Roma fell 1-0 to Torino in a game defined by clinical counter-attacks and defensive solidity. Torino capitalised on Roma’s hesitation, with Simeone and Ngonge combining to punish the gaps, while Roma struggled to break down a compact defensive setup. Israel Schmidt de Azevedo explores the key tactical themes from the match.
Roma v Torino started as a game without much inspiration. Torino began by trying to apply a medium-line press with only its centre-forward staying high, while both second attackers drifted wide to form a line of four with the central midfielders. Both wing-backs dropped back into full-back roles, creating a defensive line of five with the centre-backs.
On the other side, Roma spiked Angeliño forward, sometimes playing almost as a third attacker or a winger. Dybala and Soulé formed a line of three, with Dybala centralised as the centre-forward. In the middle, Aynaouni worked behind them as the creative link.
Ndicka often pushed forward from his role as left centre-back to act as a wing-back, paired with Wesley on the flanks. Cristante and Koné moved out from central midfield to full-back roles, creating a back four when defending.
In the 12th minute, a through ball over Roma’s defenders found Simeone, who lost control but recovered and laid it off to Vlašić. He shot just wide of the post, although the flag went up for offside straight after.
When attacking, Roma pushed Wesley and Ndicka high as wingers. Angeliño moved infield from right wing-back into a second striker role. Dybala stayed central as the main forward, flanked by Angeliño and Soulé. Aynaouni sat just behind as the creative mind. Mancini slotted into a back three alongside Koné on the right and Cristante on the left, stepping up to press Torino.
Torino, meanwhile, kept their wing-backs deeper as full-backs. Asllani supported Simeone as the first line of pressure, with Casadei in the centre, Vlašić to the left, and Ngonge to the right as midfielders forming a second line.
In the 34th minute, Dybala’s corner found Mancini, but his header lacked the power and direction to beat Israel in goal.
In the 43rd minute, Soulé slipped a clever through ball to Dybala, but a superb sliding tackle from Torino’s defender blocked the shot.
In the third minute of additional time, Hermoso rose to meet a free kick with a header, but again Israel produced a strong save. The first half ended goalless, with little to separate the two sides.
In the 55th minute, a defensive error gifted Vlašić a run at goal, but he blazed his shot well over, though he was offside anyway.
In the 57th minute, Soulé played Wesley in inside the penalty area. Wesley controlled and squared for Ferguson, whose first-time shot flew just wide.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the 59th minute, a poor Soulé cross led to a Torino counter. Simeone picked it up, feinted past Koné and released Ngonge on the opposite wing. Ngonge dribbled past Koné with an ankle-breaker before cutting back to Simeone, who shifted centrally and curled a brilliant strike into the net. Torino led 1-0.
In the 63rd minute, Koné went on a solo run before laying off to Soulé, who unleashed a powerful first-time effort that whistled narrowly past the post.
In the 66th minute, Vlašić received a throw-in, spun past Wesley, and found Zakaria Aboukhlal, whose shot forced an outstanding save from Svilar.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the 81st minute, Torino launched another lightning counter after a quick throw-in. Ilić dribbled forward and slipped in Vlašić, whose strike from distance was tipped wide by Svilar.
In the 90th minute, Pisilli had Roma’s best chance but his header went straight at the goalkeeper.
In the 93rd minute, Wesley’s left-footed cross was flicked on to Ferguson, who missed it, but Soulé arrived to volley just over the bar.
Torino played an excellent match, defending compactly and punishing Roma with swift counter-attacks. Roma, on the other hand, often looked lost. Even while trailing, they were too slow in tempo and hesitant to push forward. By the time they tried to raise the intensity, it was already too late.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Israel Schmidt de Azevedo
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