Keys to Victory: Thomas helps Giallorosse grind it out

Roma Women earned their second win of 2020, defeating Empoli on Sunday courtesy of late goals in either half from Lindsey Thomas.

After suffering an agonising defeat to AC Milan and earning a last-gasp point against Fiorentina in their two most recent matches, the Giallorosse once again saw the outcome of the game decided late – but this time, all three points went in their favour.

In conditions that were hardly the best, Roma battled their way through the game at Empoli, taking the lead on the stroke of half-time when Thomas reacted quickest to a parried away shot from Agnese Bonfantini.

Empoli equalised via Marta Varriale midway through the second half, meaning Roma needed to find a way back in front before they could wrap up their first win in three games.

Key Moment

Hence, it was Thomas’s second goal that was the most decisive. Like her opener, it came at a crucial time, with just four minutes remaining on the clock when it went in.

Substitute Serturini raced down the right wing – playing on the opposite side to normal to allow Thomas to continue on the left – and her freshness meant the Empoli defence had no chance of stopping her.

Playing the ball across the face of goal at pace, the opponents could not deal with the danger, with Amalie Thestrup also trying to connect for what would have been a deserved goal after a hard-working performance up front.

Instead, the ball carried on to Thomas, who timed her run perfectly to arrive at the backpost for a tap-in.

Roma hadn’t done it as comfortably as they would have liked – with Andressa Alves seeing a penalty saved by Rachele Baldi in a moment that could have given the Giallorosse more breathing space – but the late surge of inspiration from the two wingers ensured they took the victory.

Key Player

With Roma not necessarily playing at their top gear, they needed some spark of inspiration to rise above the rest. With her two-goal cameo, that player was Thomas.

She could have had a hand in a third goal, having won the penalty that Andressa was unable to convert. Quick to make amends for being dispossessed when receiving Elisa Bartoli’s throw in, Thomas pounced to get to the ball before the defender, who was left helpless by the speed of the striker’s reactions.

It may not have led to a goal, but Thomas ensured she left her mark on the game by scoring either side of it.

Already with more goals in 2020 than she managed in the first half of the season, the 24-year-old is enjoying a lightning vein of form.

The French forward is showing versatility by contributing whether she is deployed centrally, or, as she was against Empoli, from a wider starting position.

Coming from the left wing against Empoli, Thomas caused problems with her movement, getting in the right place at the right time. Her instinct is growing with every game she plays.

Key Decision

It was a decision that was somewhat enforced by the absence of Allyson Swaby, but Betty Bavagnoli chose to bring in Petronella Ekroth for her full Roma debut alongside Tecla Pettenuzzo at the heart of the defence.

Recent signing Ekroth had made her debut as a substitute in the defeat to Milan, but had not featured against Fiorentina. Nonetheless, with her experience set to be a valuable asset to her new club – she is seven years the senior of Swaby, the next oldest centre-back available while Federica Di Criscio is out injured – it was important for her to make that step into the starting lineup at some point.

In something of a role reversal, it was 20-year-old Pettenuzzo who helped her more senior partner settle in. Starting for the sixth game in a row, Pettenuzzo showed the benefits of regular gametime with another display that showed maturity beyond her years.

Empoli never gave up their own hope, with on-loan Roma midfielder Flaminia Simonetti a livewire in midfield, meaning Roma’s backline had to stay alert at all times. It was a good first proper test for Ekroth, and another demonstration of the strides Pettenuzzo is making in her development.

The pair may be both in their first seasons at Roma, but have planted the seeds of a potentially formidable partnership.

Key Fact

Thanks to her brace, Thomas now boasts the best goals-to-games ratio of any player to ever represent Roma Women. With nine goals in 15 games so far, Thomas is averaging better than a goal every other game.

At her current rate, she is scoring 0.6 goals per game. If she continues at that rate, then by the end of the season, she should finish with somewhere around 15 goals – more than last season’s top scorer, Serturini, managed in her impressive debut campaign.

Having another reliable source of goals is exactly what Roma have needed, and it is making all the difference this season.


Follow Samuel on Twitter: @SamBanno1