In case you haven’t noticed – or have the intellectual capabilities of bird shit – I hate Inter. HATE Inter. I hate Moratti. I hate Mancini. I hate Zanetti. I hate Figo. I hate Stankovic. I hate Cambiasso. I hate Vieira. I hate blue. I hate black. I hate Pirelli. I hate the San Siro. I fucking hate Inter. I have since well before I became a Roma fan. I hated them well before Chivugate. I hated them well before those two asterisked trophies for Calcio Honesty. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them.

Wow, “Calcio Honesty” and “Inter” in the same paragraph. Who knew?

So what do you think this year has done for my feelings towards Inter? Butterflies and cupcakes and unicorns, right?

This game isn’t so much about the Coppa Italia as it is about Inter, because I honestly feel like they have more to lose from this than Roma. If Inter wins…great. We’ll still spend every two days in the summer hearing about the occasional crutch they were handed, along with quotes from intelligent footballing minds saying Roma was the better team. An Inter win here proves little.

But if Roma wins, it adds more ammo to the theory that Roma is the best team in calcio. Both teams have injuries which are essentially a wash (Cambiasso plus Zlatan almost equals the loss of Totti), so that’s out the window. Both teams have Brazilian goalkeepers, and neither one is Dida, which is a wash. Both teams will have a banged up back line, so that’s a wash. Basically the only thing which isn’t a wash is the brainpower patrolling the sidelines and the payrolls.

The great trump card here is obviously Spalletti. For all the trillions of lira Moratti has spent, he still has a meathead on the sidelines, whereas Roma has a top drawer mind at the chalkboard; and he’s had a week to get ready for a team which rarely throws a tactical surprise at you – at home no less. If it comes down to bringing 15m striker after 15m striker off the bench or having Spalletti? No contest. The Grand Imperial Poobah twelve days a week.

The one thing I hope Spalletti instills into the team is that this isn’t be about revenge, it should be about Roma proving itself to be the better team. Emotion in front of the crowd will be fantastic, no doubt, but if they stick to tactics and keep a collective cool, Roma will have to say no words, the play will speak for itself. (I won’t begrudge Mexes or DDR a fiery moment or two, however.) And really, that’s all that Roma needs to show. Just play as Roma can play and it will be a great day.

And win or lose, I think we all need to enjoy this one. Three months without Roma is a mighty long time.

Squads

Roma:

Antunes Gabriel
Aquilani Alberto
Bertagnoli J. Sergio
Brighi Matteo
Cassetti Marco
Cicinho
Curci Gianluca
De Rossi Daniele
Doni
Esposito Mauro
Juan
Giuly Ludovic
Mancini Alessandro
Mexes Philippe
Panucci Christian
Perrotta Simone
Pizarro David
Tonetto Max
Vucinic Mirko

Inter:

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni.

Defenders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 26 Cristian Chivu, 40 Ivan Fatic, 47 Marco Filippini.

Midfielders: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 11 Luis Jimenez, 14 Patrick Vieira, 21 Santiago Solari, 28 Maniche, 30 Pelé, 31 Cesar.

Strikers: 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo, 45 Mario Balotelli.

* – Much thanks to Ezio and Lorenzo for the pic. Great Romanisti think alike.

Key Injuries

Roma: Taddei, The Fiat (Ferrari) & that Totti guy.

Inter: Cruz & Macellazzi* are suspended (absolute shocker there), while Cambiasso & Zlatan are out injured.

* – Thanks to Chico for bringing that one back.

Probably XI

Doni;
Cicinho, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto;
DDR, Pizarro;
Mancini, Aquilani, Perrotta;
Vucinic.

Really doubt we see anything else aside from some rotation on the right flank.

Matchups

Roberto Mancini v A Down Syndrome Baboon: Let’s face it, the guy isn’t even close to the same league as Giancarlo Camolese, much less Luciano Spalletti. So comparing the two would be both unfair and imprudent. A down syndrome baboon at least gives Mancio a chance – albeit a very slight one.

And may I just say….Grazie Moratti. Keeping Mancio on is the best thing you could’ve done for the other 19 teams in Serie A. There’s a fetus somewhere drawing up better schemes in his mother’s womb than Minchia could diagram on his best day.

Zlatan’s Wandering Protrusion v The Ghost of Esteban Cambiasso’s Receding Hairline: Their two best players are out? Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

Really, that leaves just one person to worry about without question, and that’s Julio Ceasar. (And by without question, I mean someone consistently fantastic over a lengthy stretch for all you Balotelli nuthuggers in the crowd.)

Of course, maybe Mancio will hit his head and insert Toldo into the lineup. Mmmmm, Toldo back between the sticks in Rome. Good times. Good times.

But seriously, Inter is two vastly different teams with and without Zlatan. The fact that he isn’t even on the bench is a very good thing for Roma.

Roma v Chivu: Speaking of leaky sieves, it’s a big game and Cristian Chivu will be in the house. If he plays it’s 12 v 10. And then pray the other inevitability, an injury, doesn’t happen til the 90th minute or so.

Roma v The Ref: So is Morganti on the payroll or what? Do you think bookies have closed the odds on an Inter penalty after the 70th minute? Perhaps a Mexes red has already been lined up again.

Let’s at least hope Lega Calcio ends the season with a sliver of credibility. After this season, they could use it.

Pride v Players In Their Last Game For The Shirt: With it being the very last game of the season – and thankfully with the Euros this will feel like a short summer – it’s inevitable a few players will be swapping giallorosso for the last time. The only guy I think we can absolutely agree is gone is Mauro Esposito. No tears shed there, but I think he deserves a helluva round of applause for staying exceptionally professional this season. Let’s face it, he could’ve gone to Napoli and been a hero for the hometown side, only to take a chance at Champions League footy with Roma. Spal said it a few weeks ago: day in, day out he comes and works his ass off without complaint for the betterment of the team and The Poobah can’t help but feel for him, the squad is just simply “closed”. Many guys with the potential for a national team call up would’ve been bitching and moaning to the press long ago; so really, he deserves a lot more for his contributions (or lack thereof) off the pitch than perhaps is given. Grazie Espo, and let’s hope he bounces back next year, wherever he lands. It’s never regretful to see classy, gifted guys shine.

As for the other guys, Matteo Ferrari seems likely, but he’s not playing. Ludovic Giuly is potentially gone, and it remains to be seen how much time he’ll see – more likely than not it’ll depend on the scoreline in the second half. Pizarro, Vucinic & Aquilani? You’d need to have a world class argument to convince me any of that trio will be in anything but giallorosso next year. Brighi is a possibility, but that’s also unlikely – Spal seems to really appreciate his contributions.

Then there’s Mancini. I think everyone and their mother thinks he’ll be elsewhere in the summer, but there’s really no way to tell right yet. What we need from him is anything but an egg, really. Anything more than that and I’ll be happy to give him a standing O at the end of the game. And perhaps if he plays like it’s his last game in the shirt, it may turn out not to be.

Let’s hope Mancini plays this one with his heart. We all know there are only a handful on the planet who can match him when he does and I’d love nothing more than to go into the summer knowing that he will either go out on his shield or have a little bit more to give to the cause than we thought. Forza Amantino.

The Romans

It’s in your city, in front of your team and this one is in your hands. Take this one for Totti.

Previous Games

Unless Ludovicious turns into a wide receiver going over the middle again, I think we can throw out the loss in September. Inter is just too strong a team, especially when Zlatan is in form, to go down a man against and have a true result come out. It was always downhill from there.

