Roma-Lecce 3-1 and Empoli.

Wrong approach. Among the many who could score us. I was happy that fate smiled on Arturo Calabresi, too soon forgotten by Roma. He didn't cheer. Very clear goal (0-1). It is useless to see him again at the VAR. Roma played badly in the first half. The problem is the lack of filter in midfield and the wrong positioning, with a midfield line often distracted and out of position. Too far from the attack to be pressing hard, too far from the defense to help. At the end of the first half, we put things partly in order with Marash Kumbulla's goal on Abraham's tower from a corner kick (1-1).

In the second half, Zaniolo for Carles Perez and Mkhi for Veretout enter. Roma regains balance with Mkhi who acts as a link between midfield and attack and the two midfielders who can stay a bit shorter. There are many opportunities. Zaniolo throws the gauntlet to Gabriel. But he doesn't punch him. Challenge won by the Lecce goalkeeper. But Gabriel is forced to capitulate on a back to the goal-turned-shot on the far post of Abraham (better than ours), propitiated by Zaniolo (2-1), then on a counterattack in which Mkhi launches Eldor face to face with the goalkeeper , the Uzbek brakes, sending the Salento defender out of time, and then places the ball on the nearby post (3-1).

We deserved to win. They come out with their heads held high. They have not spared hard income and for this reason they have suffered the red card of Gargiulo (che se la pià nder culo). Volpi's refereeing was excellent.

Inter 3-2 Empoli. Our next opponent in the Italian Cup will be Inter. Good game. Very hard fought. Decided in extra time. Inter with us are a very favorite part. They are first in Serie A with merit, they show a beautiful game, they are the best Italian squad, but Empoli have shown that they can be beaten and were one step away from succeeding. This match also showed that Empoli are an excellent team, with 4/5 players with a high level passing game and an old fox on the bench like Andreazzoli.

Not everyone knows that Pinocchio, in Collodi's mind, was set in Empoli and, having spoken of Andreazzoli as an old fox, it is easy to talk about two fascinating, realistic (especially in Italy) and very symbolic characters like the cat and the fox. In Italy, we are full of these characters always ready for any scam for some money. These characters have great self-esteem, they feel very intelligent, but often end up like Collodi's cat and fox and end up in jail. For this, Roma must not be the cat and the fox and not too naive like Pinocchio (a character who has many shades of Voltaire's Candide and Rousseau's Emile), but must assert the values of the field by taking home the loot

Andreazzoli fielded 4312. If the scheme suggests an attack above all in the center, then the game of the Collodi players develops above all on their right wing, our left, with Stojanovich. They try to lead the game. The midfielders open up, communicating with the full backs to look for the cross from the top of the area and, in doing so, they widen the opposing midfielders, giving space to Ricci (or Stuiac) to look for the strikers.

They do a strong pressing with 3-4 men, with the right midfielder going to press the left-back on the construction of the game and the same speech with the left midfielder on the right-back.

They defend by zone on the corners. On free kicks from the top of the area, they defend very low in order not to give depth to the cross.

Di Francesco is treacherous when he is in the center and receives assistance from their right (Stojanovich), but also when he goes to build with Stojanovich always on their right, our left. As an alternative to Di Francesco probably injured, Andreazzoli could field Cutrone, who does more work in the box.

On their left, Marchizza is very good at attacking without the ball and being free in the offensive phase. He is a tractor (a little slow but mighty). Watch out for his low ground crosses.

In the construction they rely mainly on Samuele Ricci, a player we will hear about in big clubs. Samu is very good in construction, but he still has to improve a lot in the defensive phase, where he is committed to helping anyway. The alternative is Stuiac, also him is very good.

Pinamonti and Cutrone play very close. Cutrone would be the second striker, but in terms of characteristics he is a central striker like Pinamonti. They are real beasts in the area, good on the offside line, on crosses for the head (in particular Cutrone) or for foot volley (Pinamonti). They attack mainly on their right with Stojanovich who converses with the right midfielder and then puts in the crosses especially for Pinamonti.

Mind you, Andreazzoli is as smart as a fox, but he is not a scoundrel. Empoli wastes no time with false injuries or very prolonged free kicks by the goalkeeper. They will play to win honestly and fairly. They will eat the field with determination, heart and high technical content. But we, for me, are stronger. Roma players have to prove this, who will go on the field must demonstrate it, putting concentration, class and competitive spirit on the field. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi