While the job isn’t quite done yet, by virtue of defeating Lazio 2-0 in yesterday’s Derby della Capitale, Roma is a hair’s breadth away from ending their eight-year Champions League drought. Thanks to yesterday’s Gianluca Mancini-inspired victory and Fiorentina’s shocking 2-0 win on the road over Juventus, Roma will enter the final matchday in fourth place, two points clear of Como and Juve.
Thanks to Sunday’s good fortune, it’s win-and-you’re-in for the Giallorossi next weekend, when they face 19th-place Verona on the road. That match will be no gimme, but for the first time this decade, Roma’s Champions League dreams are within touching distance.
We’ll have more to say on the Verona match later this week, so for now, let’s bask one more time in the glory of Roma’s latest derby victory.
The Saints
Gianluca Mancini
Could there be any other? Not only did Mancini’s brace propel Roma past Lazio, but he also made a bit of history on Sunday, becoming the first Roma defender to score two goals in a Derby della Capitale. At first glance, Mancini’s headed goals, both off corners, seemed rather run-of-the-mill, but the advanced stats paint an impressive picture.
Mancini’s two goals came against just 0.29 xG, meaning he took rather pedestrian chances and still improved his likelihood of scoring. And his 40th-minute goal was particularly impressive, as he took a 0.15 xG and generated a 0.92 xGOT, meaning he increased the relative quality of the initial chance by 513%. Put even more simply, his initial attempt had a 15% chance of scoring, but the quality of his finish boosted that to 92%.
More of that next week, please.
Paulo Dybala
It’s starting to feel more likely than not that Dybala will return to Rome next season, so there wasn’t quite as much bittersweet energy directed toward La Joya yesterday. Still, if this was truly his last turn at the Olimpico, Dybala went out on a high note. In addition to setting up Mancini’s second goal, Dybala completed three of four dribbles, drew six fouls, made five recoveries, and led all players with 11 duels won.
Plus, he did shit like this. Dybala is such a beautiful footballer. There is no other way to describe him.
Niccolo Pisilli
While this wasn’t his first derby, it’s not hard to imagine the young Roman had more than a few butterflies in his stomach ahead of yesterday’s derby. Aside from the bragging rights always at stake when Roma and Lazio meet, the 21-year-old was poised to play a pivotal role in one of the most consequential derbies in recent memory.
Undaunted by the task ahead of him, Pisilli responded with 45 excellent minutes before giving way to Stephan El Shaarawy in the second half. In addition to setting up Mancini’s first goal, Pisilli created two chances, completed two tackles, intercepted three passes, and recovered two loose balls.
Stephan El Shaarawy
You will be missed dearly.
The Sinners
Wesley
If there is one hard and fast rule in sports, it is this: When it comes to fighting, you never want to be the second one to throw the punch; you’ll always get caught. So, while we can’t fault Wesley for starting the fracas that led to his 70th-minute red card, his ill-advised swipe at Rovella means he’ll miss next week’s life or death affair against Verona.
So, while Wesley may have inadvertently closed the book on his first year with the club, it was a hell of a run. Let’s just hope that Roma can resist the transfer overtures that are sure to come this summer.
Stuck In Between
Bryan Cristante
Roma’s captain stuck to his usual modus operandi: run a lot, pass a lot, and sweat a lot. Cristante was crisp as usual with the ball at his feet, completing 43 of 51 passes, including eight balls into the final third, one accurate cross and three accurate long balls.
Neil El Aynaoui
Cristante’s co-pilot was all over the midfield yesterday, taking 63 touches, completing 92% of his passes, creating two scoring chances, winning three tackles, and 60% of his duels overall. If Manu Koné isn’t fit to start next week, another performance like this from NEA will go a long way towards capping off the season with three points.
Zeki Çelik
Joining Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini in the will they or won’t they return brigade, Çelik turned in another solid performance on Sunday, doing a bit of everything: 68 touches, 83% passing, one chance created, seven defensive contributions, three recoveries, and four duels won.
That’s it for this rendition of S&S. We’ve got one more to go, so let’s hope next Monday is cause to celebrate.
