The announcement of Daniele De Rossi as AS Roma’s manager in January ignited a storm of emotions among fans, still reeling from the departure of the esteemed Jose Mourinho. Mourinho’s legacy, marked by two consecutive European finals, cast a long shadow over De Rossi’s arrival. However, any lingering skepticism evaporated into thin air as Roma delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at the Stadio Olimpico.
Initially viewed as a temporary fix to steady the ship, De Rossi’s tenure has defied expectations, propelling Roma to seven wins in nine matches. His appointment, despite his sparse managerial background, symbolized a bold gamble by the Roma board – a gamble that has yielded substantial dividends, with Roma climbing four places in the table since his arrival.
Tactical revolution: De Rossi’s playbook
De Rossi wasted no time in imprinting his tactical philosophy upon Roma, emphasizing possession control and field domination – a stark departure from Mourinho’s strategies. The adoption of a hybrid 4-3-3 formation injected a newfound dynamism into Roma’s gameplay, reigniting hopes of Champions League qualification, a prospect that seemed distant just months ago.
A linchpin in De Rossi’s tactical metamorphosis has been the reinvigoration of Paulo Dybala, the enigmatic Argentine forward. Entrusted with a liberated role within the squad, Dybala has blossomed, netting seven goals and providing an assist in the past nine fixtures. His fluid movement and creative prowess have injected a spark into Roma’s attacking arsenal reminiscent of his Juventus days.
Player forge: unveiling Roma’s gems
In tandem with Dybala’s resurgence, the midfield maestro Leandro Paredes has emerged as a cornerstone of De Rossi’s vision. Lauded as a “deep-lying playmaker” by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Paredes has shouldered the responsibility of orchestrating Roma’s tempo and rhythm. Teaming up with Bryan Cristante or Edoardo Bove in the midfield pivot, Paredes’s pivotal role has paved the way for the liberation of players like Lorenzo Pellegrini, who now flaunts his prowess in supporting the attack.
This tactical evolution orchestrated by De Rossi has propelled Roma’s average goals per game to an impressive 2.4 – a stark contrast to the 1.5 goals per game under Mourinho’s tenure. The recent demonstration of Roma’s prowess against Brighton showcased their adeptness at pressing man-to-man, a testament to De Rossi’s tactical ingenuity. With a single defeat in their last six matches, Roma finds themselves perched third in the form table – a resounding testament to De Rossi’s transformative influence on the Giallorossi.
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