Roma Look to Bolster Depth to Avoid Further Collapses

Roma have endured multiple comebacks in the last few matches, and, while they have been able to stave off squandering their leads entirely on some occasions, it has exposed the thinness of their squad, leading to worrisome dips in energy, Corriere dello Sport reports.

The most glaring examples were against Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Inter. But the Giallorossi relented also versus Lecce, Torino, Cagliari, and Udinese, despite still managing to be successful. The data confirm the trend. They have taken 20 fewer shots in second halves than in the first ones. Their xG, ball recoveries, and touches in the opposing box also decline.

Roma have paid the price in particular defensively. They have conceded just 3 goals in the first 45 minutes, 15 after the interval, and 9 in the final portion of games.

The Giallorossi have navigated the simultaneous absences of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné better than in the past, but they still left their mark. Their management plans to be active in January, La Gazzetta dello Sport relays. After all, they landed Donyell Malen during the winter last year. They’ll try to replicate the same gambit, targeting players unhappy with their minutes.

The capital club is interested in Jamie Gittens and Endrick, who are in that situation. Instead, Giorgi Kvernadze and Jamie Leweling are fixtures for Frosinone and Stuttgart. They’ll also try to add a central midfielder.

They have done fine aside from clashes with la crème de la crème, but surely a couple more weapons would come in handy for a coach that likes to have some jolts off the bench. A midfield powerhouse would be more useful than an extra attacker, assuming Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro will keep developing.