In order to extract weaknesses from the opposition, the ultimate formation must be selected, paving the way for key players to unpick their rivals, one by one. With the right formula in place, a team can tactically create viable options for goal, in the aim of winning the game. One team boasting excellent awareness of such is Serie A’s chameleon; under Rudi Garcia, Roma blend and adapt to meet the criteria to triumph over an opposing club.
Tactical Insight: AS Roma
Such remarks might sound a little dubious after their devastating 7-1 loss against Bayern Munich in their latest Champions League bid, but do not be fooled, for their understanding with the ball has assisted their climb from strength to strength in the Serie A.
Garcia’s tactics are systematic, calculated, enforcing a typical 4-3-3 formation. Assembling his men in this fashion is never too difficult, and has proved instrumental in many victories. A stronger line of defence can allow both a watertight midfield and attack to push forward without too much pondering as to whether they will be required to drop back.
Following the summer’s exhilarating transfer window, Chelsea’s Ashley Cole, an insightful defender for both London club and international side, joined Roma. The pace had been steady, and mostly fine since Cole’s arrival in Roma’s box, but his performance of late, markedly against Bayern Munich, was dire, and one wholly regrettable. Garcia’s visions might include Cole assuming a benchwarmer’s role for the foreseeable, but this might not damage Roma too drastically. Typically this season in the Serie A, Cole has been a decent component.
Pressing up field is something Roma have become increasingly better at in recent seasons; their professionalism when motoring towards the target is composed, assertive and ordered. Despite this, the sneaky knack possessed by Daniele De Rossi to slip back with defensive-mopping skills is wondrous; this sort of quality is most sought after in football, acting as a cushion for any minor dips in productivity on the back line.
With De Rossi’s current injury, Seydou Keita has been the elected man to step forth as the one to flit back defensively or make an educated run towards goal. His talent within the team has been phenomenal, creating many a chance upfront, whilst seeking to mimic the ways of De Rossi; a huge honour, I’m sure.
At the striking helm, Francesco Totti, the Godfather of Roman football, eagerly sits, eyeballing the goal. His experience and raw tenacity brings a mature presence to the team, and a peppering of extra magic. Alongside De Rossi, when necessary, Totti is able to find a position in which the midfielder can curl a well-executed pass in to him. Alternatively, Totti acts as superb assistance to some of the younger strikers, or more notably, Gervinho.
Garcia’s adopted philosophy seems rather to reflect how the players fan out on the pitch. Tactically, Roma seem to analyse the blueprint of their rivals and catch them at their most feeble. Striking opponents accordingly isn’t always easy, as it involves scrapping usual tactics in favour of newer instructions, but Roma play virtually indifferent to these sorts of alterations.
Against Fiorentina in the current season, Gervinho played to the left, with Totti resolute in the middle, and Juan Iturbe charging in from the right; this combination was an entirely winning (to the tune of 2-0) combination. Moulding to counter Fiorentina’s strengths, Roma were able to break through the defence to gain those two goals.
As a lone striker, Gervinho is fast, pliable and able to score with relative simplicity. His character on the pitch is of supple nature; linking with teammates Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi, two formidable hotshots, verifies success. This indicates that Garcia has much choice within the team, making Roma entirely versatile; the optimum result.
With interchangeable midfielders and attackers, Roma are able to switch formations actively and freely to 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1. Although it might all appear a tad hell-for-leather, even the 4-6-0 style order demonstrates flexibility; this sort of structure was evident against CSKA Moscow in the current Champions League Group E battle.
Conclusively, Garcia instils a ‘chemistry versus tactics’ mentality at Roma; in one palm, his men interact ideally with one another on the pitch, creating space and enough pressure to gather results, whilst in the other, Garcia is plotting necessary tactics to prosper. This is rather ‘chicken or egg’ in its nature, but this sort of ethos certainly fuses brilliance; Roma wouldn’t be so far up the table if it didn’t.
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