Our final fixture of a turbulent calendar year is one that holds the promise of the spectacular as we visit the home of Serie A's most prolific attack, Roma, coached by the controversial and eternally entertaining Zdeněk Zeman. Allegri has warned that we will require a strictness in defence that has often escaped our team this year and such is not the routine waffle of the pre-match circus but a deep seated fear for a back four that has so often been betrayed by a moment's lapse in concentration. A back line that has too often provided the invitation to our opponents to strike will be coming up against an attack that breaks like the relentless waves of the ocean. Zeman is a hard nosed and driven coach who drills his teams mercilessly and with a direct attack on goal at all times in mind. Where Luis Enrique's Roma was like a skilled and artful swordsman well versed in the showmanship of his art, Zeman is the bandit with a short dagger that asks no questions in combat but relishes the thrill of the kill above the flourish of the disarmament. This is by no means to question the visual pleasure of Zeman's philosophy; Roma are a team that at their most fluid and brilliant shine like their own eternal city.
That men are imperfect shall always draw a curse from the lips of Zeman, a coach who will just as soon criticize the effort and play of his own charges as he will take a swipe at his favorite media punching bag, Juventus. Roma are still slowly becoming a reality, and their reduction to the listless and frustrating Roma that has plagued their long suffering fans is by no means beyond a team that is committed and organized. Our charge shall be the discipline that we conjured against Juventus, the willingness to compress space, defend doggedly and provide support to our back line in times of need.
This can not simply be a display of defensive fortitude however, as the tantalizing prospect of returning to the top six awaits us should we prove victorious in the capital city. Last week against Pescara, we opened the scoring within a minute, yet our play was still to lack the intensity and finesse required from a top side, whilst the scoreline flattered a display that was largely pedestrian, despite a few shining lights. Robinho, regardless of whether his stay in Milan is about to end, must provide a consistent threat for ninety minutes, whilst the impatience shown by our final ball must be phased out, particularly with regards to our tendency to cross to a single target in Pazzini, who often has little support arriving at the edge of the box and a vacuum behind. The combinations in between the spaces between Roma's central defenders and their fullbacks have the possibility to delight Robinho and El Shaarawy, and Constant and De Sciglio must show discernment in attacking these areas, though they will doubtless have their hands full with Roma's dynamic attack. Lamela represents Constant's greatest test yet and tonight will show much concerning his progress and ability. Montolivo's ability to step up for us and help to sway the midfield battle back in our favor may be crucial to edging this contest, however a realistic assessment must admit that this is a treacherous fixture that will fall to the side that wants it the most on the day. Each side is fully capable of leaving the Olimpico with three points; we have to prove that we're the side that has the desire to climb the table and challenge for the Champions League. Defeat here would be a demoralizing blow that will cast us frustratingly adrift, with no chance to respond as a team for two weeks.
