i forgot to mention that i ran around my work screaming "YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS!" after taddei scored. people thought i had lost it. i was also giving serious thought to recording the re-broadcast on espn classic so i could save it and put it in the spank bank (kidding here).

I think it's peaked at 610 comments.. I was hoping we would get 1000. haha

I loved driving around today with the ASR scudetto sticker on my rear windscreen (which has been proudly on my car(s) for the last 15 years btw)... it's a type of day all true Romanista dream of. This Roma blog too is something to be proud of, 600+ comments .. nice :)

After this massive confidence booster let's hope the squad can always believe in themselves for every single game up until every last min ... because with some luck and a healthy squad we can beat anyone and go a long way this season in either serie A or CL (or Coppa). Totti was brilliant today and I felt lifted the whole team, he did get a bit tired in the end but then there was De Rossi, Aquilani, Juan, Mexes, Vucinic, Tonetto, Taddei ... OK, the whole team playing awesome, especially the team as a whole. Real Madrid were outclassed, pure and simple.

Food for thought: I know the dream is to win the CL in Roma 2009, but imagine we make the final and 'defend' the CL 2008 crown in the Stadio Olimpico in 2009. Now that would be an un-fcuking-believable game ... Madonna mia.

FORZA & GRAZIE ROMA, ciao tutti

the problem with brigi replacing ddr is his technique. ddr and aqualani are so silky smooth which really comes out in games like this where u have to be really smart just outside ur box

AQUALANIII TOTTI VUCICNICCC ROMAAAAA DDRRR. UNSUNG HERO GOES TO TONNETTO HE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LOT OF GOALS LATELY. TADDEIIIIIIIIIIIIII IM LOVIN IT

FORZA ROMA

Grande Roma... Andiamo!

King Alberto is MOTM. He is fighting like a ..King. great!!

thanks ranjeet! I was pulling for you guys yesterday...im upset that arsenal won through. Most of all, i guess im sad for Maldini having to go out like that, such a great player and person.

Congratulations Roma fans. I was really disappointed when Milan lost yesterday,but I am really really happy that Roma won. I am supporting them to go on and win it. Do it for Italy,guys.

600 posts! Congrats Chris.. I don't know why you predicted such a tiny number.. 492.. are you kidding? We're gonna cause this thing to break. haha

Dhaw- also came across that video. even though its one photo for the whole song...I COULD LOOK AT IT ALL DAY!

ROMA ROMA ROMAAAA!

ROMAAAA ROMAAAAAAAA ROMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lK2...

600 !!!!
Bravo Romanista's !!

Have a strong feeling that we might get either ManUtd or Chelsea. I wud prefer Chelsea. Save Manutd for the finals ;)

yep gabriella i know Brighi will fill up.
I am just saying what if Pizarro has to team up with Aqui. Certainly Pizarro is saved a lot of blushes cause Derossi saves him. Just dont think if Aqui wud be able to do the same. However it was just a thought.

LETS GET TO 600 POSTS!!!

FORZA LA ROMA!!

i'm still buzzing!!! if ddr is out i'd prefer the brighi-aqui partnership, i like brighi, hes solid and doesnt make mistakes and works very hard for the team. i just dont get the infatuation with wee dave pizarro that luciano has, i'd definitely like him sold this summer, make aqui-ddr first choice and bring back galloppa or buy cigarini for an alternative. i think the game tonight showed how much we need an alternative to tonetto carlos, as, apart from the cross for the first goal, i thought he was poor, he just cant play as many games as he has

So, is this officially the nuttiest and most populated group on The Offside? I'm just happy we've blown out the post count.

oh it feels damn good to be a romanista

Dhaw ... we have a Brighi who proved that he can indeed do some good work when De Rossi cannot play

5 GREAT performances in a row, 4 wins and an almost-win.

Feels good to be a Romanista.

Lets say Derossi is rested one of the games in Serie A.
Pizzaro + Aqui Midfield. Now how wud that operate i have no clue.

James: thanks a lot for that link, I saw Taddei up close and almost puked. Seriously though, what a great day for Roma, wish I was back there for it

Or just Simone.

I think it's just Simone and Tonetto.

I don't mean to put a damper on the celebrations but De Rossi got a yellow in the last game and now this one.. Is he suspended for the next game? I'm scared to death he will be.. He's unbelievable..

AMAZING!

FORZA ROMA!!!! Un-frickin-believable!!!

I want 600 comments!!!

Hey Everyone. some great photo's. really high resolution of I Lupi.

http://www.uefa.com/footballeu...

PLEASE SOMEONE POST ALL POST GAME CLEBRATIONS!!

ALL THE SHIT UEFGA DOESNT SHOW!! AND ESPN!!!

GRANDE MIA ROMA..

TEARS OF JOY, FOR MY ROMA.

Downloading history from this torrent:

http://www.mininova.org/tor/12...

Gabriella (ASR): I agree with your comments about the boys' composure tonight. Even a month or two ago, this team might have collapsed after conceding, but they persevered.
Our biggest weakness is our mental strength. If we remain strong upstairs, there's nothing this team can't achieve!

