Roma Women: the really super value of the Super Cup

It may have been Mourinho's motivational message, or the desire for revenge against Juventus after so many undeserved defeats, or more likely the result of recent European experiences and a lot of hard work this season, but surely Roma Women to win its first Italian Super Cup found something; a spark that made the triumph possible and that until the Tardini match had always been missing. 

That added value lies as much in having been able to exploit the first clear goal chance of the match with Giacinti after 19 ', as in having managed to resist in a second half filled with absolute suffering due to great difficulties from the offensive point of view. When the advantage of the longer roster began to weigh on Juve, the Giallorosse were held up by Greggi in midfield, Haavi with a few flashes in attack, and the defense of Wenninger, Linari and above all Ceasar. Enduring without succumbing or collapsing after conceding a goal on an improperly whistled free kick, being aware that they were in trouble, and having the strength to bring the contest to their side somehow, all the way to penalties. Then there was the added value of Ceasar, who when called upon even in the 120' (as indeed in any other match) was ready to respond present, and who after the game said, "When we get to penalties I enjoy it, I have nothing to lose." It sounds like a platitude, but it is an unequivocally correct phrase that reflects, on the one hand, the serenity with which the Romanian faces those phases and; on the other, the maturity of the whole group of Giallorosse. A group that is solid, united and aware of its qualities, more than it has ever been. There were big celebrations after the triple whistle on the field. There was clear engagement toward the fans in attendance. And then it was on to the evening train that brought the team back to the Capital, and along with the chants for Mourinho, there were the classic chants of the Curva Sud and countless posts on social media to accompany it all. 

In the eyes of the protagonists after the triumph, the first in a final against Juve, all the joy of having achieved a historic result and, above all, the awareness of being in the midst of an even more dizzying growth, which is described in the solitary leadership in the league and in the concrete ambitions of reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League as absolute rookies. It is the Super Cup of Bartoli, who as a Roman and Romanista lives for this team like probably no other. But it is also the Super Cup of a tireless Giada Greggi (almost in tears from cramping in the second overtime and certainly moved with the trophy in her hands) and it is also Emilie Haavi’s, who has been the symbol of growth since last year and is now a constant offensive source for Spugna's Roma. "We are working toward something exceptional," the coach himself said after the match. He is probably aware that his extraordinary team has already done so much, but he also knows that this cup, for so many reasons, is truly super.