The Miracle Maker: How Di Francesco Orchestrated Roma’s Greatest Comeback

image source here and attribution to Football.ua
After the crushing defeat at Camp Nou, Eusebio Di Francesco received harsh criticism in football circles for his tactical suicide and playing with his attacking philosophy at Camp Nou, which cost his team 4 goals.

But for the man himself, there was only one thing occupying his mind away from the noise of the Italian press: how would he achieve the miracle and eliminate Barcelona?

Yes, this is what De Rossi said – we had a long road ahead after the first leg. Di Francesco didn’t let anyone think about elimination.

Two days before the match, Di Francesco decided to change his plan and play with three defenders at the back for the first time with Roma. But wait, this doesn’t mean returning to defense at all – playing 3-5-2 with Di Francesco is different from playing the same formation with Conte, for example!

The plan seemed somewhat strange. A back three of Fazio, Manolas, and Juan Jesus (yes, Juan Jesus) would face Messi and Suarez up front.

A midfield five: two fast wingers for counter-attacks – Florenzi and Kolarov, a midfield duo of De Rossi and Strootman to isolate Messi from Barcelona’s midfield (we saw him drop to the first third to get the ball sometimes), plus Radja Nainggolan who quickly transforms into a playmaker during attacks, taking advantage of Barcelona’s slow midfield.

An attacking duo composed of Dzeko plus Patrick Schick, who never showed well with Roma, but his presence was better to complete the plan than the brilliant Stefan El Shaarawy at the time.

Only one thing remained to add to this plan: the best thing Di Francesco brings to the teams he coaches – relentless pressing, pressure then pressure then pressure. This is what Roma applied perfectly to expose all of Barcelona’s flaws that season in one match. Roma delivered their best Champions League performance since reaching the final in the 1980s. Imagine this plan was practiced for the first time only during two days before the match!

If Manolas’ corner hadn’t been scored, no one would have remembered this man’s efforts, and we would have heard statements like “Barcelona absorbed Roma’s enthusiasm and qualified with minimal damage” – the big teams that qualify despite poor performance and other usual nonsense. Manolas’ header crowned all this man’s efforts in the best way.

Di Francesco had stated before the match that he would make Roma fans proud of their team, and afterward declared that just as he received all the blame when losing, he also deserved some praise when winning. The man didn’t feel appreciation for the efforts he provided. Even today, we still hear all kinds of explanations for this match – from Rakitic’s poor performance to Pique, Semedo, and Valverde – but not a word of credit for Roma and their coach’s effort!

In the photo, the hero of the “Romanada” appears angry after Manolas’ goal, trying to prevent the players from celebrating, instead of running around the Olimpico like crazy with joy. Yes, because up to that moment he hadn’t yet understood what had happened – that he had actually achieved the miracle, and that his boldness and ideas had transformed him in just a few days from a scapegoat to a hero of the Eternal City.