Jose Mourinho’s third season syndrome arrives quicker every time the Portuguese moves to a new club. After winning their first three league games of the season, Roma have won back-to-back games only thrice since matchweek three. That level of inconsistency means that Mourinho’s men are seventh in the table, two points behind local rivals Lazio.

The following visualisation shows AS Roma’s five-game rolling average for Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Goals Against (xGA) for this season.

The main takeaway from the visualization is the level of inconsistency that Roma have shown so far this season. While their attack has remained at the same level, as indicated by the blue coloured xG trendline, their defense has gotten worse as the games have gone by, as indicated by the red coloured xGA trend line.

Roma have struggled to find form at both the ends of the pitch this season with Mourinho’s men eight best for goals scored and seventh best for goals conceded. Roma have kept clean sheets in back-to-back games only once all season – against Genoa and Torino in late November. That stat will particularly be worrying for Mourinho whose teams seem to no longer be known for their defensive performances. Their best attacking performance of the season came against newcomers Venezia with an xG of 5.07, but Roma still lost the game 3-2. Roma have struggled to finish the chances created this season. Roma’s defeats against Juventus, Lazio and Milan saw them create better opportunities but still end up losing the game. Their worst defensive performance of the season came in the game away to Milan. Roma’s best finishing performance came against Atalanta, which Roma won 4-1, but had an xG value of only 1.09, their fourth lowest all season. Roma have really struggled to get three points against their close rivals.

When Mourinho decided to join Roma, there were huge expectations to see if Roma can move higher up in the table and become consistent challengers for the Champions League spots. However, things have not gone to plan so far for the Portuguese and it would not be a surprise if Jose Mourinho is not at the helm come summer.