Opinion: 3 notable performances from Sassuolo visit

We’ve highlighted three individual Roma performances that stood out from the goalless draw with Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon...

MARASH KUMBULLA

You wouldn't have guessed Kumbulla was making just his ninth Roma appearance or that he had missed the last five, such was the quality of his performance on the right of the Giallorossi back-three.

There were no signs of a hangover from the coronavirus that has kept the 20-year-old out of action and his return to the side was significant considering Roma’s injury problems at centre-back, where Gianluca Mancini and Chris Smalling remain absent.

Kumbulla was impressively composed against a dangerous Sassuolo front-three - with Jeremie Boga particularly frustrated by the Albania international’s presence - and his solid performance at the first attempt back in the team was hugely reassuring, especially while Mancini and Smalling remain in the treatment room.

RICK KARSDORP

Both wide men were excellent as equal measures attacking forces and defensive rocks on Sunday, and on another day they would have seen their contributions play a significant part in sealing victory.

Spinazzola was a constant threat on the left and Kaan Ayhan will have sleepless nights ahead after being relentlessly turned inside-out by the Italy international, but the Dutchman was even more striking from the right - especially when you consider we’re well accustomed to Spinazzola’s prowess, yet only starting to see the best of Karsdorp.

The more settled he becomes as the preferred man stationed on the right, the more confident his performances are - as highlighted in this display, during which no Roma player won more tackles and only Lorenzo Pellegrini made more interceptions than the 25-year-old.

GONZALO VILLAR

Like Kumbulla, Villar was also stepping up to fill important shoes as he slotted alongside Pellegrini in the centre of midfield, with the talismanic Jordan Veretout another missing through injury.

The young Spaniard has matured with each passing week, playing an important role in Roma’s progress through to the knockout stages of the Europa League - a competition Villar has started every game of.

His Serie A appearances have been more limited, however, with this just his second league start of the season. Yet once more he provided a real verve to Roma’s play in helping dictate tempo from the base of their midfield, despite the sodden conditions in the capital.