The perils of Mourinho’s Roma

The formula for Roma’s success has been clear since the arrival of José Mourinho onto the bench In a limited template that has in Paulo Dybala with its only differential player, the only way to get results is to fortress of an armored group behind and that he makes the most of his headlights and the occasional flashes of supporting actors.

Because although that is true this team is Dybala and ten others, there are other players who have been fundamental to make the Argentine work easier. These are pieces that work in the shadows and the paper has been moved to the second line because of the brilliance of the ‘Jewel’, but for Mourinho They are almost as important as the Argentine.

Starting from the defense, in the setúbal coach’s line of three undisputed centre-backs, two players stand out who were instrumental in the success of the qualifiers such as Gianluca Mancini and English Chris Smallingabsolute leaders of a well-organized ‘giallorossa’ defense, which is very difficult to overcome from above, a quality also expressed in offensive set pieces, one of the most dangerous weapons of the ‘Loba’.

In the midfield, two players with a clear ‘Mourinho profile’ like the Serbian Nemanja Matic and Bryan Cristante They are the owners and masters of the middle lane, a wall before the line of three centrals to force the rival to attack on the wing or with lateral centers.

Especially important this season is a Matic who came as a free agent from Manchester Utd. Mourinho knows him well and doesn’t want to miss out on the chance to complete his squad with the experience of someone who has played on big stages and will not be affected by pressure in key moments. The Serbian, restless in any situation, earned the nickname ‘the octopus’ because of his penchant for his midfield steals.

Although they are not two particularly quick or efficient midfielders for the team to have a clean release of the ball in case of high pressure, Roma have an alternative to get the ball from the back otherwise in this case, where a player’s profile comes in which has also been decisive.

The depth of the lanes was the perfect solution to this situation. The Polish Zalewski, Leonardo Spinazzolla and Stephan El Sharawy They have been the perfect ally in moments of suffering with their overflow on the wing, gaining meters thanks to their speed and causing danger with lateral crosses in the middle of the area in search of the Englishman tammy abraham.

But if there is one player who shows what this Roma means, it is its captain, a Lorenzo Pellegrini who knows how to adapt to leave the leading role he had in the team until now to give it up Dybala for the common good. A Pellegrini, born in Rome, who continues to maintain his status as the undisputed leader of the team -and the player most loved by the fans- in difficult moments.

His quality and clear vision in the three-quarter zone has been key to unlocking goals in many games this season, and his importance in set pieces makes him a constant threat.

Roma is playing with a differential player, a Paulo Dybala where chances to win against Sevilla pass. But for Dybala to shine, Roma need the block of players who make everything easier, who support him from the shadows and know that the team is above the individual. Rome is a gear where each fulfills an important function, yes; but above all it is for everyone.