Final result: Roma-Atalanta 0-2
Svilar 6 – He gets his gloves dirty after just 4 minutes, but Retegui’s header doesn’t even worry him. Reactive on a couple of occasions, always on Retegui and De Ketelaere, he shows, as usual, great reliability between the posts. Not guilty of the two goals conceded.
Mancini 5 – Stops Atalanta’s attackers by hook and often by crook. He is almost always effective, and this is what counts, but on Zaniolo’s goal he has the disadvantage of naively allowing himself to be anticipated in the header. Without forgetting the missed goal in front of Carnesecchi.
Hummels 6,5 – Finally the Hummels in the Borussia Dortmund version that every football fan has learned to appreciate. Absolute leader of Roma’s three-man defense, the German this time plays an impeccable performance: see the advance on Retegui in the 40th minute or the intervention on De Ketelaere’s cross in the 59th minute (From the 74th minute El Shaarawy 5.5 – ElSha enters to cause a bit of havoc in the opposing half of the field, but no particular flashes of him are remembered).
It’s 6 – Clean and punctual in closing, he is the defender who is seen least in the Capitoline trio. Which can also be a good thing since there are no particular stains or smudges in its performance.
Literacy 5 – Kolasinac and Ruggeri significantly limit his range of action, then here’s the stain that decides the game negatively: it’s his (involuntary) deflection onto De Roon’s plate, just as it was his short clearance that favored the shot of the Dutch (Dal 72′ Saelemaekers 6,5 – The Belgian enters much better than El Shaarawy, immediately adding some spice to Roma’s game. The ball that Mancini fails to capitalize on in front of goal is inviting to say the least).
Kone 6 – Once again shows personality, determination and muscles in the middle of the pitch. He starts out more blocked, but slowly breaks away looking for space forward. In his game there is also a great shot from outside that grazes the top corner.
Paredes 6 – If the Argentine has regained ownership in the middle of the pitch, there must be a reason: against Atalanta, for example, his covering work is fundamental in supporting the central defenders. He doesn’t give up his shot from outside either, as can be seen after just 4 minutes.
Cristante 5.5 – He is the surprise formation compared to the London eleven and his weight in midfield certainly helps Roma keep up with Atalanta’s setters, especially in the first half. He drops to the distance and eventually comes out due to a physical problem (Dall’82’ Soulé sv).
Angelino 5.5 – The match against Bellanova promised to be a spectacle, at least on paper, however neither one side nor the other delivered the offensive contribution that was expected. Pretty stuck.
Dybala 6.5 – His two holes for Dovbyk, between the first and second half, would have deserved a completely different fate. Flashes in the darkness of a Rome that, up ahead, still tremendously needs its own Joya to turn on the light bulb. A little too nervous at the end (Dall’82’ Zalewski st).
Dovbyk 5 – He puts in the physique, the desire and the commitment, but in the end he loses the duel with Hien and the other Atalanta defenders. Two occasions, one sensational, and not even a noteworthy shot on goal (Dal 62′ Shomurodov 5.5 – The results do not change: Roma’s attack never hurts the Dea defense. He cannot be the vice-Dovbyk).
Claudio Ranieri 6 – It starts again from the certainties of London with Cristante as the only novelty. His Roma holds their own against a superior Atalanta on a technical, moral and mental level, but De Roon’s goal loosens them up, bringing out the insecurities of the past. It’s a shame, because for 60-70 minutes the Giallorossi were playing on equal terms. In summary: progress is made from a gaming point of view, but it’s still not enough. Ranieri needs points.
