It is the same old story for AS Roma. After taking the lead, the Giallorossi let an advantage slip, slumping to a draw and falling further behind the imperious Juventus.
Roma made the perfect start at home to Atalanta. Just three minutes had been played when Rudi Garcia’s men were awarded a penalty as Atalanta defender Guglielmo Stendardo handled the ball in the penalty area. Francesco Totti, making his return to the starting lineup after being left out of the side at Chievo last weekend, scored the penalty and in doing so claimed his 241st league goal of his career. Defensive vulnerabilities, however, once again came back to haunt Roma. Exactly 20 minutes after the Giallorossi took the lead, they relinquished it. A poor challenge from Davide Astori gave Atalanta the chance to score a penalty of their own and former Napoli forward German Denis duly tucked his spot kick away. Roma went onto dominate the match but were unable to break down a resolute and well organised Atalanta defence.
Missing a creative spark?
It seems unthinkable for a side with such a strong and vibrant attacking lineup but Roma is failing to create chances. Against most teams in Serie A, the Giallorossi face teams that will surrender ball possession and let Roma dictate the game. Yet Roma has found these types of games difficult. The capital club has been unable to break down stubborn defences. Since the turn of the year, Roma’s flair players have not been firing. Totti has been in and out of the team, Gervinho has not found his form since returning from the African Cup of Nations, while Juan Iturbe is still struggling to find his feet in Rome. The exception is Adem Ljajic. The Serbian has been in superb form in recent weeks and will need help in the creative department if Roma is to get back on track.
No secure partnership
Last season’s successful campaign for Roma was built upon its strong centre back partnership. Leandro Castan and Mehdi Benatia were immense as Roma only conceded 25 goals in 38 games. This season has been a different matter. Not one of Kostas Manolas, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa or Astori have been able to fill the shoes of Benatia. Castan meanwhile has been unable to reproduce his fine form of 2013-2014. The result is that unless Roma keeps clean sheets in all of its remaining seven Serie A games, it will have a worse defensive record than last season. With talk this week of a return to the Olimpico for Benatia in the summer, Roma could do worse than re-signing the Moroccan international to sure up their shaky defence.
A club divided
Roma club President James Pallotta is at war with his own fans. The Roma ultras who reside in the famous curva sud in the Olimpico are protesting against the American after he criticised them for recent offensive banners on display during Roma games. Pallotta has called the ultras idiots while the ultras have called for him to leave the club. This unhealthy situation could threaten to tear the club apart. It is all that Roma needs as it faces a fight for Champions League football.
Pressure from the South
Week 31 saw Roma go level on points with second-placed Lazio, as Roma’s city rival was defeated by Italian champion elect Juventus. Yet third-placed Roma faces another fight. Napoli, currently in fourth place, is now only five points behind Roma after beating Cagliari 3-0 at the weekend. The club is built upon elite European football and missing out on the Champions League would be disaster after being in the top three for the whole of the season. With Napoli on a charge, impressively beating Wolfsburg 4-1 in Germany in Europe in midweek, Roma can ill afford any more slip-ups.
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