Four Things We Learned: Finishing the year with a fine win

In what was a hugely entertaining clash to end the year, goals from Jordan Veretout, Edin Dzeko and Gianluca Mancini were enough to get all three points - despite Joao Pedro's double for the visitors.

Outperforming Cagliari in some key metrics, including Expected Goals (2.28 to 1.40) shots (14 to eight), possession (62.3% to 37.7%), corners (six to zero) and pass success rate (84% to 75%), Roma deserved the victory.

Getting the response he wanted from his troops, Paulo Fonseca cut a content figure afterwards, explaining: “I’m satisfied, it was important to win today.

"There are no easy games and this game was another example of that. We had to fight until the very end to get the three points.

"I don’t think the scoreline is a fair reflection; we created chances, we had openings and we could have ensured we didn’t have any issues in the final moments of the game like we did. But I’m very pleased with the boys and the three points.”

Smart pressing setup

Seeing as Cagliari often looked to pass out from the back, Fonseca's plan to limit their effectiveness worked smoothly. With Eusebio Di Francesco's side deployed in a 3-5-2/5-3-2 shape, Roma's frontline of Dzeko, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pedro marked Cagliari's trio of centre backs.

With the Sardinians enjoying a 3v2 numerical superiority in central midfield over Veretout and Gonzalo Villar, one of Roma's outside central defenders in Marash Kumbulla or Mancini would step out to wider centre mids Nahitan Nandez or Marko Rog to negate this.

This component of their pressing structure was not only key in nullifying Cagliari's ability to beat the press but ensured Roma won the ball back on many occasions in good areas.

The wingbacks would then mark the Cagliari wingbacks while the remaining two central defenders would monitor Joao Pedro and Giovanni Simeone.

Creating many chances through their excellent pressing, particularly in the first half, this was another illustration of Fonseca's aptitude in this area of the game.

Cristante brilliant in defence

Operating at the heart of central defence for this one, Bryan Cristante yet again showed how well he's adapted his skill set to this role. So composed and aware of his surroundings, the experienced Italian's defensive work was of a high standard.

Tracking Pedro or Simeone aggressively when they dropped deep or ran in behind, Cristante was usually touchtight or nearby in order to unbalance or impede them from executing their actions cleanly.

Although not blessed with elite speed, his reading of the play and concentration ensured he was awake to whatever Cagliari threw at him more often than not.

The fact he's so strong in the air deserves mention too, for he competed brilliantly against his physically imposing adversaries on his way to winning all seven of his aerial battles.

Cristante was arguably even more impressive in possession, where he acted like a deep lying playmaker for the Giallorossi. Dictating the tempo of Roma's passing game, Cristante was instrumental towards them breaking the press with his incision and accuracy.

So comfortable under pressure, Cristante remained composed when harried to still fire off crisp passes to colleagues or carry the ball upfield. On top of breaking the lines and switching the play slickly, how he unleashed some devastating through balls in behind to his forwards added to his worth.

Excelling in both phases of the game, Cristante continues to show his flexibility and growth in this position, which his manager duly praised him for.

"I chose Bryan because of my confidence in him, I like how he plays in that position: it was important for us to have the ball and be able to build out from the back from him," Fonseca insisted in his post match comments.

Target man Dzeko shines

Whenever Roma needed an out ball following some smart Cagliari pressure or when Antonio Mirante had to clear the ball in a hurry, Dzeko provided the perfect option. Serving as an exceptional target man, the Bosnian marksman used his strength, ability to rapidly pick up the ball's flight and heading class to help his team win second balls high up.

Whether through flicks ons, nod downs or by chesting the ball down himself, Dzeko was able to help his team regain vital second balls but also get it to teammates in ideal forward facing postures to immediately add momentum into attacks.

A key byproduct attached to his efforts here came from how when he moved towards the ball, this created space for a teammate to run into due to his man following him.

On top of scoring a goal to reward his showing, his 10 won duels punctuated how important his presence was for Roma.