There is just one big problem.
Mourinho does not overestimate Rome
In April, when the Wolves had a 12-game unbeaten streak at San Siro, who lost to Inter by a 1-3 margin, Jose praised Inzaghi’s side. He was sure it would be his former team to take the Scudetto. The Portuguese does not hide his special relationship with the Nerazzurri. In the past he has certainly tried to convince the new owners to return him to the club from Milan.
But lately, Jose has been given more complex and modest tasks. He failed to make Tottenham happy with a trophy. Left on the eve of the long-awaited final. In “Rome” everything went better, even if the path is thorny. The reform helped Uefa, the third European Cup went to the Romans. From the stormy reaction of the Eternal City fans, it is clear how important the spring win is for them.
Fanaticism in Italy has a characteristic: there is a vivid reference to the times when there was no united Italy due to nearby imperialism. When Gogol lived there, he traveled from one country to another. The northern part was under the rule of the Austrians. Only in the middle of the 19th century did the unification war begin. And centuries later, “football” as a form of pride because of the roots.
If the person is from Florence then cheering Juventus would be a betrayal, the grandmother would spit in lasagna. Of course, there is no shortage of glory hunters, they are shaped by the international successes of Italian clubs of the past. But in the capital you often have to choose, are you for “wolves” or “eagles”? Otherwise, what kind of Roman are you? Mourinho was clearly aware of this, he is an understanding man.
Having played on the pride of injured football, he creates command for the stars. Roma are not a specialist in European competitions, even if they had lost the finals behind them. Yes, and in Serie A won only in 2001. At that time, the composition was much more juicy. Mourinho does not promise a miracle, but he believes in it, because only such a person could win the Champions League with Porto and Inter.
Powerful players go to the coach
Capello had world-class players in Rome. Cafu, Zago, Candela and Aldair were already like Totti with Delvecchio. With Fabio, after the eccentric Zeman, the stars have signed. Montella, Antonioli, Nakata, Cristiano Zanetti, Samuel, Emerson and, above all, Batistuta came. The Fiorentina legend believed that Capello could make the leap to the Scudetto.
Everyone was doing the same thing. Capello had enough experience to keep Juventus behind a bit. There are enough stories like that in Serie A. Pioli managed to restore self-esteem to the great Milan in the spring: he won the long-awaited title. Conte did the same when he beat everyone with Inter. The title went to the club, which hadn’t washed it for a long time.
Napoli, despite the efforts of Sarri and Spalletti, did not survive the crazy emotions of the championship. Lazio only remembers the splendor of the medals. But each of the clubs can grow, like Roma. Mourinho brings in the players and Totti, the sporting director, meets them and convinces them to sign a contract. Dybala only received € 6 million from Roma, including bonuses.
But it’s not about the money. Paulo was hailed as a hero and offered a central role in the project. In Paris Wijnaldum was well paid, but he went to Rome. So far Mourinho has only received free agents, the Dutchman on loan and the Turkish side Celik. Punctual, but with competence, because a year ago they convinced Abramo and Patricio. Jose strengthened key positions.
Roma will benefit from the new European experience
Sevilla did not become the Spanish champion, but they gained experience THE helped in La Liga, despite the club’s strategy of selling leaders. Roma have decided to make money by sending the players to Marseille, but other goodbyes, such as the separation from Florenzi or Olsen, do not put an end to the prospects. Like Mkhitaryan’s departure from Inter. This is the next episode after Jacko is gone.
Mourinho received a full-fledged composition for the game according to the 4-3-3 scheme. Zaniolo’s desire to leave for Juventus does not change plans. The appearance of Wijnaldum and Matic strengthens the midfield. The veterans, along with Cristante, will help the team captain and Roma graduate Pellegrini create opportunities. Dybala, Abraham and El Shaarawy will play in the top three. Good choice.
Icardi is not caught with a lure yet, Shomurodov can change team, to do more playing practice, but the composition in attack is good. Even in defense there was no order by José’s standards, but there was no nightmare either. Previously, we conceded 55 goals in one season, having conceded xGA 50, we made a lot of mistakes. In the last championship we conceded 43 goals and the quality of chances dropped to 42.
Koulibaly is far from Napoli’s standards, but Roma don’t have a defender of this class. But after a serious injury, Euro 2020 starting hero Spinazolla is back, and behind him is a young Pole born in Italy – Nikola Zalewski. He chose the White Eagles, but at the club level he still plays for the Wolves. The victory in the European Cup inspired them all, they felt its strength.
The main problem of the Romans is the defense center
Ibanez and Mancini are not the best central defenders in Serie A. But together with Kumbulla and Smalling they hit a four. Tanganga and Billi were also interested, they know Mourinho personally. And on the right there is not only Celik, but also the Dutch Karsdorp. This defender has never grabbed the stars from the sky, but physically strong, he’ll be fine for a clip. Many in training, starting with Abraham, are doing well.
Even if it is clear that they are far from the championship. Artificial intelligence gives 5% on the Roma scudetto and estimates the probability of victory of Mourinho’s favorites from Inter at 36%. But if we talk about entering the top 4, then we see a paradox: Juventus’ chances are estimated at 29% and the probability that Roma will enter the top four is higher – 37%. This is a dynamic algorithm, the numbers will change the results.
But before the start of the season, with no statistics, it is clear that Spalletti, Gasperini, Sarri, Allegri and Mourinho will organize a battle for two tickets for Champions League. Jose had a chance to take the sixth Serie A team to fourth place, because Wijnaldum could still be the main in Liverpool itself and Dybala is a Serie A superstar in the best games. Roma have a lot of really useful players.
And Mourinho is a manager who knows how to inspire an obedient and sometimes successful team. If Rui Patricio can at least sometimes rest – last season the Portuguese dragged 73% of the shots and made 103 saves, the “wolves” will bite a lot of them. In such a competitive championship, fourth place would be a success. And in the Europa League it won’t be the worst.
For example, in the event of a playoff match with Manchester United Ten Hag’s team can hardly be called a favorite. Roma, thanks to the transfers and to Mourinho, did not become Atlético or Inter in terms of the best football. But even among the lucky ones it is no longer worth looking for: a strong team that has attracted an experienced coach. Jose is no longer Special, but he hasn’t even become a regular.
For example, you may want to work with him European champion. Quentin Tarantino is afraid of being an old director whose films are inferior to the worst films he made in his youth. Mourinho at Roma is trying to prove that he doesn’t need to be retired, because Jose has said more than once that he will retire as coach when he leads one of the teams.
