Opinion: Spinazzola and Karsdorp bring energy and balance

Although Roma didn't secure all three points in their controversial 0-0 encounter with Sassuolo, which saw Pedro and Paulo Fonseca dismissed during the course of the contest, Roma's flying wingbacks caught the eye throughout.

Providing so much threat going forward and solidity defensively, Leonardo Spinazzola and Rick Karsdorp will have impressed their boss once again.

Seeing as Roma's attacking midfielders would customarily operate in central areas, the wingbacks were crucial in providing width to attacks.

Joining attacks at every available opportunity, the dynamic duo timed their runs brilliantly, which also saw them add depth to moves too.

Stretching the Sassuolo rearguard vertically and horizontally, they were a chief source of offensive impetus for the home side.

Exploiting spaces in the channels and following switches of play, their appetite to get into advanced areas saw them drive Roma forward on countless occasions.

Their teammates' nifty movement to generate the conditions for them to shine deserved mention too, for they occupied markers to create the room they craved.

Implementing the 'overload to isolate' principle was an interesting factor, as Roma would initially direct their attacks down one side to draw the Sassuolo block over.

Then, once they'd drawn them over, a quick switch of play would be struck to the far side, where either fullback could be isolated in acres of space against their direct opponent.

This particularly benefitted Spinazzola, for it meant he could persistently get on the ball to use his amazing 1v1 qualities on the dribble to outfox his man and maraud towards the box.

Indeed the fact he completed 10 successful dribbles, 11 progressive runs and six touches inside the box illustrated his menace.

In the case of Karsdorp, he influenced proceedings more so with his off the ball movement and passing. So cunning when embarking on his runs, when executing slick rotations with Pedro to underlap or when pinning foes to manufacture openings for colleagues, his intelligence shone.

In terms of his passing, he contributed impressively in build up to beat the press, recycled possession cleanly and when striking through balls to oblige runners upfield.

Giving all of their opponents (a mix of Kaan Ayhan, Rogerio, Domenico Berardi and Jeremie Boga) a torrid time, Roma's irrepressible pairing didn't let up, maintaining their energy levels even into the second half when Roma were down to 10 men.

Meanwhile, on the defensive end, the Italian and the Dutchman did a fine job of respectively keeping the dangerous Berardi and Boga in check.

Restricting the gifted wizards to just a handful of promising passages, they remained concentrated and alert to contain their adversaries.

Operating with urgency and intent, they pressed them when certain triggers arose such as them receiving back to goal or in an open posture, meaning they couldn't easily turn and face before charging forward with their silky skills.

Moreover, how they shrewdly tracked any runs in behind was vital, thus ensuring their usually damaging out-to-in runs were handled smartly.

Boga and Berardi's struggles were depicted by the numbers that state they only completed a combined four out of 12 passes into the final third, had one shot between them and couldn't manage a single touch inside the area.

It was also crucial how Spinazzola and Karsdorp handled positional interchanges by Sassuolo's wingers and fullbacks so they weren't caught out.

Working cohesively with the outside central defenders in Roger Ibanez and Marash Kumbulla, they dealt with crossovers superbly while maintaining defensive stability.

Showing immense determination, commitment and discipline, their efforts both individually and collectively were a standout feature for the Giallorossi.

Their latest body of work provided further evidence of this and just what integral components they are in Fonseca's framework.