The SuperCoppa was so long ago it’s hard to recall what actually went down. De Rossi and Aquilani absolutely bossed the midfield and Totti was able to work his magic along with finding himself on the right end of a typical Burdisso tackle. It was still a preseason affair with many players out via injury, so a game at the end of August is not one to provide a blueprint for a game at the end of May with vastly different lineups.

As for the game at the San Siro in February, well, let’s just say if Rosetti (twas him, correct?) could discern a dive from a foul we’d be talking about a deserved three points. Pretty bullshit ending to the game, really; but that’s par for the course when going up against the Nerazzurri, so clearly Roma was at fault. They should’ve had a 3-4 goal cushion going into the late stages to rightfully squeak out with the three points. You’ve got to know these things going in.

(Sadly, only half of that is laced with sarcasm. It’s almost true.)

What does all this mean for the upcoming game? Only that an even strength Roma has proven to be a better team than Inter. (2-1 on aggregate, if you’d like to get technical.) I hope we’ll see much of the same.

Roma v Inter in Coppa

Predictions

Roma shows everyone who the best team in Italia really is.

Score: 2-0 Roma
Goals: Vucinic (12), Mancini (22)
MOTM: Mancini

When: 2030 CET, 1430 EST
Where: Stadio Olimpico
Forecast: Cloudy, 20°C.

Streaming: Here.

FORZA ROMA

Never has this collection of athletes faced a larger game with more on the line than they will experience when stepping onto the pitch in Sicily, and I am completely convinced that tomorrow we will see a level of ferocity unseen from Roma thus far this season.

Unfortunately, it’s not all in Roma’s hands, and Parma has become everyone’s second team. You would never bet against Inter to lose or even draw, but the Gialloblu proved themselves worth adversaries in January and the new unrest in Milan this week, along with Inter’s history of choking, allows for a modicum of hope. And with that hope comes a little bit of Forza Parma, a lot of prayer and karma with the weight of the world on its shoulders. Quite frankly, a Roma scudetto win is the only thing which can convince me all is right in the world.

As for the Elephanti, Catania is nowhere near Roma’s class. That’s not really up for discussion, and has been on display on three separate occasions this year – even with one draw thrown in, a draw that, for all intents and purposes, was an exhibition. They had a decent first half of the season and a stunning run in the Coppa Italia, but this is a relegation-quality team. On a normal day, we can say 9 out of 10 would go to Roma, yet this is anything but a normal day.

One could almost consider these games with these circumstances akin to a derby in that form and skill are irrelevant. What matters is desire, the “will to win”. Teams in Catania’s position often play well above and beyond when facing survival. In this case I’m not sure you can completely throw talent, class and form out the window – especially with Roma having more than 3 points at stake – but their effect is certainly watered down. The Sicilians will scrap, they will fight and they will attempt to claw their way above the relegation mire and onto the ledge containing another year with much of the same. Their problem becomes Roma has just as much to fight for, if not more. Do these desires cancel each other out and leave us back at square one with talent v talent? Could be. Could very well be. We’ll only know once the game is over.

For now, without getting into tactics and matchups, of which there are very few, if any, relevant ones, the greatest worry is Roma scoring a goal. Catania has conceded the second fewest goals at home in the league this season – thirteen – and we don’t exactly need to unveil a lengthy presentation detailing Roma’s struggles with finishing. No great secret, it’s their Achilles heel. Of course, this doesn’t seem to be the case since the loss of The Jesus. Averaging a solid three goals per game against a higher caliber of opposition, would a couple be two much to ask during what will be the biggest game of nearly every player’s life? I don’t think so.

If we do want to look back at the three games against Catania this season, one thing is completely evident: they’re exposed even when they aren’t pushing numbers forward. The problem becomes even if Parma loses, they can be relegated because Empoli has the tie-breaker. So really, with each game being played at the same time, they have to play for the win – or at least play for the draw. Even though they’ve built something of a fortress down there in Catania, I find it impossible to believe Roma won’t will itself to at least one goal. Meaning I’d be utterly shocked to see a nil-nil draw, and I doubt I’m the only one.

What becomes mighty dangerous in the event that Catania opens up with a goal. At which point we’d see a Livorno-esque team picture in the back. So as much is this game is about emotion and heart and desire and all those clichéd things which make up Hollywood’s archives, it’s just as much about wits and tactics when the scoreline comes into play. Would you rather have Spalletti or Walter Zenga making decisions on the fly? That’s what I thought.

On the other hand, if Roma opens up for a goal, Catania will be forced to open up the back and perhaps consequently, the floodgates for the boys. Which may allow us to to turn our attention to the Tardini. Well, at least we hope…

The overwhelming feeling for me is that Roma will come flying out of the gate and play to a level we don’t often get to see. I’ve spent some time this week thinking about which was the game of the year, I actually came up with three in three different categories, and I couldn’t help but to compare the feeling of this game to Udinese. Yes, Udinese was nearly tailor-made for Roma tactically, but it wasn’t the opening efforts or domination which was most impressive. It was the reaction after the goal. It was the first time a Roma team gave the impression that we were watching champions. Calmly and coolly they absorbed the pressure of the goal, stepped their game up just one notch and proceeded to conquer Udinese as though it was their destiny. This will be another display of champions. This team has matured immeasurably, and it’s become quite clear at hand is not the same old Roma. They deserve this scudetto, whether they get it or not, and they’ll prove it in Sicily.

But most importantly of all? This one’s for Francesco. Bring it home for him.

Standings

1. Inter 82 points
2. Roma 81 points
.
.
.
17. Catania 36pts (-12)
18. Parma 34pts (-18)
19. Empoli 33pts (-24)

Domestic Five

Roma: WDWWW

Catania: LWLLD

Catania’s last five at home: DLWWL

They’re certainly not unbeatable at home, are they. Especially when considering the draw was with Siena and the two losses via Torino and Reggina, two teams which just assured safety last weekend. So while they may concede few goals, it’s easily a result for the taking.

Squads

Roma:

ANTUNES Gabriel

AQUILANI Alberto

BERTAGNOLI J. Sergio

BRIGHI Matteo

CASSETTI Marco

CICINHO

CURCI Gianluca

DE ROSSI Daniele

DONI Alexander

ESPOSITO Mauro

JUAN

GIULY Ludovic

MANCINI

MEXES Philippe

PANUCCI Christian

PERROTTA Simone

PIZARRO David

TONETTO Max

VUCINIC Mirko

ZOTTI Carlo

Catania:

Portieri –
1 Bizzarri, 16 Polito, 18 Rossi.
Difensori –
22 Alvarez, 3 Sabato, 2 Sardo, 5 Silvestre, 21 Silvestri, 4 Sottil, 6 Stovini,
23 Terlizzi.
Centrocampisti –
17 Baiocco, 27 Biagianti, 9 Colucci, 8 Edusei, 20 Gazzola, 13 Izco, 19 Tedesco,
7 Vargas.
Attaccanti –
25 Martinez, 10 Mascara, 15 Morimoto, 11 Pià, 24 Spinesi.
Non convocati:
Iannelli, Ioime, Lasagna, Sciacca.


Key Injuries

• Juan is available, but I strongly doubt we’ll see him in the starting lineup. Though fantastic, OMR has been solid for nearly the entire year while throwing in the odd goal. There’s really no need to risk another injury to Juan and a needless substitution when the drop-off to OMR is negligible. On the bench for reserve use at best, I’d say.

• Doni is going, I’d bet my bottom dollar he plays.

