After winning their opening ten Serie A fixtures, Roma's record-breaking start to the season came to an end on Sunday evening after a 1-1 draw with Torino.
Giampiero Ventura surprisingly reverted to a 4-2-4 formation that was their trademark for the majority of last season. Ciro Immobile was dropped to the bench, as Riccardo Meggiorini and Paulo Barreto started up front, whilst Migjen Basha returned from suspension in midfield.
The league leaders almost took an early lead after a spectacular volley from Alessandro Florenzi from the edge of the area, but the ball sailed over the bar. However, on the half hour mark Roma did take the lead, when Alessio Cerci fell asleep from a short corner, which allowed Miralem Pjanic the room to cross for Kevin Strootman, who scored from close range.
However, Torino's star man Cerci set about trying to make amends for that error as his curling shot forced Morgan De Sanctis into an excellent save. On the stroke of half time, another brilliant run from the former Roma winger gave Omar El Kaddouri an opportunity, but his shot was disappointing.
The Granata almost equalised in sensational fashion, when Migjen Basha's diagonal ball was met with an exquisite left footed volley by Riccardo Meggiorini, but once again the home side were denied by De Sanctis.
However, with just over an hour on the clock, Torino got a deserved equalised after the usually reliable Medhi Benatia was dispossessed by Meggiorini, and the former Bari striker kept calm to roll the ball across goal and give Alessio Cerci a tap in. Incredibly, that was only the second goal that Roma have conceded so far this season.
Roma struggled to create clear cut chances after conceding the equaliser, and they were unable to prolong their perfect start to the season, despite substitute Adem Ljajic hitting the target with a late free kick.
This was a fine performance from Torino, and they deservedly came out of the game with a point. However, it must be said that they were somewhat fortunate to face a Roma side without both Francesco Totti and Gervinho - arguably their two best players this season. However, it was an impressive achievement to be the team to break Roma's winning run, however the fact that this result also extended Toro's own run without a win to seven games continues to be a worry.
Forza Toro!
Barreto must be brilliant in training, or has compromising photos of Ventura. It would be fine if he was just an emergency squad player, but he is taking (a lot) of time away from players with more talent and/or potential.
ReplyDeleteYear Goals/Assists
09/10 * 14-5
10/11 * 4-2
11/12 * 0-0
12/13 * 3-2
13/14 * 0/0
While injured for parts of 10/11 and 11/12, and suspended to start this season, he is just not good.
His game ratings for when he is playing hangs around a poor 6.3. His profile at whoscored.com shows him as having No Strengths, Poor Finishing, and No Defensive Contribution. I agree with all those points. I understand that he was productive at Bari, under Ventura, about 5 years ago, but what am I missing here?