AS Roma took another big step towards Champions League football next year, with a 2-1 win at Udinese in Serie A.
The Giallorossi started the game well and opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Edin Dzeko. Roma doubled their lead with 15 minutes to go thanks to a fine Alessandro Florenzi effort. Udinese grabbed a late goal through Bruno Fernandes to make things interesting in the final stages but it was not enough.
Victory solidifies Roma’s grip on third place and sees them continue their fine run of form in Serie A.
Dzeko repays Spalletti’s faith
You know you are out of form when the coach singles you out and reaffirms the faith he has in you before a match. Yet that is exactly what Luciano Spalletti did before the Udinese game. Speaking just days after his side lost 2-0 against Real Madrid, Spalletti said Dzeko had been made a scapegoat for the loss. During the first half Edin Dzeko, as well as several players it has to be said, missed chances to give the side hope in the tie.
Much of the Italian media pointed the finger at Dzeko but the former-Manchester City man responded in the best possible way. In what was a must-win game for Roma, Dzeko opened the scoring after a fantastic lay off by the in form Mohamed Salah. Although the big Bosnian did not have too many chances for the rest of the game, his link-up play was good and he was a handful for the home side. Spalletti’s man management skills have worked a treat yet again.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BC5X5dnJeS4/?taken-by=20fivevision
The next Roman great
Recent weeks have been dominated in Rome by the rift between the club and captain Francesco Totti. The fact that he is such an icon in the city and his status as a local lad made good, has only intensified the circus around the World Cup winner. Yet simmering in the background, has been another Roman born player who is growing into the next legend at the club. Alessandro Florenzi made headlines around the world earlier this season due to his amazing goal against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Yet since then his performances have been consistently good on the right flank of the side as either a full back or further up the pitch. His well taken and finely executed goal against Udinese was yet another example of his class when going forward. Florenzi is also endearing himself to fans with the passion he shows. When he was captain in midweek fixture at the Bernabeu, the Roma academy graduate was brimming with happiness at leading his side out at one of the world’s most iconic stadium. For Roma fans, Florenzi really is one of their own.
The Spalletti effect
When the Italian coach returned to Roma in mid-January, his former side was a mess. The club seemed torn at the centre and just one win in 10 games told its own story. Yet fast forward two months and the difference is marked. Roma is now confident and their performances show it. Despite the exit in the Champions League, in which they played better than the two scorelines suggested, Roma has done amazingly well.
They are now five points clear in the third and final Champions League spot, five points ahead of early season pace setters Fiorentina and Inter, with the latter travelling to the Stadio Olimpico next weekend. Roma are also on a remarkable run of eight wins in a row in Serie A, three of their record streak of 11, which was set by guess who? Spalletti, a decade ago in his first spell at the club. Whether Roma go onto break their own record or not, nothing can be taken away from Spalletti and the fine job he has done so far back in Rome.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
