Real Sociedad fell this Thursday with a resounding 2-0 against Roma in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16, in a duel in which the Basques were clearly surpassed by Mourinho’s team. The txuri-urdin team is playing it all or nothing at home, in a week.
The game started with many doubts and inaccuracies, but just when the Real began to carburete, to find itself between the lines in the diamond formed by Zubimendi, Merino, Illarramendi and Silva, Roma gave the first blow and signed a goal brand of the house. A quick transition in which Dybala, of course, led the way.
The ‘Jewel’ picked up the ball that Rico lost in the left-handed profile, with meters to go. He temporized the Argentine, waited for the perfect moment to give the ball inside the area to Abraham, who with a hip feint made room for the cross that El Shaarawy finished off at the far postcausing the explosion of the private Colosseum of Rome.
The goal left a Spanish team very touched he was about to concede the second goal a minute. An inaccuracy by Remiro when the ball was released caused the visiting fans to have a heart attack.
Mourinho’s plan worked, a game that, after the goal, developed as the ‘giallorosso’ team wanted, ordered, giving up possession and being very vertical with El Shaarawy due to the left-handed profile. Absolute seriousness of the ‘Loba’ in defense, stopping Kubo’s internships and making Real’s possession sterile, with Silva being the standout player for the visitors. A disputed match, but with the feeling that Roma had him under control, that if he pressed he could generate chances.
He had it, in fact, just before the break. A new error by Remiro froze Real again. This time clearer, more serious. Abraham put pressure on and complicated the goal’s clearance, which bounced straight to Dybala’s head, but with such power that The ‘Jewel’ couldn’t head butt into an empty door.
Real came out strong in the second half, ready to recover from the setback of the first goal as soon as possible. It caused problems in Roma’s defensive framework, although a long shot from Rico, which forced Rui Patricio to stretch to the maximum, was his best option to tie the game in those minutes of local confusion.
Mourinho’s team was recomposed and the script was repeated again. Roma did not concede, it was a block in defense, with Matic and Cristando putting out fires in midfield and with Smalling, Mancini and Kumbulla prevailing in the lead.
Roma seemed comfortable, knowing that they were going to enjoy some occasion like the one that Belotti crashed into a squad, in a new demonstration that this Roma is very clear about its plan and its style of play.
Bailiff tried to put together skillful pieces that could dismantle the Roman defensive framework and brought on Oyarzábal, Brais Méndez and Cho. He improved Real, Merino had a very clear chance inside the small area, but it was not enough.
In fact, the Basque team paid dearly for the occasion when Roma knocked them out with three minutes to go. He did it with another house brand play. Dybala put a perfect ball from the corner so that Kumbulla entered like a plane at the far post. Mourinho won the first game of chess against Alguacil.
