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AS Roma: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

Diego Perotti of AS Roma during the italian Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at San Paolo Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Naples,Italy. (Photo by Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Diego Perotti of AS Roma during the italian Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at San Paolo Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Naples,Italy. (Photo by Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 02: Kostas Manolas of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on October 2, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images )
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 02: Kostas Manolas of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on October 2, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images ) /

The big fear: That they have the depth on defense to win Serie A

If Roma has one weakness it is in their defense. Although their 41 goals conceded last season was fourth lowest in Serie A last season, it was the second-highest among teams that finished in the top five (only Fiorentina with 42 allowed more goals).

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The club tried to address this sore spot by bringing in Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Bruno Peres (Torino), and Federico Fazio (Tottenham). But thus far in 2016-2017 the club are still struggling, allowing 10 goals through eight matches.

To be fair anyone who has followed a football team through a full campaign knows that it takes time for a back four to develop a rapport. Defensive backlines are a challenge to put together on the fly and can take a few games to put together a united effort. The good news is that Kostas Manolas seems to have taken a liking to being the leader of the defense and has provided some stability during uncertain times.

But if Roma are to compete for the Serie A title they are going to need their defense to come together sooner rather than later. With Juventus currently firing on all cylinders Roma cannot afford to drop too many points. Their attack seems up to the task but the question is now is their defense able to hold?

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