The recent victory against Lecce bore the decisive mark of Robinio Vaz. His header secured three vital points for Roma, intensifying their chase for a Champions League spot, and simultaneously shone a spotlight on the young French forward. Yet, the question of whether Vaz truly justifies his €25 million price tag has been a persistent one since his arrival in the Capital, especially given his initial appearances for the Giallorossi.
Roma’s decision to invest in Vaz was not a coincidence; he was the sole permanent signing for the club during the winter transfer window. This move signaled a clear vote of confidence in his potential. Before January, the attacker had already netted four goals in Ligue 1. Since joining Roma, the coach has not hesitated to field him immediately, a choice that is now yielding encouraging results. The Frenchman took just 99 minutes to find his first goal in Serie A, a remarkably swift achievement when compared to peers like Ferguson (309 minutes), Dovbyk (299 minutes), or even Soulé, who at Vaz’s age of 19, needed 259 minutes to score his debut top-flight goal.
Vaz’s development has been a quiet yet consistent ascent, improving game after game. His impact was felt in the thrilling 3-3 comeback against Bologna in the Europa League – a match ultimately lost in extra time – where he earned a penalty and assisted Pellegrini’s goal. He then proved decisive against Lecce with the winning goal. Furthermore, his presence offers Roma an additional tactical dimension: the option to play with two strikers, potentially alongside Malen. This setup, while somewhat altering the team’s traditional playing style, also facilitates long balls, providing a valuable alternative, especially at a time when Roma’s attack has been stretched thin by absences such as those of Dybala, Soulé, Dovbyk, and Ferguson.
In a challenging period, Vaz is emerging as a tangible asset. The prevailing sentiment is that his journey has only just begun; a gradual progression that bodes well for the future of the Giallorossi’s offensive department.
