Keys to Victory: Andressa starts to find her groove

The first half belonged to Roma, with a first goal for summer arrival Kaja Erzen, and the lead was doubled after the break courtesy of Vanessa Bernauer’s strike from outside the box.

However, Sassuolo pulled one back via an unfortunate Camelia Ceaser own goal, before testing Roma’s rear-guard by putting on the pressure – a challenge that a resilient Roma ultimately came through.

Key Moment

Barely a minute after Sassuolo had halved Roma’s lead, they were presented with a golden opportunity to cancel it out altogether when they were awarded a penalty. Fortunately for Roma, the resulting spot kick hit the post – and it was the wake-up call they needed.

Roma’s performance up until conceding had been very good, but the threat of conceding two goals in quick succession could have undone all the hard work and tipped the momentum into Sassuolo’s favour. Recognising this, Roma’s troops were rallied, and immediately, they regained their high intensity and attacking threat.

While the last portion of the game wasn’t without a couple of nerve-wracking moments, Roma looked strong on the counter attack, giving optimism that they could keep hold of the three points – a faith that was justified by the full-time score.

Key Player

When Roma signed Andressa Alves in the summer, the quality they would be adding to the squad was clear to see. However, Betty Bavagnoli has been careful and considerate in her approach to managing the Brazilian star, who hasn’t always been a starter as she continues her integration into Italian football.

For the Sassuolo match, Andressa was brought back into the starting lineup, and was given a slightly different role than usual. Being deployed as one of the midfield three, rather than as an attacker, gave her the chance to get on the ball more and influence things.

In attack, she was essentially given a free role, playing like a number 10, with Manuela Giugliano and Vanessa Bernauer acting as security measures behind her. This allowed Andressa to cause danger in between the defensive lines of the opponents – but whenever play broke down, she was always quick to return to a safer defensive position, to help out her team.

Andressa is still building up a rhythm as she searches for her first Roma goal. But this performance – giving glimpses of her flicks and tricks, and confident shooting ability – will have done her the world of good.

Key Decision

It was brave and intelligent of Bavagnoli to tinker with her winning formula by making the tactical switch that allowed Andressa to flourish. The coach often sets Roma up in a 4-3-3, and with the system having gained them nine points from their opening four games, it would have been easy to continue as such.

Bavagnoli saw the bigger picture. She knew that unleashing Andressa more centrally, within an interchangeable 4-2-3-1 shape, would cause danger for Sassuolo.

And that didn’t detract from the performances of fellow midfielders Giugliano and Bernauer either. Both took their chances to get forward, giving the opposition a headache with their fluid movement.

Ultimately, Bavagnoli showed the kind of tactical adaptability that proves why she is so well-respected. And she will continue to demonstrate her versatility in future, always looking for a way to outwit her opponents.

Key Fact

In defeating Sassuolo, Roma made it four league wins in a row for the first time in their existence. They had previously gone on a four-match winning streak last season, but the last game of that run came in the Coppa Italia, against Roma CF – meaning they have matched their best ever run of victories in all competitions.

Holding onto the three points could prove to be crucial. Elsewhere over the weekend, fellow challengers Fiorentina and Milan drew with each other, meaning Roma cut the gap with the unbeaten Rossonere to just one point.

That result ended Milan’s own four-game winning run, which makes Roma one of the most in-form teams in the division. Only Juventus – who have a 100 per cent record from their five games – have put together more successive victories than Roma.

After an international break, the Giallorosse will be looking to carry on their good form upon their return to action on Sunday 17th October, when they visit Florentia.