Keys to Victory: Giugliano returns in top form

Roma Women started the New Year in ideal fashion by securing a comfortable 3-0 win at Pink Bari on Saturday.

One month after visiting the same team in the Coppa Italia and requiring extra time to see them off, on this occasion Roma were much more assured and got the three points well ahead of the final whistle.

The energy displayed in the performance made it look like Roma had never been away, despite not having played for the best part of a month.

Key Moment

Roma’s final game of 2019 had seen a midfielder return from injury to score a dramatic goal – and the first game of 2020 produced the same.

While Manuela Giugliano had not been out as long as her namesake Coluccini – who scored a long-range strike just one minute after coming on for her first appearance in almost a year against Orobica – the nature of her goal was similar.

Giugliano had not featured since the end of November, when she was forced off against Juventus. However, in a microcosm of the way the whole team made an instant return to form, she was back to her best straight away when she fired home the second goal.

Just 10 minutes in, Roma had earned a two-goal advantage. Following on from Agnese Bonfantini’s cross-goal finish to break the deadlock, Giugliano took the opportunity to test opposing keeper Paula Myllyoja from distance.

Myllyoja had no chance of stopping the resulting effort – nor would most goalkeepers. Giugliano accurately picked out the bottom corner, nestling the ball beyond the reach of Bari’s No. 1.

While Roma had been performing well even in Giugliano’s absence, she sent a reminder of the difference she can make to this team – as if anyone had forgotten – with yet another moment of quality.

Key Player

The creator-in-chief for Roma was once again Andressa Alves, who showed determination to get the first assist of the game. Snatching the ball from an opponent on the edge of the attacking third, Andressa drove at the defence, always scanning the space, waiting for an opportunity.

With options either side of her – Lindsey Thomas to her left and Bonfantini to her right – the Brazilian judged the situation perfectly by sliding a through ball for the latter.

Bonfantini was able to capitalise because of the weight of Andressa’s pass, becoming Roma’s first goalscorer of 2020 in the process – just as she was in 2019 too.

Andressa also played a key role in the third goal, which ensured Roma had something to show for their second half performance as well.

This time starting from deep, the 27-year-old swung a well-executed pass into the path of Amalie Thestrup on the right wing, as Roma attacked at pace. Rather than admiring the pass, Andressa raced into the box to give her teammate another option.

Ultimately, it wasn’t necessary, as Thestrup was able to pick out Thomas at the near post for the French striker to make it 3-0. It was a goal that saw Thomas overtake Annamaria Serturini as Roma’s top scorer this season with five goals.

But looking at the wider picture, the intensity and desire shown from Andressa also deserves to be applauded. One of the more experienced members of the squad is setting an example for her companions to follow.

Key Decision

The depth Roma have added to the squad this season has been an important learning curve for some of the younger players. The likes of Angelica Soffia and Giada Greggi were among the most-used players last season, but this year are having to be more patient.

Soffia in particular has had to adapt. Recently, while Elisa Bartoli was on the sidelines and with Kaja Erzen nailing down the right-back spot for herself, the 19-year-old had to switch to the opposite flank of defence to provide cover.

Against Bari, Betty Bavagnoli rested Erzen, and with Bartoli back, gave Soffia the chance to play on her more familiar side again.

Soffia confidently marched up and down the channel, forming a good connection with Bonfantini ahead of her.

These experiences will help the teenager’s development – increasing versatility is important for players to understand their own roles and to allow the coach to be flexible.

Equally, it is essential they remain grounded in their own position, so they can specialise further down the line if needed. Bavagnoli has ensured Soffia is getting the chance to do both with her smart rotation.

Key Fact

The Serie A Femminile season has now reached its halfway stage, with Roma accumulating 24 points. That is seven more than they had managed at the same stage last season – a clear indicator of the progress being made during this campaign.

If Roma had improved their points tally by seven points in both halves of last season, they would have ended up just one point behind champions Juventus. It suggests that Roma now have the capability of challenging at the top.

They reached the halfway stage by recording a fifth successive win in all competitions, which is the first time they have ever done so. Since the defeat to Juventus, Roma have only conceded one goal – equalling their biggest ever win against Orobica and progressing against Bari in the Coppa Italia along the way.

This run of form sets the side up strongly for their upcoming run of fixtures, which could be pivotal in determining the direction of the rest of their season.

Fellow challengers AC Milan and Fiorentina await in the next two games, making it a huge month in the race for the Champions League spots.


Follow Samuel Bannister on Twitter: @SamBanno1