Pressing has become the defining tactical trend in European football over the past decade. Teams that can’t press effectively get overrun by those that can. But Serie A has historically been more conservative about high-intensity pressing compared to the Bundesliga or Premier League.

So where does Roma fit in this landscape? Are they among Serie A’s pressing leaders, or do they take a more measured approach? The data tells an interesting story.

The Numbers

Roma averages 8.2 pressing actions per defensive action (PPDA) this season, which places them seventh in Serie A. For context, Atalanta leads the league at 6.1 PPDA—the lower the number, the more intensely a team presses. Inter sits at 7.4, Napoli at 7.8.

At first glance, this suggests Roma presses less than Italy’s top sides. But PPDA only measures quantity, not quality or contextual intelligence. A team that presses selectively when opponents are vulnerable might have higher PPDA but more effective pressing.

Looking at pressing success rate—how often pressing actions win possession—Roma actually performs well at 32%, tied for fourth in the league. Atalanta leads again at 37%, but Roma’s success rate beats several teams with lower PPDA numbers.

This suggests Roma is picking moments to press rather than pressing constantly. They’re not Atalanta, who press relentlessly from the first minute. But when Roma does commit to pressing, they’re effective at winning the ball.

Tactical Context

Roma’s pressing approach varies significantly depending on game state and opposition. Against top sides like Inter or Napoli, they typically sit deeper and press selectively, focusing on cutting passing lanes rather than winning the ball high.

Against mid-table and lower sides, pressing intensity increases. Roma tries to dominate possession and win the ball in dangerous areas, creating chances through turnovers in the attacking third.

This tactical flexibility makes sense for a squad with Roma’s characteristics. They don’t have the depth to press intensely for 90 minutes across a long season. Selective pressing conserves energy while still creating turnovers in key moments.

European Comparison

Compared to top European sides, Roma’s pressing intensity is moderate. Liverpool and Manchester City average below 6 PPDA—significantly more intense than any Serie A team. Bayern Munich, despite occasional criticism of their pressing, sits around 6.5.

But direct comparison is tricky because Serie A teams generally press less than Premier League or Bundesliga sides. The league’s tactical culture emphasises shape and positional discipline over constant pressing intensity.

Within Serie A context, Roma’s pressing is respectable but not elite. They’re in the upper-middle tier, more aggressive than conservative sides like Lazio but less relentless than Atalanta or the top defensive units.

Personnel Limitations

Roma’s pressing is constrained by personnel in several positions. The centre-backs aren’t particularly quick, which limits how high the defensive line can push when pressing. If the line sits deep, forwards pressing high get isolated with huge gaps between lines.

Some midfielders excel at pressing—Cristante covers ground well and times tackles effectively. Others are less suited to high-intensity pressing, which creates inconsistency depending on who’s selected.

Up front, the pressing effectiveness varies. Some forwards work hard but lack the tactical intelligence to press effectively—they chase the ball rather than cutting passing lanes. Others understand pressing triggers but don’t have the stamina for sustained effort.

Building a truly elite pressing system requires personnel throughout the team who can execute it. Roma has pieces but not complete coverage across all positions, which limits how aggressive their pressing can be.

The Dybala Factor

Dybala’s presence complicates pressing strategy. He’s brilliant with the ball but not an intense presser without it. Accommodating his attacking talent sometimes means accepting less defensive work from that position.

When Dybala plays, Roma often presses with a 4-4-1 shape in defensive phase, with Dybala dropping slightly deeper rather than leading the press. This is less effective than a coordinated front three pressing together, but it’s the trade-off for having Dybala’s creativity.

Some fans criticise this as tactical weakness—shouldn’t everyone press? But football involves trade-offs. If Dybala’s attacking contribution outweighs his defensive limitations, the trade-off makes sense.

The key is structuring the press around his positioning. If Roma expects Dybala not to press intensely, they need to account for that in their pressing scheme rather than pretending he’ll do work he’s not suited for.

Where Roma Excels

While Roma’s overall pressing intensity is moderate, they excel at certain aspects of defensive transitions. Their counter-pressing—immediate pressure after losing possession—is quite strong.

When Roma loses the ball in attacking positions, they’re quick to pressure the opponent’s first pass, often winning it back within seconds. This “second ball” pressing is highly effective and doesn’t require the stamina of sustained high pressing.

Roma is also good at pressing specific patterns. When opponents play certain build-up shapes, Roma has trained triggers that activate intense pressure. This pattern recognition makes their pressing more efficient than raw intensity metrics suggest.

And in big games, Roma can raise their pressing intensity temporarily. The Atalanta match earlier this season showed Roma pressing aggressively for 25-30 minute stretches, though they couldn’t sustain it for full matches.

Where Improvement is Needed

Consistency remains the main issue. Roma’s pressing intensity fluctuates too much between matches and even within matches. They’ll press intensely for a half, then drop off completely in the second half as fitness wanes.

Coordination also needs work. Too often, Roma’s forwards press while midfielders don’t step up, or vice versa. Effective pressing requires synchronized movement across multiple lines, and Roma’s coordination breaks down regularly.

The defensive line’s positioning could be more aggressive in certain situations. When pressing high, the back line needs to squeeze up, reducing space between lines. Roma’s centre-backs sometimes stay deep out of caution, which undermines the forward press.

And pressing from goal kicks and throw-ins—set piece pressing—is an area where Roma underperforms. Many teams have developed sophisticated pressing schemes for opponent set pieces, but Roma often gives opponents easy progression in these moments.

Tactical Evolution

Roma’s pressing has evolved under recent management. Earlier in the season, they pressed more conservatively. Recent matches show increased aggression, suggesting tactical development as players gain fitness and understanding.

Whether this evolution continues depends partly on personnel changes. If Roma adds players more suited to pressing in summer transfer windows, they could shift toward a more intense system. With the current squad, a moderate pressing approach makes sense.

There’s also the question of whether pressing intensity is even the right goal for Roma. Not every successful team presses intensely. Some win through defensive organisation and attacking quality rather than constant pressure.

For Roma’s squad characteristics and tactical strengths, a selective pressing approach might be optimal. Press when conditions favour it, drop into shape when they don’t, and focus energy on attacking transitions where Roma has real quality.

Final Assessment

Roma’s pressing is solid but not spectacular by Serie A standards. They’re more aggressive than the league’s conservative sides but less intense than Italy’s pressing leaders.

Given personnel constraints, this seems about right. Asking this squad to press like Atalanta would expose defensive weaknesses and drain energy needed for attacking play.

The focus should be on pressing intelligence rather than intensity. When Roma presses, make it count. Pick the right moments, coordinate across lines, and convert pressing actions into dangerous transitions.

And recognise that pressing is just one aspect of defensive effectiveness. Organisation, positioning, and transition defence matter too. Roma can be defensively solid without being a pressing machine, as long as all defensive components work together.

For fans wanting more intense pressing: it would require different players, significant tactical adjustment, and trade-offs in other areas. For a team aiming to compete for Champions League places while managing Europa League fixtures, Roma’s current pressing approach is pragmatic.

Whether it’s enough to win Serie A is another question. Atalanta and Inter show that intense pressing can succeed in Italy. But success can follow multiple paths, and Roma’s moderate pressing approach can work if paired with strengths in other areas.