First of all, congratulations to Chris and Marco for making this far and away the most successful offsides blog. 577+ posts and counting...SERIOUSLY impressive.

Second, highlights: http://www.dailymotion.com/rel...

http://www.marca.com/

Funniest headline I've ever seen.

Agreed on Mister by the way. On a Madrid board I was reading and this poster was saying, to the affect of, "No matter if Ruud or anyone else was playing tonight, Madrid couldn't have beaten Spalletti. He was the man of the match. He was that good."

Knockout phase
From the last 16 until the semi-finals, clubs play two matches against each other on a home and away basis with the same rules as the qualifying rounds applied. In the last 16, group winners play runners-up other than teams from their own pool or nation, while from the quarter-finals on the draw is free.
=============================

http://www.uefa.com/competitio...

we can draw MU for the next round

10 stars for Spalletti. I hate to say so after the fact because I didn't say it on here, but I had a feeling Mirko would come through when he came on for Mancini. Amantino didn't really have it today, but with the blistering form he's been in, one of these was due. Totti was huge, dribbling us out of trouble on a couple occasions, once all the way back into our own half before switching the point of attack. Cici was dynomite, sure there was no Robben, but compared to last time, everything was up the middle for them. Robinho is class, and for those that don't know, Raul is pretty good... Other than that, we played a very nice game without having our best stuff, but we were finally able to kill a game off. Raul's goal was questionable, but our play was a great sign for the rest of the year. Vucinic always seems to play up to the level of competition. I'm rambling and I like it ;) Forza Roma per sempre, if I'm dreaming no one pinch me! Now I've got to find someone who has ESPN Classic to record it for me tonight....

you know, the other thing I was very happy about tonight? The level of concentration because although Real got an offside goal but it was not our defensive fault. And they pressed us back but we did soak it up and didnt lose our heads. We kept it together and even scored in added time when we generally conceive.

Good subs by Spal! Fresh legs for the last 20 minutes

http://www.ilromanista.it/?sec...

Admire De Rossi on and OFF the pitch!

that was awesome! way to go with the 500+ comments too, wow.

This was posted on Gazzetta by a Juventino!

"ma stasera e' andato in scena l'Ajax di Crujff, il Milan di Sacchi e .. tanta voglia di correre con la testa. Strepitosa Roma ! Qui in Spagna stanno dicendo di comprarsi il DVD per una lezione di calcio. Mai visti i madridisti senza parole. Terrificante. Di fatto stasera e`andata in scena LA ROMA DI SPALLETTI. Grande tecnico e grande Tosco !!!"

some more pics
http://www.jamd.com/search?tex...

Forza Roma Amen

Yeah I got the pics. They're awesome

yeah sorry I'm on planet conidi right now

YES!!!!!!!! GRAZIE ROMA!

Vucinic, hero!!! spalletti saw the light before the game, no panucci or DP, but aquilani and cicinho, and they both were genious... unbelieveable, spalletti, goed choices! finally, and now always DP on the bench!

hopellly we get shalke 04

Julian, click on le foto dell'impresa

ahhhaahhaha click on

Emozioni dal Santiago Bernabeu: Roma avanti

A woman had a Real shirt with Panucci's name from years ago!

gazzetta did a helluva job with the pics this time around. I think I saved 12 for future posts.

That link to the De Rossi pic doesnt lead to a specific pic. It's just the front page of the site

Taken from Uefa.com

Knockout phase
From the last 16 until the semi-finals, clubs play two matches against each other on a home and away basis with the same rules as the qualifying rounds applied. In the last 16, group winners play runners-up other than teams from their own pool or nation, while from the quarter-finals on the draw is free.

Pretty sure that means we can play Man U

gazzetta with 15 oft he greatest pictures oyu haev ever seen I'm totally a wreck from emotion right now

Excellent Roma, major congrats. It's a tough journey from here on out, but I'm hoping for you guys to carry the pride of the Italian teams and take the trophy.

De Rossi amazing pic

http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/

No passion whatsoever!

and our Miami Vice duo in the back was great too. Juan just coming back from injury! I want to congratulate Mexes on keeping his cool and not getting a yellow...lol

I kinda want Man Yahoo for the quarters. Could be our chance to prove we can actually beat them. I can smell revenge.

Pruzzo --- "Spalletti putrting Vicinic changed it all. Perfect timing, perfect substitution.

Great Vucinic played his best football in the most important moment of the season.

Great Spalletti finally playing Aquilani and Cicinho from the start. I guess he now realises we never loose with those two on the pitch.

Great usual De Rossi and team work from everybody else.

Shame only Perrotta and Tonetto won't be in the first leg of the quarter final, but now we don't care.

GRAZIE ROMA for another great nite.

La Roma Che Conosco on my radio on repeat ... neighbors will kick me out and i couldnt care less.

Tonetto crossed and taddei headed in. Cicinho was shot on every camera's so people assumed it was him, Taddei was off in the corner going MENTAL.

Another big goal scored off a Tonetto cross.

I think it was Taddei.

Actually, you two were way behind. Everybody got eaten up by the spam monster.

