Hole In The Heart

Yea guys, stop with the negativity. You are only hurting yourself with this mentality. Lets support our team; the players we have may be under par, but they are playing for us and we need to treat them like one of our own.

On another note, Roma has revamped their website and I checked it out and registered immediately.

Check it out (the front page is bugged I think, but cache works) http://www.asroma.it/index.htm...

FORZA ROMA

This week is crucial.  Anything but a win against Inter Catania and hopes of CL are gone.  I feel like we have a better chance of beating Inter than getting the rest of the points from Catania.  At least we have De Rossi back!

 Please guys....for your own mental health....stop with the CL.  That is not the objective.  Do you really think we wouldn't get crushed in the CL next year.  We will still be very young and integrating new players.  If we get 5th place, I will be as happy as if we've won the scudetto.  5th place with a team this young/new would be outstanding and very promising for the future!

I said hopes.  I am well aware for the club, the objective is just Europe.  Forgive me as a fan if I have hopes of the team reaching champions league when we only sit this many points behind the spot.

p.s. If I worried about my own mental health I would not follow Roma in the first place :)

Roma Inter game for tomorrow has been called off, due to adverse weather conditions. DAMMITTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No it hasn't, the game is still confirmed for tomorrow. Will prob be a last min decision as to whether it goes ahead or not. The whole place is covered in snow however it appears to have stopped snowing for now. The got a shit load of groundsman trying to get it up to scratch. Hopefully the weather holds off. 

Catania game has been put of till the 8th though instead of the 7th. 

 Rome 'prefetto' confirms game should be played but could still be called off if it continues to snow.

http://www.ilmessaggero.it/art...

Grrr no decision basically. Makes me all the more tense. Especially as espn uk are not showing the game live as it clashes with the Milan Napoli game.

Also, much as the snow is annoying me, the image of that article with the olimpico covered in snow is fucking beautiful.
JovaTotti10
20 hours ago
New rule... nothing that ever mentions Max Tonetto should ever be allowed in the comment section.
reply

Do you have a source for that? ( I'm not trying to be rude I'm just asking because I haven't heard anything

Well on the plus side, De Rossi will definitely be ready and at 100% for our next game.

Riise v Pizarro in fulham mancity.... lol........

Is Pizarro actually playing?

Pizarro came on in the 90th min for Adam Johnson.

Well, at least he's getting more playing time over there...kind of. Good for him lol.

Blizzarding in the City - Fulham game and JohnArneRiiseWearsShortSleeves is not surprisingly enough wearing short sleeves. 

Coincidently, David Pizarro also wears short sleeves. 

Incidentally, that new roma website is really nice, much better than the past few years.

Ladies? and Gentlemen. Here's your new boy Marquinho. (Are there any ladies here?)
http://www.asroma.it/en/news/n...

There are always ladies here.

The bitches love Roma ;)

I'm actually pretty excited to see him play. He is a versatile player in that he can play many different positions. I wish him the best of luck. Welcome to Roma, Marquinho!

De Rossi is edging closer to putting pen to paper:

http://www.football-italia.net...

Also, the Roma v. Catania game has been moved to Wednesday February 8th.

Yea Ive heard this before, will not believe until I see it

The story was also posted on Roma's official website, among others.

"There will also be a €10m buy-out clause, but it can only be activated a month before the end of the season."
So if we fail to qualify to any european tournament it means goodbye Daniele, and just for 10m!! That's a joke, we sold Mirko for more. All this makes you think if he really wants to play for Roma. Also, do you think Francesco's contract has a buy-out clause?

Well what can you do, if the time comes and he doesn't want to stay, then he just doesn't want to stay. If we put the buy-out clause too high he wouldn't have signed the deal.

Oh cmon. That's ridiculous low but out and u know that ! ManShitty would pay 20-30 Mill for him and he insists that we only get 10 Mill - that clearly makes him selfish and not at all concerned about Roma !! If this is true, he can go to hell as he clearly shits on "his childhood club". And it's not like he is not making shiploads of money either way !!! No mercy with DDR if this is indeed whats gonna happen ....

