Kluivert was very good tonight. He's coming on nicely now I think. I'm starting to warm to Veretout a bit. I hope that continues. His corner taking from the right is top drawer btw. I just wanna say now that I like Mancini. I like that kid a lot actually. Needs to cut down on the yellows though, but Smaldini can be blamed for the one he got tonight. I might have to start calling Pastore 'Flaco' again and not Flopo, for now anyway. Another solid turn. He has not only brought a bit of silky quality to our game but has also put in some hard yards to boot. In case I havent mentioned this before, Milhouse is dog shit. I'll keep saying it till people here listen. That boy drags our game down. Need to offload him next summer if possible. We're going nowhere with him in our midfield. Far more positive about the team after the last couple games, but certainly not a time to get ahead of ourselves. Nipoli will be a big test. When we get everyone back fit (except Milhouse, he can stay hurt cause he's shit) Fonseca really will have so many genuine options at his disposal.
Dopo aver concesso 6 goal nelle prime 3 giornate di campionato l’#ASRoma ne ha concessi 2 nelle ultime 5, di cui solo uno su azione. pic.twitter.com/ZGnZSBxfDB— AS Roma Data (@ASRomaData) October 30, 2019
The kluivert goal is truly special from start to finish. Maybe already our team goal of the season. Samir is 6 yards deeper than the rest of the defence and all his momentum is moving to Zaniolo. Not a lot of players have the ability to read the play as quickly as Pastore did and then play the perfect weighted pass. Still work to do for kluivert but he kept his cool.
Last 2 games for Pastore: Third consecutive start for Javier #Pastore tonight. His performance in #UdineseRoma70 minutes23/29 passes1 assist2 shots off target1/1 cross1/2 long balls2/2 dribbling0/2 aerial duels8/11 ground duels 1 foul won 1 foul committed 5 tackles2 interceptions pic.twitter.com/FS2a1RMo3y— AS Roma Data (@ASRomaData) October 31, 2019 Javier #Pastore in #RomaMilan90 minutes30/37 passes (81%)3/5 long balls1/4 shots on target10/14 duels won1/1 dribbling5 fouls won4 tackles won3 clearances 2 interceptionsBest performance with #ASRoma? pic.twitter.com/OR8gQevTO6— AS Roma Data (@ASRomaData) October 27, 2019 @La Magica, seems you were right. Apologies, I need to take my hater-goggles off at times. I said coming into the season, I wanted him to be the most-expensive minnow slayer in the league, and be benched against big teams. If the last two games are any indicication, it looks like there's a chance of that happening. I'd much rather he played well for the good of Roma, than for my ego-boner to expand. Still want him gone ASAP (mainly for financial reasons) and the growth of Lorenzo at #10, but he's here now, and I should be more supportive.
It's ok mate. I went easy on you as I knew you were watching with the blinkers on and had the 3rd world stream to deal with. Cant be easy. Nutmegs should be added to that list. He's starting to find that confidence again.
Got him on my fantacalcio team and that wanker has an average rating of like 5 this season. I hope he'll be used as a winger again after Tudor is gone.
Cristante's game might not be pretty, but he's tracked the most mileage on the team, and I think eighth in the league. You need players like that, especially when most of your mids are natural playmakers.
Loved how our team got even stronger after the red card. Played tough till the end. Great to watch. Congrats to team and staff pic.twitter.com/8FZkRw4vEb— Jim Pallotta (@jimpallotta13) October 30, 2019
La moglie di @JordanVeretout è grande fan di Marco Violi pic.twitter.com/7NMfH2z2GS— DyBaldanzismo (@YosefPiperno) October 27, 2019 For reference, meglio l’originale che la cover pic.twitter.com/T50CY0VZu9— DyBaldanzismo (@YosefPiperno) October 27, 2019 My new favorite song.
Pastore has always been a classy player. IMO, the question mark about him has always been his effort off the ball. The last few games he's really put the effort in both pressing when we don't have the ball and his movement off the ball when we do.
Running alone doesn't add much. Cristante has been a disappointment both defensively and in possession. The addition of Mancini to midfield has been a blessing in disguise. It added a much needed balance especially defensively, something that Cristante (and Pellegrini) were not able to offer playing in the double pivot. Both are too soft and uninterested in being an anchor. Mancini has been way smarter in covering space, way stronger in one-one duels, more willing to open space to his colleagues, and wiser in releasing the ball with a creative eye. No cute impossible passes or back heels that result in us suffering from counters. I'd take Mancini in midfield over Cristante as a DM any day. Cristante is not a DM and will never be one no matter how long we stick him there. The only spot he may be useful for us is behind the striker providing offensive runs in a Perotta-like role, thats where he performed his best with Atalanta. But we already have 3 players competing for 1 spot there.
I have hoped to be wrong about him since he came but still feel the same way as you: his best spot as an every match regular is probably a Perrotta or Lampard kind of mold for a club like Cagliari or Torino. I actually really like Cristante's grit on the pitch and think he's a solid depth midfielder with versatility that I would not say a word about if his price tag wasn't what a club like Roma needs to be paying only for clear first choice players.