Despite changes on the bench, the away game performance remains the Achilles heel of a team that seems to completely transform itself.

“‘There are people who like the comfort of home because they miss their mom or grandma making dessert. We have a bit of this problem here,” was the sensation-filled statement. With these words, José Mourinho had tried to explain, with his usual biting irony, one of the chronic problems of what was, at the time, his Roma – namely, the difficulty of performing away from the Olimpico. Words uttered months ago, but remain more relevant than ever. The last away victory dates back to April 25, 2024, a statistic that depicts a deep crisis, capable of withstanding the transition of three coaches: De Rossi, Juric and now Ranieri. Despite the changes on the bench, the performance away from home remains the Achilles heel of a team that seems to undergo a complete transformation away from the familiar turf. Anticipating a thrilling display, the game is expected to deliver an impressive 62 expected goals (xG) per match, while it scales down to 1.18 while playing away. A riveting match indeed, it promises to keep spectators on the edge of their seats. The conversion rate of shots has plummeted from 16% to 7%, but the most striking statistic is that the team takes more than three times longer to score: 143 minutes away versus 45 at the Olimpico. The defensive unit also proves to be more vulnerable: at home, the ‘Giallorossi’ concede a goal every 81 minutes; away, one every 55. Impenetrable goals drop from 33% in home games to 25% in away matches, while the proportion of scoreless games jumps from 22% to a staggering 50%. In essence, in every second away game, the team fails to find the back of the net. These figures are not just mere numbers but they reflect an attitude that is radically changing: fewer shots (12.44 at home versus 8. On tour, the team’s offensive presence seems to dwindle, and their defensive vulnerability becomes pronounced. It’s as if the squad loses confidence away from the warmth of the Olimpico Stadium, where the energy of the fans appears to compensate for the personality flaws of many of the players. Now, however, the calendar presents a special opportunity to reverse this trend: the away game against Milan, the last team defeated by Roma in the European field. A challenge that arrives at a crucial moment of the season, with coach Ranieri being called upon to prove that this team can find the necessary solidity even away from home. If the “Giallorossi” wish to turn their season around, the match at San Siro cannot just be seen as a challenging away game, but must become the starting point for them to truly come back into their own. Words alone are no longer enough: what is needed now is courage, character, and practicality. Why, as Mourinho said, it’s time for the yellows-reds to prove they can do without the “mama’s sweet dish”.

Valentino Poggio