When Jose Mourinho was sacked by Roma on the 16th of January the move was met with disdain from the core of Roma fans.

Mourinho since his appointment in May 2021 had guided Roma to European success. With a European Conference League trophy and a heartbreaking penalty defeat in the Europa League final Mourinho quickly became a fan icon.

However during the 23/24 season the teams form dropped and at the time of Mourinho’s sacking Roma were in 9th and had been knocked out of Coppa Italia by city rivals Lazio. These results meant the Roma board and owner Thomas Franklin thought it best to part ways with the legendary manager.

This move divided a fan base, as fans were split over whether or not they wanted to keep the man who had guided them to European success despite his lacklustre season. The move split minds even further when club legend Danielle De Rossi took charge.

The club legend has recorded 616 appearances in his playing career from 2001 to 2019- the second most appearances for a Roma player. During his career he captained Giallorossi and won 2 Coppa Italia’s.

De Rossi’s appointment was argued at the time as a way to help repair the relationship between a growing fanbase of diehard fans and ultras and the club they support. The club had gained a dissenting view for dismissing one of the fans most popular managers in its long history. Add this to a poor season on the pitch and tensions were high.

But this appointment has clearly proved to be right- since the Giallorossi icons appointment they have been flying and now sit in 5th, just outside the Champions League spots. Just 4 points of high flyers Bologna. Furthermore, with a statement 4-0 win in the Europa League beating Brighton in the first leg of the round of 16 they are tipped to continue there good form in Europe.

What changed?

This success under a club legend has reunited the side with its fans as De Rossi has the side playing in an eye-catching asymmetrical 4-3-3. This formations has been better on the eye than Mourinho’s compact 5-back and while De Rossi has moved to a different formation they have alternated back to a 5 back on a number of occasions. He has been able to do this due to versatile players such as Zalewski, El Shaarawy and Spinazzola being able to operate both in defensive and offensive positions on the left as well as having the ability to move inside as they all are adept on both feet.

This versatility on the left has allowed Dybala who starts on the right of the forward 3 to drift anywhere behind the striker, typically Lukaku, and has been given license to roam. This means the width on the right is being held by the full back. This season Leeds loanee Rasmus Kristensen has been the mainstay here and all options in this position have performed well.

The midfield 3 that De Rossi utilises consists of players with international experience: Pellegrini, Cristante, Paredes and Sanches. All of whom have excelled in there roles with 2 deeper midfielders and one, typically Pellegrini being more advanced alongside Dybala.

This asymmetrical system that De Rossi has put in place has allowed free roam for Paulo Dybala, the Argentinian has been in superb form scoring 12 goals and recording 7 assists in the league. This turn in form with a superb hat trick against Torino and 8 goal contributions in his last 7 games in the league has arguably stemmed from how he has been utilised. De Rossi has spoken multiple times about former teammate and legend Francesco Totti and it is clear De Rossi applies the same formula to Dybala, let him be. Giving Dybala the freedom and space to roam and do what he wants has let him flourish and be the sides main magician. Just like how Totti was when they were teammates at the Stadio Olimpico. It is clear that when Dybala is fit and flying, so are Roma.

A number of other players have also starred under De Rossi, captain Lorenzo Pelligrini has been in fine form (6g 4a) and after a calamitous Chelsea season, Romelu Lukaku has once again found his feet in Italy as he once did for Inter Milan. Recording 10 league goals and creating a great partnership with Dybala.

Young acquisitions such as Tommaso Baldanzi for 10 million euros and a number of excellent academy graduates in Edoardo Bove and Nicola Zalewski also suggests a bright future in the capital. Especially with a good mix of both young players and experienced. Players such as World Cup winner Leandro Paredes and veteran of the game Stephan El Shaarawy are dotted in amongst this young talent and the squad have come together superbly under De Rossi.

It will be interesting to see if good times in the capital push on as De Rossi’s side will be looking to achieve Champions League football for the first time since the 18/19 season where they crashed out to Porto in the last 16. They are in good stead for European success as they demolished Brighton in a statement win they are one of the teams guaranteed for the quarter finals- astounding collapse aside.

It is clear this appointment has rejuvenated what was a flailing Roma side and Roma’s fans will be delighted with the legends impact.