2021 in Review: Bartoli on all the highs and lows

Roma Women captain Elisa Bartoli will always look back on 2021 fondly - as the year she lifted the first trophy in the history of the team.

Three years on from the club's formation, the Giallorosse achieved the goal that had long been in front of them in dramatic fashion - beating AC Milan in a tense penalty shootout in May.

But that was far from the only notable thing to happen in the last 12 months. From an early game against Juventus that gave the side the confidence to believe in what they would later achieve, to all the highs and lows that followed, we spoke to Bartoli about her impressions about the calendar year that was...

The year started with the Supercoppa, and a game against Juventus that seemed to prove a turning point for the group. What was it about that game?

“It was a game that gave us a lot more self-belief about ourselves. It made us realise that if we all believed and all worked together with the right mix of spirit, sacrifice, humility and hope, we could cause problems to even the best side in the league.

“To get to the 114th minute of the game and then lose to a header from a cross was tough. At full-time I saw Tecla Pettenuzzo crying – I went up to her and told her that she shouldn’t cry, that we should all leave the pitch with our heads held high for the performance we put in. That game gave us a lot of strength and showed what we were really capable of.”

From that point onwards you won 11 of the next 12 games in all competitions. What do you think had changed from earlier in the campaign?

“The squad needed a few months to work together and get to understand each other – that spirit you always need to build with any sports team. In January Elena Linari joined and that gave us an extra boost too; because she brought with her professionalism, experience and desire to win. From January onwards we were a bit more sure of ourselves and we played to our strengths a lot more.”

Among those victories – you became the first side to beat Juventus in Italy for a long time. You had to watch that first leg win at Stadio Tre Fontane; what were the emotions like?

“I had hurt myself against Verona, an injury that kept me out for about six weeks. I don’t know what came over me during that game. I was walking back and forth in the stands, firing up the girls, trying to be a part of it despite everything. I have to be honest, I was not expecting a win like that – but I think the way we faced them in the Supercoppa probably gave us the confidence to believe we could win the game. I think it took me about a week to realise we had actually won that game.”

Then, at Vinovo, you lost the game 3-2 but went through to the final on away goals. What did you say to the team after that game?

“The best thing about that game was that we managed to fight back. I remember we were 1-0 down at half-time but we went ahead in the second half thanks to two goals from set-pieces. When we scored the second I thought we had done enough. At the end of the game I told my teammates: “Now we have to go on and win this cup; we’ve got the cake but now we must add the cherry on top.”

In the league, however, a last day draw with Napoli saw the team finish the season in fifth. Did you expect more?

“Looking at the league season rationally, we dropped a lot of points along the way and we already knew some time beforehand that second place – and a Champions League spot – was not something we could achieve.

“We tried to do our best, but we were already starting to focus on the Coppa Italia because we really wanted to win it.”

And that you did: the first trophy in Roma Women’s history. What are your feelings about that achievement, six months on from it?

“That evening gave us so many amazing moments, happy moments, but there was also a bit melancholy there – because it was the end of a cycle for us. We had won our first trophy, but it was also Betty Bavagnoli’s last game as coach and [back-up goalkeeper] Rosalia Pipitone’s last match with us. So during the celebrations we were also delighted for them, because they were finishing things off in the perfect manner.”

Betty Bavagnoli is now Head of Women’s Football here – what have you made of her change in role?

“We knew that she was going to be changing her role even before the final; we were told about it all in the right way, knowing that she wanted to do something a bit different after three years as coach of the side. At the start of this adventure with Roma Women, in 2018, alongside Betty we all promised that we would bring a trophy to the club. At the end of the final I hugged her tight and told her: “We did it! We kept our promise!” It was a special moment because it’s never easy to win and it is certainly never guaranteed.”

What were your first impressions of the new coach, Alessandro Spugna?

“I watched the coach when he was at Empoli and I liked the way he wanted his team to play and the mentality he seemed to give to his players. So before he arrived there was a good feeling about it, and when I first met him he immediately made a good impression.

“That’s never guaranteed to happen, and for me the first impression is always very important – you know from that whether you will get on with someone or not. Now that I know him well I can confirm that first impression. He’s an upbeat person, but one who can get his point across when he needs to. I like how he sees the game and have a very positive opinion of him.”

A new coach, and plenty of new faces in the squad too. As captain, how do you try to help them integrate into the group?

