Football in its purest form is the concept of one team scoring more goals than the other.Over time this has developed into less of an art, but a science.
However, Zdenek Zeman’s style of football harks back to a time where football was more about the prime-evil high of actual beautiful football, and to only casual observers, it can be seen as very “un-Italian”.
While it has been leveled that Serie A is a less exciting league than its other European counterparts, the belief tends to stem from the fact that many of the managers within the league are tactically astute, and the main point of raising this is that in Zeman’s case, his attacking nature is not as a result of tactical inferiority.
The tactics – tailor-made?
Zeman’s tactics rely on a 4-3-3 formation, and many believe that he was one of the main proponents of this formation at least in Italy. His reliance on supremely attacking wingers to back up a goal scoring striker certainly produces exciting football however as famous as his sides are for scoring goals, it does tend to leave the door open to concede goals too.
When he joined Roma, many looked instantly at Pablo Osvaldo, Francesco Totti and eventually, new signing Mattia Destro. Pablo Osvaldo has shown his goalscoring touch already this season with superb goals verging on the spectacular against Inter and Catania, as well as scoring a brace in the recent World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.
Osvaldo possesses a level of ability and skill that is now beginning to be matched by ruthlessness needed in by a title-challenging side. After stints at Fiorentina, Bologna and most recently Espanyol, it looks as though Osvaldo is settled and could be helping Roma towards something special.
As is the case with many geniuses however, Osvaldo seems to play right on the edge sometimes, and if Zeman wants to get the best out of Osvaldo, he will have to keep him in check to ensure there are no more indiscretions or bad behaviour (though he is already serving a suspension for a needless hand ball against Inter).
Mattia Destro will prove to be another important figure. At the cost of around €16million, this 21 year old will be expected to step up this season. His goals last season arguably turned what could have been a relegation battle into mid-table safety. Many felt that the ex-Inter player really launched himself when circumstances such as an injury to Emanuele Calaio allowed Destro to be made the striker with more emphasis.
He is a player with a good athletic presence. His speed on the break should allow him to really benefit from the 4-3-3 much like Osvaldo, but his eye for goal which has already been evident, will only be helped by having better players supplying him with the ammunition. His ability to adapt to a top end Serie A club will be increasingly important as the season goes on, though Zeman looks happy to ease him in at the start.
The depth that Zeman possesses now is evident by the fact that Miralem Pjanic may not even get a start most weeks. Though on his day he is undoubtedly a fantastic player, the only consistency when it comes to his form is inconsistency. Though this is true of many ‘creative players’, it can be said that it is also the trait that stops a good player from being a great player.
The additions of Michael Bradley and Federico Balzaretti are also welcome additions as they should slot into the style Zeman deploys. Balzaretti is one of the top full backs in the league, and his ability to get down the line yet be solid defensively is going to be a bedrock for Roma this season.
Michael Bradley is going to be a curious signing however. Having impressed at Chievo last season in a more withdrawn role than he was used to, he will probably be expected to revert back to the box-to-box role that he became known for. He is a contradiction in terms really as possibly only the second American to really take to Serie A’s style, after Alexi Lalas at Padova. As the 4-3-3 does rely on rapid movement and stamina, Bradley will have to replicate his form from that unfamiliar role to his ‘preferred position’. Certainly, the Giallorossi will be hoping he is more of a Lalas than an Onyewu.
Totti’s influence
Francesco Totti is now rapidly approaching his 36th birthday this month yet as was shown against Inter, he still possesses the vision and skill to unlock defences. Though he has since regressed back from the ‘false nine’ role that seemed to re-ignite his career five years ago, his influence is still impossible to replicate. His standing as a legend and icon at the club is untouchable and so, many believe, is his place in the starting eleven. As stated however, his style does not immediately suit Zeman’s tactics. Zeman has already complained about Totti being wasted out on the wing, and slowing the play down.
The only other positions he could play would be as part of the midfield three or as the main target man in the front three. Presumably, Destro has been brought in for that role in attack, though even Osvaldo could arguably do well in the centre. Furthermore, if he doesn’t have the legs to play up front, would he be able to play in the midfield three in these tactics? He would not be playing a ‘regista’ role like Pirlo, but would have to be more dynamic. Thus, it does not seem viable. If Zeman wants to get the best out of Totti in this system, he may have to persist with Totti on the wing and hope he can adapt his play and manage his energy well.
If there was one manager who could get the best out of Totti, you would imagine it would be Zeman. Totti has cited Zeman as one of his main influences and during his first stint at Roma, he helped develop Totti and give him a level of confidence in his own play that is still evident today. When asked who he thought the top five Italian players were, Zeman stated “Totti, Totti, Totti, Totti and Totti”. Zeman is very committed to a style of play that has served him well over his career, but will the ex-Pescara manager relent for the the legendary ‘trequartista’?
Developing youth
One of the real bright spots so far this season was the goal on the first start of Allesandro Florenzi’s Roma career. Florenzi broke from deep to meet Totti’s cross and headed it past the keeper with consummate ease. The goal showcased the excitement and the ambition of the new Roma, where something as cursory as a run from deep represents a change in culture from just a year ago.
Florenzi looks a bit raw still, but he showed a level of calm and comfort on the ball that precedes his years. Many compare his style to that of Daniele De Rossi and that his performance against Inter reminded many of the early performances of De Rossi ten years ago. Added to this, praise from Daniele’s father Alberto de Rossi of Florenzi “I know him well and is completely devoted to the game”. Add to Florenzi the other young players in the squad such as Pjanic, Erik Lamela, Marquinhos and Nicolas Lopez, Zeman definitely has his pick of young and hungry players at Roma.
Florenzi is about the same age that the likes of Luigi Di Biagio and Dan Petrescu were when Zeman relied on them at Foggia. Whilst Petrescu then went on to win numerous trophies at Chelsea, Di Biagio went on to play in three international tournaments with Italy.
Zeman not only had a good eye for talent, but also a good knowledge on how to help players develop and gain confidence in their play. He shows the same commitment and confidence in the players as he requires from the players. Many would call this a Mourinho trait, especially when you add the use of the 4-3-3 like Mourinho’s successful Chelsea side. Though there are many misconceptions of Mourinho’s tactics being too boring, there certainly can be none of those complains pertaining to Zeman’s sides.
Whilst Zeman has started with four points out of a possible six, they have succumbed as predicted to some unnecessary goals conceded. They are living up to the hype in terms of excitement but the only way this team can be remembered fondly is if they match their beauty on the pitch with actual wins. The shadow of Francesco Totti also remains at the moment, but with Zeman being an advocate of the talisman, much will rely on his ability to fit him into the system.