Probable XI

Doni;
Cicinho, Panucci, Mexes, Tonetto;
DDR, Pizarro;
Mancini, Aquilani, Perrotta;
Vucinic.

It works, simple as that. Highly doubt Spal will mess with it.

* – If Panucci is any type of captain, he’ll give the armband to DDR.

Matchups

There is but one.

Daniele De Rossi v The World: It’s doubtful we would get few arguments against the notion that DDR has been Roma’s best player this season. He’s also been the best midfielder in the league and a candidate for best player. This has been the season where we’ve seen the full bloom of DDR; at a time when it was desperately needed with the injuries to Il Capatino. They needed him to rise to another level and he did. It’s that simple. And consequently, in the absence of Francesco, this has become his team. Whether he gets the arm band or not is irrelevant. The man bleeds red and yellow, and his heart beats as Roma’s heart beats.

This is, without a doubt, a must win game. Roma has Daniele De Rossi leading them into battle, Catania does not. The man cares more than any of us could imagine. That is your difference maker.

Predictions

God help us all.

Score: 1-0 Roma
Goals: Vucinic (34)
MOTM: DDR

When: 1500 CET, 0900 EST
Where: Stadio Angelo Massimino
Forecast: Sunny, 25°C.

Streaming: Here.

FORZA PARMA

FORZA ROMA

Big game? Might be. We’ll have to keep one eye here, one eye elsewhere. But aside from the actual result, I’m frothing at the mouth to watch Vincenzo and Antonio back together again and playing against Roma. It’ll be mighty weird, but I’m sure on a few occasions I’ll be imagining them in giallorosso, streaming down the pitch at the Olimpico, waiting for the chance to run in celebration towards the Sud. L’aeroplanino has at least been called up, so we shall see what happens. Unfortunately, Sampdoria still has much to play for with a spot in Europe in the balance, so it’s not as though Walter Mazzarri can throw any old lineup out there.

That’s really where the good news ends. You know the standings, and it doesn’t seem as though Francesco Totti took a dip in the fountain of medical miracles, meaning he’ll be left back in Rome to rehab. Taddei is also “out for the year”, which is one of my favorite things in sports. It happens across the board, too. Players will have an injury which would normally take a month to heal, but because the season has only 3 weeks remaining, they’re out for the year. Is this necessary? Because when I hear “out for the season” my first thoughts are, “does he have AIDS and where the hell are my prayer candles?”. Can we be a bit less dramatic? Like, say, “he’s going to be out three weeks and will miss the remainder of the season”. Is that too much to ask? Because as it looks right now, minor injuries which have ended a players season have taken at least 7 years off the back end of my life. Thanks.

Oh, right, Sampdoria.

I expect the boys to put up a performance and I expect Spal to go for the win. However, he may have an eye towards Wednesday, with Roma having a realistic shot at that trophy.

Last Five

Roma: DWWDW

Samp: WWLWD

They creamed Udinese, drew with Fiorentina and lost to Reggina. Your guess is as good as mine.

Squads

ANTUNES Gabriel
AQUILANI Alberto
BERTAGNOLI J. Sergio
BRIGHI Matteo
CASSETTI Marco
CICINHO
CURCI Gianluca
DE ROSSI Daniele
DELLA PENNA Claudio
DONI Alexander
ESPOSITO Mauro
GIULY Ludovic
MANCINI Alessandro
MEXES Philippe
PANUCCI Christian
PERROTTA Simone
PIZARRO David
TONETTO Max
UNAL Daniel
VUCINIC Mirko

I understand mathematically it’s all left to play for, but I’d love to see these kids get a late-game run. For all the fantacalcio in the last few weeks, we may be looking at two studs sitting in Roma’s Primavera right now.

* – Juan is suspended unjustly.

Samp:

Portieri: Fiorillo, Mirante.

Difensori: Accardi, Gastaldello, Miglionico, Sala.

Centrocampisti: Delvecchio, Franceschini, Palombo, Pieri, Poli, Sammarco, Volpi, Zenoni, Ziegler.

Attaccanti: Bellucci, Bonazzoli, Cassano, Montella.

Probable XIs

Roma:

Doni;
Cicinho, Grumpy, Mexes, Tonetto;
Piza, DDR;
Ludovicious, Simone, Amantino;
Vucigol.

Maybe Marco Cassetti for Cicinho or King Berto for David.

Samp:

Mirante;
Gastaldello, Lucchini, Accardi;
Palombo, Sammarco, Delvecchio, Franceschini, Pieri;
Cassano, Bellucci.

I cheated.

Movies

For all the Taddei naysayers: How many goals has he cleared off the line this year? I count at least two. Shit, that’s more saves than Curci, Julio Sergio and Carlo Zotti combined.

Francesco was fantastic, no doubt, but check out that run by Cassetti at the end. Who needs Cicinho?

Predictions

Previous Encounters:

12/.22: 2-0 Roma
1.23: 1-1 (Roma down to ten men.)
1.9: 1-0 Roma

Roma for the victory.

Score: 2-1 Roma
Goals: Cassano (34), Simone (38), Vucigol (71)
MOTM: Mirko
Mancini Give-A-Shit Factor: 7.9

When: 1500 CET, 0900 EST
Where: Luigi Ferraris
Forecast: Cloudy, 19°C.

Streaming: Here.

FORZA ROMA

Tis the first game in the sans-Totti stretch we’re about to endure; unfortunately, the boys in red & yellow have had a lot of experience dealing without their captain this season. Now, though, they’ll have to march on knowing it’s about them and only them, because Francesco won’t be making any miraculous recoveries, walking up the stairs and onto the pitch for the rest of the season. It’s time to form the team around themselves and without Him. The leadership will be fine in the form of Daniele De Rossi, but they need to start finishing much, much better as a whole. That is unless Mirko goes bananas, which is altogether possible.

Could there be a better team to kick of this stretch with than Torino? In the standings, very few, but this team knows how to grind out draws away from home – and we know how well Roma can gloriously flub finishing at times – with 2 wins, 6 losses and 9 sister smooches. They’ve also got Gianni De Biasi back in the fold, and have a rush of adrenaline as they attempt to avoid relegation, sitting just four points off the zone.

Luckily for Roma, they’ve had severe difficulties scoring goals against anyone (4 goals in their last 9 games, held scoreless 7 out of those 9), much less a team of Roma’s defensive capabilities; so to say they’d be lucky getting just one would be the understatement of the century. Actually, if they get 2+ goals I’ll fly to Rome and disembowel Doni myself. That’s a promise. (One I probably won’t keep but I’d at least think about it, so that’s something.)

And thus it begins. There is still a mathematical chance the season isn’t effectively over, but that’s simply numbers. I have no doubt Spal will play for the full three points every week for the rest of the season, but the question becomes who will see minutes that hasn’t seen all that many so far. The first name which pops to mind is Antunes. His playing time has basically come in the Coppa and a meaningless CL game, and his status for next year could still be up in the air – loan looks likely, but one never knows.

Adrian Pit? Perhaps? Strange to see him on the squad the full year with zero time on the pitch outside of the Coppa. Then there are guys like Mauro Esposito and Gianluca Curci, both of whom are almost certainly headed elsewhere in the summer (Espo sold, Curci on co-ownership/loan), and could do well to bump up their pricetags/sex appeal a bit.

