In the clash of styles that faced for the first time in history Roma and Real Sociedad (2-0) came out victorious Jose Mourinho that, based on a solid defensive framework, deactivated a Real that tried unsuccessfully and gave in to two blows from the locals in the Europa League.
Roma put the tie on track with a demonstration of what this team is. A team that feels comfortable without the ball, very solid in defense and that as soon as they have the opportunity they look for Dybala to generate all the danger. All this, combined with an absolute mastery of the set pieces that once again served the ‘giallorossi’ to leave the tie on track.
The game began with many doubts and inaccuracies, but just when Real was beginning to carburete, to find itself between the lines in the diamond formed by Zubimendi, Merino, Illarramendi and Silva, Roma gave the first blow and signed a house-brand goal. A quick transition in which Dybala, of course, led the way.
a royal touch
The ‘Jewel’ picked up the ball that Rico lost in the left-handed profile, with meters to go. The Argentine temporized, waited for the perfect moment to give the ball inside the area to Abraham, who with a hip feint made room for a cross that El Shaarawy finished off at the far post, causing the explosion of Roma’s private Coliseum .
The goal left a Spanish team very touched that was about to concede the second goal within a minute. An inaccuracy by Remiro when the ball was released caused the visiting fans to have a heart attack.
Mourinho’s plan worked, a game that, after the goal, developed as the ‘giallorosso’ team wanted, ordered, giving up possession and being very vertical with El Shaarawy due to the left-footed profile.
Absolute seriousness of the ‘Loba’ in defense, stopping Kubo’s internships and making Real’s possession sterile, with Silva being the most outstanding player of the visitors. A disputed match, but with the feeling that Roma had him under control, that if he pressed he could create chances.
He had it, in fact, just before the break. A new error by Remiro froze Real again. This time clearer, more serious. Abraham pressed and complicated the goal’s clearance, which bounced directly at Dybala’s head, but with such power that the ‘Jewel’ couldn’t direct his header into an empty goal.
A comfortable Rome
Real came out strong in the second half, ready to recover from the setback of the first goal as soon as possible. It created problems in Roma’s defensive framework, although a long shot from Rico, which forced Rui Patricio to stretch to the maximum, was his best option to tie the game in those minutes of local confusion.
Mourinho’s team was recomposed and the script was repeated again. Roma did not concede, they were a block in defense, with Matic and Cristando putting out fires in the center of the field and with Smalling, Mancini and Kumbulla prevailing up front.
Roma seemed comfortable, knowing that they were going to enjoy some occasion like the one that Belotti crashed into a squad, in a new demonstration that this Roma is very clear about its plan and its style of play.
Bailiff tried to put together skillful pieces that could dismantle the Roman defensive framework and brought on Oyarzábal, Brais Méndez and Cho. He improved Real, Merino had a very clear chance inside the small area, but it was not enough.
In fact, the Basque team paid dearly for the occasion when Roma knocked them out with three minutes to go. He did it with another house brand play. Dybala put a perfect ball from the corner so that Kumbulla entered like a plane at the far post. Mourinho won the first game of chess against Alguacil.
Datasheet:2 – Roma: Rui Patricio; Llorente (Kumbulla, m.46), Smalling, Mancini; El Shaarawy (Spinazzola, m.61), Matic, Cristante, Karsdop; Pellegrini (Wijnaldum, m.61), Dybala (Bove, m.88); Abraham (Belotti, d.61).
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0 – Royal Society: Remiro; Gorosabel (Sola, m.83), Zubeldia, Le Normad, Rico; Illarramendi (Brais, m.75), Merino, Zubimendi, Silva (Turrientes, m.83); Sorloth (Sorloth, m.67) and Kubo (Cho, m.75).
Gol: 1-0, m.13: El Shaarawy; 2-0, m. 87, Kumbulla.