A Roman Revival: How Pragmatism Brought Glory to the Capital

Kickoff Chronicles

"The Roman Revival of Lazio and AS Roma at the turn of the 21st century," analysing how both clubs achieved unprecedented success in Serie A.

Key Theme 1: The Rise of Roman Football amidst Traditional Powerhouses

Historically, both Lazio and AS Roma, despite their location in the heart of Italy, lived in the shadow of giants like AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus. The article highlights this by stating, "Roma and Lazio... have never had eras of their own."

The piece emphasizes the unusual nature of the late 90s and early 2000s, a period when the Scudetto, the Serie A trophy, went to Rome for two consecutive years:

"It was a short, sensational revival; the first and only time in history that the championship had belonged to the capital for two successive years."

Key Theme 2: The Transition from Idealism to Pragmatism

The article contrasts two distinct approaches to football: the idealistic, offensive style championed by coach Zdenek Zeman, and the pragmatic, results-oriented approach adopted by coaches Sven-Göran Eriksson (Lazio) and Fabio Capello (Roma).

Zeman, despite producing exciting, high-scoring teams at both clubs, ultimately failed to secure silverware:

"He left Roma just as he had left Lazio, with fond memories but no trophies."

The arrival of Eriksson at Lazio marked a turning point. Backed by the financial ambition of president Sergio Cragnotti, Lazio shifted towards a more pragmatic 4-4-2 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity:

"Out went Zeman’s 4-3-3 filled with rapid interchanges, fluid movement and constant attack, in came Eriksson’s favoured 4-4-2."

Similarly, Capello, known for his tactical flexibility and emphasis on discipline, abandoned Zeman's 4-3-3 at Roma, implementing a 3-4-1-2 that maximized the talents of players like Francesco Totti and Cafu.

Key Theme 3: Strategic Spending and Key Signings

Both Lazio and Roma benefitted from shrewd investments in their squads. Cragnotti's financial backing at Lazio allowed Eriksson to build a team capable of challenging for top honors. The signing of Juan Sebastián Verón proved pivotal:

“Eriksson certainly gave me more chances and more freedom to express myself,” the playmaker would later affirm.

Capello's success at Roma was also built upon strategic signings. The additions of Walter Samuel, Emerson, and the prolific Gabriel Batistuta provided the spine of a championship-winning team.

Conclusion: A Triumph of Pragmatism

The article concludes that the Roman revival was a direct result of embracing a pragmatic approach to football:

"Casting off preconceived notions of how the game ought to be played and employing two practical tacticians in Capello and Eriksson who were fascinated more by the realities they faced than by imagined ideals, the Scudetto, albeit temporarily, belonged to Rome."

This period marked a departure from the idealistic football often associated with Italian teams, demonstrating that a balanced, results-driven approach could bring success to the capital.

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