But those are likely for the coming weeks. For this week, should be standard. The one overwhelming question I have is what happens when Vucigol comes off (he’s not playing every minute from here on out, that’s for damn sure). Ludovicious? Sure, but he’s less than ideal. Taddei? Mancini? Alright, but those are emergency band-aids. There is one guy I’ve felt for a while (I said it in the beginning here) on the roster who could potentially take Totti’s prima punta spot in the future when Francesco’s time is up: Alberto Aquilani. They aren’t like-for-like, but start thinking about Alberto’s first touch, finishing and passing qualities in that spot and……………

Last Five

Roma: WDWWD

Torino: LWLLL

I think both clubs would like a couple “do-overs”. Roma two, precisely.

Squads

Roma:

ANTUNES

AQUILANI

BERTAGNOLI

BRIGHI

CASSETTI

CICINHO

CURCI

DE ROSSI

DONI

ESPOSITO

GIULY

JUAN

MANCINI

MEXES

PANUCCI

PERROTTA

PIZARRO

TADDEI

TONETTO

VUCINIC

Torino:

Portieri: Fontana, Gomis.

Difensori: Dellafiore, Di Loreto, Franceschini, Lanna, Motta, Pisano, Rubin.

Centrocampisti: Asamoah Kwadwo (n. 24), Barone, Corini, Diana, Grella, Lazetic, Rosina.

Attaccanti: Bjelanovic, Di Michele, Recoba, Stellone, Ventola.

Key Injuries

Jesus.

Torino lost Matteo Sereni, which means Fontana in net being backed up by a 12 year old. Corini and Bottone are suspended. And Gianluca Comotto is out for the year, though his mouth isn’t.

Probable XI

Roma:

Doni;
Cicinho, Juan, Mexes, Tonetto;
DDR, Pizarro;
Taddei, Simone, Mancini;
Vucinic.

Seems pretty straight forward, though expect Marco Cassetti to come in later to rightfully reclaim his old spot and Alberto Aquilani to do the same. Pray they don’t get injured.

Torino:

Fontana;
Motta, Di Loreto, Dellafiore, Pisano;
Diana, Grella, Barone, Lazetic;
Rosina, Stellone.

Started out with similar last week, seemed to work alright….

Predictions

Let’s see, Roma got manhandled in Torino 3-1 and snuck down to the level for a sister smooching in the Serie A encounter over a few weeks in December. Then, in January, Roma put on a 45 minute clinic in the Coppa at the Olimpico. Where will this one end up? Somewhere in between.

Score: 2-0 Roma
Goals: De Rossi (21), Vucinic (36)
MOTM: Mirko
Mancini Give-A-Shit Factor: π

When: 1500 CET, 0900 EST
Where: Stadio Olimpico
Forecast: Sunny, 21°C.

Streaming: Here.

FORZA ROMA

And here it is, game number eight versus a Tuscan side this season. As devastating as the trips to The Poobah’s home have been (that much ballyhooed “Curse of Tuscany” rearing its ugly head), its been equally as delightful to host that rascals.

In Tuscany:

Fior 2-2
Empoli 2-2
Livorno 1-1
Siena 0-3

Hosting Tuscany:

Siena 2-0
Fior 1-0
Empoli 2-1

Here’s to hoping the trend continues.

Aside from superstitions and black magic and tomfoolery and all that jazz, I’m not looking forward to this game one bit. It wasn’t simply the fact that Roma was in its most dreaded province the last time around or that the Armando Picchi had been declared a state of emergency with water levels higher than New Orleans during Katrina (also making it yet another occasion Totti has walked on water); it was mostly that Livorno countered Spalletti’s men well and fully deserved their point. If you recall, they eschewed the team bus in favor of hauling the team plane onto the pitch and they parked that SuperBus in front of the goal for nearly the entire game, having no less than 37 men in their own box at the same time. And now we get to see their away tactics. Nice. Have they called in the Italian navy for this one?

It’s hard to score with that much space closed down and that many angles nullified, but it’s a doubly as hard when the guy between the sticks is pretty damn good. Goal-a-game saver. I believe this is the one game where everyone was bemoaning the lack of a tall striker who can rise above the defense and get on the other end of a cross instead of watching Ludovic “I’m A Grownass Man And I Still Can’t Get On Amusement Rides” Giuly fail to outleap a cricket. Still no tall striker, still searching for someone besides Grumpy Old Man River to leap into a cross regularly (and Rodrigo Taddei’s face).

Hopefully this time Roma will have a better time stretching the defense and working up some chances, because as with every game from here on out: must win. The good news is Livorno is not in the midst of a fantastic run as they were the last time around, but actually putting for a bounty of suckitude. They’re the calcio caboose and they haven’t won eight games, and they scored their last victory in hosting Catania. You know, the drunken sorority chick. So I’m not even sure that counts. Before that? January 20th v Empoli. Yikes. Pray for Marco’s sanity.

Of course, a draw is still a loss at this point. But if the Udinese game was any indication, Roma is up for the challenge and will get done what needs to be done. Pray for the continuing demolition of all things Toscana at home.

Last Domestic Five

Roma: WDWWW

Livorno: DLDLL

Squads

Roma:

ANTUNES Gabriel
BERTAGNOLI J.Sergio
BRIGHI Matteo
CICINHO
CURCI Gianluca
DE ROSSI Daniele
DONI
ESPOSITO Mauro
GIULY Ludovic
JUAN
MANCINI Alessandro
MEXES Philippe
PANUCCI Christian
PERROTTA Simone
PIZARRO David
TADDEI Rodrigo
TONETTO Max
TOTTI Francesco
VUCINIC Mirko

Livorno:

Key Injuries

King Berto still has pain, Marco Cassetti is still nursing his pitching shoulder and Mirko Vucinic was called up, but has an ankle injury. Looks like he’ll only be called in under dire circumstances – if at all.

Probable XIs

Roma:

Doni;
Cicinho, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto;
DDR, Pizaman;
Taddei, Perrotta, Mancini;
Totti.

Convinced on everything but the back line.

Livorno:

Amelia;
Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante;
Pulzetti, Vidigal, De Vezze, Bergvold, Pasquale;
Diamanti, Tavano.

Coin-flipperage.

Key Matchups

Roma v The Homeless Man’s Antonio Cassano.: Everybody had a good look at Alessandro Diamanti this year? Livorno doesn’t have a ton going forward, but Diamintia is a talented creative forward with a lethal left foot, a left foot which he likes to use and can use from wherever.

Ludovic Giuly v Simone Perrotta: Let’s call a spade a spade, Ludovicious, for all his heart and desire, couldn’t bulldoze through a six foot tall stack of cotton candy, much less a team plane. They sure as hell could’ve used Simone against Livorno last time, they’ll be lucky to have a bit of his physical stature this time.

Game/ Everything

The mid-week Coppa class proved no different, even though Ciro Polito looked mighty decent at times: Roma’s finishing suuuuuuuuuuucks. First of all, Roma is going to get chances aplenty on Saturday, and that’s me being conservative (I personally think they’re going to walk over, around and through Livorno all day). The problem is, of course, they can’t even get their shots in places where the goalkeeper can attempt to miss them, much less actually miss them. They steamrolled Cagliari and Catania, and walked away with 2 goals in 2 games.

And guess who doesn’t play for Catania or Cagliari? Marco Amelia. Yeah, he’s pretty good. His start to the season wasn’t tremendous by any stretch, but he appears to have come on lately, and he damn sure stopped Roma the last time they went around. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this game worries me more than Milan or Inter or Udinese. Actually, maybe you can – check out these stats from the game in Tuscany:

Livorno Roma
Time of Possession 28% 72%
Shots (on Goal) 16(9) 20(6)

Exactly.

