Keys to Victory: Statement victory over Sassuolo revitalises campaign

Roma went into the game looking to close the gap with the teams above them in the table, with their opponents nine points better off before kick-off.

After a promising start to 2021, the Giallorosse sent a signal of intent by taking an early lead against their third-placed opponents and another goal before half-time wrapped up the win.

It means Roma are now on a three-game winning run as they look to continue their positive recent momentum.

Here, we reflect on the major elements that made a difference against Sassuolo.

Key Moment

If there is one way to ease any doubts about a tight contest, it is to make an early impression in the game.

When Manuela Giugliano gave Roma the lead inside five minutes, there was instantly a platform for the team to build from.

Starting the game on the front foot, Roma ventured into the opposition area early on. When Lindsey Thomas went down in the box, both sides wondered if a penalty might be awarded.

The referee allowed play to continue, though, and Giugliano showed she was switched on by intercepting the ball from the Sassuolo defender.

Instantly, the penalty appeals were a thing of the past, as another avenue opened up for Roma to attack.

As the ball bounced at her feet, Giugliano took a couple of touches to control it with the outside of her right foot, cleverly directing it into territory from which she could shoot.

Due to the positioning of the defenders, there was not much goal to aim at, but Giugliano showed her precision by arrowing the ball in at the near post.

It brought up her first league goal of the season, making the Italy midfielder the fifth different player to score for Roma in Serie A this season.

An over-reliance on certain players to get goals was a problem for Roma in the first half of the campaign, but in recent weeks, other players have been stepping up again – and Giugliano’s goal was proof of how she can take charge on the pitch.

Key Player

There was a new face among the Roma ranks against Sassuolo, as Elena Linari made her debut for the club.

There has been much anticipation to see the Italy international in action since her signing was confirmed nine days before the Sassuolo game.

She understandably sat out the first match since her arrival, against Napoli, as she acclimatised to her new surroundings. But when the Sassuolo match came around, Linari was thrown straight into the fore.

Lining up alongside Allyson Swaby at centre-back, Linari made a positive first impression. Exuding a sense of calmness to the backline, she won headers, made blocks and helped to give the team a solid structure.

Thanks largely to her performance – with Swaby and goalkeeper Camelia Ceasar also among the standout players – Linari helped Roma keep a first clean sheet in Serie A since the beginning of October.

There will be more to come from the 26-year-old as she builds up her rhythm, but in terms of first impressions, it could not have gone much better.

Key Decision

One of the toughest selection dilemmas for Betty Bavagnoli going into the game was who should partner Linari at the back.

Swaby and Tecla Pettenuzzo had started every league game in the first half of the season, but with Linari’s arrival, they knew that partnership was about to be broken up.

That is not to say one of them will receive significantly fewer opportunities for the rest of the campaign – they are both having strong seasons and will get plenty of gametime between now and May.

However, game by game, Bavagnoli will have to select carefully who the most appropriate combination will be at the back.

Against Sassuolo, she chose Swaby to partner Linari. While Pettenuzzo would have been comfortable in the starting lineup too, the Jamaica international justified her selection.

Particularly in the second half, Roma had to withstand some pressure from a Sassuolo side that had scored in all but two of their previous matches this season. Swaby was equally pivotal to Roma’s successful attempt to keep them out.

The 24-year-old won eight of her nine duels and, just like Linari, made two interceptions.

It did not look like the first time Swaby and Linari had played together, as they planted the seeds for a successful partnership in defence.

Key Fact

The decisive strike proved to be from Andressa Alves, after her well-taken goal five minutes before half-time.

As Sassuolo goalkeeper Diede Lemey punched the ball away after a corner, Andressa sent it straight back in her direction with a clinical strike as it bounced in front of her.

Her powerful, left-footed effort flew across goal and into the bottom corner to leave Sassuolo with no chance of keeping it out.

It was an inspired piece of technique, and it made it three games in a row with a goal for Andressa.

After scoring a hat-trick in the Coppa Italia against Roma CF and a penalty against Napoli, the Brazil international continued her fine start to the new year.

This is the second time in her Roma career that she has scored in three consecutive games. The only other teammate to have achieved that twice is Annamaria Serturini.

If Andressa can find the net against Florentia in the next game at the end of January, she would match Serturini for the longest goalscoring streak in the club’s history.

That would not be beyond her grasp, as her rich vein of form continues to inspire Roma this month.

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