AS Roma’s lack of control in Serie A could just cost them Champions League qualification
AS Roma are in the race to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage next season, but this may not be the current route. The Giallorossi, under Jose Mourinho, won last year’s edition of the UEFA Conference League and this season are in good shape to get into the quarter-finals of the Europa League, which could be is another route towards UCL qualification if they win the cup. But recent inconsistencies are raising concerns.
The Giallorossi were coming off a big win against Juventus last weekend after an unexpected defeat away to Cremonese. Despite being in fifth place, their potential breakthrough came on Sunday against Sassuolo as AS Roma lost 4-3 at home after a very entertaining seven-goal shock. Coach Jose Mourinho was not on the bench due to a two-match ban after he was sent off at the start of the second half against Cremonese after complaining to the fourth official.
The club accepted and decided not to allow any of their representatives to speak to the media until the international break. Mourinho’s absence against Sassuolo may have affected the team and Marash Kumbulla was sent off after kicking striker Domenico Berardi in another unfortunate absence, all of which ‘ start spending them.
Roma ended the first half 3-1 down after Armand Lauriente’s brace and Berardi’s penalty, while the home side opened the scoring with Nicola Zalewski. Paulo Dybala’s goal seemed to put the pressure on Sassuolo, but the team got away with their fourth goal through former Inter striker Andrea Pinamonti. Gini Wijnaldum’s late goal did not change the final result.
AS Roma need to change the holes they can’t find if they want to get into the top four because it’s the details that often make the difference. The contenders for the top four did not do particularly well this weekend as Atalanta lost to Napoli, Inter lost to Spezia and Lazio drew at Bologna. AS Roma was expected to win this match and blew a huge chance in the process. The capital club are still deep in the race for a place in the Champions League, but their lack of discipline is costing them key points heading into the final stretch of the season.
They have dropped points against teams in the bottom half of the table three times in less than a month. With Lazio, Milan, Inter and Atalanta on the horizon, the upcoming piece will tell us if they have learned from their mistakes and if they deserve UCL qualification or not.
