In the first match of Serie A between Roma and Fiorentina in the early hours of this morning, Roma finally drew 1:1 at home, and Roma undoubtedly lacked a chance to close the distance with the top three teams!Thankfully, Roma still held on to the top four.
In the game, Roma's performance was not ideal, Roma only got 34% possession and only 4 shots on goal in the whole game, which can be said to be the worst game Roma played this season, and the reason why Roma is so embarrassed is also very simple, two injuries, two red cards, completely disrupted all the arrangements of Mourinho.
Roma took the lead in the opening five minutes, with Dybala and Lukaku scoring together, Dybala assisting, Lukaku scoring, but just 20 minutes later, Dybala was substituted due to injury and Roma began a passive game.
In the 62nd minute of the game, Roma suffered another heavy blow, substitute Dybala came on Azmoun also left the field because of injury and could not hold on, just two minutes later, Zalewski received a second yellow card and was sent off, after a drastic lineup change, Roma held on to the defense for more than 60 minutes and could not hold on, Fiorentina scored a goal in the 66th minute to equalize.
In the 87th minute of the game, Lukaku also had a serious foul and was sent off the field directly by the referee, and Roma dragged on for more than ten minutes until the end of the game (nearly 10 minutes of stoppage time in the second half) in the case of 9 to 11.
For Roma, Friday's Europa League group stage is no longer important, they have already qualified early, but it is difficult to win the group and it is likely that they will have to play a meeting with a team that has come down from the Champions League.
The worse question is Serie A, whether or not they can qualify for the Champions League will be an important indicator of Mourinho's success in charge this season, but as we mentioned at the beginning, Roma will play Serie A winners in a month's time (Roma in fourth place and Fiorentina in seventh place).
What is certain is that Roma will not be able to bring back Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling within a month, with Zalewski and Romelu Lukaku missing out on at least Bologna (5th), and with injuries uncertain Dybala and Azmoun, Mourinho is left with only two options left in the attack, Belotti and El Shaarawy
In such a situation, Mourinho and Roma are likely to lose the fruits of their hard work for more than two months!Roma have won 6 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in 9 Serie A games since October, which is a big reason why Roma can finish in the top four, but it will be difficult for Roma to replicate such a performance in the coming month.
And judging from last season's results, the situation of Roma is also not optimistic: Roma faced Bologna last season with 1 win and 1 draw, but drew away;Roma lost both games against Napoli last season, losing 1-0 at homeRoma faced Juventus last season with one win and one draw, but drew away from Juventus;Roma lost both games against Atalanta last season, losing 1-0 at home to the NerazzurriRoma played AC Milan three times last season + this season, the two teams drew both games last season, and Roma lost 1:2 at home to AC Milan in the first meeting this season!
Judging from the results and injuries, Roma will face five strong opponents in the next month, and the likelihood of getting 6 points is relatively low, especially the goals created by Dybala and Lukaku exceed 64% of the entire Roma team, in this case, Mourinho really can't help but have a headache, and what's worse is that Roma is not only in Serie A, but also in the Coppa Italia and Europa League.
In addition to Dybala and Romelu Lukaku, Rome's other most likely big core, Manuel Pellegrini, who has just returned from injury, will have to prove himself, he is not only Roma's captain, but also one of Roma's most motivated players.
Pellegrini has suffered a series of injuries this season, making just nine appearances so far (including five starts) and scoring just one goal in Serie A. Pellegrini is out of form compared to his stats over the past three seasons.
If Mourinho can activate Pellegrini before the arrival of the "devil's schedule" and let him find his form, Roma may still have a chance to live, otherwise Roma, who are already difficult to score, will be difficult to respond to the opponent with attacks even if they can resist the attacks of five strong opponents.
Do you think Roma can get points (out of 15 points) in this "devil's schedule"?