Crap On A Field
By: chris | December 16th, 2007
That was by far the worst, most uninspired performance I’ve seen from Roma this season, and for a long long time. There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. No life. No creativity. No chemistry. No form. Nothing. Top to bottom it was piss poor. From the field to the sidelines. Especially the sidelines.
Torino were very unlucky – or maybe not unlucky, just as piss poor – not to take 3 points out of that. They missed sitter after sitter after sitter, including what has to go down as one of the worst misses in history. They were easily the better side, the more creative side and looked more like Roma than Roma.
On the Giallorossi side of the ball, it’s baffling. Mancini seemed to care but looked like he would have been overmatched in Serie C1, maybe C2, today. Ludovic Giuly pulled a Houdini act for 65 minutes. Pizarro couldn’t do jack – which is becoming a pattern. The back line was diced up by Torino on plenty of occasions, and probably would’ve conceded to the Torino women’s team. Doni was the only person worth his weight, and the only reason why this team was able to walk away with a solitary point.
On the field paled in comparison to the sidelines, though. The lineup was more than questionable, and we knew exactly what was going to happen before the first whistle sounded: a repeat of Genoa. David Pizarro is not a trequartista. Ludovic Giuly is probably not a starter out on the wing. And where the fuck was Cicinho? Clearly one of your most dynamic and proactive players. If I were him I’d be asking out. Even when it’s clear this team needs him, he rides the pine.
Then came the substitutions. Simone Perrotta for Brighi, which was alright until you realize Simone is coming off injury. He wasn’t bad, honestly, but Simone struggles to finish on form. That he ain’t right now. The came the real head scratcher: You’re even, you couldn’t score in a brothel, and you bring off a fucking winger for a right back who has been hurt for three weeks. What? To preserve the draw? To keep possession? To stop the leaks down the flanks? Fine, keep possession, but that’s only half the battle. The other half is looking for the win. Then Cicinho gets a run all of 9 minutes from time, and displayed they could’ve used him for a full 90. As Traian so aptly said in the thread: what an insult.
Again, today, more of the same. The team is struggling so he brings in two players who have been injured for weeks. This was not a time to regain match fitness. It was a time to keep pace and to take a very necessary 3 points. When it’s headed in the other direction, shake it up, fix the kinks, don’t patch the leak. How many times shall it be said? This team needs tactical flexibility.
And then there’s the game during the weak which saw much of this team play. Who knows what kind of effect that had on the game. This team misses King Alberto more than they ever could have known, ditto for Totti.
Box Score
Torino(4-3-2-1): Sereni; Comotto, Di Loreto, Dellafiore, Lanna; P. Zanetti, Corini, Barone (31′ st Bottone); Rosina (16′ st Vailatti); Di Michele, Bjelanovic (37′ st Ventola).
A disp.: A. M. Fontana, Natali, Malonga, Recoba.
All. Novellino
Roma (4-2-3-1): Doni; Panucci (34′ st Cicinho), Mexes, Juan, Tonetto; De Rossi, Brighi (1′ st Perrotta); Mancini, Pizarro, Giuly (17′ st Cassetti); Vucinic.
A disp.: Julio Sergio, Ferrari, Barusso, Esposito.
All. Spalletti
Arbitro: Rocchi di Firenze
Guardalinee: Copelli e Stagnoli
Quarto uomo: Orsato
Note: espulsi Novellino al 33′ st per intemperanze e al 44′ st Comotto per fallo da ultimo uomo. Ammoniti al 6′ Bjelanovic, all’8′ Della Fiore e al 22′ De Rossi per gioco falloso, al 37′ Lanna e Panucci per reciproche scorrettezze, al 26′ st Mexes per proteste. Recupero primo tempo: un minuto. Recupero secondo tempo: tre minuti.
Player Ratings
Doni: Saved the day. That’s all you can say. MOTM. 7.5
Panucci: Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. Cicinho. 6.5
Mexes & Juan: I don’t know what happened. Individually they looked alright, Mexes looking good in the first half and Juan making some fantastic tackles, but they kept getting ripped apart by the Torino attacking line, especially David Di Michele. Luckily for them he has Roman finishing skills, and he was unable to get them on the scoreboard. It will to down as a clean sheet, but it was anything but. 6.5
Tonetto: Really didn’t bring much to the table whatsoever. 6.5
Brighi: Had about two moments where he looked good, but fell under the curse that was Roma’s complacency today. Houdinin #47. 6.5
DDR: I have no idea, I didn’t really notice much of him on either end.
