With Evan Ferguson, Paulo Dybala, and Artem Dovbyk all out, Gian Piero Gasperini used Tommaso Baldanzi as a makeshift striker against Udinese, alongside Soulé and Pellegrini. And what did you know, our little Tommaso actually did a decent job. Could Baldanzi reinvent himself in a different role up front?
Compare Ferguson and Dovbyk with Baldanzi, and the difference is quite clear: both the Irishman and Ukrainian are large, tall, muscular players, while Baldanzi is… uh, neither. Baldanzi might be quicker
and more agile, but physically, he’s no match for Roma’s current strikers. One could even argue that Dybala is a better fit for the ‘false 9’ role up front if you compare his stature to Baldanzi’s.
However, all three of them are currently out, so little Baldanzi was basically the only man left standing—or sitting on the bench, anyway. Gasperini chose Baldanzi to replace the injured Dovbyk after 44 minutes–a ‘ballsy move,’ pun intended. Another option would have been Stephan El Shaarawy, but since there was still another half to play, I guess Gasp had more faith in Baldanzi’s fitness than supersub SES, whose days as a starter seem to be over.
While Baldanzi didn’t score, assist, or even seem particularly dangerous in front of goal, he at least hustled and did his best. His ratings (6s and 7s) from various outlets show he wasn’t necessarily a downgrade for the team. He provides Gasperini with another option in his 3-4-2-1 formation, although this one felt a bit forced due to all those injuries. Still, fortune favors the bold, they say, and Roma eventually won 2-0, playing one of its better matches of the season.
Dovbyk will be out for 4-6 weeks, while Dybala, Bailey, and Ferguson could return after the international break next week. They might play against Cremonese or Napoli, but how fit will they be? They probably won’t be starters, especially Dybala and Bailey, who have struggled with injuries during their time at Roma. Ferguson seems like the best option, but an injured Evan versus Cremonese’s very own Hulk, Federico Baschirotto? That could be a disaster.
Why not counter Cremonese’s tough defense with a smaller player like Baldanzi alongside Soulé and Pellegrini?
Baldanzi’s quick feet, high energy, and sharp thinking, combined with Wesley, Gianluca Mancini, and Zeki Celik rushing into the penalty area, could potentially expose the Cremonese defense. And with no target man like Edin Dzeko, Romelu Lukaku, or Tammy Abraham, what better time than now to break from the past and embrace a new future?
If Roma needs a goal against Cremonese or Napoli in the final moments, they could still rely on SES, Dybala, Ferguson, or even players like Cristante or Mancini as a last resort. Gian Piero has more than enough attack-minded players available; he should make the most of them.
Actually, now is an ideal moment. If I were Gasperini, I would utilize the international break to keep experimenting with Tommaso until all players are fit. Consider making adjustments, fine-tuning the lineup. You could also have Plan B—Baldanzi—ready, which isn’t much worse than Plan A, as seen in Sunday’s match.
Tommy Two Goal, let’s go!