Oh I agree it's way too low, but what I'm saying is if that's what De Rossi wants there's not much we can do here. If the time comes where he wants to leave, he's going to leave.

Gago isn't that bad, DDR just makes him go one level up every time (rememeber how Juan made his CB partner improve his game some years ago, Juan-Mexes or Juan-Burdisso combo's)

it's no coincidence that when DDR didn't play, our mid was overrun. DDR and his 3rd CB/CM role is crucial especially since we have high playing backs

I'm still for buying Gago outright, a DDR he is not but he sure is a step higher than Simplicio, Greco, Brighi or Perrotta. Pjanic DDR Gago is a gem when on fire and when playing regularly, they will only improve (it helps that all 3 are rather healthy most of the time and not injury prone ala Juan)

the centre is here: Stek, Juan, Burdisso, DDR, Pjanic, Gago, Lamela, Totti are all quality enough and starters in my book, with guys like Heinze, Taddei, Kjaer, Borini, Rosi, Osvaldo etc. all having a say too. In summer Saba and co should really make 3-4 other deals that really lift this team up.
The positive side (and not the angry, dissapointed one after the Cagliari game) of me says that with a couple more months under LE and a superb summer mercato should really start the project of DiBenedetto: this year it's all about rise and fall and rise again and learn learn learn

fix that full back problem, one or 2 quality CB and one or 2 quality mid, it's not going to be cheap but it's the only way forward (and ship of those who are no more an asset like Simplicio, Perrotta and Cassetti).

Sorry, it's long, and in Roman, but worth a read, and a google translate...

Ancora una volta analisi perfetta, piena di ironia, e scritta dal
profondo del cuore romanista da Kansas City 1927, il blogger più seguito
dai tifosi della Roma. E non solo...

PREMESSO

che fai du gò fori casa e non te porti via manco un punto

che riesci a non fatte segnà da nex avvelenato che t’ha segnato in
Serie A, a Pes, a Fifa, a Subbuteo, a figurine ma ne pii comunque
quattro

che un giocatore de gioco der carcio appartenente ar carcio Cajari
segna contro de te er doppio dei gò che ha segnato da quando è iniziato
er campionato.

che sta cosa succede a febbraio, e no a ottobre

che quanno le telecamere hanno inquadrato il succitato calciatore, prima de bestemmià amo detto tutti “e questo chi è?”

che c’hai na coppia de cani centrali che ormai s’annusano e se
capiscono, che pur essendo uno levriero brasiliano e l’altro mastino
argentino cannibale hanno trovato er modo de non fa passà nessuno, ma tu
decidi de mettece in mezzo un danese

che siamo stati presi alla sprovvista da un ballerino di capoeira colombiano e dalla piu lunga coreografia della sua carriera

che la sua carriera ha formalmente avuto inizio durante la
coreografia in questione, peraltro molto apprezzata dal levriero che
suggeriva i passi e dal danese che batteva le mani

che c’hai na coppia de terzini che quando je dici diagonale pensano
ai poligoni, a Pitagora e poi se chiedono Pitagora co chi giocasse

che uno dei due terzini di cui sopra è tarmente impicciato co la capoccia da fatte dimenticà quanto lo sia l’altro da anni

che c’hai nportiere che de solito para ma che decide de dasse alla
danza contemporanea e de portà in scena nopera ermetica e destrutturata
chiamata “Svenimento n°1”

che c’hai nreparto de centrocampo che quando je dici filtro pensa
alla Rizla, quando je dici contenimento pensa ai pannoloni, e quando je
dici protezione della difesa pensa all’esercito

che se dar reparto de cui sopra levi er meno peggio pe mette uno che
meno peggio non lo e’ mai stato, miora’ la situazione non e’ semplice

che c’hai nreparto de attacco che quando je dici offensivo pensa
“limortaccitua” ed è sicuro de nun pià pizze perché Erfucipolla se la
sta a guardà da casa

che se ar mecato de gennaio te te vendi un cileno e l’artri se
comprano un cileno, ar netto degli Inti Illimani l’affare non sara’ er
tuo

