Over the course of the week and leading up to the Derby D’Italia, Inter Worldwide will bring you a series of articles outlining our direct rivals for the final UEFA Champions League places. In this edition, Bruno talks us through an inconsistent Roma, which will have their work cut out for them.
How did they get here?
Roma started the preseason in the International Champions cup, with matches against Tottenham, Barcelona and Real Madrid. They lost 4-1 to Tottenham, beat Barcelona 4-2, and lost to Real Madrid 2-1. So it can be clear that they had an extremely inconsistent preseason.
Roma commenced the season with only 1 win in their first 7 matches (1W, 2D, 4L). This consisted of both Serie A and Champions league matches.
Roma then bounced back losing only 1 match out of 11 in all competitions (7W, 3D, 1L). This provided the team with momentum leading into December. Then again inconsistency kicked back in where they went 5 matches without a win (2D, 3L). Like Inter, Milan, Lazio, Atalanta and Torino, Roma have lacked consistency, and have dropped points on multiple occasions. Given the circumstances of the previously mentioned teams, Roma currently sit in 6th place. Fortune has played into the hands of Roma throughout the season. It was a reoccurring factor when Roma would drop points, so would the other teams around them.
Moving into the final 5 matches of the Serie A, Roma most recently drew with Inter. This single point may be critical in their final run for European qualification.
Where are they now?
Sitting in 6th Roma have an interesting run of matches. They host Cagliari (10th), travel to Genoa (15th), host Juventus (1st), travel to Sassuolo (12th) and end the season hosting Parma (14th). Although the competitors seem ‘easy’ do not jump to conclusions. Cagliari has proven to be a team with grit and determination being no walk in the park. Genoa is one of the only 2 teams to have beaten 1st place Juventus this season. Juventus are currently first and have a strong record against Roma. Sassuolo have proven time and time again that they are no walk over. Parma will also not be too easy. In saying that it is a much ‘easier’ run than most other teams in European contention giving Roma the upper hand, and based off what occurred when the teams last met anything is possible.
Record: W 15, D 10, L 8
League Position: 6th place
Distance behind Inter: Currently 6 points behind Inter, with Inter holding the tiebreaker for away goals scored.
Remaining fixtures: Cagliari (H), Genoa (A), Juventus (H), Sassuolo (A), Parma (H)
Predicted points and league standing: 10 points (3W, 1D, 1L) 5th (Same as the last time these teams met.)
