesterday's dispiriting 1-1 draw against freshly-relegated Venezia. They may sport the best kits in the league, but with 25 points and a -35 goal differential through their first 36 matches, Venezia didn't exactly impress <em>on </em>the pitch this season—except against our beloved Roma, who they defeated 3-2 back in the fall before stifling the Giallorossi attack yesterday despite playing a man down for over an hour.</p>
<p id="IVigmj">With an incredible 46 shots on goal, Roma could have conceivably cracked double-digits last night, but thanks to some poor marksmanship, a few well-placed blocked shots, and <em>four </em>attempts striking the woodwork, the Giallorossi might as well have left the Stadio Olimpico empty-handed, as the one solitary point they scraped away from dead-last Venezia does little to aid their Europa League hopes for next season—win, lose, or draw against <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> and Lazio will still have a two-point advantage over Roma as we head into next week's season finale.</p>
<p id="IHsxY7">Considering how lopsided this match was from a statistical perspective, we'll have to take today's ratings with a grain of salt. Not only did Roma fire 46 shots at Venezia, but they also strung together 548 passes (more than double Venezia), while winning 20 corners and holding 69% possession. </p>
<p id="gtTm62">In that light, our usual numbers-based approach to this series will be a bit skewed, so we'll just have to grin and bear it for a week. However, on the balance of things, the players who typically played well did, and those who typically don't...didn't </p>
<p id="2QOFEA">Okay, onto the madness!</p>
<h1 id="uJmxxe">The Saints</h1>
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XiBiTYOaR6IsukJyLumKQS4Io9U=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23468047/1397255583.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</cite>
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<h3 id="Nt6Fdv">Lorenzo Pellegrini</h3>
<p id="S1BP8m">Someone get this man an ice pack! Not only did Pellegrini take a swift kick to his man bits courtesy of Sofian Kiyine, but Roma's captain also took 80 touches, attempted 17 crosses, fired 11 shots on goal, chipped in six key passes, engaged in 11 duels, played 17 balls into the final third and covered nearly 12 kilometers on the pitch. Any way you slice it, Pellegrini had an incredibly busy evening at work, and had either one of his free-kick clangers been a few inches lower, he walks off the pitch an exhausted but conquering hero.</p>
<h3 id="0gehhh">Bryan Cristante</h3>
<p id="gWYpRs">Not to be outdone by his Azzurri teammate, Cristante was arguably the busiest and most effective player on the pitch last night, turning in match-high performances in the following categories: kilometers covered, touches, passes attempted, passes completed, chances created, balls into the final third, accurate long balls, and accurate cross percentage. Mourinho has definitely gotten the best out of a player who was a regular resident in the fan's doghouse last season—and really throughout his Eternal City tenure. </p>
<h3 id="6SkMEZ">Chris Smalling</h3>
<p id="IGRgBP">Smalling didn't take part in Roma's shot parade, but the veteran defender was his usual classy self: 90% passing, 89% duel success rate, two clearances, two blocked shots, one interception, four tackles, and a game-high 10 recoveries. He's certainly aging gracefully and Roma have been the better for it. </p>
<h3 id="Ac0J9C">Eldor Shomurodov</h3>
<p id="or1qFC">We've given him a lot of grief this season, but the 26-year-old forward made the most of his half-hour run last night, pumping five shots on goal, putting two on target, creating two scoring chances, and, of course, scoring Roma's lone goal on the evening. </p>
<h3 id="64OClp">Stephan El Shaarawy</h3>
<p id="lblafS">A second-half sub, El Shaarawy wasted little time asserting himself in yesterday's match. In only 45 minutes, SES fired seven shots at Niki Mäenpää, putting three on target and almost winning the match on a goal-line scrum before he was denied by Venezia's Finnish keeper, who turned in a <em>perfect 10</em> match rating from both WhoScored and SofaScore. In addition to his attempts on goal, SES added six key passes, one dribble, and five accurate long balls to the mix.</p>
<h3 id="CNXZwk">Nicola Zalewski</h3>
<p id="nQ3XHM">There's every chance that, when Mourinho's time in Rome is done, his work with Zalewski could be his greatest gift to the club. The 20-year-old Polish winger/wing-back provided an instant jolt of energy when he joined El Shaarawy as a second-half sub. In 45 minutes, Roma's other NZ attempted five shots, putting two on target (including one that hit the woodwork) while setting up three scoring chances for his teammates. Zalewski also added two interceptions and two tackles for good measure. </p>
<h1 id="TpvrbI">The Sinners</h1>
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JE7WUxZjzSCFG4QjmiiDtgnnquY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23468052/1397241404.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images</cite>
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<h3 id="ZR59Il">Roger Ibañez</h3>
