CSKA Sofia-Roma 2-3 and Spezia.

In spite of never-a-joy supporters, of them anger with Jesus Christ and the professional whiny, thursday Roma was also very lucky. But it wasn't a joke. The match with CSKA Sofia seemed to go smoothly thanks to Abraham's double and Borja's goal (great performance by both). And in the meantime the surprise of the Zorya who thanks to Nazaryna was beating The Glimt. Then, chills. CSKA scored two goals with Catakovic and Wildschut and Glimt equalized. But in the end we can't take it out on Jesus Christ or feel sorry for ourselves, Roma wins, Glimt draws and we go straight to the second round on March 10th. I also want to underline the beautiful game of Bove, a very young Roma player.

Thanks to Zorya who allowed us to go straight to the second round and congratulations to Glimt who passes with merit to the playoffs and has proven to be a great team, never losing and always winning at home with the icing of 6-1 to us. We will follow the playoffs, eating popcorn, and then we will refocus on the Conference with the round of 16 draw on February 25th. Now let's think about Serie A and Spezia.

Talking of Spezia and La Spezia, it is right to mention Luca, this year's Disney Pixar film about Liguria and Le 5 Terre. It is a very beautiful cartoon that makes you laugh and that makes you cry. It is the second Disney cartoon set in Italy after Pinocchio (set in Alto Adige because the designers had only been there on holiday in Italy, even though Collodi was Tuscan, Florentine and very close to Empoli, but we'll talk about it again). The film is about two young sea monsters who try to integrate between humans with the natural conflicts created by prejudices. There is so much made in Italy, with the Vespa, and made in Liguria, with the trenette al pesto and caruggi, the narrow streets typical of Ligurian cities.

The fictional story deals with complex and not completely resolved issues such as the fear of the different. In a certain sense it deals with current phenomena such as immigration and the consequent racism. Just as immigration and the encounter with the different is a new phenomenon for us Italians, so it is for the Bulgaria of CSKA Sofia (our latest opponent) and the other Eastern countries. It is important that Luke's message is also received by the countries of the East, including Poland.

On the other hand, Europe must strongly defend its founding principles such as hospitality and solidarity and clearly tell Poles that if they do not accept European sovereignty, they can leave Europe and do without European funds. Poland needs Europe more than Europe needs Poland. And mind you, this concept does not want to be against the Poles who are a people I respect (also quoted by our Italian anthem), but in defense of the Syrians and Iraqis who are literally dying of cold at that border. The Poles are the people who suffered most from Nazism and the Holocaust, which is why I expect empathy for refugees.

Let's now move on to the tactical framework of the next game.

Motta deploys 442, which can also become 352, particularly when attacking, with Reca on the left wing at full range and in the same way with Gyasi on the right. In this case, however, they are on their right side, our left without great aptitude for defensive work.

They make a shy pressing and build with J.Sala (or Kovalenko with the n.8 as a rugby midfielder and very good in the defensive phase) who is the point guard. If we press in a collective and orderly way, we can steal the ball high, if they pass, they can attack on the break with Nzola and Manaj. On the counterattack, they are also dangerous with Erlic's long throw for Manaj.

In the second half, Verde, ex-Roma, who has a very poisonous left-handed, could enter. Let us also remember that the Angolan Nzola, the first striker, is left-handed.

They attack mainly on their left, our right, with Reca (left, fast and good at assisting) and Maggiore.

They defend man by man on corner kicks.

Let's go back to Sofia, encouraged by the good (not very good) performance and motivated to face Spezia: an opponent not to be underestimated. Winning is imperative for the standings and for our ambitions. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi