Position: 6th
Points: 63
Season Comparison: 6th, 63 points
Best Serie A scorer: Paulo Dybala, 12 goals in 25 Serie A games
Rating: 5.5/10
Season Overview
After all, it was another disappointing Serie A campaign for José Mourinho’s Roma. The Special One had to make a decision and went all-in in Europa League, hoping to snatch a Champions League spot by lifting the trophy. Sevilla had other plans. Roma ended in the same position and with the same number of points as in the previous campaign, which means another year with no Champions League football for the Giallorossi. However, fans always backed the team and their coach selling out the Stadio Olimpico for every Serie A game. It wasn’t enough for a top-four finish, but if Mou stays, as it seems, they’ll provide the same support hoping for better results in the league.
Turnaround moment
The Giallorossi were among the less-beaten defences at home, with 15 goals conceded, only one fewer than Inter and Bologna. However, they also had the less-prolific attack in the top 7 with 50 goals scored and Mou’s men only won two matches against teams who earned a European placement. They finished empty-handed against Napoli, Lazio and Atalanta, collected two points against Milan, three against Inter and four against Juventus. There wasn’t a real turning point in Roma’s Serie A campaign, but their struggles against the top sides surely highlight an area where the Giallorossi must improve, no matter what, in 2023-24.
The Coach – José Mourinho
Mourinho’s leadership and experience in European competitions have helped boost the squad to make two consecutive Finals, but results in Serie A have not been as satisfying. Mou has found the best place to revitalise his career. He was never criticised by Roma fans who, on the contrary, put up a banner in the last game of the Season against Spezia, beginning the club to keep the coach for ‘1,000 years.’ It says all about what Roma fans feel for the Special One. He often complained about the squad’s depth, and to be fair, he was not wrong. His city rivals Lazio, for example, finished as Serie A’s runners-up but were first eliminated from the Europa League and then from Conference League. Mou was often irritable on the touchline and missed three Serie A games due to suspensions. One of the highlights of his Season came before the World Cup break when he blamed a player [Rick Karsdorp] for ‘betraying’ the team, but the Dutchman made him change his mind in the second part of the campaign.
Player of the Season – Paulo Dybala
Without a doubt, Roma’s player of the Season is none other than “La Joya” Paulo Dybala. Since his arrival, he has been the focal point of Roma’s attack and ended his first Season in the capital with 17 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances across all competitions. The Argentinian won the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar, and his Serie A experience has lifted the Giallorossi to become fighters in some moments of the campaign. The Giallorossi fans are absolutely in love with their star striker but will be sweating more than usual during the hot capitoline summer if the Argentinean doesn’t sign a new deal, given that his contract has two different clauses. One’s worth €12m and is valid for clubs outside Serie A who, however, can secure his signature by paying only €20m.
Disappointing Player of the Season – Andrea Belotti
Roma’s disappointing player of the Season has to be a tie between Tammy Abraham and Andrea Belotti. The Englishman did not look himself this Season, recording nine goals and five assists in 51 appearances, simply not good enough. Teammate Andrea Belotti is also in the same boat. Especially in a season where Abraham was far from his best, the ex-Torino captain had a golden opportunity to show his worth in a top club. The chance he’s been waiting for his entire career. Belotti started 12 Serie A games but failed to score for the whole campaign in Italy’s top flight for the first time ever in his career. Even in his debut season in Serie A, back with Palermo in 2014-15, he netted six goals in 38 matches.
Miguel Agyei