The Talking Point: Smalling slots straight back in

It will have been a major relief for coach Paulo Fonseca, who finally looks able to call upon a first-choice central back three after a period of defensive upheaval through a series of unfortunate injuries.

Marash Kumbulla was first back in action last week and even though he sat out this latest Roma victory through suspension, the dominant presence of Smalling re-entering the fold made sure there was little alarm this time over another switch in personnel.

The England international slotted into the middle of Roma’s central trio, flanked by match-winner Gianluca Mancini on the right and the increasingly impressive Bryan Cristante on the left - the midfielder again looking a natural at centre-half and was affored more room to get on the ball by Smalling taking up the central position.

It took Smalling just nine minutes to display the positioning sense that makes him such an important cog as last man, dropping in to snuff out the early danger of a Marko Pjaca looking to run in behind on the counter but was instead first beaten to the ball and then shrugged off it by Roma’s No. 6.

From there, Pjaca and former Giallorossi striker Mattia Destro were given little else to work with by Smalling & co., who restricted their visitors to just seven shots in total and two on target across the 90 minutes.

Smalling’s role in ensuring the clean sheet was crucial, with the 31-year-old making four clearances, five interceptions and 13 recoveries of possession - all of which were game-high returns in their respective departments.

Once he got the ball back Smalling also made good use of it and completed 54 of his 57 passes at a completion rate of 95 percent.

With Fonseca placing so much importance on his defence being able to play out from the back, Smalling’s contributions in first regaining possession and then finding a teammate helped his team stick to their coach’s blueprint for success.

Smalling’s experience, reaching of the game and marshalling of the defence are major assets in his armoury, and ones that clearly enhance the side when he is in it.

They are qualities that will surely bolster Giallorossi hopes of getting over the line in securing fourth and going as deep as possible in the Europa League this season.

And Roma already know just how much of a difference the presence of their centre-back can have on results; losing three times in the league from 14 games with Smalling in their ranks compared to three defeats in nine when he’s been sidelined through injury.

Roma have also won five out of five in the Europa League without Smalling this term, serving as evidence that balance can be struck while also providing encouragement that the squad can be kept fresh while competing across two fronts this late in the campaign.

It musn’t be forgotten that Smalling is still searching for full match fitness and it will require careful management from Fonseca and his staff to make sure he - and the rest of the Roma defence - is fit and firing going into the run-in, but with his defensive options now looking far healthier that, thankfully, should be much more manageable.