Keys to Victory: Serturini proves Fiorentina's nemesis again

Roma Women are now on a run of three wins in a row for the first time since the opening three games of the season after beating Fiorentina 1-0 on 13th November.

Games against Fiorentina are always tough and can teach the team valuable lessons, with this fixture no different despite a dominance of the share of chances.

Following on from victories over Sassuolo and Hellas Verona, Roma earned a third triumph in a row thanks to a goal from Annamaria Serturini and an overall solid display as a unit.

Key Moment

Of course, in a game decided by just a single goal, it is fairly obvious to pinpoint that goal as the key moment. But Serturini’s strike deserved its place in the limelight and was well worthy of being a match winner.

The all-time top Giallorosse scorer has developed a reputation for scoring a certain kind of goal, but on this occasion she showed there are more strings to her bow.

After Fiorentina goalkeeper Katja Schroffenegger parried away a cross, the ball fell into Serturini’s path on the bounce. She needed no invitation to strike it back towards goal, finding the ideal angle and timing.

Serturini’s half-volley was a standout moment not just for this game, but of the season so far. She reacted well to a changing situation in the box and found a blend of power and accuracy with her technique.

Now on 34 goals for her Roma career – as many as their next two highest scorers combined – this one will be among her many highlights.

Key Player

The statistics from the game showed how much the balance of play had favoured Roma; Fiorentina did not record any shots on target despite having a few openings.

Every member of the backline was key to Roma’s prevention of the danger, but if there was one player who showed what she can do more than before, it was Lucia Di Guglielmo.

The full-back’s performance proved why the club wanted to bring her in from Empoli in the summer. She was combative and resistant to any pressure the visitors tried to put on with her confidence in tackling and duels.

For example, early in the second half, when the scoreline was still goalless, Di Guglielmo did well to track back and keep up with a run from Sara Baldi, eventually getting goalside and managing to deny the attacker what would otherwise have been a one-on-one with goalkeeper Camelia Ceasar.

It was representative of the way Di Guglielmo helped keep Fiorentina at bay across the entire 90 minutes, helping her teammates further forward remain in control.

Of course, it was a collective effort – the centre-back pairing of Elena Linari and Allyson Swaby also played their part in keeping quiet Daniela Sabatino, one of the league’s most dangerous strikers, and Elisa Bartoli was her usual reliable self at left-back – but the signs from the summer recruit were the most promising in terms of adding something to the mix.

Key Decision

After an impressive two-goal performance from Paloma Lazaro against Verona, Alessandro Spugna made the decision to reinstate Valeria Pirone up front instead.

Pirone was not at full fitness the week before, but was straight back into her stride after reclaiming the starting berth.

Although she did not score herself, her work rate was eye-catching as she drifted into different territories. Pirone was not afraid to drop deep or to find other spaces out wide, whether Roma were in possession or not.

Quality never in doubt, the experienced striker is looking increasingly comfortable in the Roma shirt as she adapts to the new surroundings that she found herself in over the summer.

Lazaro got her chance late on too as a substitute, and although the hierarchy may now be clearer than it initially was upon Pirone’s signing, Spugna’s awareness of being able to rely on two players for the same position will also only be increasing.

Key Fact

After also scoring against Verona the week before, Serturini became the first Roma Women player to score in consecutive games this season.

There has been a good spread of goalscorers so far, but the left winger remains the focal point and the one who will be setting the standards in front of the net for the club.

She already has four goals to her name so far this season and, like teammate Andressa Alves the week before, has now reached 10 for the calendar year (just like she did in 2019 as well).

Her target now will be to build up her record further. The highest number of consecutive games in which she has scored across her Roma career is four (between October and November 2020), so she will be hoping to be on target again when the Giallorosse travel to face Tavagnacco and Sampdoria either side of an international break.

Just like the entire team, Serturini is now building the kind of momentum she has often picked up during her Roma career. It can only be a good thing as the club look to continue their progress.

Follow Samuel Bannister on Twitter: @SamBanno1