The analysis of the matchday’s goalkeepers, from the Champions League race to the Scudetto battle: the comparison between Stefano Sorrentino and Matteo Blasimme in the double interview, exclusively for SMIT.
The goalkeeper’s role is often the most unforgiving in football: a great save can go unnoticed, a mistake becomes decisive. That’s where the conversation with Stefano Sorrentino and Matteo Blasimme begins, two former goalkeepers analyzing the latest round of league fixtures starting from the performances of the men between the posts.
Let’s start with a quick “stock market” of the goalkeepers from the matchday: who impressed you and who disappointed?
Stefano Sorrentino:
Among those who disappointed me I’d put Svilar and Carnesecchi. Caprile’s performances have also dipped a bit lately.
If I have to name someone who did well, I’d say Motta from Lazio. It’s not easy, at 20 years old, to suddenly become the starting goalkeeper for a team like Lazio, which also has several issues right now. Playing two matches, collecting six points and getting your first clean sheet against Milan isn’t something everyone can do.
Matteo Blasimme:
Yes, more or less the same names. With Svilar it’s a bit of a particular case: he’s simply dropped from the extremely high level he had maintained this season, so these episodes stand out more.
As for Motta, he deserves praise. At twenty, finding yourself in that situation wasn’t even planned, yet he’s performing well.
The goalkeeper’s role is often unforgiving. On the goal conceded by Svilar, with the ball going through his legs, was it a technical mistake or just an episode?
Stefano Sorrentino:
When you enter a phase like that you lose a bit of confidence and security. Even one step more or less can make the difference.
It’s true that in recent years he has gotten us used to very high-level performances, but lately some of them have been negative. The first goal conceded yesterday — one that a goalkeeper of his level shouldn’t allow — had a big impact on the team’s result. And Roma lately have also been struggling because of these kinds of episodes.
After the 92nd minute of Juventus–Roma, the perception of the Champions League race seems to have changed. Is that really the case?
Stefano Sorrentino:
Roma went in a short time from +7 to -2 behind Juventus (and -3 from Como), and that weighs heavily. But the team is still in the race.
You have to consider that Roma are still under construction: they’ve played several matches without a true striker and with many injuries, often using players out of position. In that situation, being in the Champions League race with only a few matchdays left is not a small achievement. And until the final second they will keep trying.
Matteo Blasimme:
As a fan I experience it in a more emotional way. My relationship with Roma is like one with a life partner: there’s a lot of love, but when the light goes out, it really goes out.
In recent years something always happens that prevents the team from reaching its goals. This year Roma had a big match point against Juventus and wasted it. All teams have difficulties: look at Napoli, who lost important players but remained competitive. Roma in this phase are paying a heavy price for their injury problems because they’re not yet at Napoli’s level.
The feeling is that Roma lost a lot of ground precisely in the match against Juve.
After Como–Roma there was controversy over the episode between Gasperini and Fàbregas, with Gasperini protesting about Como players’ simulations and the lack of a handshake after the match.
Stefano Sorrentino:
I know Gasperini well. He’s a very direct man, someone who always says what he thinks. You can like it or not, but at least he’s a genuine person, and that’s not so common in football. As a joke, I actually see him almost too calm lately at Roma…
Matteo Blasimme:
I agree with Stefano. If you watch the match again, some simulations had a big impact on certain episodes. In a game with VAR and technology it’s hard to accept decisions in situations like that. The second yellow card for Wesley was never there and it affected the result, so it’s normal that Gasperini gets angry.
Como play good football and they go at a high tempo, but their players often stay down on the pitch and that can get on your nerves.
Fàbregas doesn’t seem to have been welcomed particularly well by the old guard of Italian coaches.
Matteo Blasimme:
Let’s say he didn’t exactly make much effort to be liked…
Stefano Sorrentino:
He has his own ideas and sticks to them. We’re talking about one of the best players in the world in his role, with a mentality different from the traditional Italian one.
The problem often isn’t those who say things as they are, but our culture that tends to reward those who behave in a more accommodating way.
Let’s talk about the Scudetto race. Did Milan lose their last real chance by losing to Lazio?
Stefano Sorrentino:
In my opinion the Scudetto race has no real contest. Even if Milan had won and closed the gap with Inter, the difference would still remain.
Milan will have to strengthen the squad for next season, especially if they play in the Champions League. They need high-level players and a real striker who can make the difference.
Matteo Blasimme:
Inter are on another level in terms of awareness and quality. For me the title race had already been heading in that direction for some time.
Even when they had a few setbacks, Inter have always remained the most solid team. The others simply weren’t equipped to compete all the way.
Let’s close with Juventus and the work of Spalletti.
Stefano Sorrentino:
He’s doing a great job. He’s finding creative attacking solutions and has brought some players back to a high level, all without a true striker.
However, Juventus need time and proper planning. In recent years they’ve changed too many coaches. They need reinforcements and more personality in the squad.
Matteo Blasimme:
Spalletti is a top-class coach, he proved it at Roma and Napoli. If he’s given time to work, Juventus can really start a new cycle.
For the Champions League race today they are the favorites and, if they finish the season this way, they will have achieved their objective.
L’articolo Sorrentino and Blasimme: “Svilar dipping, Motta a surprise. Inter too strong in the Scudetto race” proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.