CONSIDERATO

che se non se deve gridà allo scudetto quando je ne fai 5 ar Cesena
non se può manco piagne de retrocessione quando ne prendi 4 dar Cajari

che comunque al netto della differenza tra gò fatti e presi a Cajari semo miorati rispetto a nanno fa

che quello che se sta a cercà de costruì è qualcosa che va aldilà de singoli spagnoli o danesi distratti

che comunque tra sti singoli mparo boni, vuoi per tecnica, vuoi per caciara, ce so cascati

che non è una cena de mercoledì che te fa giocà male il sabato e il mercoledì successivi

VERIFICATO

che i problemi dell’eta’ dello sviluppo l’amo avuti tutti e giocà in
serie A nel periodo in cui scopri i piaceri de na pippa non dev’esse
semplice pe nessuno

che fasse na pippa e esse na pippa non è comunque la stessa cosa

RITENUTO

che quella che tutti guardano con un misto di speranza e
preoccupazione per te altro non è che un elenco ordinato di nomi e
numeri deputato a rappresentare gerarchicamente l’andamento di una
competizione stagionale

che quella che tutti ammirano con un misto di infantile invidia e
orgoglioso patriottismo come una splendida località turistica con
spiagge mozzafiato e mare cristallino per te altro non è che una terra
emersa interamente circondata dalle acque e di dimensioni ridotte
rispetto ad un continente

che quella che tutti invocano con un misto di giocosa frenesia e
spasmodica preoccupazione per te altro non è che una forma di
precipitazione atmosferica nella forma di acqua ghiacciata cristallina
che consiste in una moltitudine di minuscoli cristalli di ghiaccio tutti
aventi di base una simmetria esagonale e spesso anche una geometria
frattale

La giunta Kansas City 1927, a voto unanime

DELIBERA

Che no, ancora schiavi del risultato non lo siamo, però ecco, tra
schiavi e disoccupati na via de mezzo ce sta, cominciamo a cercà
naccordo, mettemoce in mezzo i sindacati, ce basta pure na forma de
precariato, na cosa tipo consulenti del risultato, parasubordinati della
vittoria, co.co.pro dei tre punti.

Insomma, c’è parecchio da lavorà, trovamo er modo.
 

 hey lucian - thx so much for posting this.

"che fasse na pippa e esse na pippa non è comunque la stessa cosa"

Hear hear!

You may have well just of posted the link instead of copying and pasting all this. Just saying...lol

 doh!

So if De Rossi leaves, what do you think would be the first priority? Replace him or reinforce the squad? Honestly, I think we need new defenders. Give Viviani a chance

As far as I'm concerned, the only excuse for not making any signings is the fact that the CL spots are out of reach, which I agree with. This season will truly be a transition season, like many said all along, although we were all secretly hoping for 3rd. Defense is the priority, yes, and nobody can replace De Rossi. Let's just hope he stays.

We were very much on pace for a CL spot during the winter window. What were we 5 or 6 points back? That's only two games my friend. Right in the thick of it. That was not the reason why we didn't make many signings during the transfer window. In fact, we are still very much alive for a CL spot. Many games are left to be played, anything can happen.

Yeah, I hope so. We're 10 points away from 3rd, (let's say 9 because I say we'll draw that 20 minute game), So we have to be three wins better than Udinese from now on, and Inter and Lazio have to be worse than us too? I'm sorry, but dream on. I hope I'm wrong, but the odds are really against us.

CL spots are not outta reach.  anything can happen, remember when we were in first place during the last game of our season two years ago? remember how that season started?

I recently started a FIFA Ultimate team. After strugling with the team I was building I was able to buy $$ DDR. He signed the dotted line and I immediately inserted him into my line up. It resulted in my first win in 6 games with DDR scoring 2 goals in a 2-0 win. 

Game imitates Life

And you should buy Totti as well, he might lack pace, but he's really good at everything else.

I need to get that IF Totti. They jacked his stats up like crazy.

And he's not that expensive anymore, so a very good investment

First thing I always do when starting a new manager mode in FIFA 12 is sign De Rossi to a 5 year, ~140k (per week) deal. I know it's only a game but I don't see what the problem is for Baldini and co. PAY THE MAN!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... remember this ginger? 