Giuly: The thing with Giuly is he works well, can find space and all that jazz, but when it comes time to make his final movement – be it a shot, beat a defender, a pass – he sucks. Sucks sucks sucks. And when he wasn’t doing that he was disappearing. 6
Pizarro: The guy is dry humping personified. All kinds of build up, a whole lot of jack shit in the end. 6.5
Mancini: God, he seemed like he gave a shit, he just played like a bag of dicks. Had the touch of a brick wall today. Tried to beat 6 defenders at a time. Adrian Pit would’ve been better. 6
Vucinic: Meh. Should’ve had a PK. Far from sex on the pitch. 6.5
Perrotta: It was nice to have him back, but unfortunately it was more of the same with Simone and his inability to put the ball in the back of the net. 6.5
Cicinho: Don’t know what to say. He’s no Messiah, but he provides a lot of what this team needs.
Cassetti: He was in a precarious position, being the 2nd sub coming off injury when the team was clearly in need of some attacking life and he’s brought on for a fucking winger. Sure, it helped keep Roma in the game, but it didn’t fix the problem, just stopped the leak. N/A
Key Matchups
Alessandro Rosina v Self-Explanatory: Had a few moments, but largely sucked. Great work rate and causes a lot of hassles defensively, but creatively had little there. He’s better than this, might see it Wednesday. Or maybe he really wants to play for Roma and was proving it to Spalletti by playing like Roma for the day.
Complacency v The Sneaky Sneaky: They walked into this game complacent, and nearly got their asses handed to them if not for Torino’s inability to put the ball anywhere near an open goal.
Cicinho v Torino Offguard: This is getting ridiculous.
Vucinic v Put Your Goddamn Finishing Booties On: Ditto.
Roma v 2nd Half Roma: Double ditto. At half time, you just knew it was going to finish scoreless.
That was by far the most frustrating 90 minutes I think I’ve ever seen from Roma. Pray for Cagliari today, because an Inter victory means it’s time to focus on Europe unless something drastic happens. I’m going to try and forget that it happened.
Guess who’s up Wednesday in the Coppa Italia? Torino. Wonderful.
* – I’m not in a good mood. I’m sure this reflects that. I may be more logical later, but right now I’m going to go get into a bubble bath with some kleenex and a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream and cry my eyes out.
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Comments
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An example: Spalletti explaining how to do defense and possession with his philosophical and sophisticated expressions. I cannot imagine any Roma players (italians or foreigners) understand more than 5% of the concepts he’s trying to elaborate. hmmmmm
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KkU89xoVi9A
Posted from
United States
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romas not living up to their potential period. last year it was bc we didnt have the players or experience. this year we got the tools we need to put it together.
forza roma.
milan will beat inter n well be back in the race
Posted from
United States -
I think it’s time to change Coach, this should be Spalletti’s last if he cant deliver against the smaller teams, I would kike to see a great coach like Ancelotti come here! he is Roman and has massive weight in the Locker room and the transfer market
Posted from
El Salvador -
Wrong, JCS, about that transfer market. Every coach would love to have unlimited amounts of money to splash left and right for world class players. Ancelotti could not do shit to get those money. That’s where ROMA is right now. That is why Capello came to Roma, to splash money on Batistuta and Cassano, and when he saw that we were at the bottom of our pockets he took off. Spalletti is fine he just needs to do some minor improvements right now. We are in the second place, man. Milan have Ancelotti already and double the budget and they are, what?, 8th or something?!?
Posted from
United States -
I wouldn’t say it’s time to dump Spalletti, or anywhere close, but some of the mystique is certainly fading.
Spalletti has his man crushes and players he trusts, and he’s always going to go to them before he goes to the player a situation dictates. It doesn’t seem as though he has much confidence in either Espo or Cicinho and their playing time reflects that, even if they could clearly help the team.
