Roma Player Ratings vs Napoli: Abraham Back On The Scoresheet

2 weeks ago 17

Roma held Napoli to a 2-2 draw in an enthralling Derby del Sole at the Diego Maradona Stadium on Sunday evening. One of the most exciting match-ups on this weekend’s Serie A schedule lived up to the billing, with all four goals coming in the second half.

Daniele De Rossi’s approach was nearly a spitting image of Roma’s football under Jose Mourinho. Only pure luck and Napoli’s profligacy in front of goal helped the visitors take a 0-0 scoreline into halftime. Last season’s champions demolished Giallorossi in the first half but couldn’t make their initiative count.

Roma didn’t produce a shot on target before the break and looked seemingly content with a draw. However, things changed at the start of the second half. De Rossi’s pep talk saw his men fly out of the traps straight out of the dressing room and grab the lead through Paulo Dybala’s penalty.

Napoli fought back only five minutes later through an unlikely source. Jens Cajuste and Mathias Olivera combined on the edge of the box before the latter found the way past Mile Svilar to give the home team a well-deserved equalizer.

Roma had it coming, given how the encounter was playing out. Napoli completed the turnaround in the 84th minute as Victor Osimhen netted from the spot after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia went down in the box. But Tammy Abraham scored off the bench in the dying embers of the match to hand Giallorossi a point.

Let’s look at our player ratings.

Roma (4-3-3)

Mile Svilar – 7

His brilliant first-half display was the only reason Roma didn’t enter halftime with a deficit. Despite failing to keep a clean sheet, he was outstanding today.

Rasmus Kristensen – 5

In addition to struggling to deal with Kvaratskhelia, the Dane didn’t offer anything noteworthy in the front third in another apathetic performance.

Gianluca Mancini – 6.5

Roma’s most consistent defender this season held up his end of the bargain.

Evan Ndicka – 6

Back to the starting Xi after a heart-arrest scare against Udinese, the Ivorian had several shaky moments and mistimed tackles in the first half. Redeemed himself with a crucial assist for Abraham.

Leonardo Spinazzola –

Far more active on his side than Kristensen, the Italy international completed numerous progressive runs on the left, but his crossing abilities often let him down.

Bryan Cristante – 5.5

It’s unacceptable for a midfielder not to take any responsibility in the build-up play, no matter how hard he works in defense.

Lorenzo Pellegrini – 6

Probably his weakest showing since De Rossi’s appointment massively contributed to Roma’s inability to gain a foothold in the midfield this evening.

Edoardo Bove – 6

Swooped in for the suspended Leandro Paredes, the young gun wasn’t up to the task despite not shying away from the challenges when Roma had to defend.

Paulo Dybala – 6.5

Virtually anonymous in the first half, Roma’s headline performer let the opening 45 minutes fly past him. But he showed composure when his team needed him the most, converting a spot-kick to break the deadlock.

Stephan El Shaarawy – 5

It wasn’t a game he’ll remember for a long time, even though he had some lively moments in the early exchanges. He was largely ineffective afterward.

Sardar Azmoun – 4

Roma’s submissive position for most of the match made it almost impossible for the Iranian striker to showcase his attacking capacities as he left the game midway through the second half without a trace.