Roma suffered defeat in the Derby Delle Capitale against Lazio as Jose Mourinho’s side were reduced to 10 men in the first half – and Italian media outlets have criticised Leeds man Diego Llorente in what was only his third outing.
Llorente, 29, left Leeds on a loan-to-buy deal in January after failing to break past Robin Koch under Jesse Marsch. He reunited with Mourinho – the man who gave him his professional debut at Real Madrid. But he has struggled.
Sunday saw him start the game on the bench, as Roma looked to continue their good form against rivals Lazio. Prior to the 1-0 loss, Llorente had managed just two outings. A late sub against Empoli, and a start against Real Sociedad.
The latter came against his old side in Spain, but he failed to return for the second half due to injury. On Sunday, the defender came on at half-time with Roger Ibanez’s red card forcing Mourinho to sacrifice Paulo Dybala up top.
However, 33 minutes later with Lazio leading 1-0, Roma decided to take Llorente off. It is unclear if it was Mourinho’s decision, with the ex-Tottenham and Chelsea boss also sent off. Italian media were not impressed with Llorente.
Forza Roma gave him 5.5/10, reporting: “Debut in a derby, in the toughest moment. He saves Roma going down 2-0 but still looks like a fish out of water,” while CM say: “His match lasts half an hour. It’s not good,” giving him 5/10.
Italian media criticise Leeds man Llorente as Roma suffer Lazio defeat
It was always going to a be a tricky move. If Llorente was struggling to start for Leeds, what chance did he have of breaking into Roma’s starting XI? Well, he might now even after Sunday, with Ibanez suspended in defence.
But, it has not been a good move for Llorente as things stand and the chances of Roma actually paying the fee required to turn the loan permanent is next to zero. Llorente will be back at Leeds in the summer, you would think.
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