Worrying stats for Tottenham where Paulo Fonseca is concerned
By Gary Pearson
Failure to launch against top six sides
Roma endured all sorts of recurring nightmares under Fonseca when they came up against big-six teams. In 2019-2020, his first season in charge, Roma won two of 10 matches against apex Italian sides, collecting just 10 of 30 points.
Those two wins came against champions Juventus and sixth place AC Milan. Roma was outscored 14-11 in the 10 pivotal matches against the top six. They picked up four draws — two against Lazio and two versus Inter Milan — in the 10 matches. Roma’s ability to keep Inter and Lazio at bay allowed Fonseca’s side to snatch fifth place. And while two wins from 10 matches isn’t worth boasting about, it was a far superior return when compared to Roma’s abysmal record against the best during the 2020-2021 season.
2020-2021 record against the big six
If you thought Roma’s record against the big six was bad in 2019-2020, you’ll want to turn your eyes away before reading the following passage:
Reader discretion is advised:
Roma did not pick up a single win against the elite six until their penultimate match, when they downed Lazio 2-0. It was a case of far too little, way too late. In 12 matches against the top six, Roma lost seven, tied four and won one. They were outscored 28-12, while suffering two successive comprehensive defeats to Napoli by a combined total of 6-0.
In his two seasons at the helm, Fonseca’s Roma won three of 22 matches against their direct Italian rivals, collecting 17 measly points from a possible 66. Those numbers should deeply concern Tottenham’s top brass, especially considering Spurs’ recent abysmal record against England’s best six.