3x3: Atletico Madrid, Italian stadiums and the best coach in the world

The Roma Question: What mark out of 10 would you give Roma’s performance against Atletico Madrid?

Angelo Mangiante / @angelomangiante: “Seven. Excellent first-half with a good team compactness and game management. Nainggolan was always dynamic in midfield and Alisson was the best / most valuable player on the pitch. The decline in the second-half is due to an athletic conditioning that needs to be improved. The attack / offensive side needs improvement in order to support Dzeko more. However, Roma was facing one of the world’s strongest teams in Atletico Madrid.”

Tancredi Palmeri / @TancrediPalmeri: “Six and a half. I have a lot of criticisms but there was a lot of quality. It is clear we are not talking about two teams with the same experience, as Atletico Madrid reached two Champions League finals in the past four years. Meanwhile, Roma has a brand new manager and a key player, like Salah, was lost. Atletico’s second-half intensity was unmatched by Roma. Really positive though as people don’t realise the level of Atletico Madrid. In the past four years they have beaten Barcelona, Bayern etc.

Sebastian / @CalcioASRoma: “I'd have to give it a seven or maybe a seven and a half. Roma were bolder in their attempts early on. They had more of the ball in the first-half but then the quality and experience of Atletico Madrid took over but I think Di Francesco and the players did well to adapt to the situation. The players dug deep to get a positive result. You can see in the last 10-15 minutes guys like Strootman, De Rossi, Peres and others were giving anything they had left to make sure Roma got the point, despite looking extremely tired. And obviously we have Alisson to thank the most.”

The Serie A Question: Aside from the Stadio Olimpico, which is the toughest Italian stadium to play in?

@angelomangiante: “The toughest Italian stadium to play in is in Turin against Juventus. The Allianz Stadium can hold up to 45,000 people. It is always almost full, with fans close to the pitch and fiercely supporting their team, as if they were an added player on the pitch. This is the reason why it is extremely important for Roma to have its own stadium, which I hope will be built as soon as possible.”

@TancrediPalmeri: "San Siro would be too easy, as it depends on the ability of the team, so I would say Genoa and also Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Genoa has double the capacity of the stadium in Bergamo, and they have fans that are extremely close to the pitch. In spite of the results of the team, the fans are absolutely dedicated - they are always there and never give up supporting. It becomes really difficult to play there!”

@CalcioASRoma: “It has to be the Allianz Stadium of Juventus. When's the last time they lost at home in Serie A? In fact, how many times have they even lost at home since they moved into the stadium? Only special performances have stopped them there. Roma themselves have never even picked up a point there! Hopefully that changes this season though. For the other teams, Genoa and Sampdoria are always really tricky at home.”

The General Football Question: Who is the best coach in club football?

@angelomangiante: “Carlo Ancelotti. He has won everywhere and in different championships.An example of excellence and of communication on and off the pitch respectively, without ever being controversial. Capable of alternating various playing systems or game formations and of managing undisputed champions. One day he will return to Roma to coach his former team. He himself has stated it. There is another chapter for him in Roma, after even being its captain, that would be full of emotions.”

@TancrediPalmeri: “If we are talking recently, then it’s Alex Ferguson, who went through generations of being a winner. But if he has to still be active, it’s Carlo Ancelotti. He won every competition but I don't know, in a few years, Zidane could change my ranking.”

@CalcioASRoma: “I like Ancelotti a lot, as well as Conte, Simeone, Mourinho and Guardiola. But I feel if we have to go with as of right now, you have to say Zidane. He's made teams like Juve and Barcelona look silly in recent months. It goes beyond just the talent he has available to him, as tactically, Zidane has rarely been outclassed. He's winning trophies left, right and centre. I'd give a special shout out to Jardim though, who achieved something special with Monaco last season.”