Roma second only to Barcelona in goals from open play 

Roma second only to Barcelona in goals from open play  Roma is increasingly ‘Gasperini-esque’. The Giallorossi have made a near-perfect start to the Serie A season: four wins and a draw against Inter (2-2), all enhanced by 14 goals scored and only three conceded. The coach is pleased with the path his team has taken, which is increasingly reflecting his own image: “We must be happy with what we’re doing, with the path we’re on. Not just our condition, not just our enthusiasm, not just our desire to succeed—there’s so much positive energy in this team, and we must continue on this path.” Roma’s performances have been the perfect synthesis of Gasperini’s style of football: intensity, pressing, and goals scored with ease. The two key attacking players are Malen and Dybala, a dream duo. Roma have already scored 12 goals from open play in just five league games: a 37.5% rate last season. Roma attack effectively and score with ease. The Giallorossi have scored at least two goals in their first five league games, a streak that reaches 10, including last season: an unprecedented feat in the club’s history. Gasperini’s team has beaten the opposing goalkeeper after a set piece on 12 occasions: no one in Italy has done better. Inter have scored 10 goals, followed by Milan (7), Lazio (6), Como (6), and Frosinone (6). Analyzing the top five leagues, only Barcelona have scored more set piece goals than Gasperini’s Roma: a staggering 21. In the Premier League, Manchester City have scored 10, as have Bayern Munich and Freiburg in the Bundesliga, while in Ligue 1, Lille have not scored more than 8 goals.