<p id="E5wOD2">The young Brazilian defender's up and down season continued last night, with more down notes than bright spots. Statistically speaking, there wasn't much to write home about in either direction but his defending on Venezia's first-minute goal was a moment to forget for the 23-year-old, who was caught ball watching as David Okereke walked right in front of him to score after only 46 seconds. </p>
<p id="4WxFQ5">And even if he managed to push Okereke off his path, this next man didn't help Roma's cause much either...</p>
<h3 id="rt7995">Ainsley Maitland-Niles</h3>
<p id="B8dJeP">Had that ball run past Okereke and found its way to the back post, thanks to Maitland-Niles’ own lax defending, Ridgeciano Haps would have had perhaps an even easier tap-in goal. Apart from that hiccup, AMN managed little more than completing 16 of his 18 pass attempts, going 0-3 on crosses, and engaging in only three duels, winning just one. It's probably safe to say that his Roma career will end 10 days from now after the club's Conference League finale against Feyenoord, but given his versatility and athleticism, it was still a good risk to take—shame it hasn't worked out. </p>
<h3 id="UtEhsW">Marash Kumbulla</h3>
<p id="sdxle1">A classic S&S sin of omission, Kumbulla avoided a costly Ibañez-like error last night, but he failed to make a mark against Venezia, clearing only one ball in 45 minutes while failing to register a single tackle, block, or interception. On the whole, he's had a solid season, so let's hope he can finish it on a high note over the next two weeks, particularly in the Conference League finale in his native Albania (yes, I know he was actually born in Italy).</p>
<h1 id="YvbGEw">Stuck In Between</h1>
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i7xqD6nBGDoCbBeJDOpatWdAb50=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23468054/1397256333.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="VwlLVi">It's hard to imagine in a match as statistically lopsided as this that we'd have anyone stuck in post-match purgatory, but these players neither stood out nor shrunk from the moment last night.</p>
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<li id="5SgghL">
<strong>Tammy Abraham:</strong> With only three shots on goal, he didn't really get in the flow of the match last night, particularly when you consider Roma managed a shot every other minute. He's carried a heavy load this season and given yesterday's results, don't be shocked if he gets a breather ahead of the UECL finale on the 25th.</li>
<li id="Cpxky0">
<strong>Carles Pérez: </strong>With seven shots and two key passes, he was arguably Roma's most dangerous player in the first half but his performance waned throughout the second half before he was subbed off in the 82nd minute.</li>
<li id="7zu7al">
<strong>Jordan Veretout</strong>: The soon-to-be former Roma midfielder completed a crisp 88% of his passes last night, put one attempt on goal, chipped in one key pass, and hit on six of seven long passes. </li>
<li id="jrDikc">
<strong>Rick Karsdorp: </strong>Fresh off his first Netherlands National Team call-up in five years, Karsdorp started from the bench last night, coming on to start the second half and managed one key pass and two interceptions in 45 minutes. </li>
<li id="hSrGhp">
<strong>Cristian Volpato:</strong> A late sub, the Aussie-Italian hybrid only saw the ball a handful of times but did manage one key pass. </li>
<li id="UrxVwj">
<strong>Rui Patricio: </strong>He faced only four total shots and was more or less hung out to dry on Venezia's goal thanks to Ibañez's poor marking in the box.</li>
<li id="17zR48">
<strong>Leonardo Spinazzola</strong>: It was just great to see him out there again, wasn't it? In his 45-minute run, Spinazzola had two shots on goal, completed 76% of his passes, had two successful dribbles, and completed two of four crosses. </li>
</ul>
<p id="i3vCkQ">With only two matches remaining, let's hope for nothing but halos from here on out and look for our first-ever season-encompassing S&S after the season! </p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/5/15/23073093/roma-1-venezia-1-player-ratingsbren2022-05-15T01:30:00+02:002022-05-15T01:30:00+02:00Roma 1, Venezia 1: Match Highlights
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NNnYtKa4C6QVgmIdm0dYVnV9WRk=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70870224/1397253084.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Roma drop points to Serie-B bound Venezia in the Giallorossi’s home finale.</p> <p id="TXkQHc">Well, at the very least, you can say that was about as exciting as a 1-1 draw can get. In what was <em>The Princess Bride’s</em> equivalent of a soccer match, <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma</a>’s home finale had it all: an early goal, the return of Leonardo Spinazzola to the starting lineup, red cards, shots off the crossbar—you get the picture. And while you would’ve expected Roma to come away with all three points prior to kickoff—particularly in the context of Venezia’s relegation being confirmed earlier in the day by virtue of Salernita’s draw with Empoli—it wasn’t to be, as the Giallorossi were held to a single goal on a whooping 46 shot attempts.</p>