Yea, good thing we let him go when we did. He has been pretty terrible since we let him go and even during his last season with us.

And yet, still so much better than Jose Angel or Rosi combined. Experienced professsional is always better than bunch of kids in Serie A. This is a Man´s world.

Right, but it wasnt likely we were going to make any noise this season anyway, given all the turnover, so what better time for these guys to get experience?

100% disagree. Look at all the best teams in the world, they have excellent young players to play alongside some key veterans. To each his own though.

I think LE system will eventually work, but I wish we had Spalleti back .

It COULD work...but we need the right players for that specific system and as of now we don't have them. We have some pieces of the puzzle in place, we need a few defenders and a midfielder and we should be fine. I'm sure almost everyone here would love to have Spal back though.

The whole defense needs a revamp, and we deserve a quality starting mid alongside DDR and Pjanic, because Gago doesn't cut it. If only our offers/inqueries for QUALITY players like Otamendi, Rolando, Van der Wiel and Clichy didn't always fall through. WHERE IS THE MONEY? Picking up 25 year old Brazilians who have never been in Europe on loan is NOT the step in the right direction. If we want wingbacks, lets get a quality wingback. Why is Sabatini ALWAYS trying to cut corners? Stek and Lamela were nice, but COME ON, we just got bought by an investment group worth over a billion dollars. Do you see AC Milan, Juventus, or Inter cutting corners financially? Kjaer and Gago can go home, and Rosi, Jose Angel, Cassetti, Cicinho and Juan can get out of Rome in the summer for all I care.

So Clichy is a better player than Gago? Mmmmm... I really don't see how Gago is the terrible player that other people see. What, because you're comparing him to De Rossi? Until we revamp our entire defense, the starters in midfield are not a priority for replacement.

Gosh I hope my gut feeling is wrong but if DDR (remember "Roman son" and "future captain") will indeed "sneak out through back door" this summer (without Roma cashing in on his departure) there will be more than "a hole in my heart", part of my pride in what makes us different, would be gone. Having said that, I would wholeheartedly despise him for that, and I'm sure he cannot step his foot ever onto Via del Corso without risking his life ...

Couldn't agree more. I would actually die. He could never step foot in la Provincia di Roma- nevermind only Via del Corso. Infact- Italia. Basta.

You would get a divorce and have to settle with just Osvaldo.

I realize Baldini and why he left Serie A in the first place. I also realize his cause is an ambitious one, that I for one support. I think LE (his tactic) and this team can be successful with the right pieces. To much of a lot of our surprise defenders were not priority in the latest transfer. I read, and like Chris mentions I won't believe until it happens, Isla is the main objective and "blocked" for June. I hope this is true and maybe it's the reason for not jumping the gun just yet. The Italian press says that LE is really high on him.

I don't take Marquinho to be a fullback as much as a mid as much as everyone says he plays both. I hope I'm wrong... So does Taddei. As much as sexyface has been a good bandaid he is definitely not a fullback. So to many of our points what is the alternate Tactic?

LE came to Rome to be part of this revolutionary calcio movement to grow with it. I don't take him to be as stubborn as much as trying to grow the team along with him giving players like Kjear and Bojan there time to develop confidence rather then ruining it by sitting them. From day one it was pretty evident, and maybe a little unclear in the beginning, but what he expects out of the team might be a bit unrealistic now but the players seem to be behind it which is a very good sign.

I think he has tweaked his "tactic" slightly since the start. It had to. The attacking/pressing game he is implementing can work but not without real wing backs a true central leader in front of Stek. With Burdisso's absence, DDR's qualities are even more missed to offset the teams deficiencies. DDR and Osvaldo's return I think can re-boost the team but the long-term and the short term seem to be one plan and the rest of Serie A are starting to figure out how and who to pick it apart. The growing pains were expected and the impatience has resurfaced, but this inconsistent path is realistic and natural. It was always a project. I'm not as frustrated as much as disappointed that the cacio mercato wasn't utilized more.

