Roma (w) vs Sassuolo (w) on 18 January
On January 18th, the Women's Serie A sees a gripping encounter between Roma (w) and Sassuolo (w) at the Stadio Tre Fontane in Rome. With both teams eyeing crucial points for different reasons, this clash is set to be a high-stakes battle. Roma will be eager to maintain their title push, while Sassuolo will be fighting to stay in the upper half of the table. This match will feature contrasting styles of play, and the outcome could have significant ramifications in the race for European spots.
Roma (w): Tactical Approach and Current Form
Roma (w) are currently riding high in the Serie A, sitting near the top of the table, and their attacking prowess has been a defining feature this season. With an average of 2.5 goals per game, Roma have been a constant threat going forward. Their tactical approach under manager Alessandro Spugna centers on aggressive pressing, fluid build-up play, and wing play, often looking to stretch the opposition with wide deliveries into the box. The team’s xG (expected goals) statistics are impressive, consistently outmatching their opponents in this department, with Roma boasting a 1.8 xG per match this season. Their pressing game, winning 55% of high turnovers, is crucial in setting the tempo of matches and disrupting the opposition's defensive structure.
Key to Roma’s system is their midfield dynamism, with the likes of Valeria Pirone and Lindsey Thomas acting as crucial engines in attack. Pirone’s creativity and Thomas’ pace on the break give Roma a balanced threat, with both players capable of linking up quickly to create overloads in dangerous areas. Roma have been solid in possession, averaging 58% ball control, and they will likely look to dominate the game against Sassuolo with precise passing and movement off the ball. Injuries have been a slight concern, particularly in defense, where they will be missing their usual centre-back pairing. However, their overall squad depth, with the likes of Elisa Bartoli and Annamaria Serturini providing defensive solidity and width, will ensure they remain competitive.
Sassuolo (w): Tactical Approach and Current Form
Sassuolo (w) enter this match in a slightly less comfortable position, sitting mid-table in Serie A. While their attacking play has been promising, they have struggled to find consistency, particularly in away matches. The team’s tactical setup tends to be more pragmatic, with a focus on counter-attacking and defending in a compact 4-4-2 shape. Sassuolo’s defensive structure has been solid, but they often lack the cutting edge when transitioning from defense to attack. Their xG per match is 1.2, indicating they often struggle to break down more dominant sides. Nevertheless, their defensive solidity—averaging 52% possession and maintaining a good pass accuracy of 80%—suggests they are capable of frustrating teams that push forward aggressively.
Sassuolo’s key player remains their captain, Daniela Sabatino, whose ability to hold up the ball and link up play will be critical against Roma’s press. Sabatino’s movement and awareness in the final third are crucial for providing Sassuolo with an outlet, while Veronica Boquete’s creative presence in midfield provides the team with the necessary link between defense and attack. However, Sassuolo’s lack of firepower up front has been evident in their performances, and Roma’s high pressing game could prove to be a stumbling block for Sassuolo’s attack. Injuries to key figures like Melania Martinovic could limit their options, but Sassuolo will still look to rely on their defensive organization to keep Roma at bay.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
Historically, Roma have dominated their encounters with Sassuolo, winning the last 3 meetings in Serie A. In these matches, Roma's superior attacking play and ability to control possession have consistently outclassed Sassuolo, who have often struggled to break through Roma’s defensive lines. The most recent match between these two sides ended in a commanding 3-0 victory for Roma, underlining their strength and tactical superiority. However, Sassuolo will take some confidence from their resilience against other top teams this season, managing to hold Juventus (w) to a 1-1 draw earlier in the campaign. Despite Roma’s dominance in head-to-head clashes, Sassuolo will likely approach this game with a defensive mindset, looking to neutralize Roma’s attacking threats and capitalize on any potential errors.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The main battle in this encounter will be Roma’s high press against Sassuolo’s defensive setup. Roma’s wingers, particularly Serturini and Thomas, will look to exploit the space behind Sassuolo’s full-backs, forcing them into uncomfortable situations. Sassuolo’s defensive structure will be put to the test as Roma will likely overload the wide areas, utilizing quick transitions and clever interplay between midfield and attack. The battle between Roma’s central midfielders, notably Pirone and Sassuolo’s Boquete, will also be key. Roma’s ability to dominate the midfield could give them the upper hand, while Sassuolo will rely on their counter-attacks through the pace of their wide players.
Another key matchup will be Roma’s defense against Sabatino. Roma’s central defenders, despite being disrupted by injuries, will need to be at their best to handle the experience and hold-up play of Sabatino, who could act as a focal point for Sassuolo’s offensive moves. If Roma are able to cut off the supply to Sabatino, they will likely stifle Sassuolo’s attack. Conversely, if Sabatino can create space and bring others into the game, it could give Sassuolo the opportunity to create chances on the break.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Given Roma’s dominant form and attacking prowess, it’s difficult to imagine Sassuolo containing them for the full 90 minutes. Roma’s pressing game will likely force Sassuolo into errors, with the capital club capitalizing on these mistakes to break down Sassuolo’s defense. While Sassuolo’s defensive setup will make it a tough game, their lack of offensive power means that Roma should have enough quality to come through. The most likely match scenario sees Roma maintaining possession, pushing Sassuolo back, and creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities. A 2-0 or 3-1 victory for Roma looks to be the most probable outcome, with Sassuolo potentially scoring on a counter-attack.
Final Thoughts
This match will likely serve as a test of Roma’s ability to break down organized defenses and their efficiency in front of goal. For Sassuolo, the key question is whether they can withstand Roma’s high press and exploit any spaces left by their attacking strategy. Roma’s strength in possession and pressing will likely prove too much for Sassuolo, but if the away side can frustrate them early, they might just find a way to make things difficult.
Will Roma’s offensive power be too much for Sassuolo to handle, or can Sassuolo pull off an upset and challenge their higher-ranked opponents? The answer will unfold on January 18th.