Spalletti gets the sport, I think it’s more of a mentality thing with him.
Posted from
United States -
I am not suggesting we replace Spalletti now, for me he was God on earth just until a few weeks ago, except for his black out in Manchester.
I am just wondering if he really understands football like I thought he did. Sometime we all wonder if God exists so we may be allowed to wonder if Spalletti is really that good.Posted from
United States -
Saw the game yesterday but hasn’t been able to comment until now. I thought it was some the worst Roma play I’ve seen in a long time. Ofcourse we shouldn’t dump TGIP, but it’s a scary trend that seems to be evolving. The thing I just don’t get is the subs and lineup. EVERYONE sees the potential and explosiveness Cici has but still, he isn’t used. The excuse of it being a result of him gettins used to the game in Italy is absolutely crap, because he’s been a demi-god whenever we’ve seen him on this season. Is there something we dno’t know?
Posted from
Denmark -
I’ll be rooting for Milan in the derby. Going into the break with 4 points behind the leaders might pump *some* spirit in everyone. If we lose/draw against Sampdoria, it’ll be a 120%-sure farewell to Scudetto.
Posted from
Australia -
In looking for something for the homepage I came across this video which has a small 3 second clip of Simone being restrained in the tunnel after the game.
And mute your computers before you click the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKlESpYfKiM
Posted from
United States -
Here is my take on Spal.
He over analyzes the game at times, and at other times he is a stubborn bitch.
BUT.
He has proven he can do great things with this squad.
He has brought humility, togetherness, winnign mentality, and a sense of knowing where to go. Forward.
On the other hand, he lives and dies by that 4-2-3-1.
I do love it, but at times I fucking hate it. When we arne’t defending as a unit, and when we are spread out all over the field, we become very thin, and one juke the wrong way, and Mexes falls, and it’s 1v1 to Doni.
Other times when we are not creating chances (which really was only yesterday outside of a handful of times inside a match) the formation gets predcitable and defenses play counter on us, which we rely on against them.Lastly he has man crushes on some guys, who should have a shorter leash. Cici is still learning, but in yestedays game by the 62nd minute, you take Panucci out, bring in Cici, and take out Tonetto and put in Cassetti.
Its just that simple. Cici is having some good form, and can be a world beater, but he wont help sitting on the bench for 80 minutes.Spal has some soul searching to do with this squad, and his philosophies. We miss Aqui, and Totti, and an in form Mancini, but we need to cope and still win matches.
Its tough, some days i think of us as one of Europes best, and then like yesterday i think of us, as no more then a mid table Serie A team. But yesterday’s performance hasn’t happened in over 2 years.
But either way, in defeat, ties, or victories, SEMPRE FORZA ROMA!!!!!!!!!
Posted from
United States -
Who was Simo arguing with?
Posted from
United States -
What can I say? Another poor performance that was not necessary. When will someone realize Pizarro is not quality and not the kind of player Roma need. When we will also realize that, although Vucinic is a nice guy and can show glimpses of greatness, he’s not what we need either.
Let’s try and pull in a Rosina or a Modesto, even an Amelia to help our keeping situation (Cudicini even), but MOST IMPORTANTLY, let’s get Amauri. With flashes of Totti’s flare and Toni’s goal crashing bombing of opposition, he’s OUR man. Give Vucinic in the deal, do whatever it takes.
Shall I say it again? AMAURI AMAURI AMAURIAMAURI AMAURI AMAURI AMAURIAMAURI AMAURI AMAURIAMAURI AMAURI
Posted from
United States -
Oh yeah? Did I say Spalletti is slowly becoming a fool by not playign Cicinho? We spent all that money for what? He’s good, USE HIM.
Posted from
United States -
im not worried. the team was tired n not motivated. i wouldnt say get rid of vucinic he needs work on his finishing but shows a lot of tallent. pizzaro is nevessary for this team because aqualani can not stay helathy. we need help on our team defense, our back four are always exposed n called upon way too much
Posted from
United States -
what we need is a camp fire and singing cumbaya my lord…
Or just a simple team building exercise by some professional psychologist (who has all the papers indeed) to work with the team and individuals. The boys seem to be tired, mentally, emotionally and physically.