It really comes down to quality and quality takes time. I see the potential and hope managment is being smart behing the scenes. As I said before the winter break, when Roma were facing Juve and Napoli and everyone was ready for a disaster, I wasn't so convinced even as thin as the team was then. The foundation was there and still is.

This future is still being written...

Forza Roma Sempre!

I'm waiting to see how this team looks after a full season of experience and the summer mercato. 

The system LE is trying to get the players to adapt too isn't an easy one. There will continue to be ups and downs this year especially in light of the injuries. But when it has "clicked" in the brief first half of the season, it's been an absolute joy to watch IMO. So I'm still willing to give it some time. 

re: Isla. Would be a huge addition to this squad and style of play. Serie A experience, versatile, young... lets just hope it happens. Having a quality player out on the flanks who can provide width and contribute a lot to the possession game in the final 1/3rd is something this team is missing. Rosi/Taddei are serviceable players in those positions, but obviously not long term solutions. JA has regressed recently, but there's no point in offloading him already. His upside (like other struggling young players this year AKA Kjaer) is big, so he should get more time to prove himself.

As for the defense, it'll have to improve all across the pitch. It's simply the nature of the game LE is having Rome play now. Doesn't matter how good the CBs are if they find themselves in those 2v2 or 3v2 situations again and again over the course of a game. Actually, this is where I think we could really use another midfielder. A dynamic player with good qualities going forward and defending. Perrotta would be a good fit if he was in his prime.

It's only postponed one day.  That's not exactly going to have much effect on recovery.  Also it means just one day of rest before they fly back to Catania...

Yeah, I just read it. Great, or as we might say: "fan-f*ing-tastic". Then again, against Catania it's only about 25 minutes (let's make that 30, because they'll add on some time) in which we can play full attack football. The probem: we'll need an even more solid defense...

Well, looks like they postponed Catania by a day too, so there's a bit of a breather now.

Yup, "rinvio per neve/maltempo"... The game's not gonna fly. Maybe it's better this way, although they would've been without Sneijder. Then again, let the guys get some rest and take on the Merdazzurri some other time when we play better... :)

Roma-inter postponed damnit

Probably good news.  Give players like DDR and Osvaldo time to return to fitness and give old guys like Totti and Juan time to recover.

By the way for those of you old enough to remember first being enchanted with Serie A from watching James Richardson on channel 4 back in the early 90's ... he's doing the Inter Roma match on ESPN this weekend. yaay.

remember the interviews with gazza? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

New rule... nothing that ever mentions Max Tonetto should ever be allowed in the comment section.

CHRIS....I didn't realise that the game time had been changed until I read this article an hour ago. I've never run so fast to a shop in my life!! AND- I have a ticket :-) tante tante grazie.

I am fully willing to throw myself in the middle of the pitch, and force DDR to sign.

Roma mia- despite it all....DAJE!

Please throw yourself, and offer him anything he wants....

He is sooo essential to this project, as everybody here knows, and him leaving us would leave serious scar, to say the least.

Dajeee Roma, sempre !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

just to make you all feel even worse, you're welcome

Fuck you !!

I miss Max :(  and some Panucci.

"Each game, his position strengthens."
exactly, and I think a lot will depend on how we fare in serie A for the next couple of weeks

my view is that DDR won't sign anytime soon but waits till we can really see were Roma will end in table (EL or CL or none) which should be around end march, begin april, we all know his love for Roma died a little when Sensi left and the Americans came with a very risky project, at 28 this is THE most important summer in his career and the rise of Man City (first in the premier league, fat wages, lot of star players) doesn't help either in our cause

end march, that's a fuckin lot I know and we probably all have died due to heart attacks concerning DDR but as long as the I don't see DDR in a Man City shirt, smiling with Mancini, waving a pen and a signed contract, his future is still in Roma IMO

1 point from Bologna and Cagliari won't and shouldn't bring us any kind of spot in Europe..

Serie A is the most defensive league in the world so offensive football won't work unless they can be more clinical in front of goal. Otherwise we'll be creating opportunity after opportunity that leads to nothing, while our opponent can score on their first shot on goal.

jesus, written like an englishman without satellite tv. sorry but check the stats, not having a go at you but that myth about 'most defensve league' despite regularly topping the polls in goals scored.

