Roma’s defensive improvement this season has been documented extensively. The stats back it up, and anyone watching the matches can see that the team is harder to play through than it was 12 months ago. That’s genuinely positive progress.

But there’s a corresponding problem that gets less attention: Roma’s midfield isn’t creating enough. The defensive solidity has come at a cost, and that cost is visible in how few quality chances the team generates from central areas.

The Numbers

According to FBref, Roma rank 11th in Serie A for expected assists (xA) from central midfield positions this season. The top-performing midfields — Inter, Napoli, Atalanta — are generating roughly 40% more creative output from the centre of the pitch.

Roma’s midfielders are completing 2.1 progressive passes per 90 minutes into the final third. That puts them behind clubs like Fiorentina and Bologna, neither of which has a squad valued anywhere near Roma’s level. The through-ball numbers are even worse — 0.4 per 90 from central midfield, genuinely among the bottom third of the league.

What Roma’s midfield does well is recycle possession. Short and medium passing accuracy is high. Ball retention in the middle third is solid. But retention and recycling aren’t the same as creation.

Individual Assessments

Cristante has been the embodiment of this trade-off. His defensive positioning has been excellent — he reads interceptions well, covers space intelligently, and rarely gets caught out of position. But his progressive passing has declined. He plays the safe ball almost reflexively now, with his first instinct being sideways or backward.

Pellegrini should be the creative fulcrum, and occasionally he is. Against Napoli in February, he produced three key passes in the first half alone. That version of Pellegrini is a top-level attacking midfielder. The problem is frequency. For every match where he influences the game with his passing range, there are two or three where he’s anonymous.

His heat maps tell the story. Pellegrini’s average receiving position has dropped roughly 8 metres compared to last season. He’s collecting the ball closer to his own goal, further from the areas where a creative player does damage.

Renato Sanches, when fit, offers something different — he carries the ball forward, bypassing the passing limitations. His ball-carrying numbers per 90 are actually good. But his injury record has limited his appearances, and when he does play, the integration with the players around him isn’t there yet.

Systemic Issues

The individual limitations matter, but the bigger issue is structural. Roma’s midfield setup this season prioritises defensive coverage over offensive risk. The double pivot sits deep. The advanced midfielder drops to form a temporary three when the team is out of possession. When possession is recovered, the transition to attack is slow because the midfield has to reorganise from a defensive shape to an offensive one.

Compare this to how Atalanta’s midfield operates, as tracked by Transfermarkt. Their central players are aggressive in transition — they receive on the half-turn, play forward immediately, and accept the risk of losing possession in exchange for catching opponents in disorganised defensive shapes. The result is a midfield that generates chances at nearly twice Roma’s rate.

The counter-argument is that Roma’s defensive record justifies the approach. But the current balance feels overly cautious. Roma are set up to avoid losing rather than to win, and across a full season, that produces exactly the kind of inconsistent results we’re seeing.

What Could Change

Push Pellegrini higher and keep him there, even if it means sacrificing some defensive coverage. Ask Cristante to take more progressive risks. Consider whether the double pivot is always necessary, or whether certain opponents can be approached with a single holding midfielder and more bodies in advanced positions.

The summer window might also provide answers. A midfielder who combines defensive responsibility with genuine creative output would transform Roma’s midfield. But that profile is expensive and in high demand.

For now, Roma’s midfield is a reflection of the team’s broader identity problem: competent, reliable, and not quite good enough for where the club wants to be.