Despite having already found himself watching these summer’s events in Brazil from afar, after failing to make Italy’s 23-man squad, Roma striker Mattia Destro has remained a spectator for the majority of this season. In spite of his lack of playing time, Destro was however subject to intense speculation of a departure to European heavyweights Real Madrid and Chelsea when thoughts returned to club competition.
However, after remaining in Rome the 23-year-old remains more spectator than starter for Rudi Garcia, often found on the Giallorossi bench rather than leading a charge towards a potential first Scudetto since 200-01.
Although, replacing the suspended Francesco Totti against Atalanta he was quickly demoted for their crucial Champions League tie with CSKA Moscow in midweek, bringing serious questions to the fore on whether the Italian actually warranted such prestigious suitors.
Prolific at every age group for his country Destro was initially discarded by Inter, albeit when Champions League regulars as opposed to Europa League hopefuls, before proving his Serie A credentials on-loan from Genoa at Siena.
Admittedly injuries since joining Roma in 2012 have hindered attempts to establish himself, but given his obvious potential Destro should be closer to pushing an ageing Totti.
However, with Destro prolific enough to end last term top scorer for the Giallorossi suggests his regular omission is more down his suitability to the tactics of Garcia than ability.
The 4-3-3 formation Garcia operates succeeds in large part from the attacking surges and directness of widemen Juan Iturbe, Adem Ljajic, Alessandro Florenzi and most notably Gervinho.
As a ‘false-nine’ Totti’s intelligence and natural inclination to drop deep vacates space for those wide players to drift into channels that a more traditional centre-forward like Destro occupies.
Dislodging the iconic Totti also has its own difficulties, and playing both forces something more accustomed to a 4-2-3-1. However, at that point Destro would not only restrict space for others to break into but it would also congest the space where Totti can operate were he to drop deep to open spaces ahead of him or to receive the ball.
Switching between the bench and the starting line-up though, Destro has still managed four goals in just 598 Serie A minutes; but one appearance in five in Europe indicates a lack of confidence from Garcia.
However, Destro should not lose hope of fulfilling his potential in Rome. At 38 year old Totti will soon step aside and Garcia has found great success with a 4-3-3 using a traditional frontman in France in the past.
Lille’s 2010-11 title winning season was an overwhelming success with an extremely physical and direct striker in Moussa Sow scoring 25 goals, acting as the focal-point for a youthful Eden Hazard and Gervinho — himself netting 15 times — as they terrorised Ligue 1 defences.
Unfortunately for Destro his absence at the start of last season coincided with the side adapting to the model quicker and more impressively than Garcia probably expected.
Presenting a genuine challenge to Juventus’ Serie A crown and Totti’s form seemingly crucial to their success made it almost impossible to experiment with the young Italian.
When Garcia eventually increased his involvement last year it did work at times, notably the superb hat-trick at Cagliari which prompted calls for his World Cup participation. Destro however tarnished his good performance by punching Davide Astori and receiving a three game ban.
Destro has an obvious goalscoring instinct to succeed at the highest level and age is very much on his side. He will no doubt gain experience to move more intelligently to benefit the team but the Giallorossi must have faith.
One wonders if he would already be a major player elsewhere as part of a double act, à la Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez at Juventus.
Whilst the remainder of this season could be frustrating for Destro his patience will eventually be well rewarded in Rome, and could in time find himself leading the line in what could be an era of success under Garcia.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
