AnalysisSerie A● AI
3h agoDesideri on Cristante's growing leadership and De Roon's impact at Roma
Former Roma and Udinese player Stefano Desideri, who spent six seasons at Roma from 1985 to 1991 with 189 appearances and 33 goals, and five at Udinese from October 1992 to 1997 with 137 appearances and nine goals, has praised Bryan Cristante as an increasingly influential leader in an interview ahead of Udinese v Roma. Desideri was asked whether Roma looked tired after their win over Cagliari. He did not fully agree: he pointed to a run of closely spaced matches, travelling, and forced changes in the line-up because of injuries. He added that Cagliari are one of the surprises of the league, and said Roma had coped more than well with the rotation and adjustments.
On the midfield, Desideri said Cristante has been consistently positive. Despite an injury, his return was immediately at a high level, even with recent tactical adjustments. He said Cristante is useful to every coach and is increasingly a leader who does not need to raise his voice in the dressing room, and a reference point for the young players who arrive at Roma. Of Marten de Roon, Desideri said the two are similar in type and that his impact has been impressive: he made his weight and value felt immediately, along with his guidance. He said it is not easy to change clubs after many years and perform at a high level straight away, but that it has come naturally to De Roon.
Asked to rank the top sides in Serie A, Desideri placed Inter and Roma ahead because they have something extra. He said Lazio are doing something surprising and entirely unexpected, and praised Como, whose club he said is working in an extraordinary way and consolidating a series of aspects and values on the pitch, adding that he expects them to maintain those levels until the end. On Udinese, who sit low after nine matchdays, Desideri said he could never have predicted it. He described a settled side with a recognisable identity and players improved by the coaching of Kosta Runjaić. He warned that Udinese must pull themselves out by any means to avoid being dragged into a part of the table they are no longer used to.
Looking ahead to January, Desideri said he does not put much faith in the winter transfer market in general. He was reassured, however, that Gasperini does not sign players just to sign them. If the opportunities and terms are right, he believes Roma will try to bring in another midfielder, who would be useful, and a winger.