Last night saw Roma lose on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, after a 1-1 draw in the Champions Cup.
Marquinhos opened the scoring for the French side before Umar Sadiq’s second half equaliser, but Gerson missed in the shoot-out to hand PSG the win.
Following wins over Pinzolo and Slovacko, it was the first real test of pre-season for Coach Eusebio Di Francesco, so what did we learn from the encounter?
Last night saw Roma lose on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, after a 1-1 draw in the Champions Cup.
Marquinhos opened the scoring for the French side before Umar Sadiq’s second half equaliser, but Gerson missed in the shoot-out to hand PSG the win.
Following wins over Pinzolo and Slovacko, it was the first real test of pre-season for Coach Eusebio Di Francesco, so what did we learn from the encounter?
Bruno Peres may have a role after all
It was expected that the Brazilian would be moved on this summer, with Di Francesco publicly expressing his doubts about Bruno Peres’ ability to play in a back-four.
However, the former Torino man started last night’s match, and it was immediately notable how much of the play went down the right side, through Peres and Juan Iturbe.
Iturbe failed to create much and was taken off at half-time, with Diego Perotti switching to play in front of Peres, who was the only player who lasted the whole match.
A new left-back may be needed
With injuries and Mario Rui’s departure to Napoli, new signing Hector Moreno was deployed in an unfamiliar left-back role.
Juan Jesus often played on the flank last season, but it appears Di Francesco is not convinced by the former Inter man in that role, so a specialist left-back may be needed.
Moreno struggled on the flank, with PSG appearing to target him, and he lost Marquinhos for the goal.
Nainggolan given licence to roam
Di Francesco was repeatedly seen giving instructions to his midfielders, instructing one to stay close to Maxime Gonalons – or later Daniele De Rossi – and the other to get up and support the forwards.
Radja Nainggolan came on for Kevin Strootman at half-time, and often popped-up in the trequartista role.
That could be an indication of where the Belgian will be deployed this season, although fellow substitute Gerson also took up that role, drifting in from the left flank.
Gerson could be imporant this season
Gerson was disappointing for the Giallorossi last season, making just four Serie A appearances, of which two were starts.
However, he showed a lot of promise against PSG, setting up Umar Sadiq’s goal with a beautiful chip over the top.
It’s early days, but the 20-year-old is staking a claim to be more involved this season – penalty miss notwithstanding.
This probably won’t be Iturbe’s year
The winger was always available for a pass and worked hard, though without actually producing anything of note.
Following loans to Bournemouth and Torino in the past two seasons, it seems unlikely Iturbe will be with the Lupi for much longer.
It seems incredible now that the Giallorossi paid €22m to sign him in 2014.