Roma went out of the Champions League semi-final with heads held high, but who most impressed in the Football Italia Player Ratings?
Words:Tom Scholes
Alisson – 5
Unusually by his own standards, Alisson may feel like he could have done a bit better for the second Liverpool goal when maybe he could have claimed the ball in the air. Overall he was quite solid but unspectacular, apart from when he tried to dribble the ball past Mohamed Salah…
Roma went out of the Champions League semi-final with heads held high, but who most impressed in the Football Italia Player Ratings?
Words:Tom Scholes
Alisson – 5
Unusually by his own standards, Alisson may feel like he could have done a bit better for the second Liverpool goal when maybe he could have claimed the ball in the air. Overall he was quite solid but unspectacular, apart from when he tried to dribble the ball past Mohamed Salah…
Alessandro Florenzi – 5
Personally, I felt that Florenzi had a good opportunity to try and pin Andy Robertson back in his own half, but the Rome born full back wasn’t quite at the races tonight. He looked hesitant to go forward (understandably) but he could have done a bit more to aid the attackers.
Federico Fazio – 5
At the very least you can say that Fazio performed better tonight than he did on Merseyside, but to be brutally honest he couldn’t have been much worse! The former Spurs defender definitely looks more comfortable in a back four, but also was not quick enough at times when he lost the ball in front of the defence. The key to being a ball-playing defender is to firstly not give the ball away and secondly to track back at pace if you somehow do. Fazio doesn’t seem to do either very well.
Kostas Manolas – 6
One of the better performers tonight, the Greek was comfortable at the back and look assured when being challenged, although his yellow card may leave a sour taste in the mouth. He couldn’t quite repeat his Barcelona heroics, but the fans will appreciate his efforts regardless of the scoreline.
Aleksandar Kolarov – 6
Another defender who I think can hold his head high, Kolarov has been so consistent this season in the Champions League and tonight showed somewhat of a glimpse of how he’s played. His crosses were dangerous, but couldn’t find their way into the path of any of the forwards, he defensively dealt with pace well and offered himself for the overlap well. One of the signings of the season, and another decent showing.
Radja Nainggolan – 6
Even though the Belgian scored twice tonight, he was rather poor for the majority of the match. He looked leggy very early on and his mistake for the opening Liverpool goal didn’t help his cause and various Twitter discussions suggested maybe his fitness wasn’t up to scratch. Regardless, his importance to this Roma team at times cannot be doubted, despite the fact a few of the fans and viewers may feel he could do more.
Daniele De Rossi – 6
The captain, the leader and the gladiator of this Roma team, De Rossi gave it his all this second leg in the pursuit of an unthinkable comeback. He may not be as dynamic as he previously was, but his role in the team can be useful, especially in ties like this. De Rossi darted across the middle to try and intercept whatever he could, but his legs eventually got the better of him before being subbed off for Gonalons on the hour mark.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 5
For someone so talented, this could have been the big breakout game to show how good he really was. Unfortunately, Pellegrini was quite poor and couldn’t quite have the same effect on the game as Kevin Strootman would’ve. Didn’t quite control the game or add enough defensively.
Patrik Schick – 5
We all know how good Schick has been across the past two seasons and these two Champions League ties should not change anyone’s mind. However, he just wasn’t good enough today. He tried and credit where credit is due, he didn’t shy away from the task, but the passes and shots just wouldn’t fall for him. I just hope his career at Roma kicks on next year and hopefully he can get a full season under his belt.
Edin Dzeko – 7
Without Dzeko, God only knows where Roma would have been in this competition. He has been simply sensational throughout and tonight he was the main threat and most important player. He led the line very well, always looked dangerous and was the only one to really threaten the back line regularly. It’s a shame we won’t see Dzeko in the final, as his performance throughout this seasons Champions League have certainly deserved some kind of recognition.
Stephan El Shaarawy – 6
SES has always been a case of ‘if only’ with some fans. We all know his has tons of ability, he just never manages to maintain it for long enough to make it count, but for periods tonight he looked very dangerous and pinned Trent Alexander-Arnold back well. Yes, it’s a shame that he dived in the first half, but at the very least he was trying to penetrate the back line of the Reds. If only he had a bit of end product, then maybe tonight’s result could have been different.
Subs:
Pellegrini off, Under On – 5
Under didn’t go over well in the first leg, being hauled off at half time but he didn’t impact the game much when he came on, although he did cause some Liverpool defenders to keep on their toes around him, even if what he tried to produce ended up failing.
De Rossi off, Gonalons On – N/A
SES off, Antonucci on – N/A