Paulo Fonseca’s Roma

There have been plenty of exciting teams in Serie A this season. Among them are AS Roma, a club who recently reached the last 4 of the Europa League after knocking out Ajax. Their fomer head coach Paulo Fonseca spent two seasons at the Stadio Olimpico, and is now bound to takeover at Tottenham Hotsput, after swapping places with Jose Mourinho. Let’s see how Fonseca set up tactically with Roma this last season:

Roma mainly played a back 4 in his first season, though as it drew to a close he shifted to 3 at the back, and has continued with it this season. 

Build up:

When playing out from the back, the wider CBs  split wide to help cover the width of the pitch. The GK sometimes also splits the CBs in deeper areas, creating a shape that somewhat resembles a flat back 4. 

The double pivot often stagger, with one coming short to offer a passing option while the other moves higher, ready to move between the opposition midfield and defensive lines. Here Villar is behind Udinese’s first line of pressure, while Veretout moves higher, on the same line as Udinese’s midfield.

It’s also common for one of the double pivot to drop into the defensive line, while the outer CB takes a wider position, so that it becomes a back 4. This allows better coverage of the width in deep areas, helping to open up new passing lanes and making the opposition have to cover greater distances should they choose to press, which then creates space elsewhere.

Diawara drops to make it a back 4. Genoa’s wide midfielder in their 5-3-2 has to move outwards to be able to access Mancini because of his wider positioning. In doing so he opens up the passing lane for the dropping right winger 

Another sequence of play:

Diawara dropping to make a 4 has stretched Genoa’s first line, letting him find Veretout. 

Veretout moves the ball to Cristante, dragging his marker with him. Genoa’s RCM has to close down Cristante. Notice how the Roma winger on the far side is now free on the blindside of Genoa’s LCM. As Veretout continues forward he takes his marker with him and opens up the passing lane.

The right winger is then free and can be found.

 The position of the wing backs is usually high, to allow Roma to settle in the opponents’ half. In some cases they may come deeper, to draw their markers in and release space further down the wing.

When building with just the three CBs Fonseca encourages them to circulate possession at the back, with the central CB moving deeper, in the hope of luring the press forward and opening up space between the lines.

Central CB lowest of the 3, pass back lures CSKA forward.

As a result Villar is found with space behind first line of pressure. As a CSKA midfielder steps up onto him, he leaves space behind.

This links with another concept Roma use: a box midfield consisting of the double pivot and the two wide attackers. In the image above you can see how it enables Roma to create an overload in the centre

If the deepest Roma midfielder is under cover shadow, one of the wingers drops deep and then plays to said midfielder who acts as the 3rd man.

Diawara under cover shadow, so Cristante plays to the dropping winger.

Who then plays to Diawara.

 Attacking play:

The two wingers move narrow, threatening the space between the lines while the wing backs occupy the wings. Against weaker teams Veretout is also encouraged to move in between the opposition midfield and defensive lines.

It’s common to see Roma’s attacking trio position very close and form a triangle shape.

If a pass is made directly to the striker this allows for him to lay it off easily to the attacker in the half space.

Roma using the concept again. Notice how in this picture the wing backs are level with CSKA’s midfield, stretching their midfield 4. Villar can play to either half space or directly to Mayoral who can then lay off to one of the onrushing attackers.

The movements of Roma’s attackers off the ball also help to create space between the lines.

Mkhitaryan (left inverted winger) drops and moves to the left pulling Udinese’s RCB with him, Veretout (positioned just behind the referee in the image above) moves diagonally across to the space he left also taking his marker (DM) with him.

This creates space, which Mayoral then drops into.

 Mancini carries the ball forward.

Pedro drops, Dzeko moves wider to receive.

Roma use these moves not only to move the ball vertically but also horizontally. 

As Spinazzola receives, his team mate makes a run down the line.

This opens the passing lane to Pellegrini who helps make a 3v2 overload on the left.

Pellegrini then plays a through ball.

This pattern is used in all thirds of the pitch. As the WB receives, the near side winger or midfielder will make a run vertically, dragging their marker and opening the six space. The 6 can then get on the ball and play forward, or switch play if that’s not possible.

 Wide CB receives, plays to WB.

Runs down the wing, opening 6 space.

Villar then receives the ball and can assess his options.

If the 6 himself can’t get on the ball, he makes the same run to free the space for an attacker dropping deep

Villar is under pressure from Vidal, so he runs forward.

This frees the half space for the dropping Mkhitaryan.

Roma tend to make 3v2 overloads wide, mainly on the right.

3v2: Pellegrini and Kardorp are on the same line as the CSKA wide midfielder. If he moves wide he leaves space for Pellegrini in the half space, if he stays inside he leaves the wing free for Karsdorp.

 Same overload.

If Roma run out of options on one wing they then switch to the other side.

The situation on the left hand side is different. Roma mostly don’t overload that side and leave Spinazzola by himself. This could be to isolate him 1v1 because of his dribbling ability or because he’s comfortable going in and out as he can cross with both feet.

Jordan Veretout’s deep runs from midfield have also added an extra threat to Roma’s offence, with the Frenchman scoring 10 league goals this season, the best of his career so far. 

In conclusion, Fonseca has built an exciting side with a great blend of youth and experience. Many players have made huge strides forward during his tenure: Mancini, Ibañez, Villar, Veretout, and Mkhitaryan just to name a few. While their end of the season was disappointing, there are certainly a lot of interesting and positive ideas that Fonseca can carry forward to an uninspiring Spurs side.

Written by @O_H_99