Francesco Totti was absolutely brilliant against Udinese and Catania at times, but Roma couldn’t make use of his service (I’m looking at you, Amantino). Somebody, anybody has got to take advantage this game. They can pepper Amelia all day long, but unless they get some clinical finishing, it’s going to be useless.

Add that to the fact that they have Mirko still nursing and injury and………I’ve been more confident going into a game. Despite being confident that Roma can walk through them. But just not get the job done. Does that make sense? Ah well.

Last Game

Predictions

I’ve picked a draw one other time this season, and Roma won rather convincingly. Here’s hoping.

It has worked…………

Score: 1-1
Goals: Tavano (36), Totti (58)
MOTM: Totti
Mancini Give-A-Shit Factor: 6.4

When: 1800 CET, 1200 EST
Where: Stadio Olimpico
Forecast: Sunny.

Streaming: Here.

FORZA ROMA

Let’s get this straight off the bat, shall we: The Primavera should walk through Catania on the way to the final. On paper, this isn’t even a contest. This is reminiscent of the opening legs against Torino when Roma was down 3-1 on aggregate after 135 minutes then spent 3/4 of an hour steamrolling the Granata til they were well and pavement.

So does this first leg matter? Sure. Does it really matter? No. This is why I just can’t get stoked for Coppa first legs until the whistle blows for the start. At that point it becomes a Roma game, beforehand it simply becomes “ooh, who’s Spal starting and can we see some @#$%ing Adrian Pit FOR THE LOVE OF GOD”.

Or not.

So that’s that until the lineups come out. And since this is all it’s about right now, here’s your blown up preview, aka The Coppa Edition.

Dudes Who Must NOT Play.

Totti: I reach out to my Roman brethren here. If you see Francesco making his way into the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow, kidnap him, bring him to a nice restaurant or something (you know, Olive Garden or the like), but whatever you do it is imperative that he is allowed nowhere near the field. This is just below “breathing” and just above “not contracting AIDS” on the list of “shit that just has to be done”. (If you could manage to breathe and keep Totti away from the game all at the same time, kidnapping the superduperstar would vault above both of those. Alas, I’m pretty sure it’s not possible, ergo…..breathe, then kidnap. What you do after that is of no concern to me. Breathe, don’t breathe…whatever.)

Juan: Dude got hurt in warm ups on Sunday. Warm ups. Does anyone else think putting him on the pitch is like walking nude into a bear’s den lathered up in A1 sauce? I do. Therefore, I’m passively protesting by not eating breakfast until after the game halftime.

Dudes Who Must Play

iTunes: It’s really simple, this is an audition to be part of a Juan Manuel Vargas* deal. Failed to process in my brain yesterday (one of many), but this is a great time to rest Max who is entering the “tapioca pudding” stage of his career, seemingly (or maybe that’s just his hair), plus promote a price dropper downer (that’s a real phrase) all at the same time. Start or sub, he should play some serious minutes.

* – JMV is out for the game. This is simply so he can take his medical during the game allowing him to sign immediately after the mercato opens, and don’t believe any other BS you hear.

Amantino: Speaking of dudes who need to audition for a transfer fee……..kidding. I think. Actually, it may be close to the truth. But this is a good “get back into form game” with the chance to run at a less-than-stellar back line. And I’m feeling a huge game from him. Atta boy.

Espo: I know it’s not a game against ManPoo, but he’s still alright to play against the calcio variety, isn’t he? And quite frankly, I’d just love to see this kid score a goal in Giallorosso before his inevitable departure in the summer…south? Napoli a foregone conclusion yet? I might just go ahead and throw a few bucks on Genoa for reasons I can’t really explain. Watch out, that’s about to become a recurring theme……

Some Random Thing I Decided To Throw In For Unknown Reasons

Totally random, but I just saw a Brinks Home Security commercial on and I had a quick idea for any ad gurus in the house. You know how the Brinks guy calls after the alarm sounds instead of dispatching someone ASAP? (If you don’t click on that 0:30 second commercial in the BHS link.) Somebody needs to make a Brinks – Verizon Wireless combo meal commercial where a robber breaks into a home and doesn’t give a fuck all about the alarm. Lady of the house tries to pick up, he puts his hand over her mouth. BHS operator says “hello” with no response, then starts asking “can you hear me now?….can you hear me now?….can you hear me now?” while said robber pummels said lady of the house senselessly.

I’m sure this has been done before, but I just felt the need to get that down.

Dude That Shouldn’t Play, But Probably Have To For Lack Of Options

Vuci: Guy’s been massive on two fronts this season, filling in often, unfortunately, for a felled Totti and now leapfrogging Mancini at the left wing position when Roma could use some consistent production and goal scoring from someone not name Jesus. With Francesco’s injuries, his injury (lower back) and the Coppa run being in back-to-back weeks, he could really use a rest. Unfortunately, unless Francesco starts, he most likely won’t. Probably means a goal. Ah fiddlesticks.

Dudes Who Is Out

DDR: Thank Christ, that is all.

Alberto Aquilani: Still nursing that injury. Has anyone built a bubble for this kid to live in yet? At this rate he’s going to miss the opening of the 2008-09 season with SARS. (So did anyone else enjoy chronic bronchitis during the SARS outbreak? That was fun.)

Marco Cassetti: Still nursing that pitching shoulder so he’s at home. Unfortunate, I love watching him with a chance to flash that attacking ability in games like these. Cicinho who?

Doni: Had a minor knock after the Udinese game or something, I recall hearing. Finally, Gianluca Curci gets a shot between the pipes and he may very well be the only Roman representative on the pitch. In fact, that may be precisely why he’s left out. Off the top of my head, Genoa away the only game sans-Romans? Yeah? Can’t have that shit again. Forza Curci. Pretty please.

The Swiss Miss

Daniel Unal: Only Primavera lad called up, and that’s quite the honor considering Claudio Della Penna appeared to be Spal’s favorite cup of joe (different positions, yeah yeah yeah). Still know nothing about him, so I’ll just cut & paste the paragraph from his first call, which resulted in a whole lot of squadoosh:

The Swiss Superstud. Technically on loan from Bellinzona for the year with an option to buy, but knowing the relationship between the two teams, I’d suspect it’s just a formality when he’s brought over. Roma beat Juve and Milan to his signature, which has been around for 17 years (everybody ready to feel old? Daniel’s a 90’s baby. I’m 23 and even I feel old). Supposed to be a more well-rounded version of David Pizarro….this is the part where everybody weeps gentle tears of joy….and was captain of the Swiss U-17 squad before moving up the U-19’s recently. Having never seen the kid play (despite trying furiously), it’s hard to judge what kind of opportunities he’ll be given, if any, but I would sure like to see what he looks like in Pizarro’s spot for a half hour or so. Out of any of the three called up, this is the one I’d like to keep an eye on the most.

The other two who had been called up for Toro were CDP and Doni’s little brother, who obviously got the other half of the brain the two split. As if one error-prone Brazilian wasn’t enough, they signed his brother for shits & giggles as well. Sometimes………………..

Squad

1 GIANLUCA CURCI
2 CHRISTIAN PANUCCI
3 CICERO JOAO DE CEZARE (CICINHO)
4 JUAN SILVEIRA DOS SANTOS
5 PHILIPPE MEXES
7 DAVID MARCELO CORTES PIZARRO
9 MIRKO VUCINIC
10 FRANCESCO TOTTI
11 RODRIGO FERRANTE TADDEI
14 LUDOVIC GIULY
15 VITORINO GABRIEL PACHECO ANTUNES
18 MAURO ESPOSITO
20 SIMONE PERROTTA
22 MAX TONETTO
25 CARLO ZOTTI
27 JULIO SERGIO BERTAGNOLI
30 MANCINI ALESSANDRO FAIOLHE AMANTINO
33 MATTEO BRIGHI
38 UNAL DANIEL

My Hopeful XI

Here’s what I wanna see:

Curci;
Cicinho, OMR/GOM, Sexy Mexy, iTunes;
Brighi, Pizaman;
Espo, Ludovicious, Amantino;
Vucigol.

