3x3: Florenzi, Atalanta and the Ballon d’Or

The Roma Question: What is Alessandro Florenzi’s best position?

Alessio Ambrosetti / @AmbrosettiATX: “Florenzi is neither a full-back nor a forward, but he can play both. To me the best position for him is as an outside right midfielder in a 3-5-2. His running ability allows him to cover lots of space and help defensively when needed but also be a threat offensively.”

Stefano Bernardini / @asroma360: “Florenzi is a phenomenal right midfielder, someone able to support the offensive and defensive phases for the whole match. His pace and tactical acumen makes him an irreplaceable player. He will be a great addition for Roma, now he’s back, and a perfect handyman for Di Francesco’s tactical scheme.”

Ed Moynihan / @Forza27_RS: “Florenzi is such a naturally-gifted footballer, he offers a great variety of qualities. In many ways he’s a managers dream – intelligent, always gives 100% and displays an energy and dynamism that is infectious. Initially regarded as a winger, I think it’s this energy he’s shown bursting up the right-wing which will ultimately define him. Ideally as a right-wing back, or a full-back – it’s here he can have the most lasting impact.”

The Serie A Question: Were you surprised by Atalanta’s Europa League victory over Everton?

@AmbrosettiATX: “I was not surprised. Atalanta is a well-oiled team and Everton is not an English Premier League powerhouse. It goes to show you that the EPL is not that hard a league to play in. A little tactical knowledge will go a long way in beating some English teams.”

@asroma360: “Gasperini is doing great things with Atalanta. His guys have perfect strategies and synchronism on the field. Their desire to succeed and reach top-level teams makes the difference too. Gasperini is a football craftsman. He manages raw diamonds making them shiny and valuable. I was actually expecting a great performance from Atalanta in the Europa League against Everton FC.”

@Forza27_RS: “Yes. I expected Atalanta to be every bit a match for Everton as we know they play some wonderful football under Gasperini and have some quality young players, but the ease in which they destroyed them was surprising. Everton spent a lot of money over the summer and under Ronald Koeman look to be going places, but tactically they were outclassed by a brilliant Atalanta. Gasperini’s side showed no nerves on their return to European football.”

The General Football Question: Who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or?

@AmbrosettiATX: “It is way too early to say. I wish there was an Italian player we could consider but we’re far from being able to produce that type of talent. Unfortunately I think Ronaldo might be up for it again.”

@asroma360: “Until the Ballon d’Or stops rewarding those players who score the most goals, I don’t think we will see someone other than a striker lift this trophy. That being said, Cristiano Ronaldo will win this year too. He scored a brace in the Champions League final and closed that competition with 12 goals in 13 matches. He deserves the Ballon d’Or.”

@Forza27_RS: “Totti. His final season may not have been as remarkable as some of his previous, but in terms of ‘deserving’, a special dispensation should be made to honour him to make up for the scandal of him never winning it in his prime. In all seriousness, the Ballon d’Or, for me, has always been unbalanced and more of a popularity contest in which the big attacking names always come out on top, ignoring defensively-minded players. With that in mind, as good as Messi and Ronaldo have been, the award should go to Buffon for all he has done and to show that other players can win it.”