The Italian media are full of praise for AS Roma after the elimination of Ajax in the quarter finals of the Europa League. Nevertheless, there are also compliments from Italy for the Amsterdam club, and especially for Lisandro Martínez. The Argentinian defender is the player who gets the highest score (6.5) of Calciomercato. On the other hand, there is a lot less positive talk about the performance of Ryan Gravenberch after the meeting in the Stadio Olimpico..
“A superior player, we can’t say anything else”, shares Calciomercato a big compliment to Martínez, who, together with Jurriën Timber, formed the heart of Ajax’s defense in Rome. “Martínez has an incredible personality at the ball.” A hymn of praise to Gravenberch failed to materialize this time. The midfielder has to make do with only a 5.5. “He’s not showing the desire required on this stage.” There is also criticism of trainer Erik ten Hag, who left Antony in the dressing room at half time. “The Brazilian attacker was not very dangerous, but Ten Hag’s intervention was perhaps a bit exaggerated.”
La Repubblica talks about a ‘gigantic’ Brian Brobbey, who brought Ajax in the lead shortly after the break. Dusan Tadic doubled the score, but after consulting the VAR, referee Anthony Taylor canceled the attacker’s hit due to a foul by Nicolás Tagliafico on Henrikh Mkhitaryan moments earlier. “The referee was humble enough to reconsider his decision. And on the advice of the VAR, Ajax’s goal was scrapped. A justified decision,” said the verdict. The Italian newspaper then focuses on Edin Dzeko, responsible in the final phase for the all-important equalizer of Roma.
“Dzeko responds to Brobbey”, the goalscorers of Thursday evening are highlighted. “The men of trainer Paulo Fonseca had a difficult time and went under in the initial phase of the second half. Dzeko’s thirtieth European goal, however, prevented the elimination. Roma suffers several times and trembles, but in the end comes out as the winner. ” Il Corriere dello Sport saw Roma reach the semi-finals of a European tournament for the eighth time in club history, without playing big. “The initiative was entirely for Ajax on Thursday evening, which ended the first half with no less than 75 percent possession. But Roma held on with all the energy that was left.”
Two Ajax players are head and shoulders above the rest
The scores of the Ajax players from the away match against AS Roma.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport After the elimination of Ajax and reaching the semi-final battle in the Europa League, Roma ‘ended up in paradise’. “There has been suffering, and a lot too. But everything with a very big heart and until the very last gasp. And also with longing, unyielding and finally tears of joy. Everything came together at Roma on Thursday. Ajax had to win and then searched also the attack, but the team barely found an opening in the tight-knit defense of the Romans. Much is due to the intelligent tactics of Fonseca, “the successful coach is put in the limelight.
The aforementioned newspaper gives a harsh judgment on Gravenberch and David Neres after the meeting in Rome. “They were just as bad as the week before.” Brobbey impressed more Tuttosport. “He was the only one to ring the Roman alarm bells.” Nevertheless, his goal was not the start of a glorious comeback from Ajax. “The attacking intentions were there, but the players played with their heads down too much.” Sports Media Set is also impressed by Brobbey, who receives a score of 6.5.
“He appears within the lines after the break and immediately the pace of the game is a lot higher. He really provided an impulse for the team from Amsterdam.” The exchanged Antony has to make do with a very negative review. “Antony produced a lot of smoke, but he didn’t roast anything in the end.” The only insufficient that the Italian newspaper gives out is therefore for the Brazilian winger: a 5.