Opinion: Karsdorp gives glimpses of style on pre-season return

Following an enormously frustrating, injury ravaged first year with Roma, it was positive to see Rick Karsdorp return to action in the Giallorossi's first pre-season outing against Latina on Saturday.

The Dutchman put in an admirable performance to mark the occasion too, as he handled his defensive responsibilities with aplomb and produced many glimpses of his undoubted attacking quality during his time on the field in a 9-0 rout.

Operating in his customary right-back slot, the 23-year-old was especially impressive on the offensive end. Providing vital width and depth through his strategically timed forward bursts, he did a fine job of stretching the opposing defence out both vertically and horizontally.

Responding rapidly to the trigger of Lorenzo Pellegrini dropping deep, this cued Karsdorp to surge upfield, meaning he could do so with freedom, knowing Pellegrini was covering the space behind him.

The former Feyenoord star repaid the favour too, as he'd supply protection when his colleague would charge ahead too.

Although the pair's partnership is in its relative infancy, the way they, plus right winger Cengiz Under, showed such a cohesive understanding with one another and also performed smooth rotations definitely bodes well for the new campaign.

Another upside of Karsdorp's movement came through the fact he was instrumental in ensuring Roma could enjoy 4-on-3 numerical superiorities when Eusebio Di Francesco's men were building down his side, thus enhancing their chance of penetrating the Latina block.

Moreover, his partaking in the side's short corner routines was also terrific, with his smart movement generating 3-on-2s, which allowed Roma to use their advantage to fire in better quality deliveries into the box.

Karsdorp's distribution served as another solid element of his exertions, where he hit his passes, crosses and cutbacks with conviction and precision.

Indeed, his superbly struck cut-back to assist Lorenzo Pellegrini's first-half goal aptly depicted his class in this regard.

Di Francesco's was duly pleased with his fit-again charge when speaking after the match, explaining: "Karsdorp moved with ease, at the beginning he had some work to do but he is growing and I'm happy about it."

"He ran freely and this is a reason for satisfaction today, we are only at the beginning, making evaluations is premature. He really moved well in the second half of the first half, when he started playing well, that's what we want from him and we hope he will keep going with continuity."

Having torn his ACL on his full debut for the club last season, Karsdorp noted how he feels like a new signing this term and how he can't wait to repay Roma's faith in him for sticking by him throughout his time on the sidelines.

Let's just hope he can remain injury free so he can illustrate what a wonderful asset he can be for Di Francesco's exciting Roma - just as he did on Saturday.