While we’re not huge on moral victories here, when was the last time you saw Roma waltz out of the Allianz Stadium with a clean sheet? Of course, if Angeliño’s stoppage-time effort broke a bit sharper, Roma would walk away 1-0 winners over Juventus. Still, as it stands, the Giallorossi kept a clean sheet away to Juve for the first time in over two decades. For a side that’s struggled to maintain a shred of continuity during their first two matches of the season, this performance was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Of course, an actual victory would have been nice, but drawing Juventus on the road should give the Giallorossi a shot in the arm as they head into the international break, boosting their confidence and providing a blueprint for a successful September.
In the meantime, let’s dive into this week’s rendition of Sinners & Stains. However, given how solid Roma was in all facets last night, we’ll stow away the pitchforks for the time being and focus our efforts on the Saints and those stuck in between.
The Saints
Evan Ndicka
We’re heading into year two of the Evan Ndicka experience, and in some ways, I’m still not quite sure what to make of this guy. One minute, he looks like a smooth operator: a calm, collected, and classy left-footed, ball-playing defender. While the next, he looks…off, like he’s out of sync with his mates on the backline, leading to poor communication and even poorer execution. But there’s no mistaking this: he was impeccable against Juventus on Sunday.
Going the full 90, the 25-year-old Ivorian international was Roma’s highest-rated player, hitting on 98% of his 65 passes while contributing nine defensive actions, including six clearances, and winning all three of his duels.
Gianluca Mancini
Ndicka’s partner wasn’t quite as active defensively. Still, Roma’s vice-captain logged 90 solid minutes against Juventus and their flawless third kits, completing 91% of his passes, including one key pass, while winning 60% of his duels.
Angelino
Last season’s number 69 was an inch or so away from leaving Torino as an all-conquering Roman hero, watching helplessly as his stoppage-time effort seemingly beat Michele Di Gregoria before sailing just wide of the post. Despite that disappointment, Angeliño was otherwise solid, completing 88% of his passes, clearing three balls, and blocking one shot. It wasn’t an overwhelming performance, but Angeliño is becoming a nuisance to the opposition on both ends of the pitch.
Zeki Celik
Given that Roma’s only alternative at the position is the newly acquired and largely untested Saud Abdulhamid, Celik’s grasp on the right-back job remains secure. Still, the Turkish full-back continued to state his case against Juventus. In 90 minutes against the Old Lady, Celik managed a game-high four tackles while adding two clearances, one blocked shot and one accurate cross off three attempts.
Mile Svilar
He didn’t have to do much last night, but he made one crucial save on Dusan Vlahovic in the 42nd minute, racing across the goal to deny a rather tricky shot from the Serbian striker.
Stuck In Between
These fellas did more help than harm last night but couldn’t separate themselves from the pack.
- Bryan Cristante: Six defensive actions and one key pass for the embattled midfielder last night. While this was a pretty solid return for Cristante, even I, one of his staunch supporters, has realized that he’s not quite what this Roma midfield needs.
- Matias Soule: He’s not there yet, but it’s coming. The seeds of the game-changing, jaw-dropping fantasist are there, but it may take a few months of seasoning before they’re fully on display in Rome.
- Nicholas Pisilli: A surprise starter, the 19-year-old midfielder didn’t shrink from the moment last night, completing 94% of his passes, including two key passes, while adding two defensive contributions. He belongs at this level already. Remarkable,
- Artem Dovbyk: Can someone please give this €30 million man the ball in a position to actually score a goal? Hell, even a clear look at goal would be nice! While he didn’t find the back of the net or even manage a shot on target, we’re starting to see the subtle ways he contributes to the attack: the off-the-ball movements that create space for others, the physical presence at the point of attack that draws multiple defenders and his ability to operate with his back to the goal. He’ll be fine.
- Lorenzo Pellegrini: He didn’t do much with the ball at his feet, but Roma’s captain won 60% of his duels last night while adding five defensive contributions to the cause.
- Nicola Zalewski: Three tackles and one key pass in 28 minutes. We’ll take it.
- Alexis Saelemaekers: Another surprise starter, the fourth Belgian in club history managed Roma’s only shot on target last night while completing 82% of his passes.
- Paulo Dybala: Coming on at the hour-mark, he didn’t have much time to swing the results, but La Joya won three of his four duels, put in a couple of decent corner kicks, and saw one shot blocked.
- Helpful Hand: Roma’s newest signing debuted against Juve on the road before participating in his first full training session. In 18 minutes, the French midfielder was relatively quiet but completed 75% of his passes while winning two of four duels.
- Tommaso Baldanzi/Eldor Shomurodov: Only 16 combined minutes, but Baldanzi is SCREAMING for a more significant one.
That’s it for this rendition of Sinners & Saints, but now give us your take: Were there any sinners from the club’s scoreless draw against Juve?
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