Keys to Victory: Bartoli gets Roma back to winning ways

Roma Women bounced back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Tavagnacco on Sunday.

After suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, things got back on track with a third home win of the campaign. Andressa Alves opened the scoring with a penalty early on, before Elisa Bartoli doubled the lead with a well-taken strike shortly after.

With second-placed Milan and third-placed Fiorentina both losing over the weekend, the result means Roma are now just two points off the top two.

Click here to watch highlights from the game on Roma TV+!

Key Moment

The quickfire start to the game was just what Roma needed to shake off the memories of the last two defeats. While Andressa’s opener was the instant remedy, it was Bartoli’s goal to make it 2-0 that really put Roma in a strong position.

After play had broken down from a free kick, the ball fell to Bartoli just inside the box. The captain reacted quickly to get a shot on goal, striking the ball sweetly just as it bounced off the turf.

Bartoli’s effort was powerful and accurate - finished more like a striker than a full-back - ensuring Roma established a healthy lead early on.

With breathing space already secured less than a quarter of an hour into the game, Roma knew they were back.

Key Player

Following the departure of Emma Lipman over the summer, Federica Di Criscio assumed the role of the most senior centre-back in the squad. The 26-year-old has been thriving on the responsibility, and her performance against Tavagnacco was arguably her best of the season.

Di Criscio read the play well, best highlighted with the block she made to stop a close-range shot from Lara Ivanusa in the first half. Waiting before committing to a challenge, Di Criscio was always one step ahead of her opponent, allowing her to stop the shot with ease.

It was a block that any top-class defender would have been proud of.

She also dominated in the air, which helped keep things quiet for Camelia Ceasar in goal. Di Criscio dealt with everything that was thrown her way before the opponents could convert it into danger.

Key Decision

Despite conceding four goals to Juventus the week before, coach Betty Bavagnoli decided to only make minor changes – keeping Ceasar in goal with the same back four in front of her.

That continuity proved key, as the defence formed an effective unit throughout the whole game – with the half-time substitution that saw Allyson Swaby replaced by the younger Tecla Pettenuzzo not reducing Roma’s resilience.

Many coaches may have hit the panic button after a heavy defeat, but Bavagnoli knew that the qualities of her players should not be judged on one match. All five members of the defensive department have shown their ability in the past, and understand how to play alongside each other.

Consistent gametime is especially important for defenders, who need to have a connection more than any other position to ensure they form a structure greater than the sum of their parts. Keeping things the same allowed Roma’s backline to do just that.

The end product was a clean sheet against a side who were more dangerous than their lowly league position would have suggested. On paper, it would have been the minimum requirement, but on the basis of the events of the game, Roma had to work hard for it – and by doing so, they got their rewards.

Key Fact

The early penalty gave Andressa Alves the perfect opportunity to score her first goal for the club. She has been threatening to do so recently with her positive performances, but that first Serie A goal was eluding her.

Deployed in the midfield again, she knew she would be able to show her skill, but would have fewer scoring chances from open play than normal. Therefore, if she was going to get on the scoresheet, the early spot kick was a perfect opportunity for her.

Being a penalty, it may have been an easier chance, but Andressa ensured there was no doubt with her powerfully struck effort. Sometimes a goal like that is needed to get off the mark, hopefully proving the catalyst for a scoring run from open play.

However many goals she goes on to add from here, she will always be able to say she was the first Brazilian to score for Roma Women.