<p id="VtkZKc">It didn’t take long for the action to kick off in this one, as Roma’s old nemesis, an early goal for the opponent, reared its ugly head once again, this time in the first minute. Surely as Romanisti at the match were still filing into their seats, Mattia Aramu found himself in possession at the top of the box, with all the time in the world at his disposal. A pinpoint cross into the box a moment later and Venezia found themselves in the lead courtesy of a glancing header from David Okereke. Given Roma’s struggles in climbing out of early deficits this season, you certainly knew this would now be an uphill climb for the Giallorossi—even with Venezia having nothing to play for.</p>
<p id="jMRf38">To their credit, the visitors did their best to make things easier for Roma, as Venezia midfielder Sofian Kiyine got himself sent off in the 32nd minute for a kick on Lorenzo Pellegrini that can only be described as both extremely painful and one that’d make <em>The League’s</em> Rafi squeal in delight. </p>
<p id="usqHeU">With almost 60 minutes at their disposal to overturn the deficit and ultimately go on to claim all three points, Roma threw everything <em>and </em>the kitchen sink at Venezia. But as is so often the case for this team when they concede early, they found themselves unable to break down a stubborn Venezia defense, despite the man advantage and several attempts off the woodwork—Pellegrini himself the unfortunate victim of having <em>two</em> of his free-kick attempts hitting the crossbar.</p>
<p id="gkXea4">With time dwindling down and Roma running out of options off the bench, it was the often criticized Eldor Shomurodov who came in to save the day, first with a lovely flick onto Pellegrini to send the Roma captain in on goal, and then to be in the right place for the rebound off of Pellegrini’s saved attempt, allowing Eldor to bury the equalizer home.</p>
<p id="Yj4jFZ">With fifteen minutes plus stoppage time left to get a second goal, you would've felt confident in Roma securing all three points on the evening, but it wasn't to be as the Giallorossi just weren’t clinical enough on the evening—the game finishing all square. And while the stadium seemed primed to celebrate at the onset of the match, the mood had grown somber by the end of it—the players themselves seeming crestfallen to the point that you’d have thought they lost the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> Final. So while the result leaves a sour taste in the mouth, it is wonderful to see just how much these players care about this club.</p>
<p id="GBDzHw">In case you missed any of the action, enjoy the highlights below. If you want a deeper look, here is the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtOtIe5LKAQ"><strong>extended highlight package</strong></a>.</p>
<div id="BsJpFd"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tGPOd_bldaE?rel=0&list=PLFTjYT0jsEKwfMXStyetJdvaOSH2hUOD3" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;"></iframe></div></div>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/5/15/23073049/roma-1-venezia-1-match-highlightsBSanti2022-05-14T23:01:00+02:002022-05-14T23:01:00+02:00Roma Struggles Mightily Against Serie B-Bound Venezia in 1-1 Draw
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jolh0hWkABE3XcbvGUggjEAzmOo=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70869931/1397247880.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With 46 shots on goal, the chances were there. Roma just couldn't find the back of the net, clanging four shots off the woodwork in a frustrating draw against newly-relegated Venezia.</p> <p id="kxHOPx">With 36 league matches in the books (plus over a dozen Conference League contests), we thought José Mourinho ran out of ways to surprise Roma fans, but we were wrong—so very wrong. With a spot in next season's Europa League still on the line, Mourinho decided not to play things safe, making a few key changes to his lineup, including one <em>dramatic </em>change: the return of Leonardo Spinazzola, who made his first start for the Giallorossi since <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma's</a> Europa League semifinal defeat against <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com">Manchester United</a> on April 29, 2021. </p>
<p id="3ddHUf">Lining up alongside Spinazzola, who made his first appearance of the season last week against <a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a> after tearing his Achilles tendon at last summer's Euros, were fellow seldom-seen faces Carles Pérez and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The remainder of Mourinho's lineup was (nearly) business as usual: Marash Kumbulla, Chris Smalling, and Roger Ibañez at the back, Bryan Cristante and Jordan Veretout in midfield with Tammy Abraham and Lorenzo Pellegrini rounding out the attack—four changes in total from last weekend's disaster against Fiorentina. </p>
<p id="6ft1sd">Facing this quasi new-look Roma was everyone's favorite fashion-forward club, Venezia, who earlier in the day learned they were officially relegated back to Serie B after Salernitana drew Empoli 1-1 on the road. And greeting these two sides were tens of thousands of Giallorossi fans who were in full voice as the club took the pitch at the Olimpico for the final time this season.</p>
