The comparison with Big Rom sees him coming out on top, both for expected goals and for incisiveness in offensive actions. He hasn’t scored a cup goal since October.

“Dovbyk had a great appetite for football and scored a spectacular goal.” Claudio Ranieri’s words perfectly summarize yesterday’s game for the Ukrainian, who brushes off some criticisms and scores again after 35 days (his last goal was scored against Udinese). A long hiatus for a striker who lives for the goal, but now Artem is ready to shift gears. The former Girona player is no exception: he still has to adapt to Italian defenses, which are more structured compared to those he faced in La Liga. Yet, the numbers indicate that his impact is already in line with last season. As of March 3, 2024, Dovbyk had scored 13 goals, ultimately ending the year with a sensational 24 net goals, clinching the top scorer position in the Spanish league. Today, in his yellow and red kit, considering all competitions, he has already reached an incredible tally of 14 goals. A fact that confirms his qualities as a striker and the wide margin of growth still ahead.

Even from the perspective of gameplay, comparison with Romelu Lukaku – inevitable in a scene that tends to regret its past – sees him stand tall. Dovbyk is outperforming the Belgian both in expected goals and in offensive actions.

Looking to the future, even compared to another up-and-coming striker like Lorenzo Lucca (a profile that Roma are monitoring for the summer), the Ukrainian is not falling behind: he is considerably ahead in the data on expected goals and assists. Yesterday’s latest, against Como, gifted Roma a crucial three points. Since the beginning of the season, their nets have yielded over 15 points, often arriving at key moments when the center forward’s play was needed. These are numbers that, for the first year in Serie A, are not trivial at all. Now, Europe represents the true test. The upcoming match with Athletic Bilbao signifies a crucial junction for Dovbyk and for Roma, who are counting on their number 11 to be at the peak of his form for them to continue their grand dream. The player has not scored a goal in a cup game since October, but he knows the drill: he already caused troubles for Bilbao in the group stage and now aims to repeat this feat on what promises to be an electrifying night. The Olympic stadium is set to be a madhouse, Roma needs him and Artem has no intention of backing down.

by Valentino Poggio