Opinion: How Fonseca’s roll of the dice unleashed Mancini

In mid-October Roma were decimated with injuries, leaving a hole in the midfield which needed to be filled.

At this point, the Giallorossi were only 10 games into the Serie A season, and there didn’t seem to be much cause for great optimism - especially considering the fact the busiest stretches loomed on the calendar.

With six matches in three weeks, it looked to be difficult times for Fonseca. At this time, there was one fit and healthy midfielder in the ranks; Jordan Veretout.

Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, and Amadou Diawara were all not expected back before November. Despite rumours neither Jack Rodwell nor Marcel Buchel were drafted in to fix the situation, instead, Fonseca had another idea - one which nobody expected.

The Portuguese tactician decided to play defender Mancini further forward in a defensive midfield role alongside Veretout. Not only did it turn out to be a shrewd and bold move, it has created a new player in the ranks.

Mancini has blossomed in the role and it was a masterstroke by Fonseca and a gamble which paid off. The young Italian defender has thrived every since. His aggressive nature and passing ability suited Fonseca’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.

As Mancini protected the back four in a central defensive midfield role, this allowed Veretout to push further up the pitch and join the Roma attack. The Frenchman worked tirelessly to press hard and keep opposing defences on the back heel.

Moving Mancini to the centre also allowed Javier Pastore to fill the vacated trequatista position just behind the striker, with Pellegrini and Henrikh Mhkitaryan out injured. Another positive has been the revival and performances of Pastore - who has played with more freedom.

Another point to note is the impact Mancini’s move has had on Nicolò Zaniolo. The Italian international used his freight train dribbling ability and deadly left foot to play some of the best football in his young career.

In the six matches since Mancini’s move, Zaniolo scored four times and Roma won three and lost one in Serie A.

With Diawara and Pellegrini returning to fitness over the international break, Mancini has since returned to the heart of the defence and breathed new life in to the Giallorossi. The 20-year-old’s confidence has shown on the pitch, having netted in the 3-0 victory over Brescia at the weekend, and then impressed in the subsequent away triumphs over Istanbul Basaksehir (3-0) and Hellas Verona (3-1).

With Roma’s season previously teetering on the brink under the weight of the injury crisis, Fonseca’s move has paid big dividends. Mancini may be back in defence, but the confidence and composure he gained during his stint in midfield has clearly only added to his performances in his favoured role.

Fonseca and Mancini must be applauded. If the Giallorossi continue to impress defensively this season, with Mancini and centre-back partner Chris Smalling at the heart of it, his early season gamble may be reflected on as having been hugely important.