Posted from
United States -
Pizarro is not an acceptable replacement for Aquilani. If he can’t stay healthy, find a respectable replacement. Wonder why Internazionale never used the guy? They’re probably laughing with the money we spent on him.
Posted from
United States -
€12.25m for Pizarro. Don’t you guys believe we could have gotten something better for a slight amount more?
Posted from
United States -
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yea, he is back training with the others and may play some minutes against Torino this Wednesday
Posted from
United States -
Aqui is back, but it will take him some time to get back into it, and with the break coming, he won’t have much time before another long layoff..
He NEEDS to stay healthy for the 2nd half for us to have any shot.
And Totti as well.
Cross your fingers and toes, and say your hail mary’s.
Posted from
United States -
aqualani n totti stay healthy, n spaletti opening up his mind we can win some silverware this year.
Posted from
United States -
Guys, I’m not a Roma fan, but I do love watching them play. The times I’ve seen them play this year let me say something.
1) Although the team is much better with Totti, I believe if everyone else is healthy, the team could still push for a scudetto.
2) If Pizzaro has a great game defensively, he fits into the system. Most of the time he doesn’t. Although with the 4-2-3-1 you don’t need two Gattuso type players, having some defensive skills is a must,especially since the 4 up front are super attacking-minded. De Rossi is the hardest working man in calcio. If he has a bad game, Roma will have a bad game – as evident against Torino. He’s an unbelievable player but his responsibilities on the field are enormous. Pizzaro is not a trequartista and will never be. Pair him with someone like Mascherano/Gattuso/Ambro and he will be a great player. Having De Rossi play like Gattuso is not smart, and it’s just wasting the potential/talent of DDR.
3) The system is too rigid. Spaletti tries to make up for the defensive lackings of Pizzaro by playing Panucci at RB and not Cicinho so the defense doesn’t get exposed. Like someone said before, he’s over analyzing. He needs to pick the best 11 and leave it at that. Giuly was awful yesterday, should have been off at halftime, but Spaletti left him on because Panucci is somewhat defensive and he wanted attacking on that flank. It’s not like Panucci is fucking Maldini, he gets beat a lot just like Cicinho. Cicinho in the lineup changes the entire system and I would put my house on it that Roma score yesterday with Cicinho in. I’d rather have Cicinho on that right flank than Giuly at this point. Cicinho is such an accurate crosser, passer and has a fucking cannon. Giuly should be someone to come on late and run at tired legs, but Spaletti reversed their roles.
I love when Roma play that dynamic, attacking, one touch calcio and Spal. needs to realize that he’s overanalyzing.
Posted from
United States -
ricci, you hit it on the head. especially this…
“Pair him with someone like Mascherano/Gattuso/Ambro and he will be a great player. Having De Rossi play like Gattuso is not smart, and it’s just wasting the potential/talent of DDR.”
Last night I wrote this in an email…
“David Pizarro is the other guy killing this team. He’s completely eliminating DDR’s offensive talents because he has to babysit DP all the time. I can’t remember the last time I saw Daniele in the box when it wasn’t a dead ball situation. It’s sad really, and he’s a Spalletti guy. I made bold statements about Aquilani in the summer, but I never could have seen him being completely indispensable right now.”
Surprisingly, I don’t say everything here. But ricci is right. Pizarro is negating one of Roma’s best weapons.
Posted from
United States -
It’s kind of sad isn’t it chris…DDR is 10X more dynamic than Pizzaro could hope to be, but since he can defend well he’s stuck babysitting the little man. I’d rather have a Mascherano type over Pizzaro so at least the fullbacks can push-up, creating more attacking opportunities. As it is, the midfield is very thin because DDR can’t be everywhere.
Posted from
United States -
I thought Mexes and Juan did a good job, and they made some good challenges. It’s hard to determine how well your center backs are playing when the rest of the team’s defensive structure is going up in flames. Pizarro nevers fails to remind us of why Aquilani is so dearly missed. I really hope this whole Totti injury thing inspires the execs to take the initiative and freakin’ sign somebody good. That money wasted on Guily and Pizarro could have gone toward buying Rosina last summer when he was cheap.
Posted from
United States
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