<p id="TAiSRE">Despite the raucous atmosphere and all that the club had at stake, Roma capitulated to their newly-relegated opponents after only 46 seconds as Ridgeciano Haps picked up the ball in midfield, and immediately made a man miss before laying the ball off to Mattia Aramu, who then set up David Okereke for an extremely early goal—his second against Roma this season.</p>
<p id="5D93CR">Shocked and dismayed, Roma immediately got back to work, trying in vain to funnel the ball down the left flank through Spinazzola and Veretout, neither of whom could make a dent in the surprisingly spry Venezia backline. </p>
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/A9KuPMyK5Z8tN-RDlazzBdb5Ees=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23467833/1397241797.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="xo3RdC">The Giallorossi’s struggles continued as the match approached the quarter-hour mark, with the homeside mustering only two attempts on goal, both of which came off the foot of Cristante, neither of which troubled the keeper—if they were even on target. Roma would catch a small break in the 16th minute when Tammy Abraham won a corner kick after forcing a deflection, but Pellegrini's subsequent in-swinging attempt was turned away without really troubling the Venezia defense. </p>
<p id="RLk68I">Carles Pérez would take matters into his own hands moments later when he cut in from the right flank, drawing a yellow card on Sofian Kiyine and earning a free-kick in the process. The crowd fell silent as Pellegrini stood over the ball, carefully considering his options as he attempted to bring his club back into this match. And considering how effective he's been from setpieces this season, it wasn't hard to get swept up in the moment, all of which made the horrific <em>clang </em>of the ball as it caromed off the crossbar harder to stomach. </p>
<p id="htJwhH">Spinazzola would come excruciatingly close to leveling the match in the 25th minute, cutting in from the left and dragging a shot just wide of the left post, reminding us all of how crucial he is to a properly functioning Roma attack.</p>
<p id="P8VxhE">The Giallorossi caught a massive break in the 32nd minute when, for some reason, Sofian Kiyine decided to kick Pellegrini right in the...umm...digital bits, drawing a red in the process. Roma weren't able to capitalize on the ensuing free-kick, but given how much they'd struggled to unlock Venezia's defense to that point, they needed all the help they could get. </p>
<p id="4mdyGb">Roma would struggle to take immediate advantage of that red card, trying and failing to grab a late first-half equalizer but came <em>awfully </em>close when Carles Pérez tested Venezia keeper Niki Mäenpää off a free-kick at the right edge of the box. It was a well-struck left-footed effort from the Spaniard but Mäenpää simply had too much time to track the flight of the ball and had the near post smothered, making for a rather straightforward save.</p>
<p id="XLkZNc">Thanks to a series of knocks, VAR reviews, and the ball simply going over the touchline repeatedly, the referee tacked on four minutes to close out the first half, but much as they did for the preceding 45, Roma did sweet F.A. with their time on the ball.</p>
<h1 id="FiAEVS">Second Half</h1>
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JOhlwz9P9we3_dQtY8fNj0G3rxs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23467901/1397247851.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="UanxNX">Not one to leave things to chance, Mourinho kicked off the new half with a triple change: Rick Karsdorp on for Maitland-Niles, Nicola Zalewski on for Spinazzola, and Stephan El Sharaawy in place of Kumbulla. Not exactly like-for-like changes across the board, but it did give Roma a slightly more attacking bent—but would it work?</p>
<p id="hGHepX">With a more aggressive look, Roma looked to immediately flex their attacking muscles when Tammy Abraham played Pellegrini into the box, but the late run from Roma's captain was snuffed out by Mäenpää, who seemed to diagnose the play before it unfolded, smothering the ball before Pellegrini could even get a boot on it. </p>
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ADXGqIoeDxSOJoqfgWts5zoGDRU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23467902/1240665694.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="sqYPhF">Speaking of boots. In the 52nd minute, Bryan Cristante launched an absolute howitzer from 20-yards out, blasting the ball off the crossbar, missing an equalizer by maybe four inches. Despite the near-miss, Roma were playing with a greater sense of purpose and aggression than at any point in the first half and knocked on Venezia's door seconds later when Pellegrini forced another save from Mäenpää. </p>
<p id="8tpqaX">Undeterred, Roma would continue to hunt for an equalizer and watched in horror as Pellegrini hit the crossbar <em>again</em>, this time after a beautifully weighted free-kick from 30 yards out clipped the top of the bar, dipping maybe a half-second too late to find the back of the net. </p>
