Fiorentina – AS Roma: A Sign Of Things To Come? (2-1)

Both teams may have bigger fish to fry, but how calm waters affect a good catch. In that case, Fiorentina ground out a great result, having controlled the ball for long periods, whereas AS Roma yielded space after they opened the scoring. How such margins can affect the bigger picture in prospective.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Two European finalists had to build momentum ahead of their grand occasions. 

Competing in two trophies this season, Fiorentina needed to move on from their recent Coppa Italia heartbreak. Vincenzo Italiano has built an attractive team, with a creative buildup and intense high press, a coach with many admirers. Domestically, there isn’t much left for the team in the mid-table, but Roma is a quality test: whose passive off-ball style reflects that of their fellow Conference League finalists - West Ham United. 

Josè Mourinho also has another European final to prepare for, one that comes sooner than their opponents for this game. Roma’s position is more complex; a Europa League win over Sevilla would guarantee Champions League football next season, but defeat means they have to turn to their league record. The fourth spot was already unlikely, but still a possibility with a win. Would Josè hedge all his bets on the Europa League final to see him through?

Nevertheless, this would be a game where both teams would make a lot of rotations. Only Lucas Martínez Quarta, Cristiano Biraghi and Jonathan Ikoné would keep their places . . .