Roma Women played their first-ever game at the Stadio Olimpico on the occasion of one of their most important matches in history since this was their first time reaching the UEFA Womens Champions League quarter-finals as it was also the first time they meet a European giant like Barcelona Women.
It is true that Roma lost 0-1 at home and it is also true that Barcelona complicated the Roman mission with this advantage, especially when considering that the second leg will most likely be played at a full Camp Nou next Wednesday. Nevertheless, losing 0-1 against one of the best-attacking teams in Europe can keep Romas morale high as it also means that the Giallorosse have got the right to believe in their qualification chances, knowing that one goal at Camp Nou would eventually keep Roma in the game.
In this tactical analysis article, our focus will mainly be centred on analysing Romas performance in the first leg, what to take from it and what needs to be improved ahead of the second leg as well as trying to suggest the tactics that could help Roma get back in the game and battle for the qualification ticket from Barcelona. Also, a section exploring Barcelonas performance and predicting their approach in the second leg will be included in the analysis.
Lineups
Alessandro Spugna started the match relying on the 4-4-2 formation in order to adapt to Barcelona’s attacking strength and counter it with two lines of defence in addition to two forwards upfront. He chose Camelia Ceasar as a goalkeeper, Elisa Bartoli, Carina Wenninger, Elena Linari and Moeka Minami in defence, Giada Greggi and Manuela Giugliano as central midfielders, Annamaria Serturini and Andressa Alves as wingers while Valentina Giacinti and Emilie Haavi were the two forwards.
On the other hand, Jonatan Giráldez used his usual 4-3-3 formation with Sandra Paños as a goalkeeper, Lucy Bronze, Irene Paredes, Mapi León and Fridolina Rolfö in defence, Keira Walsh as a defensive midfielder, Aitana Bonmatí and Patricia Guijarro as central midfielders while the attacking three included Salma Paralluelo and Caroline Hansen on the wings and Asisat Oshoala as a striker.
Romas performance and dream
It can be said that Roma have been able to keep their dream alive following the first leg because they didn’t concede more than one goal against one of the most powerful attacks in Europe. They were to concede less goals than excepted thanks to a relatively solid defensive performance which saw Roma’s players trying to mark Barcelona’s attacking and even midfield players tightly as they defended with eight and more players every time. This defensive sacrifice at the expense of the attacking threat helped Roma alleviate Barcelona’s dangerous attacks and penetrations from wings as they also made sure to mark a dangerous striker like Oshoala tightly throughout the match.
Moreover, marking a player