<p id="HyiuGd">With 30 minutes left on the clock, Mourinho went to the bench again, bringing Eldor Shomurodov on for Jordan Veretout, giving the Giallorossi still another attacking option as they desperately tried to chase down Venezia, who were, once again, officially relegated prior to kickoff and were playing with a man down since the 32nd minute—just in case you were wondering how shocking the results were to this point in the match.</p>
<p id="XXfdWE">Roma's frustrations continued to plague them as the match moved past the hour mark, with Tammy Abraham being shoved over from behind without so much as a curious glance from the referee, which was followed up by a loose ball falling right at Pérez's feet, but the speedy winger just couldn't get a shot off in time before the defense collapsed around him.</p>
<p id="MWBB9H">Pérez, Abraham, Pellegrini, and Zalewski each had cracks at Mäenpää's goal as we pushed towards the 75th-minute mark, and each time they came up wanting, either misplacing shots, hitting the crossbar, or being done-in by Mäenpää, who seemingly read every angle and play perfectly.</p>
<p id="lsV6zn">But Roma's luck was about to turn...</p>
<h3 id="NzNwyx">Eldor Shomurodov: 76th Minute (Roma 1, Venezia 1)</h3>
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<p lang="ro" dir="ltr">Eldor Shomurodov <br><br>Roma find the equalizer against 10 man Venezia <a href="https://t.co/10Pz3nLjxL">pic.twitter.com/10Pz3nLjxL</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1525573081510514688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2022</a>
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<p id="y8UBJz">But Roma would <em>finally </em>catch a break in the 76th minute when Pellegrini broke into the box, pulling Mäenpää off his line. While Pellegrini's toe-poke couldn't quite get over Mäenpää, it did produce a meaty rebound that fell right to Shomurodov, who buried it in the back of the net to level the match at one goal apiece with roughly 15 minutes remaining. </p>
<p id="9Te8SS">With the match winding down, Mourinho went to the bench one final time bringing on Christian Volpato in place of Carles Pérez, who wasn't able to match his efforts from the first half but nevertheless put in a lot of hard running for Roma on the night. </p>
<p id="mO3UBo">In keeping with the theme of the evening, Roma's best chances down the stretch came via the setpiece, particularly in the 88th minute when Zalewski floated a corner kick to Smalling at the far right post, only to see the Englishman's efforts go wide of the mark.</p>
<p id="vxMdEm">Zalewski would make his presence felt once more, cutting in from the left and rifling a shot at the near post, striking the very corner of the goal frame and watching the ball drop straight down on the goal line—the refs didn't give it a second look, ruling that it fell outside of the goal.</p>
<p id="0uLrSN">Roma would continue to press the issue deep in the match with Cristante and Shomurodov each coming excruciatingly close to grabbing a late match-winner, only to see their shots miss the mark. However, with four added minutes, Roma's hopes weren't completely dashed yet. </p>
<p id="PStc2j">However, once again Mäenpää stood on his head, making two saves in quick succession, denying Abraham with a splayed-out kick save before barely getting back on his butt to deny El Shaarawy's follow-up attempt deep in stoppage time.</p>
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<img alt="AS Roma v Venezia FC - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C1oPCTZ0GC8qlhWth8qi1tcB9_g=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23467903/1240668013.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="eVfrmC">But the match still wasn't done. With the four minutes of added time already off the clock, Roma won a late corner that was punched away by Mäenpää, the deflection from which hit Tyronne Ebuehi's arm. Despite pleas otherwise, the match officials didn't immediately review the play, and with Roma at sixes and sevens, Venezia immediately charged down the pitch and almost stole a late match-winner when Dennis Johnsen got behind the defense, setting up a one-v-one against Rui Patricio, who had to come <em>way </em>off his line to thwart the chance and save a point for Roma.</p>
<p id="0i56PA">The officials eventually checked the possible Ebuehi handball, deeming it incidental, leaving nothing left but the final whistle. And with four shots clanging off the woodwork and the club unable to capitalize on a one-man advantage for nearly two-thirds of the match, it just wasn't Roma's night.</p>
<h1 id="8sOaDw">Final Thoughts</h1>
<p id="c28992">Roma had an <em>astounding </em>46 attempts on goal, putting 16 on target, a quarter of which struck the woodwork, so it’s not as if this match wasn’t there for the taking—they just couldn't get the job done tonight. With this draw, Roma are now two points behind fifth-place Lazio, who square off with <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> on Monday evening at the Allianz Stadium in Torino. A Juve victory would keep Roma mathematically alive for fifth place next weekend when they wrap up the season against Torino, but for all intents and purposes, if Roma has any chance at European play next season, they have to win the Conference League finale against Feyenoord, the winner of which gains an automatic entry into the Europa League.</p>
