Keys to Victory: Winning start and positive early signs

Roma Women made a winning start to the Alessandro Spugna era on Saturday by clinching a 3-0 triumph away at Empoli.

Rather fortuitously (not to say unusually...), all three goals were converted into their own net by Empoli defenders, although the result in Roma’s favour was certainly warranted.

Spugna’s side were in control of the game, enjoying more of the ball than their hosts and having more attempts at goal. Although they needed a helping hand to get the ball in the back of the net, their win was fully justified.

For a Roma side undergoing a minor transition, this was a positive first step, thanks to players both old and new.

Here, we look back on the most important factors that saw Roma over the line.

Key Player

The last time Vanessa Bernauer kicked a ball in competitive action for Roma, she scored the penalty that won them their first ever trophy, the Coppa Italia.

And after such a positive end to last season, she started the new campaign in the right manner, too.

Bernauer signed a one-year contract extension over the summer and ensured the first game in the timeframe of that new deal was a good one. Although she faces fresh competition for her place this year from summer signing Thaisa Moreno and an injury-free Giada Greggi, Bernauer showed why the club wanted to keep her into a fourth season.

The Switzerland international was confident on the ball from the opening exchanges, discovering smart passing angles and finding pockets of space from which to influence play.

She created chances via crosses and passes along the ground, while also occasionally taking the rotating responsibility of sending in corners.

It was an excellent aerial ball from Bernauer that sent through debutant Benedetta Glionna for the action that led to Roma’s second goal, for example.

In addition, she contributed in the defensive phase, even slotting in as a temporary centre-back in the few minutes between Elena Linari’s red card and the introduction of Tecla Pettenuzzo from the bench.

Bernauer earned her contract renewal over the summer and her rhythmic display in the middle of the park was a timely reminder of how she can contribute.

Key Moment

As stated, the second goal featured some good technique in the build-up, while it also came at a critical time.

The game was still finely balanced at half-time, when the score was 1-0, but Roma began the second half strongly. There was a chance for Glionna from open play, for example, and another for Allyson Swaby after a corner.

Then, 12 minutes after the interval, Roma did find another breakthrough to double their lead.

Inspired by Bernauer’s long pass, the move was the most pleasing in terms of how Roma created a chance from all three of their goals on the day. Glionna raced into attacking territory away from her former teammates turned opponents, bringing the ball under control from the air.

As she sought to set up a Roma colleague rather than take aim herself this time, the end result turned out to be the one she had been aiming for with her previous chance. Her low cross hit a defender and the ball looped into the net.

Not only did the second goal give Roma more breathing space, it also gave a glimpse of a more direct style that they can now use to vary their play.

This team has always played good football, but they are now already utilising different methods of attack, without losing that core identity. It means that Roma’s forwards should have plenty of chances to finish off on their own in future matches.

Key Decision

Out of Roma’s new signings, Spugna handed starts to Thaisa, Glionna and Valeria Pirone.

Only Glionna played the full 90 minutes – also going on to play the cross that prompted the third goal – which allowed the rest to ease into their new setup so their impact can be more significant over time.

One new arrival who did not start, though, was full-back Lucia Di Guglielmo, with Spugna instead sticking with Angelica Soffia.

Soffia was one of Roma’s standout players last season, closing the campaign in particularly strong form. However, the arrival of Di Guglielmo has provided her with new competition to ensure the squad remains competitive.

The decision to start Soffia paid off, as she played a perfectly weighted pass to split the defence and set up Annamaria Serturini in the passage of play that created the opening goal.

Soffia has seen off challenges for her place before and set out her intentions for the new season with a promising display overall, even if she will need time to get back into the rhythm that she found a few months ago.

But Di Guglielmo was able to play her own part, too, coming on for the final 20 minutes to a warm reception from the Empoli fans that had cheered her on for the past five years.

Time was limited for her to make a major impact, but she will be a very useful option as the season progresses.

Indeed, the battle between the two Italy internationals for the starting berth should be an intense one each week, something which should only push both to improve.

Key Fact

Finally, for the first time since their 2018 formation, Roma won their first game of a new season.

It has been something the club have been hoping to rectify for a while, but the task has now been ticked off at long last, marking a major relief for all.

It was important to set out on the right path, particularly as it is a new era with Spugna at the helm and several new players in the squad. This result will have boosted their confidence and self-belief from the off, helping to convince them of what they are working towards.

Roma will be hoping that an opening day win can be the springboard they need for more sustained success across the season, having ended the previous campaign under Betty Bavagnoli in strong form as well.

Ultimately, it is not how they start the season or end it that is important, but how they fare across all 22 games. That said, starting as they mean to go on can only help.

Follow Samuel Bannister on Twitter: @SamBanno1