I'm pulling a bunch of people out of the spam log...it'll be a minute.

has to be said as well, Grande Panucci! he checked his ego at the door today, i know he wants Euro 08 but put Roma first coming in as only a late sub and putting forth excellent effort. and then when he gets his only really headline chance he delievers the perfect pass to see Roma to the quarters.

Wow, that's much better. (I don't want to face ManYoo.)

Chelsea
Schalke
Barca
Arsenal
Fenerbahce
Inter/Liverpool

haha I was 500

SO basically we can play anyone but MU. I have to say that is great news!

OFFSIDE RECORD.

MAXIMUM COMMENTS.
WONDERFUL !!

no it was taddei

Dammit. I got the 501st comment. Late by one :p .

That header was indeed scored by Taddei. I have no idea why they started showing Cicinho instead.

Aaaah, thanks for clearing it up, Naeem!

Vucinic MOTM! He changed the game right after he came on.. he controlled and held the ball up front which Mancini failed to do and when Totti was looking tired doing all the hard work up front. He took Pepe on and caused the red card. He created the space for the first goal and scored the second.. No doubt about that in my mind..

my preference for the next round:
Shalke > Fenerbache > Barcelona > Chelsea > Arsenal > Liverpool > ManU

Schalke through.

Why the fuck is channel4 saying Taddei was the scorer ?
Even Uefa is saying so.
It was cici right ?

You can play an Italian team next.

You can't play someone from your group.

Forza Roma.

I love it when arrogant teams eat humble pie.

If we can't play an Italian team til the semi's, than nor can the English teams play each other, right? In that case we have to get an English team.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=31a...

Mai solo mai

This is OUR team. Our magica.

Solo Roma.

Enjoy this guys!

wow that was terrible writng, oh well i'm drunk off Roma

FORZZZAAAA ROMAAAAAA!! What a victory today! Very balanced team display.. Totti had a good game controlling the ball abd spreading the play, Aquilani was awesome in midfield, DDR was a monster, Tonetto played a great game too both defensively and offensively, his crosses were superb, CICI was awesome too.. I left the best for last.. VUCIGOL!!! What a game by the subsitute, I was praying that Spalletti put him on for Mancini.. What a call by TGIP!!

Absolutely perfect substitutions by Spal. Its decided im getting a black jersey with aquilani on the back1!!!!!!

http://www.myspace.com/lessavy...

click on link, look to the right and click "What Would Wolves Do"

The world may seem cruel.
The worldly may hate us.
In time we will show the world why the world made us.

Fuck yes we wil we a Champs League Title!

PS The song below "Sweat Descends" is a pretty sweet track also.

schalke wins

Schalke is through

Schalke through.

ManYoo
Arsenal
Barca
Chelsea
Schalke
Fenerbahce

and maybe Pool. (Can't play play an Italian team til the semis, right?)

Yep, Shalke is though!

Thanks for the interviews Cazz's D

Shalke thru?

1st time for them

Sure we are but they didn't deserve any of the free kicks bar De Rossi's in the first half.

Schalke would be a dream matchup, moreso than Fenerbahce, I think.

SKY Italia & radio spazio aperto

And the defense has gotten solid. Few slip-ups, but let's give the guys credit for not allowing Madrid a single legit goal throughout the game.

On set-pieces though, we're blatantly vulnerable.

DE ROSSI=DE GOD!

And is Juan the toughest, most unrelenting defender knocking about? He is so consistent. Amazing. Look what they paid for Pepe HAHAHAHAHA!

Porto missed a penalty

Where are you guys getting these interviews from?

Also I love how Roma is the only Offside page where we fans post a ton. Shows how much we love our club

Mexes=OUT OF HIS MIND TONITE.

They don't call him Next Lauren Blanc by accident!

Everyone played well today. Mexes/De-Rossi combination was beast-astical. Alberto stepped up and showed more maturity than Robinho. No one fucking touches KA for a transfer. Totti played deep and calmed the team down well. Cicinho brought speed. Vucinic was brilliant.

Tonetto finally did deliver a goal-scoring cross too!

Yellow-cards number in double digits :o.

Vialli: "Chelsea, Manchester, Arsenal, Fenerbache, who do you want?"

Rosella: "None will be easy."

Vialli: "Manchester United would be interesting, no?"

Lippi: "I will not ask you who you prefer."

Rossi: "Roma this year for Spalletti are a special team what is the key?"

Rosella: "Ou group is more experienced and we work hard every day. That is the mentality of the club."

shit phone call sorry

Yeah, great game by gladiators!! Roma 4 - Madrid 2

maybe the tidbit about Real losing was in the knockout stages? dont know...i thought i heard the announcer say it or maybe i read it earlier

absolutely great game, and a fantastic night for anyone Roman.

Man of the Match had to be Mexes, the guy was an absolute rock the whole game, he just seems to get better and better. Amazing.

Forza Mexes! Forza Totti! Forza Roma!

Aqui on radio I will type with him

"It was incredible match I couldn't believe my shots didn't score. We never gave up and should have finished 4 gols for Roma tonight. An incredible victory at the Bernabeau the most famous ground in the world. We demonstrated on the field that we can beat anyone anywhere anytime."

Rosella on SKY.