The African Cup of Nations is an enthralling football competition conducted every other year. Often, some of the finest African footballers in the world travel from all over to represent their country in the competition. The inevitable talent loss experienced by the footballer’s employer is tangible.
Such is the case with Roma. A very prominent member of the Roman camp has traveled to Equatorial Guinea and will be away from January 17 onwards, possibly until February 8. His name is Gervais Yao Kouassi, better known as Gervinho.
For the avid follower of Serie A, Gervinho is one of the most lethal attackers in Serie A. His ability to run at defenses and tear through open spaces at lightning speed can drive fear into any opposition. Much of Roma’s threat in attack is the result of Gervinho’s ability to use his pace and directness to be incisive in attack.
He frequently fluctuates between the front three and is seamlessly mobile, a skill none of Roma’s current attackers can easily replicate. Statistically, Gervinho might appear to be quite mediocre. But, ask a Roman of the significance the Ivorian holds to that team and the response will silence the numbers.
Even with Gervinho in the side, Roma have stuttered in the last two or three months. Following the clobbering Roma received against Bayern in October, the team has looked a shadow of its former self. Earlier in the season, Roma matched Juventus stride for stride. But, over the last 11 Serie A games, (starting from that humiliating defeat on the night of October 21 2014) Roma have won six games. That is slightly over 50 percent win percentage, which is not becoming of a title challenger. The club’s exit from the Champions League is another disconcerting fact.
The three point difference between Roma and Juventus, as it stands, isn’t a mighty mountain to climb. Gervinho’s absence though, might complicate the task. Over the next 20 days, Roma play against Palermo, Empoli, Fiorentina and Cagliari. These, in all fairness, should be relatively easy games for Rudi Garcia’s team to deal with. But, in the absence of their influential winger, is there another player within the team, who can deputise while the Ivorian is away?
The answer is yes. Roma spent a fortune bringing this particular young forward to Rome in the summer. Juan Iturbe was signed from Hellas Verona for an astronomical fee. It’s fair to suggest that Iturbe hasn’t set the league on fire since. In his 17 appearances thus far, Iturbe has managed two goals and two assists. That’s hardly sparkling form for a player of his talent.
Primarily left-footed, Iturbe is employed on the right as an inverted winger. Similar to Gervinho in his playing style, Iturbe has struggled to hold down a starting spot in the team. Now, without Gervinho demanding the ball on the opposite flank, Iturbe has the opportunity to demonstrate over the next 20 days the exceptional quality the club invested €22 million on. He will need to partner with Totti, understand his role in attack and contribute sufficiently in both goals and assists — if he wants to avoid the noises of disapproving fans around him from growing louder.
Roma are reliant on Gervinho, possibly to the extent that without him, they simply don’t tick. With Iturbe, Roma possess a weapon that should reinvigorate their confidence, causing them to relentlessly win games without breaking a sweat. Roma will wish Gervinho well at the Cup of Nations and will hope that they won’t need to think about him for the next three weeks.
Follow Rajath Kumar on Twitter: @rajathkumar. You can read his work on his AC Milan blog “Milan and Me; The Love Affair” — http://rajaththemilanista.wordpress.com/
