Gini Wijnaldum expected to start in Cremonese match https://t.co/bJTSuay1mR— RomaPress (@ASRomaPress) August 18, 2022
Would be a good game to try 4 at the back: Rui Karsdorp - Mancini - Smalling - Spina Wijnaldum - Matic- Pellegrini Dybala ——Zaniolo Tammy
I'm curious to see if Mourinho will begin to try 4 at the back on occasion, but I'd guess not until much later in the season, His press conference statements never shine much light since he mainly sticks to the type "manager speak" that downplays the team. If we stay with a back three, the main either/or in big matches will be whether Wijnaldum OR Zaniolo would start (if Pellegrini and Dybala are also available). Of course, there's plenty of minutes for both during the season in addition to Zalewski, Ibanez, Cristante (who may end up with as many minutes played this season as anyone) etc. . . But, what you posted would be our "best mid/attacking players all starting a single match" lineup.
If this was a fixture halfway through the season and things were settled in then change would be ok but I dont think it would be a wise decision to go changing things yet. Keep the shape the same and allow the likes of Pellegrini to get more familiar with his new role which could be the key in the season ahead.
Cassano has some beef with Dybala. Antonio Cassano continues chiding Roma's Paulo Dybala: "The 4-5 strongest teams didn't want him. He joined a team that finished sixth. I've been saying since his Palermo days that he's no phenom." https://t.co/IM9edPCXYD— RomaPress (@ASRomaPress) August 20, 2022
At least they got someone to put what he was trying to say in a coherent order. This retard cant even speak proper Italian and he's Italian. It's his thing now, making hot takes to stay relevant.
I'm getting the feeling that Cassano is purposefully trying to troll Roma these days. It's a damn shame, because his best years by far were in a Roma shirt. He even used to live in Totti's house, but of course, he blew that opportunity too.
Mourinho on Lorenzo Pellegrini: "He's truly become a great player, so great that he can play in multiple positions. I can envision the team playing with Gini and Lorenzo in the midfield.” https://t.co/KJDgDMo2kn— RomaPress (@ASRomaPress) August 21, 2022 On the importance of Cristante, “He’s very important for all of us. Of course, we can have stability without him and Matic, but that also depends on whether the team can grow and the growth of other players. For example, I doubt that Pellegrini, 2-3 years ago, could have given us so much stability in the midfield.” “I can envision the team playing with Gini and Lorenzo in the midfield, without Cristante and Matic. We’d just have to see whether the team can remain compact defensively.” Agree 100% to the bolded part.
I was just looking at Kvaratskhelia's goals from earlier and thinking top 4 will still be very difficult this year, and then this comes up. What a slap to the face. Mourinho was right, of course. We may have gotten stronger, but so have our competitors. And now this! This is why we can't have nice things.
Would be nice if zaniolo didn't try to do EVERYTHING himself. He did great to draw multiple defenders towards himself, but then didn't play the ball to dybala wide open in the box... Frustrating
We can really see the struggles on Cristante in the tight spaces. He just doesnt have it in termsof zip and limited the team in some good break away chances with possession through the centre. Some bright sparks otherwise they're still working on playing together. Dybala looks dangerous. Zaniolo as always but needs to make those simple passes and there could be a goal or 2 already.