Funny, when it's said like that everyone complains, but read the posts in the last few articles and everyone was basically saying "LE's tactics won't work since Serie A clubs are more than happy to sit back, park the bus and absorb attack for 90 minutes".

I hope we see this lineup against Inter:

             Stek
Rosi--Juan--Heinze--Marquinho
Gago--De Rossi--Pjanic
           Lamela
   Totti--------Borini

Juan and Heinze are our best CB pairing. I think people on here are a little hard on Rosi. He is by no means a world-class player but he is a decent starter. I want to see what Marquinho can do at left-back for us, although he would probably struggle as he has had no time to gel with his new teammates. Hopefully De Rossi is back alongside Pjanic and Gago, which are our best three midfielders. We're all patiently waiting for Lamela to blossom into the world-class player we know he can be. We really need him to develop into a star sooner rather than later. I like what Borini brings to the table and he's definitely better than Bojan. And of course, then there's Totti.

With regards to De Rossi....PAY THE MAN!!!!!!

But is Marquinho even available for this match?

I can't see why not?

According to this, he's gonna be watching the game from the stands and hopes to be available for the next weekend
http://www.vocegiallorossa.it/...

Ohh not surprised. In that case I'd throw Taddei in at left back.

Well I haven't seen any indication that he's in Italy yet. There's not even a picture of him in the website

I feel I need to vent like everyone else. I've been listening to Rete Sport, and all of Rome is feeling the same disgust and frustration with the team recently.

-Enrique's style of play and formation simply does not work with our current roster. On top of that, I'd question whether or not his philosophy would succeed even with the ideal roster because of Serie A's defensive and counter-attacking style...

-It is clear that re-signing Danielino is essential. Without him our entire midfield and defense fall apart. Just give the man his 6.5 million contract already, he deserves even more.

-Selling Pizzarro, and not buying any defensive reinforcements during the Mercato just seems like sheer stupidity. We've been desperate for a Right Back for over 3 years now! My only hope is that they are planning some major signings over summer and are saving up their war chest. Let's hope...

-While Lamela, Pjanic and Gago have shown glimpses of talent, they still need time to adjust to Serie A. They get a pass, for now.

-Stekelenburg and Heinze have been immense. Solid signings. Still not convinced on Osvaldo, but I'll admit his scoring and fighting spirit have impressed me.

Let's be realistic: If we get 4th place that would be an achievement with this squad and manager..

Give DDR a blank cheque.
For goodness sake, this defence is obviously not working together, why not try something new? Where the fuck is Cassetti? Other than Juan and Nico he is the most experienced and has played CB for us in the past!!! A defensive pairing of Cassetti and Juan in the middle, Taddei and Angel on the wings... it doesn't do anything but give me more confidence in our D then i've seen in the last month!!! Kjaer isnt trust worthy back there yet, its sad but true. Neither is Rosi and Angel with the rest of the youth needs EXPERIENCE to LEARN! Giving up Pizarro was a horrible decision and i feel like he could have been the answer to the missing DDR link at the moment. NOT SIMPLICIO! Oh Roma... 

so what you are saying is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

So DiBenedetto buys Roma.  Decides that in order to make it worth his while, he needs to develop a "brand" that fans will love and that will attract many more fans.  He looks around and concludes that Baldini has the intelligence and experience, both in Serie A and internationally to lead the footballing arm of this brand.  Seems a reasonable conclusion.  One problem though.  Baldini left Italy and Serie A, not in order to broaden horizons or gain new experiences to add to his wealth thereof, but due to an overwhelming disenchantment with Italy and Serie A.  He was disgusted by what he saw taking place in Italy and Serie A and rejected everything about it.  He agreed to return to Serie A on one condition and that condition was to revolutionize football in Italy.  He wanted to bring a new football to Italy and he will never be content with playing "Italian calcio."  I like Baldini.  Always have.  That said, I think he has developed a deep seeded hatred for Italian "calcio" and only came back to conquer it with something new.  Enter Luis Enrique.  Enter a man whose ideas and principles are so antithetical to Italian calcio that Baldini gets completely swept off his feet like the young maiden who has been rescued by a prince.  This HAS to work.  If the opposite of Italian calcio (i.e. Luis Enrique) does not work, then where does that leave the philosopher that is Franco Baldini?  One thing I guarantee: Baldini will not abandon ship on this project.  Doing so would be to admit that while there were (and still are) many horrific problems with Italian calcio, there is also a poetic beauty to it.  I think where Baldini goes wrong is to throw out the baby with the bathwater.  In his rejection of all that was/is wrong with Italian calcio, he also rejects all that is right and beautiful about it.  Maybe Baldini will eventually come to this conclusion but from what I've heard from his interviews, he is a LONG ways from that.  While Baldini is in charge, the L.E. project will work or Roma and Baldini will go down with it.  There will be no jumping ship.

