There were 15 points – and even twenty goals difference – between Atalanta and Roma before the start. Fifteen in the first thirteen days, more than one per shift. However, they were not seen on the pitch, or many fewer were seen, even though Gasperini’s team moved the ball better, especially in the first half, forcing Roma to put it into practice.
However, it is a different and lively Rome and the credit naturally goes to Ranieri who in just a few days has returned a team to his people. A team and at least two players who had been watching in recent months: Paredes and Hummels. The latter was the best of his team until he had to abandon due to injury. Once he came out, the defense melted, favoring Zaniolo’s 2-0. Who hadn’t scored for two years and didn’t celebrate. Not much.
Ranieri has – yes – lost in Naples and against Atalanta, but Roma were always in the game. Furthermore, he achieved cleanliness, order, clarity: cleansing of shadows and prejudices (I am thinking of Pellegrini and Cristante in their relationship with the fans) and clarity on the technical values.
In January it’s the club’s turn to intervene: in reality it should have done so for at least two years by solving the problem of the wingers (the good ones they call the fifths) and the second center forward: Celik is not presentable, Angeliño is a good reserve, Shomurodov a failed attempt at several times and if I think that it was preferred to Sørloth and Sesko, as a fan it makes me cry.
PS. Roma also needs a completely new Pellegrini.