Who loves defense?

Now I haven’t the foggiest as to what we’ll actually see. Find out tomorrow and that’s that.

Skipping

Skipping

Skipping (Coppa Edition)

Predictions

Remember this from last Sunday?

I’ve picked a draw one other time this season, and Roma won rather convincingly. Here’s hoping.

Guess what? We’re sticking with what works.

Score: 2-2
Goals: Martinez (11), Amantino (19), Martinez (47), Cicinho (61)
MOTM: Amantino
Mancini Give-A-Shit Factor: 9.7 (Also known as “I’m Playing For A Contract” Factor)

When: 1800 CET, 1200 EST
Where: Stadio olimpico
Forecast: 16°C, 70% chance of the sprinklies.

Streaming: Here.
Liveblog: Think so.

FORZA ROMA

All is right with the world again: Francesco Totti has been called up. And oh how that changes the complexion of this game. A very good squad turns into a great one and that is that. Guns ablazin’, they march on to Udine.

Still no definitive word on how he’ll be involved, if even at all, but that lone remaining brain cell I have says that he wouldn’t be flown up if he’s not available to make a significant contribution. It’s simply the Spalletti way. Best guess is he’ll start and see an hour at least, and then he’ll dictate how long he can play. Even though the Coppa semis are nice, this one’s well more important (even before considering opponent) and it won’t be the end of the world if he’s forced to sit in the stands on Wednesday and be fanned by dudes and fed grapes by scantily clad women.

Of course, last time Il Capitano was rather unexpectedly added to the squad list after an injury was the last Udinese game, but that one was at home, and he was in the vicinity anyway (unless he has a long commute). Longish travel is mighty different than taking a taxi to the game. But who the hell knows. I know nothing, I just think he plays.

Aside from Jesus, Alberto Aquilani has gone fron “hopeful” to “ain’t happenin’”, and he’s been left to hangout at home with Marco Cassetti and watch the big screen. So yes, this means you can now get mortified over the thought of David Pizarro kickstarting the Udinese counter, something they’re mighty, mighty good at. Aside from that it’s all the familiar faces – including the trio of Mirko Van Basten, Rodrigo Today, and Ludovicious Giulius – ready for battle at the Fruili.

So what do we have? A potentially epic game which could decide the season. Personally, I was hoping Udinese would thrash Catania in the semi-finals because I love the matchup of Bianconeri #12 v I Giallorossi and I’d love to see them in an arena where it’s not the absolute death of all things good and righteous if Roma falls (which would be the case this game, should the thinkably unthinkable happen). Alas, we’ll have to settle for a decisive Serie A fixture.

And more than this game, we have Inter minus Ibra v Fiorentina later in the day. Even though Udinese is a very good team, this is one of the better chances Roma is going to have to make up points with only 6 games left. Time for the big guns to show up.

Udinese

Last Five: DWWWD

Against the big fellers at home:

Fior: 3-1 W
Juve: 1-2 L
Milan: 0-1 L
Inter: 0-0 D

Basically what that says to me is…..nothing. (I was hoping a revelation would come out of this before I began, not to be.)

If anything, it’s more indicative of their form at the time than anything, plus the fact that they’re Inter’s bogey team. They didn’t lose the entire month of March, and rounded off the month with a commanding performance against the Viola. During the run where they were felled by Juve & Milan, they were getting crushed by the likes of Catania, Napoli, Parma and Genoa. Having extreme difficulties scoring goals during the same spell, too. And the one game they could score goals (aside from a victory against Reggina), against Genoa, their three were met with a Borriello hat trick and a 5 spot from Genoa.

What’s their form like right now? Good, so not good for Roma. I suppose the great hope is that last week’s draw at Siena is an indicator of things to come. Then again, both Roma and Fiorentina lost at Siena. The Other Other Bianconeri could just be a giant killer at home.

I guess what this means is: Roma’s going to have to bring its A++ game. And some extra credit. And Totti, which they did.

Squads

Roma:

Antunes Gabriel
Brighi Matteo
Cicinho
Curci Gianluca
De Rossi Daniele
Doni
Esposito Mauro
Giuly Ludovic
Juan
Mancini Alessandro
Mexes Philippe
Panucci Christian
Perrotta Simone
Pizarro David
Taddei Rodrigo
Tonetto Max
Totti Francesco
Vucinic Mirko
Zotti Carlo

Udinese:

PORTIERI: 22 Handanovic, 71 Paroni, 1 Saulo;

DIFENSORI: 17 Colombo, 32 Ferronetti, 6 Coda, 24 Lukovic, 99 Moreno, 2 Zapata, 21 Zapotocny;

CENTROCAMPISTI: 4 D’Agostino, 8 Dossena, 23 Eremenko, 88 Inler, 15 Isla, 11 Pinzi, 86 Siqueira;

ATTACCANTI: 14 Candreva, 10 Di Natale, 83 Floro Flores, 7 Pepe, 27 Quagliarella.

Key Injuries

Marco Cassett, Berto & Matteo Ferrari, who’s at home realizing he’s not worth nearly what he thought he was (or what his agent had been whispering into his ear).

For Udinese it’s two big losses in Felipe and Giandomenico Mesto. Whether they’re injured or not I haven’t the faintest, but it doesn’t really matter; just as long as they’re watching from the Fruili grandstands, not the pitch.

Probable XIs

Roma:

Doni;
Cicinho, Juan, Mexes, Tonetto;
DDR, Piza;
Taddei, Perrotta, Vucinic;
Totti.

Feel free to blow this one up now that Jesus is along for the ride. Hell, I could even see a wing combo of Vuci plus Amantino and Totti up top. Or Giuly and OMR on the right. Or Taddei and OMR. Or pretty much anything. The expected XI won’t matter until we see the actual XI, and whether or not Totti will walk on Fruili water.

Udinese:

Handanovic;
Ferronetti, Zapata, Lukovic;
Zapotocny, D’Agostino, Inler, Dossena;
Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale.

Feel free to tweak that back and RB/WB spot accordingly, but the rest seems pretty probable.

Key Matchups

Roma’s Identity Crisis v Udinese’s Counter: I’m sure most of you know this, but Udinese can be absolutely lethal beyond lethal on the counter attack. Not helping matters is that Fabio Quagliarella’s range starts once he enters the opposition’s half. With Crockett & Tubbs, two centerbacks who sometimes fancy themselves strikers, this can become dangerous. Methinks this would be a good game to play it safe.

Simone’s Stamina v Inler & D’Agostino: If little birdies are any indication, Gokhan Inler has been gawgious on the ball lately (haven’t seen Udinese play in quite a bit). Plus they’ve got Old Boy Gaetano. Basically, Simone has to run back, do his pinballing thing, and disrupt any sense of continuity and flow from one or both. Don’t give them time. Buzz around constantly, be a nuisance.

Handcuffs v Fabio Quagliarella: The below highlight reel will suffice for explanation, but even still, remember last game? Good christ. Slap the handcuffs on him as soon as he gets even a whiff of the ball.

