Thursday opponent: Ajax.

The hero portrayed in the Ajax symbol is a hero of Greek mythology, Ajax Telamon, so named to differentiate himself from Ajax Oileo. He was a cousin of Achilles, very tall, very strong, very brave. Master with the spear, he won the javelin throw competition made in honor of the newfound peace between Achilles and Agamemnon. If the Greeks occasionally asked the gods for help, Ajax never did. He collided with Ettore and the fight ended even. After Achilles' death, he became mad because they did not give Pelis's weapons to him, but to Ulysses, and took his own life. In Hades he is still angry with Ulysses for this. He does not know that Achilles' weapons honored his grave.

Roma have a precise identity and a precise history this season: when we are superior in technical quality, regardless of the opponent's attitude and tactics, we take home the post at 99%. If She betrays his identity, he falls. This is a quality opponent, and if we are superior, we are just a hair superior. Surely we must have a combative attitude. If we play with a little gas to save gasoline, we risk not arriving at the appointment with history. We must have a flexible tactical attitude: knowing how to defend and knowing how to attack. It is necessary to run fast, using intelligence to slow down at the corners: we can take the weed home.

Ten Hag lines up 4231 with Tadic fake 9.

The key tactic is Klaassen (right) who enters the attacking zone because he has a good shot (but not excellent ball control). We pay attention to the speed and dribbling of Antony (left) and Neres (left). The most dangerous player is Tadic (left). Like all Slavs, he depends on how he wakes up that day, but he is still a very good forward. As you can see, all offensive players are left-handed (except Klaassen) so as often happens with left-handed players, they only play left. They build on the left with Neres dribbling (very confusing and therefore very dangerous), which is often triggered by Tagliafico, but they can also attack on the right with Antony talking to Timber, and then it's dangerous when he goes to the center to shoot left . While Neres will probably look for an assist.

They are very good at pressing, especially when they raise the midfield with Klaassen very high. In this case, we don't necessarily have to play the ball on the ground, but if we overcome the pressure with the ball on the ground, we can create numerical superiority in the offensive phase. In any case, we also think about the long throw for Dzeko.

They are very good at building even with the central backs, Martinez and Alvarez, but the main playmaker is Gravenberch (also good in the defensive phase) who lowers himself between the two central backs (“he does the Volpiana”), forming a 343.

Watch out for corner kicks where they could look for a double header with the first one before the near post.

They will be pressing and attacking even with the defensive line very high, so the throws and the work of the attackers on the offside line will be fundamental, but then in front of the goalkeeper: killer instinct.

Our tactical keys are mainly two: to win their pressing even with long balls on Dzeko and to contain their left wing. In fact, they are very strong on the left with Tagliafico and Neres, so the attitude and sacrifice of our right-back is very important and for me it must be Veretout, who has more defensive attitude. If Fonseca believes in Brunetto, I believe it too, but he must also want to sacrifice himself in the defensive phase, which, when he wants, he does very well. Another option is to move Spinazzola to the right and put Calafiori to the left. The final decision rests with our coach, which I believe in.

Dzeko is fundamental in three respects. 1) The Bosnian is important in the construction, because they will press and we can throw long on him who can then orchestrate the counterattack. 2) Edin has to press, which is where he is a bit lazy, but it is necessary not only to mark the playmaker, but also (occasionally) to preventively cover the goalkeeper. 3) The diamond of Bosnia must decide the match with one or two goals. He has to have fun (which everyone has to do) and get excited. He can be one of our tactical keys.

We must have a very different attitude compared to the Reggio Emilia match. Fonseca plays a lot, but Fonseca, if he doesn't see the right attitude, must make himself heard: he must scream. Fonseca is our leader. The players are our centurions. I believe in Fonseca. I believe in the quality and intelligence of our players. Behind there are all the Roma people, who would have reached Amsterdam by all means for this match, who will scream, cheer and suffer more from home. We will win the qualification at their home and we will deserve it. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi