It is safe to say that AS Roma have not had the best of seasons so far. Chaos off the pitch, accompanied by the club’s worst start to a season in 46 years, meant the club were in a terrible situation. In fact, following their 2-0 loss to Como FC in December, the Giallorossi were only two points off the relegation zone.
However, in recent weeks, Roma’s form has improved, and they are now in the top half of the table after a memorable 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Lazio in the Derby della Capitale last night. With just one defeat in their last seven games in all competitions, let’s take a look at what has changed for the three-time Scudetto winners.
Five Reasons Behind AS Roma’s Recent Upturn in Form
The return of Claudio Ranieri
When Claudio Ranieri came out of retirement to manage his boyhood club for the third time, Roma were in a state of total disarray, and questions were understandably asked about whether the 73-year-old was the right man for the job. As it turns out, he absolutely was.
Perhaps best explained by former England manager Fabio Capello, “Ranieri is the right man to bring serenity back to the team, the players and the fans. He is demonstrating that he understands a lot about football, the results are a logical consequence of his wisdom.”
Not only has the calm approach from the former Leicester City manager improved the on-field situation, but it has also stabilised the broken relationship between the fans and players. The best example of this can be seen through the veteran’s management of Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Pellegrini’s relationship with Roma fans was seemingly unrepairable. However, the decision to play him in last night’s derby proved to be a masterstroke. Pellegrini opened the scoring and was fantastic in Roma’s victory, and appeared to repair broken bridges with sections of the Curva Sud following the game.
A change in style
However, it would be naive to assume that it is only Ranieri’s man management ability which has had a positive impact. Since his return, there have been notable changes in Roma’s tactics, which have got the best out of the players available.
Earlier in the season under Juric, Roma would dominate possession in games but would be largely ineffective with the ball and lethargic without it. This approach was particularly detrimental to Summer signing Artem Dovbyk as it was not a system he was comfortable in, and he would often be anonymous as a result.
However, as seen last night, Ranieri’s Roma play with far more energy and look to hurt teams on the counterattack, utilising the attacking talent of players such as Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Angeliño and Alexis Saelemaekers. During Juric’s tenure, Roma scored just 15 goals in 12 games in all competitions. So far, under Ranieri, the Giallorossi have scored 21 in 10 and have managed to get the best out of their attacking players. Under Ranieri, Roma’s attack has also seen the blossom of a partnership, which has been crucial to their success.
Dybala and Dovbyk: Roma’s new partnership
As previously mentioned, Roma struggled to get the best out of Dovbyk in the first half of the season due to playing a style that did not suit him. Despite this, the Ukrainian is still Roma’s joint-top scorer this season with five goals. Joining him on five goals, however, is a resurgent Paulo Dybala.
In recent weeks, Dybala and Dovbyk have developed a real understanding with each other. Against Parma, their link-up play won the penalty, which opened the scoring. Against Milan, Dovbyk’s clever flick assisted a wonderful Dybala goal, and last night, their combination play began the move for the second goal. Their ability to play fast, one-touch football with each other has been crucial to Roma’s upturn in fortunes in front of goal, and they only seem to be getting better with every game.
Joyful performances from “La Joya”
Dybala, otherwise known as La Joya, has been arguably the most revitalised player throughout Roma’s revival. With three goals and two assists since the return of Ranieri, the Argentinian’s output has no doubt improved.
Not only has the former Juventus forward found some form in terms of goal contributions, but he has also had some more luck with injuries. Dybala’s ability has never been in question, but his time with Roma has been littered with frustrating injuries. Last season, Dybala missed 16 games through injury and missed 21 the season before, raising questions over his ability to stay fit.
However, La Joya has only missed two games through injury this season and has played a part in each of Roma’s last seven games. Throughout these games, he has proved that when he can stay fit, he is still one of the best players in Serie A with his dazzling displays.
Hummels: Roma’s rock in defence
Finally, Mats Hummels could not go unmentioned. The World Cup winner has been monumental since coming into the side and has massively solidified the defence. Under Juric, Hummels was controversially left out of the side and only featured once, in a 5-1 defeat away to Fiorentina. However, since Ranieri’s appointment, the German has only missed one game: Roma’s 2-0 loss to Como in December.
Hummels’ experience has clearly shown, and to put his influence into perspective, the Giallorossi have only lost twice in all competitions since he came into the side. In both of these defeats, however, Hummels has only played a total of 45 minutes, proving his importance within the side. The 36-year-old has now become crucial at the heart of Roma’s defence, and the decision not to play him earlier in the season seems more bewildering with each passing game.
Overall, it could be argued that Roma’s revival is down to several reasons. However, one thing is certain. It all points to one man: Claudio Ranieri. The former Roma player has brought stability and calmness to the club and, as a result, has drastically improved results and performances, which, in turn, has slowly begun to repair the fractured relationship between the fans and the players.
The 73-year-old moves into a senior executive role at the club at the end of the season, where he will also have a big influence on the pitch, as he has a hugely significant say in who the new manager to replace him at the end of this campaign will be.