A.S Roma 3 Monza 0FT
Roma continued to have an encouraging start to the new campaign. On Saturday in Turin against Juventus. Paolo Dybala made his return to the club he represented for 8 years. It was widely considered Roma’s first big test of the season. The match had its challenges but Roma managed to get through it. Vlahovic put Roma in a hole after 2 minutes scoring a wonderful free kick. However, Roma made adjustments in the second half to battle back. Paolo Dybala and Tammy Abraham connect as Roma steal a point at the Allianz Stadium. As Roma make it seven of a possible nine points to start the season. The Romans would return home as they prepare for a midweek fixture against newly promoted Monza. Roma’s record against newly promoted sides is well documented. Roma went on a run of 33 consecutive victories before a draw to Benevento a few years back. They didn’t suffer a defeat against a newly promoted side until Venezia beat them last year. Last season they took 14 from a possible 18 points against the newly promoted sides and are currently unbeaten and 42 of their last 43 against newly promoted side. The momentum was with Roma, but we’re looking for an improved performance against Monza that is yet to get their feet off the ground in this Serie A Season 60,000 Romans at the Stadio Olimpico in attendance as we would see a Tuesday night showdown in Rome.
Actor Roma fan Timothee Chalamet with the Special one prior to kick off
Roma made a few changes to the team they used in the opening three matches of the season. Max Kumbulla inserted in at center back, Celk Zeilk. It’s his first start of the season as Mourinho gives rest to Rick Karsdorp and Nicola Zalewski starting in place of Leo spinazzola. Very similar team, but a few changes were made. The match got underway in the eternal city. Monza, by surprise, controls the possession in the game. I usually don’t bring up things like this, but it’s important to the context of the match. Roma sat back and allowed Monza to go at them in hopes of orchestrating counter-attacking situations. This doesn’t always work, and this isn’t always the approach, but against the newly promoted side that had ambitions to make a statement against Roma, they just let Monza play into their hands. Roma looked explosive with their attack when they had the ball but didn’t necessarily need to be in control of possession to approach and attack Monza. Despite the possession defensively, Roma handled Monza, trying to pressurize them. Every time Roma retains possession, they look dangerous on the break and what they could bring forward. Monza just passed the 10-minute mark. Tried to find some space in the box but ultimately failed as Carlos Augusto connects from the side of the box, but the Roman defense got in the way as they were having difficulty even with the possession, getting into dangerous areas, and being effective while Roma was waiting for an opportunity to break. In the 18th minute, the moment arrived for Roma as the long wait and anticipation were going to reach its climax. In a defensive position, Nicola Zalewski Hit a deep clearance into midfield. Tammy Abraham got his head on to it, creating a pathway for Paulo Dybala with two defenders in his space, showing his athletic ability to get past them as he patrols into the box, slotting his well-placed strike into the bottom corner in a one-on-one as Roma take a 1–0 lead.
Dybala opens his Roma account with an unreal strike
Dybala finally has his moment in his new colors as the Stadio Olimpico sings his name, as he endears himself to the fans with a beautiful strike, and the momentum tips in their direction. It ignited something within the Roma side that looked much more dangerous, especially the way they moved the ball back and forth and found ways to thread it in attacking areas. However, a couple of minutes later, Monza went for it with Gianluca Capari testing his distance from deep but missed to the right. Not really bothering really Patricio, who didn’t even need to react. Even without the possession, though, Roma was finding ways to be extremely dangerous and constantly pushing the defense under duress as they were often in vulnerable positions. Not completely due to the lack of defensive performance but what the attack was done to them. Nicola Zalewski, one of Roma’s up-and-coming players during last season, used to be a menace on his flank. He finds space getting the ball to Tammy Abraham in a very good position. The Englishman gets through as he tries to find a way into the back of the net but is unable to capitalize on the situation. Monza immediately responds as Andrea Petagna attempts to sting one at Rui Patricio but once again, not really bothering The Portuguese shot stopper as it goes wide. Following great defensive work as Monza tried to find space inside the box, Max kumbula ends up hurt as he was holding his thigh. A very unfortunate situation as he has not made an appearance in his first two games, but he had to be replaced as Chris Smalling came in. 3 minutes later, Roma was in again. Tammy Abraham was put through a one-on-one situation with Pablo Dybala to his right. The Englishman inside the box looks to try to beat the keeper into The bottom corner, but the keeper makes the save; however, Pablo Dybala is in the right place at the right time. Manages to put his foot through the follow-up as the ball rolls into the back of the net Paulo Dybala gets his brace as Roma takes a 2–0 lead. Roma continued to try to get themselves into the dangerous areas with momentum. Just building up; the fans behind them have a comfortable lead. They looked very dangerous, and they were relentless. They just kept coming near the end of the first half. Lorenzo Pellegrini was set up by Paulo Dybala, but the Roman captain flushes the finish as the first half came to a close, with Paulo Dybala’s brace being the difference.
