Keys to Victory: Derby double completes league season

Our columnist takes a look at a 3-0 win in the Derby della Capitale to bring the ideal end to a very successful Serie A camapign...

For the second time this season, Roma Women scored three times in the derby against Lazio – this time without reply – to conclude their Serie A Femminile campaign in positive fashion.

Having wrapped up their target of Champions League qualification the week before, Roma went into the final matchday with the pressure off.

That said, they still showed a strong version of themselves for one last big game of the league campaign, in preparation for the following week’s Coppa Italia final.

Unbeaten in the league since October, Roma wrapped up that section of their season with a 3-0 win over cross-city rivals Lazio to head into the cup final on a high note.

Here are the key themes that emerged from Roma’s 17th and final Serie A win of the 2021-22 season.

Key Moment

With few changes made to the lineup, it could have been expected that Roma would work their way into the game over time.

But their focus was clear from the outset, as they took the lead inside 40 seconds.

Roma’s three most advanced players combined in the final third, with Valeria Pirone turning a pass around the corner for Sophie Roman Haug, who slid the ball through to Milica Mijatovic.

With an arrowed finish, Mijatovic picked out the near top corner to give Roma an instant stronghold in the game.

The way they started showed that there was no distraction of the looming cup final, but instead that the side was switched on – exactly as they should have been for a derby.

Key Player

After setting up the first goal with a weighted pass, Roman Haug went on to score the third, heading home a well-placed cross from right-back Angelica Soffia.

It was an example of how the striker used her physicality and presence to make an impact on her first Serie A start.

Having scored in each of her last three substitute appearances, Roman Haug netted for a fourth consecutive league game via her header.

Across the course of the game, she acted as a focal point as part of a strike partnership with fellow scorer Valeria Pirone. Roman Haug was the most effective attacker of either side, creating six chances – comfortably the most of anyone on the pitch.

There have been plenty of promising signs from the Norwegian forward since her February arrival, particularly over the last few games – and this display was another solid step in the right direction.

Key Decision

Someone who went without a goal or assist, but still had an influence on the game, was Vanessa Bernauer.

As part of Alessandro Spugna’s rotation for the match, the experienced midfielder came in for her first league start since January, and first overall since March.

But it did not look like she had been away from the centre of the action that long; as one of Roma’s longest-serving players on the pitch, she led by example.

Bernauer was calm in possession, completing more passes than any other player with 56. What’s more, only Joyce Borini touched the ball more times than Bernauer’s 84.

The Switzerland international was also useful in the opposite phase, making two tackles and winning six duels. Of her Roma teammates, only fellow midfielder Giada Greggi (who went off after a dynamic first-half display) made more of the former category and matched her for the latter.

When resting some more regular starters, Spugna could easily have simply focused on allowing youth products to take their chances – indeed, he brought on Mina Bergersen, Alessandra Ferrara and Eleonora Pacioni – but there were benefits to turning to a more seasoned player in Bernauer as well.

In fact, Roma won all seven league games Bernauer started across the season, as well as maintaining a perfect record from her four cup starts.

Key Fact

The way Roma have ended their fourth season deserves commendation when compared to the rest of Serie A Femminile.

Roma won their last five league games, a figure that only champions – and cup final opponents – Juventus can boast a better record of (by one).

Stretching further back, Roma went 16 games unbeaten in the competition up to its conclusion. In contrast, Juventus were the next best in that department, on a seven-game run without loss.

Thanks to their own effort and consistency, Roma really cut the gap with the leaders in a manner few could have seen coming, proving themselves as worthy runners up.

Indeed, by finishing five points off the top of the table, Roma became the closest runner-up behind a champion of this division since the 2018-19 season, when Fiorentina finished one point off Juventus’ tally.

In other words, in all the time Roma have been in women’s football, only one club has come closer to dethroning Juventus than they did this season.

But the team from Turin were worthy winners; for Roma, the title was not the target from the outset, rather securing Champions League football. And that they did – with distinction – to set up an exciting summer and subsequent season.

But first, there are honours to play for again in Sunday’s cup final.

It is the culmination of their work over a four-year project so far, and an admirable achievement for Alessandro Spugna in his first season as head coach of the club.

Likewise, his predecessor Betty Bavagnoli has helped bring experienced and talented players to the club in her role as Head of Women’s Football to give Spugna a squad capable of competing near the top.

And that’s what they have done this season, with the desired reward now earned.

Now, the season is set to conclude with a derby and then a cup final. Roma will be hoping those two big occasions will give them further reason to celebrate after what has been a season of significant growth.

Follow Samuel Bannister on Twitter: @SamBanno1