Goals by Tsadjout and Ciofani on penalties, interspersed with a goal by Spinazzola, gave Ballardini’s team their first success. For Mourinho, sent off at the beginning of the second half, the Champions League complication
February 28 – Cremona
After Spezia of the Garcia-Fonseca era here is another Romanist nightmare. It is Cremonese, who after the Coppa Italia beat the Giallorossi again 2-1, preventing Roma from catching up with Inter and Milan in second place. Were it for Cremonese, he would probably always play for Roma given that this year he has won three games, two of which with Roma (the other with Ternana in August, in the Italian Cup, the one against Napoli he won at the penalties). Goals by Tsadjout and Ciofani decided the gray-red victory, to which a very ugly Roma responded with Spinazzola. To make matters worse, Mourinho’s red card for protests (the third of the season), who will thus be forced to miss next Sunday’s match against Juventus.
Tsadjout again
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Mourinho is without Smalling (disqualified) and Wijanldum launches for the first time from the start, confirming Belotti in the center of the attack and Dybala behind him, also on the pitch from the first minute. Ballardini, on the other hand, needs to win to still hope for salvation and even lines up three strikers: Felix, Okerere and Tsadjout, with Dessers starting from the bench instead. The Giallorossi’s departure is also good, at least in terms of intensity and energy. And Wijnaldum immediately seems at ease, so much so that after 3′ of play he is the one who comes close to scoring. Only that Cremonese is well placed on the pitch, closes the spaces well and presses high when there is pressure to be had. So in the 17th minute Ballardini’s team went through, with the second consecutive goal from Tsadjout, good at capitalizing on a nice chest assist from outside by Valeri. The goal unnerves Roma, who are no longer able to make themselves truly dangerous. Wijanldum tries again from outside, then a high free-kick from Dybala and nothing more. Also because they play more on the right than on the left, but Zalewski’s day isn’t the best and so the construction suffers. Spinazzola, on the other hand, is never triggered on the other hand, while Belotti also tries to bang himself up front as he can, but little or nothing in terms of effectiveness. Nel comes out a team that, unlike usual, keeps the ball a lot (63%), but almost never manages to become dangerous. Something that Tsadjout still does, but his conclusion this time is to be forgotten. We go to the break on 1-0 for Cremonese and the impression of an ugly match in terms of play.
Q&A
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The second half begins with a red light for Mourinho, who blatantly argues with Serra, the fourth official. Which obviously only makes Roma even more nervous who seem unable to place three passes in a row. Goalkeeper coach Nuno Santos then takes the lead for the Giallorossi, given that Mourinho’s deputy (Foti) is also out due to disqualification. And Roma are fine with Spinazzola saving on Felix in a three-on-two restart in which Cremonese can end the game. So in the 18th minute Roma changed everything, sending in Abraham (without a mask), Solbakken, El Shaarawy and Matic together. However, the minutes pass, but there is no trace of opportunities. And so while Ballardini puts in Meitè to strengthen the midfield (switching to a 3-5-2), Roma also throws in Karsdorp, playing the last 25 minutes with a 4-2-3-1 that often becomes a 4-2- 4 super offensive. Abraham has a good chance but wastes it, but the equalizer arrives in the 25th minute: Mancini launches for Spinazzola, who controls and burns Carnesecchi flat. Then Dybala also tries in the race, Carnesecchi saves on El Shaarawy on the way out, but in the 35th minute Ciofani (just entered) gives a golden assist to Okereke, who landed in Rui Patricio’s area: the same Abruzzo striker goes on the spot 2-1. It ends with the landlords closed in defense of a very precious victory and Dybala’s last desperate attempt.
February 28, 2023 (change February 28, 2023 | 20:36)
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