Opinion: El Shaarawy's rise coincides with Roma resurgence

For Claudio Ranieri, time moved almost at a standstill during the final 10 minutes.

It was his first match back at the Stadio Olimpico since 2011, a tricky test against Empoli. As the rain poured down upon the pitch, Roma had the coltello tra i denti as they fought to preserve their 2-1 lead. As captain Alessandro Florenzi was called off by his new manager, the armband was bestowed upon a player who has become a central figure in Roma’s slow-burning resurgence in recent months – Stephan El Shaarawy.

There had been a joyous but nervous feeling amongst the Curva Sud faithful, as Empoli had already drawn level once during the match, and Empoli’s pressure suggested it could happen a second time.

Roma eventually earned the win, and embodied in that victory was the player who came on to secure it.

Roma’s current top goalscorer this season, El Shaarawy has nine goals to his name already, and looks set to continue his finest season to date. His strategic movement has been vital to helping his teammates score, and in numerous formations this season alone, has shown his range of play.

Sometimes being held to a more rigid position as a left-wing forward, he has also been asked to play as a left midfielder with stern defensive responsibilities, while simultaneously pivoting to become a third striker.

Such versatility has been demonstrated through Ranieri’s lineup for this match against Empoli, as Il Faraone was deployed on the left as part of the trident in the 4-2-3-1 formation. This required commitment in defensive duties, as well as being tasked to attack the opposition’s goal.

It took just nine minutes for him to score a sensational curling effort from the top of the Azzurri’s box.

During his early 20s, some media and fans speculated that the young prodigy from Savona had lost his way. After picking up several injuries while at AC Milan, the player was then loaned to Monaco, where his transfer activation clause impeded his growth.

He’s faced the highs and lows of a player still finding himself these past three and a half years, and it’s this adversity that he’s used to his advantage, marking his development as a man and a player. With the stability of his Ranieri behind him, he is making the most of his potential. This was most recently displayed in last week’s match against Udinese.

Breaking down a stubborn Friulani side was never going to be easy, and the most compact teams have been the trickiest for Roma this season. In order to stay in the hunt for the top four spots, the Lupi had no other choice than to win.

El Shaarawy’s impact on the pitch - no matter in which attacking role – was about to be displayed during these 90 minutes.

After a frustrating first half, the Giallorossi returned to the pitch with a tactical change and re-established tenacity. El Shaarawy was deployed in a looser role in the tactical shift, cutting across the width of the pitch to draw players and unleash Edin Dzeko towards goal.

This movement ultimately manifested in the match winning goal, as the 26-year-old performed a beautiful flick-on that put Dzeko with just the keeper to beat. El Shaarawy’s celebration ran through his veins, but he stayed grounded as he pumped his arms to the sides.

Just at the beginning of his peak, El Shaarawy has already been playing in the top flight of Italian for 11 years. While most players who have played for so long in the league are at the back end of their careers, the forward has his best moments ahead of him.

For his future, and in Roma’s current quest to reach Champions League spots, his abilities will be instrumental in leading as the centrepiece of the attack.