RomaPress – After conceding twice in their loss this evening to Sampdoria, Paulo Fonseca’s Roma side is on pace to achieve their worst defensive record in over a decade. Even worse than the Roma of Zdeněk Zeman.
The Giallorossi conceded their 52nd and 53rd goals of the season today, surpassing last season’s total of 51. On average, Fonseca’s man are allowing an average of 1.56 goals per match in Serie A this season, an alarming figure.
With four league matches remaining against Crotone, Inter, Lazio and Spezia – it’s likely that Roma will surpass the tally of 56 goals surrendered in the 2012/2013 campaign under Zeman and his replacement, Aurelio Andreazzoli.
Roma’s worst defensive records since 2006/2007
| Season | Goals Conceded |
| 2008/2009 | 61 |
| 2012/2013 | 56 |
| 2011/2012 | 54 |
| 2020/2021* | 53 |
| 2010/2011 | 52 |
| 2019/2020 | 51 |
| *through 34 games |
It’s a damning indictment on the Portuguese technician after the club invested heavily in defense throughout the previous eighteen months – acquiring Roger Ibañez, Chris Smalling, and Marash Kumbulla on permanent deals. Though, Fonseca has been forced to deal with a number long-term injuries this season, including the prolonged absence of the veteran Smalling, who missed a total of 25 matches.
Despite the injury excuse, it won’t be enough for Fonseca to save his job. Tiago Pinto, the club’s General Director, has already held multiple meetings with the representatives of his primary target: Maurizio Sarri.
The Portuguese executive spoke with Fali Ramadani, the agent of Sarri, as recently as last week when he was in London alongside Dan and Ryan Friedkin, the club’s owners. In addition, he has also been in contact with Alessandro Pellegrini, Sarri’s personal attorney.
The arrival of the former Napoli man in Rome, though, is contingent upon finding an agreement with Juventus. Sarri still has one year remaining on his contract with the Bianconeri and he would have to agree to a resolution before being able to officially accept the role at Roma.
