Opinion: Manolas steps into the breach and puts team on his back

There are moments in a player’s career where he reflects on his decisions, and contemplates what is next. When such a player is in their mid-20s - their prime, perhaps - they enter into a period that will define their qualities and integrity. Leading up to the afternoon of December 16, Roma had won just three of their last 11 matches.

As Kostas Manolas walked up the steps and into the theatre of the Stadio Olimpico, he was faced with one such moment – could he become the leader to guide Roma towards a clearer, brighter path?

From the onset of his career, Manolas was a player Greek football fans deemed destined for greatness. Being the nephew of one of the greatest Greek defenders of all time, Stelios Manolas, he had been exposed to football from a young age, and he displayed surprising physical maturity and understanding of the game in his teenage years.

After signing a three-year deal with AEK Athens in 2009, he was awarded the Man of the Match award in five of his first seven matches as a professional, and scored his first senior goal against arch-rivals Olympiacos – having had his cheekbone broken in the same match just minutes before.

The 2010-11 season would become a time of massive growth for his career. Fate would have it that his centre-back partner was none other than a former Roma stalwart, Traianos Dellas. Manolas attributed part of his development towards Dellas, previously saying: “His experience has helped me become confident on the ball and in the decisions I make in the game. I have learned a lot from him and he is basically like a teacher to me who I look up to.”

The pair won the Greek Cup later that year.

Such commanding performances raised the attention of the top clubs in European football, and in the winter transfer window, AEK had struck a deal to send Manolas to David Moyes’ Everton.

The defender was a young man of principle though. He couldn’t see in his heart how he could leave his boyhood club, who was then in a quite negative state, with just the aging Dellas and two centre-backs within the youth sector. He made the decision to stay for the sake of his team.

While AEK’s financial situation worsened, Manolas joined Olympiacos the following season. After winning the Greek Superleague, Moyes – now at Manchester United - tried once again to lure Manolas to England. However, Moyes was never really in a stable position at Old Trafford – and was relieved of his position before the season was even out. In the summer of 2014 Manolas joined Roma. A young but capable player, that the club would look to for years to come.

Building upon these experiences and on the verge of his fifth year in Rome, 2018 became a standout year for the Greek defender. He was responsible for being the catalyst of Eusebio Di Francesco’s defence – the one who scored the miraculous goal to beat Barcelona in the Champions League, the strong centre-back with the speed of a sprinter, the commanding guard of the Roman backline.

He had been a key figure in the lows, too, facing the understandably angered travelling supporters in Plsen, the first game he had captained the side from the start, after a chastening defeat.

Now when his team needed it most, it was time to confirm his ascendancy and finish 2018 with force.

That December 16 afternoon, Marco Di Bello whistled for the match to commence. Genoa had found extra motivation with the appointment of Cesare Prandelli at the helm, adding unpredictability for Roma to compete against. An error in goal foreboded a nightmare under the Curva Sud, as the weather-and-whistling rained onto the pitch.

Manolas and his centre-back partner Federico Fazio had crashed the Genoa net shortly after, drawing level for the Giallorossi, but a flick-on to Oscar Hiljemark put the visitors up again just moments later. The defence was visibly in shock.

The next 45 minutes proved pivotal for the Romans to set their season on the right path. Justin Kluivert scored an incredible solo effort down the right flank, and the young Dutchman later combined with Bryan Cristante, who lashed the ball into the back of the net. It was a vital comeback win, and something to build upon.

The next match was never going to be simple though, away to league leaders Juventus. Manolas had been tested early on by Blaise Matuidi, and he stayed composed throughout the first half hour of pressure. Although Roma hung on and the backline stood firm with the aid of Robin Olsen, an unfortunate deflection gave way to a cross, which glided past all four of the Giallorossi defenders and onto Mario Mandzukic’s head for its conversion. It finished a 1-0 loss.

Annoyed and wounded, but not demoralised. The last week of play for 2018 was going to be the most critical, with two matches against Sassuolo and Parma respectively, with just two days of rest between them.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Sassuolo played to win from the first minute at the Olimpico, demanding full attention from Manolas’ teammates. With the likes of Manuel Locatelli, Federico Di Francesco, and Khouma Babacar looking to destroy a home victory, the attacking youngsters were playing with a point to prove. In fact, it was Di Francesco’s ex-pupil Domenico Berardi who almost caused a shock early-lead for the Neroverdi as he tested Olsen from distance.

A goal line clearance from an unlucky deflection almost drew Sassuolo level, but a bit of good luck had finally graced the Roman defence as the ball was just the smallest of fractions from becoming a goal.

Roma dominated the rest of the match, aside from a late counter-attacking goal from Babacar. Every three points are, in essence, the same – however, it wasn’t just that Roma won the match, but they won in style. It was the confidence exuded in the goals of Diego Perotti and Patrik Schick, and the spectacular nature of Nicolo Zaniolo’s first goal in Serie A.

It was perfect timing for such attitudes to begin to shine, but there would be one last test – Parma, away.

Roma pundits considered the Gialloblu’s counterattacking play to be the kryptonite to Roma’s high defensive line – the perfect team to destroy their improving run of form. Roberto D’Aversa had two lethal wingers in Jonathan Biabiany, and ex-Roma talisman Gervinho. It was going to be the ultimate test of solidarity for Manolas’ defence.

Not long after the visiting Curva Sud raised their fanfare in the Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma was playing towards their strengths. A counter-attacking ball from halfway looped over Manolas’ head, and Gervinho flicked it past Fazio to find Luca Siligardi – the visitors held their breath as Olsen made an astounding save to keep the match goalless.

There was now just 45 minutes to capitalise on 2018. When the players were called back for the second half, Manolas jolted down the steps and onto the pitch to join his ten teammates.

Blocking an early Parma attempt, he played the ball safely away to Steven Nzonzi, which then shifted momentum in favour of the Giallorossi. As they kept the ball higher up the pitch and maintained possession, Roma’s confidence grew as much as Parma’s nerves tightened.

Finally, the determination culminated as Manolas, Fazio, and Edin Dzeko crowded the box, and Bryan Cristante found the end of a corner kick to head the ball into the back of the net in the 58th minute. While the three exulted with hands raised to the heavens, Manolas charged his down, towards the earth, and roared. They celebrated together.

Just two minutes later on the hour mark, Manolas signaled to the bench for a substitution. His body had given everything it could, and a hamstring pull marked his final sacrifice for the day. Roma marched out of Parma with a win and heads held high, with their defensive general scathed, but doing what he does best.

Just as Theseus had slayed the Minotaur and led the Athenians out of the labyrinth, the defensive commander ended the year by guiding Roma out of its own tunneling maze.

Slaying the insecurities of yesteryear, Manolas has led the club out of darkness, as we can now look towards the light of 2019.