“We’ve always been a very easy-going group, I think all the players that have arrived have always found it easy to settle in. I think the secret is probably just to be ourselves: welcoming and humble. Every new arrival comes in to help the team.

“The integration of the new faces this summer was quick and straightforward. I had known Valeria Pirone for a long time and as an opponent she was always very ‘annoying’ – so it’s better to have her as a teammate than an opponent! Benedetta Glionna was never easy to go up against as an opponent either. She doesn’t speak much, she’s very humble, but she’s a part of the group.

“When I saw Lucia Di Guglielmo play a few years ago, I recognised a bit of myself in her in the way she plays and the desire she has. Thaisa [Moreno] I did not know as a person, but she’s been great for the group – for a player who has so much experience she’s really humble and good in the group. Joyce Borini is just a tornado of energy and enthusiasm. Despite the fact she’s one of the later arrivals, she’s always really good and helpful around all of us.”

In the summer you had some great moments. First of all, the overseas tournament that saw the team beat Paris Saint-Germain and play high-level friendlies against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.

“It was amazing, a taste of the Champions League really. To play in those stadiums and against players of that quality gave us real motivation to keep on improving. The great thing was that we didn’t embarrass ourselves; we played well and we showed what we are capable of.

“I hope to play in more games like that, because they help you improve both mentally and technically. I have been lucky enough to play in Champions League games with Torres and Fiorentina and I want to do that as soon as possible with Roma too.”

Soon after those games, you got to parade the Coppa Italia trophy under the Curva Sud at the Stadio Olimpico…

“I find it really, really difficult to explain what that moment meant. To walk out at the Olimpico with the trophy and hear the applause, the chants … I never imagined something like that even in my wildest dreams.

“To win a trophy for Roma is an incredible thing. Now I have promised my dad that I will do absolutely everything in my power to win the league with Roma – after that I am allowed to retire. So I’m hoping to be able to make both my dad and all the Roma fans happy!”

Pre-season clearly went well, as the team started with three wins from three. The best start yet – was that down to the growth of the group?

“This year we’ve started better than in seasons’ past, we’ve made a step forward. I think it’s definitely the result of the work that has been put in over these four years – and the arrival of new players has only motivated us further. Mentally we’ve improved and the quality we have has too. Right now we are in second spot and we need to try not to slip up - we need to keep doing what we’ve been doing and continue to make progress.”

It was in the derby win over Lazio that the team moved up into second spot in the league. What did that game mean for you?

“The derby is a special game. To win it, and to move into second in the table, was emotional in a lot of ways. To finish the first half of the season in the top two is important, but if we want to stay there we need to keep pushing on. We need to make sure we improve, because there are other sides fighting for that spot. It’ll be a good battle.”

2021 has seen you go through so much – both great moments and painful ones.

“In 2021 we lost our team doctor, Salvatore. That news really hurt. He was always smiling, I never saw him angry once, and he kept all of us calm. Even in bad situations he was always able to help us see the glass half full. I met his parents and I could see that he got those qualities from them. As his father has said, Salvatore is still alive and he will always be with us, both in the upcoming Supercoppa and the rest of the season.

“I know that a while back he went to Piedmont and bought two bottles of wine; one of them he wanted to open for winning the Supercoppa. All we can do is try everything to ensure that wish can be realised and bring the trophy back to Rome for him.”

Un 2021 che vi ha fatto vivere emozioni estreme, nella gioia e nel dolore.

"Il 2021 ci ha portato via il nostro medico, Salvatore. È una notizia che fa male, perché gli volevamo bene. Era sempre sorridente, non l’ho mai visto arrabbiato, trasmetteva sempre tranquillità a tutte noi. Anche di fronte ai problemi riusciva a mostrare il bicchiere mezzo pieno.

Ho conosciuto i suoi genitori e ho capito da chi aveva ripreso tutta questa forza e questa serenità. Come ha detto suo padre, Salvatore è ancora vivo, è qui e lo porteremo sempre con noi, in questa Supercoppa e in tutto il resto della stagione. So che tempo fa era andato in Piemonte e aveva preso due bottiglie di vino, una la voleva aprire proprio per la Supercoppa. Possiamo solo cercare di esaudire questo suo desiderio e fare di tutto per portare a Roma questo trofeo, per lui".

"Salvatore è ancora vivo, è qui e lo porteremo sempre con noi. In questa Supercoppa e in tutto il resto della stagione"

- Elisa Bartoli