<h1 id="YKwEBW">Up Next</h1>
<p id="wp3NPH">Roma finishes the season on the road against Torino next Sunday. </p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/5/14/23072938/roma-1-venezia-1-match-recapbren2022-05-14T19:54:40+02:002022-05-14T19:54:40+02:00Roma vs. Venezia: Lineups & Game Threads
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<img alt="AS Roma Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d-wBqz0eivxALljuZwuXwbpEe4Q=/0x0:5106x3404/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70869662/1396067610.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>36 down, two to go. Can Roma finish the season on a high-note? </p> <p id="S79puw">With 36 matches already in the books, we've long since come to grips with where this current Roma squad succeeds and where they struggle. While this season has been replete with the typical ups and downs associated with any Serie A campaign, the highs and lows hit differently for one not so simple reason: José Mourinho. Given his legacy, his reputation, and the cult of personality that follows him, every emotion—whether positive or negative—gets played to the extreme. </p>
<p id="6P0mym">After the club's quick start to the season (six straight wins and eight in their first 10), it felt like Mourinho's magic would take root sooner than anyone possibly expected. Then, of course, came the inevitable decline, a winter swoon in which the club dropped points in seven of ten matches. With the sky falling above them, many began to question whether or not Mourinho had lost his magic but the club responded in a resounding fashion, reeling off a 12-match unbeaten streak in Serie A; an impressive run that was halted by Inter Milan in late April.</p>
<aside id="v3FPjp"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Roma Host Venezia in Key Match for Fifth Place","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/5/14/23072637/roma-host-venezia-in-key-match-for-fifth-place"}]}'></div></aside><p id="y38Z3t">While Roma was able to hang with the Champions League-chasing pack for much of the spring, with the season nearly complete, the Giallorossi's remaining target isn't <em>quite </em>as glamorous, but that doesn't make it any less important. A win today coupled with some help on Monday from Juventus (who face fifth-place Lazio) could put Mourinho’s men back in the driver's seat for a Europa League place next season—and it all starts now.</p>
<h1 id="zh9K1w">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Z57VcM">Roma </h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <br><br>Spinazzola starts!<br><br>Here's our XI for tonight! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASRoma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RomaVenezia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RomaVenezia</a> <a href="https://t.co/PC4M9RALA4">pic.twitter.com/PC4M9RALA4</a></p>— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/status/1525534582589767680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2022</a>
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<h3 id="ynncot">Venezia</h3>
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<p lang="it" dir="ltr">Giornata 37 • <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RomaVenezia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RomaVenezia</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArancioNeroVerde?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArancioNeroVerde</a> ⚫️ <a href="https://t.co/51JNxgu96q">pic.twitter.com/51JNxgu96q</a></p>— Venezia FC (@VeneziaFC_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/VeneziaFC_EN/status/1525536498195615746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2022</a>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/5/14/23072821/roma-vs-venezia-lineups-game-threadsbren2022-05-14T15:34:46+02:002022-05-14T15:34:46+02:00Roma Host Venezia in Key Match for Fifth Place
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kwMIhDP6DGoZKdCiWTITTEp_w8g=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70869074/1240574097.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With Lazio facing Juventus on Monday, a win against Venezia will keep the pressure on <em>Le Aquile </em>for a league-guaranteed Europa League slot. Can Roma make it happen?</p> <p id="sjeKpo">When you get deep into the season and there’s little daylight separating squads fighting for European qualification, there are no unimportant matches, and today’s match against Venezia is no exception. With a win, the Giallorossi keep the pressure for league qualification to the Europa League on their city rivals Lazio; <em>L’Aquile</em> face <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> on Monday in a match that will be pressure-filled in any situation, but you have to imagine being level with <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma</a> might put the fear of Totti into a couple Laziale. A loss would force Roma to put all of their eggs in the Europa League Conference basket, and while I do believe Roma will win in Albania, I’m far more comfortable having two paths to Europa League qualification.</p>