Francesco v Health: Self-explanatory. Rome is an infinitely better team with than without.

There are honestly so many great matchups I can’t name them all, and most are individual. Such as if Cicinho starts and Dossena is patrolling that wing and they play body tennis for 90 minutes. Or Simone Pepe, who in my short viewing has looked pretty damn good for the zebras this year, finding space on the right to whip some dicey balls in. Or Pizaman finding an opening over the top after Udinese gets a little too aggressive with its attacking. Or Doni and whether or not he remembered to pack his brain for the flight. Or how many meters DDR will have to run trying to hoover everything in sight. Or, if Totti plays, whether or not the wily veteran will show young gun Zapata a thing or two. Then there’s The Grand Imperial Poobah v Pasquale Marino, earning a nice little reputation himself.

This is a huge game with big implications, but this will be a very enjoyable game to watch going in. There are so many nuances which could blow this game open. Exciting stuff.


Last Game

Predictions

I’ve picked a draw one other time this season, and Roma won rather convincingly. Here’s hoping.

Score: 2-2
Goals: Quagliarella (19), Vucinic (27), Juan (61), Pepe (68)
MOTM: Juan
Mancini Give-A-Shit Factor: 3

When: 1500 CET, 0900 EST
Where: Stadio Fruili
Forecast: 9°C, 60% chance of rain.

Streaming: Here.

FORZA ROMA

mir·a·cle [mir-uh-kuhl]
–noun

1. an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.
2. such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God.
3. a wonder; marvel.
4. a wonderful or surpassing example of some quality

I’ve spent much of this year hammering out long previews, varying in length on the amount of research I feel like doing. Today is different. They need a miracle, and that’s all. There is nothing to say. Absolutely nothing.

Just pray, and this:

(The squad is in yesterday’s post. There will be a liveblog up before the game.)

This game has nothing to do with form or paper lineups or any of that jazz – it has to do with response. Over the past week Roma has succumbed to a devastating amount of poor luck. First in Sardininia, when Matteo Ferrari placed a perfect ball past Doni and Marco Storari had the game of his life; allowing Roma to take home a completely dominant one point. Then Tuesday they lost to ManU despite outplaying them for much of the game and deserving at the very least a portion of the spoils. At the very least this must be mentally distressing. At the most it’s mind altering, momentum stopping, heart shattering and confidence killing. Thus they have to show up both mentally and physically on Saturday.

This match will also be about who’s there and who ain’t. Yes, Francesco Totti is out, but Mirko Vucinic is more than capable of slotting in for him – despite not being to Totti’s level (though who is). But making their way back will be Juan and Simone Perrotta, a good sign at the very least for the impending “I need a miracle” second leg on Wednesday. David Pizarro is suspended and the aforementioned fuckhead Ferrari is going under the knife and will miss 2-3 weeks for a meniscus issue. We may have seen his last game in the jersey, and that last game may have been Cagliari. What a way to drop a turd on the front lawn before exiting the party.

Regardless of who plays they have to respond and they have to respond victoriously. Still only four points.

Standings

1. Inter 68
2. Roma 64

Inter travels to Atalanta on Sunday.

Last Five

Roma: WLWDL

Genoa: LLDWW

Squads

Roma:

ANTUNES Gabriel

AQUILANI Alberto

BERTAGNOLI J.Sergio

BRIGHI Matteo

CASSETTI Marco

CICINHO

CURCI Gianluca

DE ROSSI Daniele

DONI Alexander

ESPOSITO Mauro

GIULY Ludovic

JUAN

MANCINI Alessandro

MEXES Philippe

PANUCCI Christian

PERROTTA Simone

TADDEI Rodrigo

TONETTO Max

VUCINIC Mirko

Genoa:

Portieri: 1 Lanza, 83 Rubinho, 73 Scarpi.

Difensori: 3 Bovo, 18 Criscito, 25 De Rosa, 23 Ghinassi, 16 Lucarelli, 24 Konko.

Centrocampisti: 8 Danilo, 29 Fabiano, 28 Juric, 7 Rossi, 68 Vanden Borre.

Attaccanti: 22 Borriello, 21 Di Vaio, 9 Figueroa, 11 Leon, 14 Sculli, 38 Wilson.

Probable XIs

Doni;
Cassetti, OMR, Mexes, Tonetto;
DDR, Aquilani;
Taddei, Perrotta, Mancini;
Vucinic.

Back line I suppose is the question. Juan was called up but he absolutely has to play Wednesday with Mexes suspended and Ferrari getting the own goal homing device taken out of his knee, so will Spal risk yet another injury with this damn foot issue refusing to go away? Cassetti or Cicinho? I don’t know. My gut says Cicinho, therefore I’ll put Cassetti in there so that I can’t go wrong. Giuly for a start perhaps? Or just plenty of minutes off the bench? Questions questions.

* – Philou is not actually suspended. Regardless, risking Juan is still a, um, risk. Yeah, a risk.

Genoa:

Rubinho;
Konko, Bovo, Criscito;
Rossi, Milanetto, Juric, Fabiano;
Leon, Borriello, Sculli.

Last Game

Predictions

They can’t be horribly unlucky three in a row, can they? Three points.

Score: 2-1 Roma
Goals: Vucinic (17), Borriello (33), Mancini (54)
MOTM: Rodrigo
Mancini Give-A-Shit Factor: 6.5

When: 1800 CET, 1200 EST
Where: Stadio Olimpico
Forecast: 15°C, partly cloudy.

Streaming: Here.

FORZA ROMA

Banners graciously made again by RomaShield27 of

Roma v Manchester United

In one of the largest games in club history, the Giallorossi will be without their general, their fearless leader, their captain: Francesco Totti. It’s no secret he’s getting older. It’s no secret he takes a great deal of punishment as defenders fruitlessly hack at his lower half for ninety minutes every weekend. Thus, it’s no secret these occurrences are, unfortunately, going to become more and more commonplace. The heart and soul of Rome will be spending more days in the stands while the remaining XI finds a way to go on without their talisman.

Today it is time for one to emerge from that XI and claim his status as a more than a legend – as a living god, a man amongst boys. It’s time for a golden child from Rome to throw the city on his back for 90 minutes and take what’s meant to be his. Today is Daniele De Rossi’s day.

While the only games being discussed will be those involving Manchester United and Roma in Champions League battles, I can’t help but drift in my mind back to July 9th, 2006 in Berlin. Specifically the 61st minute when Daniele De Rossi, fresh off his suspension, was brought on to replace Francesco in what was a great deal more than a simple substitution in a World Cup final. It was symbolic as a Roma gladiator who had fought back from a devastating injury to assist his national team to near deified status made way for the young wolf, his future successor for club and country. Already wearing the Azzurri #10, he’ll eventually capture the Giallorossi edition, the captain’s armband and, much more importantly, the savior of Rome.

There is no replacing Totti’s brilliance, and there is no replacing his unconscionable vision, but there is little question as to who has been the best player for Roma this year. There is also no question as to who has been Serie A’s best midfielder this season – and perhaps a candidate for the best player. De Rossi has been a veritable tornado in midfield, bouncing from sideline to sideline, consuming everything in his path, vacuuming balls into his vortex and spitting them back out with a touch of gold. Everything you hope for in a defensive midfielder, quite simply.

De Rossi is, and I’ve felt this for quite some time, Roma’s best defender. He is Maldini in midfield; precision tackling, impeccable timing and predatory instincts. Yet he is more than defense in that he is an offensive catalyst, plus more. He is Gattuso and Pirlo combined. He is Gattuso in Armani. He is a world champion. He is the future captain. He is a born leader. He is whatever praise he has heaped on him by his ever-growing wave of admirers. He just isn’t Rome’s savior – yet.

