Opinion: Reflecting on Villar's breakthrough display in Sardinia

Contributor Wayne Girard reflects on the potential already shown by January arrival Gonzalo Villar…

Most people would likely say it is too early to have any idea of who Gonzalo Villar is, and what he could become.

An almost ever-changing midfield became a theme of Roma’s 2019-20 season, at least before the pandemic hit - as injuries often forced manager Paulo Fonseca’s hand in choosing unorthodox pairings and options.

The benefit, however, was that these fluctuations gave opportunities to players who may not have seen the pitch otherwise.

When a young, slender midfielder came over from Elche in Spain’s second division in the winter transfer window, few outside the Italian capital batted an eyelid. This youngster was a low profile addition, a player surely unfamiliar with the rigid tactics in Italian football and with more potential than ability heading into the second half of the season.

Midfield playmaker Amadou Diawara had been forced out with a lengthy knee injury, dampening spirits surrounding the squad. Jordan Veretout, Bryan Cristante, and Lorenzo Pellegrini simultaneously spent further time on the treatment table with their own respective issues – and when they weren’t injured, were often doing double duty to cover for those who were.

So up stepped Villar.

Roma’s determination to sign him hinted that there just may be something exciting to unfurl from the young player from southern Spain. While those surrounding Italian football doubted his stock, certain voices around Valencia lamented his departure to the Italian capital.

His fresh face was given a baptism by fire, as the Giallorossi succumbed to Atalanta in an important game at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in mid-February. While it could hardly be remembered by those watching on, what the youngster’s late cameo did prove was that he had the courage to take his style of play into a tough situation.

This confident yet humble attitude would pave the way for a chance to crack the starting XI.

Over the next half-month, Roma regained some composure by thumping Lecce and advancing to the Europa League last-16 against Gent. They were fighting to climb back up the league table, yet injuries kept affecting Fonseca’s chosen starting side.

It’s said that the folly of one man is the fortune of another, and Villar was given a chance to start against Cagliari, in what would become one of the most volatile matches of the season.

The young Spaniard slotted in to the right of Fonseca’s midfield pivot, partnering Cristante, as the two anchored Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It took just 20 minutes for Villar to settle in and find the ball at his feet, and from then on, he hardly took a wrong step.

His first impact was a ball played between the lines into the Rossoblu’s half, in what would be the beginning of a very special connection between him and Cengiz Under.

Villar’s top attribute then acted as the starting point for the goal to draw level. As he took possession of the ball and switched play from right to left, the ball reached Aleksandar Kolarov who was breaking down the flank. His cross in front of the face of goal ricocheted to reach Nikola Kalinic, who scored his first goal for the Giallorossi.

No. 14 was the first player Kalinic acknowledged as they ran back to the halfway line, as he made a darting run to occupy the near post, drawing a defender away from the Croatian, who ultimately kept the play onside.

It was a team play that was facilitated by the midfielder, who shifted away from the opponent, and played the ball into open space. A simple, yet precise linkage that switched the field of play - a movement just as psychological as physical.

Just past the half-hour mark, Villar’s confidence was tangible. He took more risks in gaining ground up-pitch, especially as Under continued to pinch and allow him to release vertically, pulling away the opposition to create even more space and forward opportunities.

In what must be considered one of the top team plays of the season, he featured in an incredible exchange seeing the ball played between Roma players eight different times, playing the ball from their defensive half all the way to inside the Casteddu’s goal area.

Mkhitaryan’s darting run was preceded by Villar’s turn away from pressure, which foiled Cagliari’s defensive focus.

Throughout the next hour, Villar took advantage of a rugged home side that nipped - but could not catch - his heels. A beautiful give-and-go just before halftime saw him dribble out of pressure, skipping past the third defender who eventually fouled him, but the referee allowed play to continue through advantage - leading to yet another goal-scoring-opportunity.

As Roma took another two-goal advantage later in the second half, Veretout came on in place of Justin Kluivert.

Fonseca modified Villar’s role to a more forward position, pressuring the opposition and creating a balanced front-line aimed at winning the ball back and maintaining possession.

Keeping him on for the full match, in such a hostile environment, showed the faith the boss had in him - and it was duly repaid.

Villar may yet find his influence within the Roma midfield only grows. He has the collected attitude to provide a sense of calm to the squad, while making the simple passes, as well as the ability to manipulate the opposition.

The rest of the season may rest in uncertainty – but even from his solitary start to date, Villar has done a lot to erase that same uncertainty that once surrounded him.