That leads me to the next chapter in my dissertation.  Can this possibly work?  I don't know.  With DDR in the midfield/defense, I think it has a chance.  I do love how the strategy works when it is working correctly.  A lot of relentless pressure and attacking from different angles and 3 players (including DDR) always behind the ball.  The problem arises when the DDR position gets caught on the wrong side of the ball, like it did repeatedly in the form of Gago against Cagliari.  Not that Gago played badly.  He played rather well.  But he played horribly for the role he was supposed to be playing and repeatedly left Juan and Kjaer exposed.  Lets face it.  Rosi and JA were never supposed to play as fullbacks.  They are out and out wingers, as is Taddei when he is in there.  Sure they help defensively but that is not their primary duty in this system.  When the system works well, it is a 3-4-3 that morphs into a 2-3-5 when we are attacking and reverts to a 5-3-2 when the other team is maintaining a spell of possession.  Get these players comfortable in these roles and with each other, have 2 very good defenders (which I don't think we do) and make sure DDR plays every game Roma plays until L.E. dies and I think we will be alright.  I actually do not dislike L.E.'s tactic.  Notice I said "tactic" and not "tactics."  That wasn't an accident and this is where the problem, IMO lies.  I think it's an excellent tactic but unless there is some flexibility and the team can do some different things both offensively and defensively, it becomes way too predictable, defendable, attackable and beatable. 

Sooooo......we have a stubborn sporting director and a stubborn coach.  Will this work?  With just a tiny pinch of flexibility added to the mix (and DDR signing more than just an autograph for a funny cabbie), I think it can work wonders.  Without it, I think we are sinking ship that will go down.  The good news (or bad news) is that Baldini is too proud a man to repeat the actions of another Italian ship captain whose ship was sinking. 

FORZA ROMA!

Truly an articulate and insightful analysis. Although I am to ignorant to have any idea if you are right, it's so well written I've decided to believe you are right.

Respect.

Loazzi, That was very well thought out and written. I agree with pretty much all of it. I've been pretty busy and took a break from this blog but you and Chris have inspired me to write my own perspective on the state of ASR... to be continued

Excellent write up.  I've managed to temper my expectations throughout this season for a number of reasons, but primarily because of all the youth on the team and Enrique's lack of experience as a manager. BUT, I do think the combination of Enrique's tactic/tactics, when fully ingrained and internalized amongst Lamela, Borini, Pjanic, Bojan etc will work.

I don't think they ever said this was a 12 month project, so from the few flashes of brilliance we've seen, I think, given time and the proper defensive reinforcements, its going to work.

To your broader point, this is the 21st century, as well all know, so no country exists in isolation, neither does its sporting philosophies.  If Enrique's Roma succeeds, you will see others follow suit. But again, the key cogs in this revolution/experiment are so incredibly young, you have to keep your expectations in check for the time being. I dont think their intentions were to completely revolutionize the way football is played in italy, but given the talent, which I think is there and will blossom in 2-3 years, and the time, they should be a very, very dangerous team. But, I would agree that the upgrades made to defense thus far have not worked out well. I hold out hope that Angel can be converted to a midfielder/winger and succeed, much like Gareth Bale.

If all goes according to plan, I cant think of any team on the Peninsula that will have as much attacking/midfield talent as Roma in a few years.

So at this point, I hope we can at least get a Europa League spot.