There haven’t been many bigger games in Roma’s history than this one. Perhaps the only continental game which could be larger is a matchup with Liverpool in the final. Luciano Spalletti’s men will take the field as they do every week, but today they’ll do so without their leader and calcio’s greatest game changing force. The Poobah will concoct a lineup which is surely a worthy adversary of Manchester United, but far from ideal; light years away from one including Francesco Totti, regardless of Mirko’s exploits in the Champions League this season.

There is no bigger stage for a true gladiator to strap on his armor and rally his troops for an assault on the promised land. Daniele is, without a doubt, already a legend for Roma, but he is still mortal. Today the fate of Rome rests on his shoulders. Today he can become a god.

Last Five

Roma: WWLWD

ManYoo: LWWWW

Squads

Roma:

ANTUNES Gabriel
AQUILANI Alberto
BERTAGNOLI J.Sergio
BRIGHI Matteo
CASSETTI Marco
CICINHO
CURCI Gianluca
DE ROSSI Daniele
DONI
ESPOSITO Mauro
FERRARI Matteo
GIULY Ludovic
MANCINI Alessandro
MEXES Philippe
PANUCCI Christian
PIZARRO David
TADDEI Rodrigo
TONETTO Max
VUCINIC Mirko

ManYoo:

Van der Sar, Evra, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Ronaldo, Anderson, Rooney, Giggs, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Scholes, Pique, O’Shea, Silvestre, Kuszczak, Tevez, Eagles, Heaton, Welbeck.

Key Injuries

Totti, Juan, Simone. In Old man River we trust.

ManYoo will be missing Nani, and that’s it for now. The “questionables” (Ferdinand, Carrick, Giggs and Evra) are all on the squad list. I suppose none or all could play, and I’d lean towards the latter. (Oh, and Fletcher – woo…woo.)

Probable XIs

Roma:

Doni;
Cicinho, Mexes, Panucci, Tonetto;
De Rossi, Aquilani;
Taddei, Giuly, Mancini;
Vucinic.

I am quite confident in this lineup. I really can’t see Matteo Ferrari playing any part in this game barring injury and/or complete disaster after his performance in Sardinia. There is the chance that Ludovicious sees the bench in favor of King Alberto stepping in at trequartista with David Pizarro slotting in just behind him. However, I love the way Ludovicious and Mirko work off of each other, both so adept at finding and running to space, causing immense havoc for defenders. I suspect the same may be true of TGIP as well.

ManUtd:

van der Sar;
Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra;
Scholes, Hargreaves, Anderson;
Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs.

Switch this around a bit, but the important ones will stay standard.

Key Matchups

Anybody In The Vicinity v Cristian Ronaldo: I have more distaste for the Grade A classless act that is Cristiano Ronaldo than I do for any other player in the game. However, I’m not completely blind, and I realize he’s running away with the Ballon D’Or this year*, and deservedly so. There is no arguing his immense talent; but he can be stopped, he can be frustrated easily and he can be taken off his game. There is a blueprint, masterminded by Carlo Ancellotti last year, and that is to throw one, two, and three defenders at him when he gets even a whiff of the ball. Close him down, frustrate him and take him out of the game. He may be a man physically, but he has still yet to evolve beyond petulant child when it comes to his mentality. Take him out of the game, and move on to Rooney and Tevez.

* – The only way he doesn’t win it is if Fernando Torres continues his torrid pace and Rafa brings home another Champions League trophy with El Nino as the catalyst.

Alberto Aquilani v Accuracy: I won’t say he must score on of his patented howitzers for Roma to take home a red skin, but it would certainly help; especially because Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are so good, and Mirko will have his hands full there. What they don’t have is a world class defensive mid. They’ve been searching for a successor to Roy Keane for what seems like eons now (first option supposedly being Rome’s very own Daniele De Rossi), but have yet to really grab hold of a golden child, instead stacking the cupboard full of gifted attacking options. Owen Hargreaves is less than frightening and I wouldn’t image he’ll be enough to close down the midfield – that is if he plays. While Vidic and Ferdinand are busy dealing with Giallorossi filling gaps and spaces, Aquilani will be gathering the ball in front of the back four and unleashing vicious shots towards Edwin van der Sar. It’s been a mighty long time since he’s connected on one, and now would seem high time to ripple the Stadio Olimpico nets and run towards the Curva Sud kissing the badge as the faithful erupt in a deafening roar. And if he’s truly on point, we may get to enjoy it multiple times.

Philippe Mexes v Wayne Rooney: We all know Philou is as emotionally driven as he is physically gifted – and he is a world class talent. He has made no subtle hints about his desire for revenge against Wayne Rooney after the shellacking Roma, and especially the back line, endured last year.

Though the very definition of English overhype, Rooney is still good and a tireless worker who can be just as effective in minute 90 as he can in minute 1. Despite his relatively long droughts in scoring throughout various competitions (CL couple years back, Premiership this year), he can and does score goals. So first things first: Philou cannot get an early yellow due to overexuberance. Not only because it means he’ll be suspended for the return leg at Old Trafford, but also because it forces him to let up a bit. Smart, well timed challenges. Also, Philou cannot get too hell bent on revenge on solely Rooney and forget shape and tactics. There is no shortage of guys on ManU who can kill you in front of your own goal, and Rooney can find them. Revenge is nice, but be smart about it.

Mirko Vucinic & Ludovic Giuly v The Big Game.:

Mirko: Watching Mirko’s videos yesterday it was somewhat surprising to not only remember the goals, but also remember the situations in which those goals came. After Francesco went down against Sporting and he had to come on early, he ended up making a slalom run through the Portuguese defense like Alberto Tomba. The deft touch and sheer will he displayed against Sampdoria after Roma had gone down a man away from home. Milan at the San Siro, without Totti. The derby, without Totti. Milan, down a goal. Whenever Roma needed a hero, he came in to save the day – especially without Il Capitano. His stage has been set.

Ludovicious: When Ludovic was bought last summer, many people thought it was with the Champions League in mind. He captained Monaco’s surprise outfit to a final in 2004, putting the dagger in Madrid’s hearts when his squad were down 4-2 going back home. The next year he was the hero again, scoring the lone goal in the two-legged tie with Milan in the semi-finals. A man with the experience of lengthy Champions League runs. Something this Roma team lacked until this very year. The stage is set for Mirko, but the same must be said for Ludovicious. Whether from the start or from the bench, it’s time for some more European magic from the little Frenchman.

Mentality

This really says enough for me:

“When I heard we would face Manchester I put my arms in the air and shouted ‘Hell, yes, at last!’

“Finally we have the chance to put things right. This is the perfect opportunity for us to wipe out the memory of last year.

“We’ve taken this draw as a matter of pride. There is a moral here and that is in life you always get the chance to make up for what happened in the past. This is our chance to find peace.

“We can reverse the pain we have had in our hearts and now we can free ourselves from it. We’ve carried this inside for a year now and we can get rid of it.”

This is not last year’s Roma. This is not even last fall’s Roma. This team is ready to play, ready to win these legs, and ready to fight for it.

Predictions

Score: 2-1 Roma
Goals: Aquilani (41), Vucinic (62), Tevez (71)
MOTM: Daniele De Rossi

When: 2045 CET, 1445 EST
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Forecast: 16°C, clear.

Streaming: Here.
Liveblog: Yes.

FORZA ROMA, it’s time for…..