The 2020/21 pre-season could probably have only gone slightly better. 6 wins from 7 matches is a pretty good first pre-season for the new Roma manager.
Dario Ricci led his side to wins over Serie A sides Benevento, Sampdoria and Napoli and convincing victories over 2 lower league european sides, however feel to a 1-0 defeat to Serie A side Fiorentina.
Main striker Edin Dzeko got on the scoresheet on a couple of occasions and it was great to see 23 year old Spanish loanee from Real Madrid Borja Mayoral also hit the back of the net on several occassions along with Mkhitaryan and Perez also, showing that Roma have several attacking threats in great form going into the first round of the season.
The only issue is the fact that 2 of those attacking threats will miss at least the first league game against Atalanta. Roma will be missing several key players entering the start of the Serie A with injuries to Mkhitaryan keeping him out of the Atalanta match and injuries to Dzeko and defender Spinazzola keeping them out for a couple of months while damaged cruciate ligaments are keeping young Italian midfield sensation Nicolo Zaniola out for 7 months.
The new Roma manager has also been bsy in the transfer window, bringing in several new young faces all with great potential. But the notable loss of French midfielder Jordan Veretout to PSG for £22M has the fans questioning what Ricci’s intentions are. Sources close to the club management say that the player wanted the transfer and Ricci had little choice but to let the player go. The Roma board wouldn’t be complaining too much about the fee recieved though.
Sales of Ruben Providence and Davide Santon didn’t seem to phase the Roma fans like the sale of Veretout did.
The purchase of Belgian youngster Tibo Persyn from Inter for £4.2M was Ricci’s first act within the transfer market and he very quickly after signing was loaned out to Bundesliga 2 side SpVgg Greuther Furth to further his development.
However it is the signing of 18 year old Italian defensive midfielder Nicolo Rovella that has everyone excited. a close eye will be kept on him as he develops. Sources say that the club are actively looking for a loan deal for him to allow him to get more first team experience to help him develop. Ricci already stating that he is looking to Rovella as possibly one of the future stars of the club moving forward.
Ricci hs also stated that he is not looking to loan out English defender Richard Nartey or Italian midfielder Gyabuaa and left defender Diaby. Instead he plans to use them as backups for the first team this season and keeping them at the club to train and develop. All of the players brought in look to have exciting futures at the club.
Ricci will now belooking to start strong in the Serie A. With a fairly routine start to season with the exception of their first match against Atalanta that shouldn’t be a problem.
Good luck Dario Ricci. Good luck Roma.
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