Dybala goes for another as he scores his 100th Serie A goal
Roma put together a brilliant opening half, with Paulo Dybala scoring twice. Almost the polar opposite in terms of their performance in the game on Saturday. Even though they weren’t in control of possession, they were in control of the game. Creating high-quality chances with the potent attack with Tammy Abraham. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Pablo Dybala all found ways to get into those areas that made Monza uncomfortable. This is what Roma does. They don’t drop points against newly promoted sides. For whatever reason, they have a particular vibe about them. They know how to handle these games, and the problems in the past have been about handling the more important games. Now they have the team to do both, but regardless, Monza was always up for a challenge in this one. In the second half started, Monza looked a little bit more promising in the attacking third and did find a few chances to start the second half. However, very rarely was Rui Patricio needing to react. A moment into the second half. Pablo Dybala nearly could have completed his hat trick when he was put outside by Lorenzo Pellegrini. The Argentine strikes with power but just not enough as the goalkeeper is able to collect it. Monza went through the air as Stefano Sensei sends in a cross coming off a corner to Marlo Santos. He gets on the end of it but can’t direct it into Rui Patricio’s goal going wide. A few minutes later. Luca Caldirola had the same fate coming off another corner. If there’s one thing about this Roma team is their expertise in scoring off corners and defending them. They know where to be. They know what position to be in. As I said, they handle themselves well in these types of situations. As the game continued, Roma was growing with confidence. Lorenzo Pellegrini both found ways into the box, but they were attempted. Strikes on goal were both blocked by the defense. Almost immediately afterward. Tammy Abraham showed incredible skill with the ball. His feet get through a few defenders as he attempts to patrol the strike into the back of the net. In hindsight, he probably should have struck sooner, but his overall contributions in the game were very impactful. He’s going to get cooking soon enough. Monza defensively did all right for themselves. They were just overwhelmed. In the 61st minute, Roma found the back of the net yet again. Coming off another corner Lorenzo Pellegrini. Sending the cross into the box. Roger Ibanez getting on the end of it, sending it into the back of the net as Roma takes a 3–0 lead, killing any false hope of a comeback for the Serie A new boys.
Ibanez kills it off as his header off the set piece sees Roma go 3–0
Monza made three changes after Roma’s third goal to try to change the momentum of the game. Maybe swing it in their direction just a bit. Monza attempted. They only shot on target the entire game as they struggled from outside the box. Rui Patricio grabs and collects. Roma would make a pair of changes as well, bringing in Stephan El Shaarawy and Leo spinazzola to replace Paulo Dybala and Nicola Zalewski. Following the substitutions. Chris Smalling gets his head on the end of a header but goes wide. Monza continues to try to create chances, but they’re finishing product is not good enough as chances fail to reach the target. With 10 minutes remaining, Andrea Belotti and Edoardo Bove are introduced. Monza’s best chance of the game comes after with Jose Machin follows through on the inside the box directing his strike into the top left corner but putting a little too much on it, hitting the bar. Roma came around on the other side as Roma came in numbers on the break. Leo spinazzola sent a beautiful cross into the box Andrea Belotti getting on the end of it; somehow, Monza managed to keep it out. Probably should have scored, but a good first touch from Roma’s new number 11. a late chance from Leo spinazzola saved, and Stephan El Shaarawy went off injured before the referee Blows the Whistle as Roma 3–0 winners as Paolo Dybala’s brace in the first half enough to see Roma through as they jump to the top of the table for now.
Jose Mourinho: on Tammy Abraham
“Today Tammy played the way I want. Today is my Tammy; he won everything; it was fantastic ”.
The first-half performance against Juventus on Saturday was brutal. It was discouraging with the lack of chances Rome was able to create in the first half as we ask them to be a bit sharper. Tonight in Rome, that’s exactly what we got. Roma allowed Monza to have control of possession and the ball. The newly promoted side completed 200+ more passes throughout the game. And have control of the possession battle. However, it didn’t matter because Monza couldn’t do anything with it as it could have been a tactic to use against them. Rui Patricio only faced one shot on target. Meanwhile, Roma made good on their chances. A very electric performance in terms of creating chances and playmaking as they dominated the midfield. It was Paulo Dybala’s true introduction to the Roma team. An unbelievable strike capping off a beautiful counter, scoring his first goal for the club, and then ends up with another one after picking up Tammy Abraham’s scraps. As he shows the Roma faithful what he can bring to the team. It was a really tremendous performance from all angles. They dominated, and we finally saw a Roma team cook with the new additions that they have brought in this season. There’s been a lot of pressure and excitement surrounding the team. In the first three games, they didn’t really show their best versions of themselves. Tonight in Rome, They went to work and showed the quality that they have, especially in the attack. Tammy Abraham also had a tremendous performance despite not scoring. Did a lot for the team, assisting the first goal and just building on his performance against Juventus. He was much better tonight as we’re seeing improvements from the entire squad. We also saw Andrea Belotti for the first time off the bench. Nearly scored late on. Mourinho has built this team to win trophies, and that’s exactly what they’re capable of doing. This was just the first visual step of what we can see from this team and what they are capable of. The man of the match is Paolo Dybala, who was terrific throughout. Roma currently sits at the top of the league, Even if it’s only for the moment through four games. Roma is top of the pile as they only increase their tremendous form against newly promoted sides. In all aspects of the game, they connected at a high level, defended well, lot of creativity and ball movement through the midfield, and in the attack, we saw just a little taste of what this team can do. Roma travels to Empoli on the weekend before returning home against Atalanta Roma is cooking as Roma’s hot start of the season continues.
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