<p id="CnsMCy">Meanwhile, while Venezia’s beautiful kits couldn’t save them from relegation this season, you just <em>know</em> that after winning the first match against the Giallorossi this season, <em>I Lagunari </em>will be hoping to go two for two against Roma before heading back down to Serie B. If I was a betting man, I’d say this game is going to be a hard-fought one, with Roma’s hopes for the future clashing with Venezia’s last gasps of top-flight football until 2024 at the earliest.</p>
<h2 id="kvanwU">Last Match</h2>
<h3 id="8yO4Le">November 7, 2021: Venezia 3, Roma 2</h3>
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<p id="cACU13">Watching this one in real time took a couple years off my life. It was the first time I had successfully convinced my mom to watch a Roma match, so naturally the Giallorossi provided her with a patented <em>Roma happened</em> to celebrate the occasion. Although Venezia drew first blood off of a Mattia Caldara goal, goals towards the end of the first half from Eldor Shomurodov (remember him?) and Tammy Abraham had Roma looking like they would at least split the points at the end of the full ninety. That wasn’t to be, though, as a controversial penalty for Mattia Aramu opened the door for David Okereke to give Venezia the home win. </p>
<p id="2ZmWiQ">Here’s what we had to say in the aftermath:</p>
<blockquote><p id="17alQh">We have been able to glean some positives away from <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/"><strong>Roma’s</strong></a> recent performances—the plucky scoreless draw against Napoli and the second half come back against Cagliari come to mind—but with the club in an apparent free fall (only one win in their past seven matches in all competitions), we can safely say that José Mourinho’s honeymoon period is over. What started off brilliantly with six consecutive victories and plenty of eye-catching football has withered down to our current mess: a team struggling for results and an identity, both of which were on display yesterday in beautiful Venice.</p></blockquote>
<h2 id="DJuT4Q">What To Watch For</h2>
<h3 id="qKqX4n">Can Roma Reward Their Home Crowd?</h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="AS Roma vs Leicester - Europa Conference League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2khCuJdTS6A_23yfAPl8FbxOCLs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23467363/1240472517.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Claudio Pasquazi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="resedG">Romanisti are always a passionate bunch, but something in the air has felt <em>different</em> this season. Even after Roma’s embarrassing 6-1 loss to Bodø/Glimt, the Giallorossi faithful have remained active participants in the club’s fortunes, packing the Stadio Olimpico on a weekly basis while Lazio can’t seem to pay folks to sit in the stadium. With today being Roma’s last home match of the season, you have to hope that the squad is going to give their full energy for the three points not just for the sake of Europa League qualification, but as a thank you to the fans who have stuck with the Giallorossi and turned the Olimpico into a fortress regardless of the opponent.</p>
<p id="QEzieM">As for <em>why</em> the Olimpico has become a fortress this season, I honestly couldn’t tell you. Do Romanisti feel more hopeful with The Friedkin Group running the show (maybe, but the ticket prices shrinking probably helps too)? Is Tammy Abraham worth the price of admission alone (for my money, yes)? Has the hiring of a name-brand manager in José Mourinho turned Roma matches into a must-see event (I watched during the pits of the Rudi Garcia years, so I’m obviously not the best judge)? Whatever the reason is, this season has felt special even if Roma aren’t going to qualify for the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> just yet. I’m hopeful that energy can drive <em>I Lupi</em> to a win against Venezia today.</p>
<h3 id="6i96Vs">Will Mourinho Ever Play Nice With The Refs?</h3>
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<img alt="AS Roma Press Conference" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QijN6LFEVs10wtB_VaJotAQgfZo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23467373/1397052106.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="AZ9Ew3">Regular readers of <em>Chiesa di Totti </em>will know I’m not a big fan of Italian referees; I think they’ve made Nicoló Zaniolo’s return from injury ten times harder than it had to be, and you could definitely make a case that refereeing shenanigans are what kept the Giallorossi out of the Champions League places this season. Nevertheless, while I’ve been impressed by the club’s determination to stand up to shoddy refereeing this season, I was a little surprised by José Mourinho’s words on the subject in his pre-match presser:</p>
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<p id="bFerNN">Against <a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a> we were a tired side and Fiorentina had a different energy to us; I agree that they were capable of winning the game without the decision that went their way. They really did play very well. But we are nevertheless a bit tired of referees and VAR referees finding themselves in trouble after our games. They have often been suspended for three or four or five games after overseeing a match with us.</p>
