The Talking Point: Fonseca masterclass haunts former club

Prior to taking over the Braga reins in 2015, Fonseca’s record against his soon-to-be-employers was already a good one; standing at three victories, one draw and a sole defeat as Paços Ferreira boss.

Since his 12-month spell with Braga, Fonseca has been even more emphatic in opposition ranks - claiming three victories from three subsequent Europa League meetings in charge of first Shakhtar Donetsk and now Roma; including two wins out of two at his old stomping ground - the Estadio Municipal de Braga.

And this latest victory was anything but routine, with Fonseca only able to take two out-and-out central defenders with him to his native Portugal.

Without a recognised centre-back on the bench - which featured just eight of the 12 allowed substitutes and with two of those, goalkeepers - Fonseca would have dreaded losing one of Bryan Cristante, Roger Ibanez or Gianluca Mancini, but Roma did just that as midfielder-turned-defender Cristante was forced off just seven minutes in.

Fonseca has favoured his 3-4-2-1 formation since the latter stages of his first season in the capital and, as Bruno Peres replaced Cristante, it was up to Leonardo Spinazzola to shuffle inside to form the remainder of the central trio.

The Italy international made the adjustment superbly and Roma are now so well versed in the ways of Fonseca that you’d assume Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pedro could even fill in at the back if required to do so.

By the time Ibanez hobbled off with well over half an hour to go, they couldn't have been too much further down the defensive pecking order as Fonseca was forced to reshuffle his pack once more, but did so without either alarm or adding any real risk to the Roma cause.

Gonzalo Villar’s appearance in Ibanez’s stead saw Jordan Veretout move out to the right, with Rick Karsdorp next to drop into the centre before Amadou Diawara flitted in and out of a fluid defence that, by the end of the game, transitioned from a five into a four, and a four into a three - as and when required.

This innate understanding of the formation, paired with a flexibility to allow their well-drilled gameplan to be malleable, was a tactical thing to marvel at as Roma dominated proceedings from start to finish in a game bookended by goals in the first and final five minutes.

That both Edin Dzeko and Borja Mayoral were on the scoresheet will also delight Fonseca, especially the former’s superbly steered finish in the opening exchanges that emphatically put to bed any doubt over the duo's ability to thrive, independently or together.

It was another fillip for Fonseca, who certainly would have enjoyed winning on his old turf but will have taken greater encouragement from the two away goals and clean sheet that his current side take back to Italy with them ahead of next week’s second leg.

Roma were composed and in control throughout as they overcame the odds of a squad stretched to its limit, resulting in a very good night for their 47-year-old tactician who got everything right to ensure the Giallorossi took command of the tie at its midway point.