While Rome wasn’t built in a day, forty-five minutes is seemingly was all it takes for some hefty deconstruction. The infrastructure had been slowly crumbling, but a calamitous afternoon in Genoa was enough to see Roma spirit reduced to rubble – and sadly Ranieri failed to emerge from the dust.
It started last week with Roma in Champions League action, as the home side showed a propensity for allowing lesser European teams to prosper in Rome. Shakhtar Donetsk is certainly a more formidable foe than Cluj, but the concession of three precious away goals to the Ukrainians has made the return leg all but insurmountable – even with two consolatory goals.
Then, what followed; was a game that will live long in the memory of Roma and Genoa fans – but for very different reasons. When Totti’s precise left foot finish made the score 3-0, all seemed well for i lupi – the goal crowning an admirable game for il capitano who showed glimpses of his undoubted ability with trademark deft flicks and measured passes.
Within sixty seconds of Totti’s accomplished finish though, Genoa had clawed back what could only have been a consolation. Within forty second half minutes however, that goal was indeed the foundation from which Genoa constructed an improbable victory.
The most notable aspect of the Genoa defeat (aside from relinquishing a three goal advantage of course), was heinous defending. Juan, seemingly out of favour with Ranieri, watched on while Mexes and Burdisso marshalled the defence. Riise and Castellini completed Roma’s rearguard and during Genoa’s second-half rout, the backline was embarrassingly pulled in every which way.
Sifting through the ruins, it was hard to recall all the positives which at one point made the game look a foregone conclusion. Even harder, was imagining a way for Ranieiri to survive the embarrassing collapse – and so it proved.
Twenty four hours later, Ranieiri had been deposed and replaced by former striker, and youth team coach, Vincenzo Montella in what is undoubtedly a convenient appointment – certainly given Rosella Sensi’s inability to install a tactician on a contract that outlasts her own stewardship.
Montella is clearly inexperienced and unqualified, having yet to acquire his coaching badges. Nonetheless, the club had little choice and have at least sought a fan’s favourite capable of placating the curva sud ultras who have made their previous displeasure clear. Clearly this has worked, with the hardcore element taking to supporting Montella’s youth team rather than violently voicing their ire at trigoria.
With little time, and obviously no money or transfer window within which to affect meaningful change, could Montella’s promotion prove a shrewd move? Certainly there’s a case to suggest that a happy and willing i lupi may function better than strategically deployed but disenchanted squad – only time will tell but the honeymoon has begun well.
On Wednesday, Montella took his charges to Bologna to recommence a tie previously abandoned because of heavy snowfall. L’aeroplanino bravely benched Totti and elected to field David ‘Pek’ Pizarro – the former fatigued and the latter undoubtedly fresh from a prolonged and much discussed hiatus.
Roma played with uncharacteristic vigour and the passing was noticeably crisper. Mention has been made of Montella’s admiration of Guardiola’s Barcelona, and while any suggestion that Roma were ‘Barca-esque is frankly fanciful, a tangible briskness in play was refreshing to see – but no more so than a rare clean sheet.
If Vincenzo was trying to draw a line under Roma in its recent guise, a 1-0 score line served the purpose emphatically well. Compared to recent capitulations and goal-fests there could be no starker contrast by which to announce a new era – a fine opening salvo indeed.
Elsewhere, despite the mayhem in Rome, Adriano hasn’t escaped scrutiny while he supposedly convalesces in Brazil. Following reports of drinking, shopping and just general non-athletic activities, Roma have apparently issued an ultimatum to the rotund star – either he returns to the capital or he faces an uncertain future. Personally speaking, the sooner Adriano and Roma part company the better. The thought of our cash strapped club rewarding Adriano is quite honestly a travesty.
Returning to the machinations of management, while Montella is less than a few days into his new role, talk of prodigal son, Carlo Ancelotti, abounds. Once again, Ancelotti has this week reiterated that managing Roma is a dream and one he is sure to fulfil. Judging by the comments of Roma’s tifosi on twitter and forums there is almost universal expectation of the former AC Milan coach replacing Montella – surely only a successful Champions League campaign with Chelsea can keep Carlo from a return to the eternal city?
Regarding the sale of Roma, this continues to undergo a process of due diligence – which may take a further month to complete (Federico Ghizzoni, CEO of UniCredit said that he hoped that the deal would soon be concluded).
So, as we look ahead, Sunday gives the Olimpico faithful a chance to welcome Montella the manager as Roma entertain relegation threatened Parma. While Vincenzo’s tenure as coach could prove fleeting, Parma offer the rookie coach a genuine chance to maintain a perfect record and the opportunity to keep fourth place within grasp. With much hinging on the guarantee of European football next term, interim manager or not, romanisti will hope that it’s onwards and upwards for l’aeroplanino.
