A Roma not yet in the best of conditions impacts Cesena at home on the first day of the championship. At the Olimpico it finished 0-0 after 90 minutes where the newly promoted Romagna players, on their return to Serie A after 19 years, impressed well with the dynamism and organization of the game. Worth noting was a great save by Antonioli (41 years old) who saved the result on Vucinic’s shot in the 26th minute of the second half. THE MATCH Roma got off to a strong start, and already after 2′ went close to taking the lead with a sure-footed right-footed shot from Menez, but Ceccarelli was good at deflecting onto the goal line. Two minutes later, on a splendid assist from De Rossi, Vucinic tries to head but his shot goes wide. The Giallorossi attack strongly right away. Cesena closes, ready to restart very quickly. Just on the counterattack, in the 20th minute, comes the greatest opportunity of the first half in Romagna: Jackets breaks through on the right and crosses in the center of the area for Nagatomo, who almost misses Julio Sergio with his left foot. From here on it’s Rome monologue. Pizarro drops in front of the defense and begins to intensify the pace of the maneuver, Totti looks for the play capable of unlocking the match, Menez and Vucinic, however, are hardly seen. Cesena defended themselves with great order, letting Roma play the game and in the non-possession phase they transformed the 4-3-3 into a very well organized 4-5-1. Ranieri’s team, thanks to a non-optimal physical condition, struggled to find spaces. The Romagna people in the second half begin to take courage. The dynamism of Ficcadenti’s boys creates many problems for Roma. On the flanks the pair Ceccarelli-Schelotto (right) and Nagatomo-Giaccherini (left) are a constant danger and do not allow Cassetti and Riise their usual runs. It may be a coincidence, but the biggest opportunity of the match comes with the entry onto the field of a pure winger, Taddei, who in the 26th minute crosses from the right for Vucinic but Antonioli (41 years old) is miraculous in rejecting the shot from close range of Montenegrin. In the last 20 minutes, Roma charged with their heads down and came close to taking the lead three times with Riise and Totti. In the 35th minute, however, the Olimpico was almost frozen by Bogdani who sent him face to face with Julio Sergio into the outside of the net. Thus it ends 0-0 and it is the fairest result. Cesena, fresher and more brilliant from a physical point of view, risked making a coup against the vice-champions of Italy. As for the Giallorossi, after a so-so pre-season and the defeat in the Super Cup, this lackluster draw represents another alarm bell. Claudio Ranieri will have to work. (SPORTITALIA24 | TGCOM.IT)
JP2021.COM