Views: 23

Tonight, at the Olimpico, the third day of the Europa League was characterized by the Roma-Viktoria Plzen match: here’s how it went.

Not even a minute in, Artem Dobvyk almost scores a goal against the visiting team, but the shot is too central.

The game starts with a few too many mistakes from Hermoso and Wesley, and a proactive attitude from Viktoria Plzen, who repeatedly try to score in the early minutes, forcing Mile Svilar to make a miraculous save.

The visitors press high, while Roma tries to regroup mainly relying on Soulé, who shoots centrally. Shortly after, with determination and speed, Viktoria Plzen takes the lead thanks to a goal by Adu, who also eludes Svilar’s defense. A negative trend for Roma as, only 3 minutes after the first goal, they concede again through Souaré.

25 minutes into the game, Roma is losing at home 2-0. Speed is needed, so Gasperini sends Rensch to warm up on the sidelines, while El Shaarawy prepares to come on. Meanwhile, Koné raises the technical level of the game with feints and ball possession that make us hope he won’t leave for Juventus in January in a swap deal for Koopmeiners.

At the 30th minute, Ziolkowski is substituted by the Pharaoh. A minute later, Wesley attempts a through ball but the opposing goal remains inviolate. The goal for the Magica must be to score at least one goal before the end of the first half. At the 40th minute, the situation is still complex: in the meantime, Koné is down and receiving treatment, and Dybala tries to change the course of the game with a very wide shot that is easily blocked. El Shaarawy also does his job with a shot too high above the crossbar, but the attempt is commendable.

The real chance comes at the 45th minute, with a corner taken by Dybala that goes directly into the hands of goalkeeper Jedlicka. The last act of the first half is a mistimed cross attempted by Wesley. But the Brazilian still has a long way to go to find coordination.

The second half begins with a new substitution: Niccolò Pisilli replaces Manu Koné. A bold substitution that raises doubts about the condition of the French midfielder.

At the 53rd minute, the referee checks for a possible penalty and awards it to Roma, who have a great opportunity to reduce the two-goal difference. The Jewel doesn’t disappoint: he shoots into the bottom right corner of the goal, cool as always. With Roma 1-2, El Shaarawy also tries to shake things up, while Gasperini prepares two aces up his sleeve on the sidelines: Ndicka and Bailey.

In this second half, Wesley appears more focused on the goal, as if the coach had reprimanded him in the locker room. Roma, however, continues to be imprecise, with Soulé missing a good long-range shot at the 65th minute.
In the end, only Bailey comes on, replacing Celik. While for the visiting team, number 24 Abel comes on. Gasperini goes all in, choosing to also replace Dovbyk with Ferguson. And the surplus of attackers also requires the substitution of Soulé with Ndicka.

Despite the coach’s efforts, Ferguson fails to make an impact in this game, replicating the clumsy movements of Dovbyk seen at the end of the first half.

For Plzen, Spacil and Adu exit, while Bello and Zeljkovic come on. At the 86th minute, Bailey also attempts a long shot that misses.

The outcome of this match is that Roma still has a long way to go in terms of strict discipline to find the precision and composure in front of goal that they often tend to lose, both in the league and in Europe. Dybala confirms himself as the team’s savior, despite his structural weaknesses, and also the good Svilar, who cannot be blamed for those goals conceded.

Some days of hard work now await the Giallorossi.

Views: 54

Fiorentina coach Pioli spoke at a press conference on the eve of the second match of the Conference League group stage tomorrow evening against Rapid Vienna.

Stefano Pioli met with the press ahead of the challenge against Rapid Vienna, here are his responses to the questions from the journalists present.

Is the Conference League an opportunity to change the trend of the league as well?

The league is a different story, the Conference is another tournament, we need to earn points. Then from Sunday, there will be other matches…

What aspect are you finding most challenging?

In the last few matches, we have played on par with teams of excellent level, we need to play more as a team at certain moments. We need to support each other more. What is said outside of our group is good for us, it brings us closer together.

Was there a meeting with some player representatives?

To deny it means it didn’t happen… If a player talks to the coach, is it possible for him to reject it? It’s falsehoods. We are united. But what do we need and want? Results and we are working to give satisfaction to the fans and the club.

Have you seen signs of improvement in the last few games: what are they?

I believe that compared to the first games, we have been more attentive, more compact: we need to attack more, be more dangerous, we need to fill the opponent’s area.

You have a rather complicated group: do you agree?

We want to go all the way, but it is clear that we have a tough group, we have taken the best from each tier…

What’s going on with Gudmundsson?

I have a lot of confidence in this player, I see him better: he is a player who will give us a big hand, I’m sure of it.

The Florentine environment is in turmoil… do you hear the criticism against you?

The moment is particular, the criticisms against me do not take away my serenity, my clarity in work, I always put more dedication. I believe it is correct to judge only the performances and not what may be around. Every time we lose, it is said that the locker room is divided but we need to work, focus and I believe in my players.

There will be several close games, are you thinking of some rotations?

Tomorrow I will make more changes than usual, we have three very close commitments. But I am convinced that whoever takes the field is ready to play a good game.

Has anything changed with Sohm after a period where he didn’t convince?

Sohm is doing better, he has regained good condition: I think he will play tomorrow, I don’t know if from the start or as a substitute.

Goalkeeper choice: De Gea or Martinelli tomorrow?

De Gea will play tomorrow, as I think Comuzzo could play. Fagioli did well in Milan.

Views: 35

This week, the 2005 class Pio Esposito scored his first goal in the Champions League, but who are the youngest Italians to have done it before him?

The Champions League is the competition that all players dream of from the moment they put on their first pair of boots. Scoring a goal in this competition at a young age is therefore synonymous with great personality and satisfaction. Let’s see who the youngest Italian players are who have scored at least one goal in the world of the giants of Europe.

Top 10 youngest Italians to score in the Champions League

MOISE KEAN (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

9th Moise Kean with PSG, age: 20 years and 8 months

8th Nicola Ventola with Inter, age: 20 years and 4 months

7th Tomas Locatelli with Milan, age: 20 years and 4 months

6th Francesco Pio Esposito with Inter, age: 20 years and 3 months

5th Thiago Motta with Barcelona, age: 20 years and 3 months

4th Antonio Cassano with Roma, age: 20 years and 2 months

STEPHAN EL SHAARAWY (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

3rd Stephan El Shaarawy with Milan, age: 19 years and 11 months

2nd Nicolò Zaniolo with Roma, age: 19 years and 7 months

1st Mario Balotelli with Inter, age: 18 years and 2 months