The fate of football can be mocking at times, and Fonseca must have thought it too when his former teams came out of the polls in Nyon twice.
First Braga, now Shakhtar in the second round of the Europa League.
As if to remember what the Portuguese coach's path was before he arrived in Rome.
"I don't like facing them.
If I had had a choice I would not have played them" said the manager almost saddened.
Especially Shakhtar who, for three years of his career, brings back good memories because he represented a home and a showcase for great European football.
To make the coach smile again, the finish took care of it: almost surprisingly he recovers Dzeko. The Bosnian, as well as Ibanez, is called up, becoming an additional element for the bench. It took the Bosnian two weeks to recover in record time from the adductor injury, but it's still early to start. Alongside the Giallorossi nine, however, Mayoral could also end up. Yes, because Fonseca has been thinking insistently for a few days about the solution with the false nine, promoting Mkhitaryan in the position of center forward even if the doubt will dissolve him only at the last minute. During the conference he did not want to give any training indications because as specified "it is true that I know Shakhtar well, but they also know my football ideas". The Capitoline one is however a different Fonseca and this is demonstrated by the module on which he will also aim in the Europa League. Still room for 3-4-2-1 with Pau Lopez in goal and defense made up of the Mancini-Smalling-Kumbulla trio. Even on the flanks there are few doubts with Karsdorp on the right and Spinazzola on the left, while in the middle Diawara and Cristante are playing for a place close to Villar. In attack, Mkhitaryan-Mayoral ballot with Pedro and Pellegrini behind the center forward. And the Roma captain himself was clear on the eve: "If we want to aim high, there is no room for mistakes." The reference is to those individual errors that especially in big matches weighed against the Giallorossi. The contract is not a distraction. These days Pinto spoke with Pellegrini's entourage and the appointment for the renewal is set at the end of the season. "The Friedkin project has the same ambition as me - explained the seven of Rome -. It makes me happy to be part of it". Words that are also pleasing to the upper floors of the club, as well as those that dribble the controversy about some recent attacks received on social networks. Another dribbling, then, also succeeded in all (or almost) the team. Jesus tested positive for Covid, but since last Wednesday he was already in isolation due to contact with another infected person. The latest tests on the team group have given negative results and therefore the concentration can only go on the first round of the Europa League. It is forbidden to make mistakes.