The final month of 2019 was one of the most productive months for Roma this season. In five matches across all competitions in December Roma went unbeaten throughout the entire month that had its challenges. Going into the month of December Roma was still trying to chase down that final Champions League spot. They were on the cusp of overtaking Caglalri in that fourth position because of Caglalri’s’s head-to-head advantage they remained in that fourth position despite being level on points. Before the end of the month, they would overtake them and continue to pick up ground on Lazio in third place. They started December with a battle against this year’s surprise package Hellas Verona despite recently being promoted this season they have been on the cusp of making it into the top half of the table. It turned out to be a battle at least in the early goings. Lorenzo Pellegrini sent a pinball cross into Justin kluivert who scored a very strategic goal on the counter-attack. Verona would eventually get back in it before Diego Perotti converted from the spot just before half-time. This game was in Balance throughout in what was a rainy night in Verona. A stoppage-time goal from substitute Hendrick Mkhitaryan show to be the difference as Roma won the match with a 3-1 victory. The following match they had to go to the Stadio San Siro to face the best team in Italy this season. It was Roma against Inter Milan. The San Siro is not an easy place to play but Roma managed to have succeed largely because of their defensive performance with Gianluca Mancini and Chris Smalling. Especially Chris Smalling who had romelu Lukaku in his pocket all match. Despite the fact that Roma was unable to create many chances ref match. The defensive display and performance of backup goalkeeper Antonio Mirante proved to be decisive as Roma earned an unlikely point in a goalless draw against Inter Milan at the San Siro. Roma was pretty close to Flawless throughout the month however in a match against Wolfsberger in the Europa League they lost the opportunity to win the group. As the Romans largely benefit from a late Istanbul goal otherwise it was possible Roma would have been eliminated from the group stage. Diego Perotti scored an early penalty before Alessandro Florenzi put the ball in the back of his own net to bring the Austrians back into the game. Shortly after Edin Dzeko would score as it seemed like they were going to Coast to the three points. However, a second-half goal by Wolfsberger denied Roma an opportunity to win the group. Roma didn’t play well on the night and created too many chances not to put it away in a match that should not have challenged them in the way it did. Despite finishing second in the group they got a very winnable tie for the next round as Roma will play GENT in the round of 32. they got back to winning ways as they beat spal at home the following week. They went down thanks to an Andrea petagna penalty. However, Roma rallied benefiting from an own goal a penalty from Diego Perotti and a goal from Mkhitaryan who came off the bench to put the game away for good. Roma went on to win 3-1. then right before winter break, Roma went to Florence and absolutely wrecked Florentina. Dzeko Kolarov Pellegrini and zaniolo were the goal scorers in a 4-1 victory. By the end of the month of December Caglalri started to slip as Roma moved in took the fourth position just one point behind Lazio. Meanwhile, Roma women after suffering a loss previously have caught fire with victories in consecutive weeks one of which took them into the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia the girls continued to show their qualities. Now it’s time to recognize the player of the month in December.
Nominee: Amadou Diawara
The third nominee this month goes to Adamu Diawara. After dealing with some injury problems earlier in the season he came back and showed drastic improvements from each game this season. Prior to his injury, he had not done anything in particular that would have a Justified recognition of any early Parts he did struggle however he started to turn that around. Bryan cristante remained out due to an injury he picked up in the Sampdoria match. This gave him an opportunity to show what he is able to do. He played a vital role in the defensive Midfield as he was paired with Jordan veretout. The two of them as a unit have done really well together and even though Bryan cristante is the better player it gives and has given Roma a really good option in that position to each game over this month he has improved not only in his impact on the game but his ability to spread out the attack with good passing as well as physical play playing great defensively. He’s not a player that is going to score a lot of goals but the role he has played in the defensive Midfield has helped Roma gather momentum. Bryan cristante last season played such an important role in that area he is a hard player to replace in fact he’s the best defensive midfielder on the entire team. He was given a very difficult task and has handled it so well. In The Inter Milan game and spal game, in particular, he was special. The way he has been able to influence the game through defensive Midfield getting his teammates involved and helping not only defensively but with the counter-attack as well with very accurate passing and intelligent play. The African midfielder is really starting to come to his own this season and we have seen that this month with his progression.
Runner up: Chris Smalling
The runner-up this month goes to Chris Smalling. He has done such an exceptional job developing in Italy. So much so he plans and intends to stay in the capital be on this season. They are currently working with the paperwork and trying to get this deal done. Chris Smalling has developed on such a level the way he has played this season its night and day in comparison to what we saw at Manchester United last season. Chris Smalling did miss one match due to injury and he has been very consistent through the four games he has played. However, his performance against Inter Milan at the beginning of the month was truly spectacular one of the best defensive performances of the season in all of Europe. With the likes of romelu Lukaku and Martinez, they have developed into one of the most dynamic attacking Duos in Italian football. Chris Smalling in that match neutralizes the both of them. He had his former teammate romelu Lukaku in his pocket the entire game. He was physical with them he was technical with him and he made him not effective in The Inter Milan attack. Nothing worked on his side of the field wherever Lukaku was Chris Smalling was right there romelu Lukaku was so incredibly frustrated throughout the game because of the way Chris Smalling played in. It is performances like that. That shows the type of qualities he has been displayed in Rome this season. He was consistent throughout the performance but against Inter Milan he was just on another level he would have been deserving a player of the month with his consistent display but in December he fell a bit short.
Winner: Lorenzo Pellegrini
The player of the month in December is Lorenzo Pellegrini. Chris Smalling did really well he was as consistent as anyone in the team but Lorenzo Pellegrini was in his League all by himself this month. Since he has returned to the starting lineup from his injury he has been world-class. There’s no real debate about it at the moment the Lorenzo Pellegrini is the best midfielder in Italian football. The way he has impacted this team and through Paulo Fonseca the attack had been exceptionally vital. He has been the perfect catalyst for the football that Paulo Fonseca has played at Roma. Lorenzo Pellegrini is passing ability and influence in the lead-up encounter attacks have been essential. He is approaching a double-digit in assets already this season. Against Florentina especially he was dropping dimes everywhere. Did a really good job of communicating with his teammates and even scored a goal which has not happened a lot this season for Pellegrini. His passing ability and high level of intelligence have helped the players around him play to their highest level. As long as Lorenzo Pellegrini is in form and patrolling the Midfield Roma will have a chance to win every game. He has shown his value within the team. He has proven to be one of the most valuable players in the entire league the Midfield does not function to the same level when he is not there. Since he has returned Roma has been one of the most consistent teams in the league. They went unbeaten in the month of December and are now just one point away from third place. This is a Champions League team that has the opportunity to go far in Europe. Lorenzo Pellegrini has been the quarterback of the offense and attack collectively as a team everyone seems to be on the same page because of his impact he is starting to look like a team captain. He’s taking responsibility on and off the pitch and he’s operating at an extremely high level he has proven to be the best player on this team and one of the best in all of Italy this month he was especially productive hoping that he can only continue this exceptional run of form into the new year. Lorenzo Pellegrini is Roma’s player-of-the-month.
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