<p id="yUHAIQ">Because, for those in power, that is one way of them saying: ‘They made a mistake’. But nevertheless I ask, if they have made a mistake, if they have been punished … where are the points? Where did the points go in the end? That’s the problem. If we arrive at this stage in the season, with everything still to be decided from fifth to eighth position, then I don’t want to be saying the same thing that PSV did after the season finished in the Netherlands.</p>
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<p id="7BDmHb">Criticizing referees post-match is generally accepted, even if it usually results in a fine in many sports leagues. Criticizing them beforehand, though? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HVejEB5uVk">It’s a bold strategy, Cotton</a>, and since I’m a superstitious guy these days, I’ll just say: let’s see if it pays off for them.</p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/5/14/23072637/roma-host-venezia-in-key-match-for-fifth-placeJimmy Miotto2022-05-13T17:55:15+02:002022-05-13T17:55:15+02:00Probable Formations: Roma vs Venezia
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cXkZ-35-zvQriCzse-AdcEzwsis=/0x0:2224x1483/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70865634/1396335996.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Don’t expect Mourinho to stray far from his preferred XI with everything still to play for in the league. </p> <p id="OYihrm">Just about a week and a half remains in <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">Roma</a>’s 2021-22 campaign and the Giallorossi still have everything to play for: Mourinho’s side will contest a European final for the first time in 31 years in less than a fortnight, while first trying to secure European football via the league route in its last two matches. With the Conference League final carrying so much weight for a club that hasn’t won a trophy of any sort in 14 years, many wonder if Mourinho should go with heavy rotation in the league to have a well-rested (<em>knock on wood)</em> healthy roster for the match with Feyenoord.</p>
<p id="fQKbuX">Conversely, that begs the question of whether or not Roma can risk missing the top 6 and not locking up a Europa League spot prior to playing the Conference League finale in Albania on May 25th. Potentially falling out of the European spots altogether is still a real risk and staking qualification on a one-off final is risky business. That’s why it’s more than likely that Mourinho will field as close to his best eleven this weekend when hosting Venezia at the Olimpico. Then, after the results roll in, he can make an informed decision on next week’s match at Torino based on the league table. </p>
<p id="FrJ5Oi">Roma did receive a rare assist from the league this week when it was announced that the last match of the season against the Granata was moved up to Friday, giving the Giallorossi an extra two days of time to rest and prepare for the ECL final. That’s potentially big news if the table still needs to be sorted out in a week’s time. Plus, it’ll hopefully give Mourinho a chance to keep his starters in form ahead of the final. But, we’ll pick apart those roster scenarios next week. For now, let’s focus on the match immediately in front of Roma.</p>
<p id="78RT1Z">When Roma hosts all but relegated Venezia at the Olimpico on Saturday, don’t expect many changes from Mourinho’s preferred starting XI— something that was confirmed by the CT. After all, Roma can’t afford another shocking loss at the hands of the Venetians that could put the Giallorossi in a precarious spot heading into the last match week of the season. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mourinho: "So there will not be much rotation tomorrow. Perhaps there will be one or two changes, and then one or two different changes against Torino. But we can't make wholesale changes."<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASRoma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RomaVenezia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RomaVenezia</a> <a href="https://t.co/CLs0KSxcTO">pic.twitter.com/CLs0KSxcTO</a></p>— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/status/1525114717005570048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2022</a>
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<p id="IwNRF2">In this one, the only absences will be Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who remains in line to return before the final, and Gianluca Mancini, who is suspended for his 15th booking of the season. With Mkhi still out, Sergio Oliveira is currently favored to get the nod over Jordan Veretout. Additionally, Max Kumbulla will slot into the defense in place of Mancini. </p>
<h3 id="vdNF74">Probable Formation</h3>
<p id="Sx47sz"><strong>ROMA (3-4-1-2): Patricio; Kumbulla, Smalling, Ibanez; Zalewski, Cristante, Oliveria, Karsdorp; Pellegrini; Zaniolo, Abraham</strong></p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/5/13/23070892/probable-formations-roma-vs-veneziassciavillo