Living To Fight Another Day, But Only Just.

By: chris | February 25th, 2009

Arsenal 1 – Roma 0

The result in itself is not upsetting – not in the least. What is upsetting, however, is the immense opportunity not only bottled but kicked, punched, smothered, shredded, defiled, deflowered and ultimately discarded in the dumpster like an incestual tryst.

Arsenal might as well have been named Red Cross on the night, because they bailed Roma out time after time after time. Their finishing was Roma’s disaster control. Even the English commentators – despite having intelligence quotients just below state-defined mental retardation – noted the Gunners were begging the boys in black to tie it up. Arsenal’s paralympic team could’ve finished better than their “senior” counterparts on the day. Not even Queen Elizabeth has service that “royal”. We could go on and on and on. One-nil is not a bad away result in the first leg of a knockout campaign, but it’s an epic victory when it should have been four or five, at least, to a goose egg.

Credit, however, is due to whomever convinced the Arsenal kiddies this was a World Cup final. They were lightning out of the gate and throughout the first half, the impact of their drive, pace and youthful dynamism only being accentuated when David Pizarro came on in the second half and Roma were able to slow down the tempo a touch. While not quite night and day – Arsenal still had their chances – the Roman offense finally kicked into gear. His ability to sit on the ball and dribble his way out of tight situations – basically he’s the anti-Baptista – was paramount in escaping the suffocating speed with which Arsenal’s defenders closed in on the ball. Arsenal played it right.

But then again, they had the pieces to play it right, despite their injuries, whereas Roma were desperately lacking one attribute so clearly. The two greatest difference makers on the day would clearly have been Mirko & Yeremy, as the team that showed up in London had precisely no pace about it whatsoever – something which was foreshadowed against Siena. Get beyond the ball? Pish. Not with the man designed to make those runs, Simone Perrotta, only making it to the half before Julio Baptista coughed up the ball more easily than a SARS patient, forcing the human pinball back on the defensive. Totti? Please. What he did with so little help was immense. Triple teamed all night with zero help whatsoever til David arrived on the pitch and the lads were finally afforded some space.

Were the tactics wrong? Probably not – ten out of ten coaches start the same lineup. The back was crippled and that, the legs of the formation, sent the rest crumbling to its knees. The Roma which can dazzle Europe with its brilliance does so because they play as a solidified team with confidence enabling them to unleash their supreme technical qualities. A Roma lacking the legs to form a solid base is merely a jagged mess, and that’s precisely what we saw on Tuesday.

1-0 was a gift, and roundabout the time Arsenal missed its 487th sitter I couldn’t help but think, “my god, this is just screaming the luck that teams inevitably need to make it to the title game”. Surely not if the same Roma shows up in Rome, but we all know how La Magica performs in front of a booming Olimpico. Apples and oranges. Or bananas, even.

It’s not often that teams are offered a second chance in elite football. The Roman leg is nothing short of a second chance, and they need to attack it with a vengeance.

Notes & Observations

The pitch: whadafuxup? It was Roma On Ice. Unfortunately only the good guys suffered from Bambi-itis, thus we can only chalk it up to home-field advantage.
Marco Motta: Had you subjected yourself to my incessant gushing towards the end of January, you’ll know I’m not surprised. However, I didn’t expect him to show the maturity and composure he’s shown so early and, particularly under Spalletti, at such a young age. Kid’s just a special talent and after all of three games I suspect that “buy option” is now a foregone conclusion – if only because €7m is an absolute steal.
Another of my player crushes was vindicated Tuesday – unfortunately he played for the wrong side. The media can talk Gourcuff and Benzema all they want, but Nasri’s the future of France.
I genuinely like and sympathize with Simone Loria. I really do. He can’t help being thrown into the deep-end of the pool without floaties and with the buoyancy of cement.
Despite that, he can never play another minute for Roma again. Dismissing his obvious gaps in mental composure, his confidence must be hovering around that of an obese teenage girl with the facial hair of Chewbacca – while consequently the team’s confidence in his abilities must be equally as low. He’s a liability, plain and simple, and it’s impossible to foresee any way Spalletti can afford to risk giving him enough playing time to boost his confidence back to even acceptable levels.
Athletes are, gasp, human, as much as we expect them to mimic machines simply because they’re more naturally gifted than the hoi polloi. So if true that DDR split up with his wife this week, anything hovering around average – as was the case in London – is more than enough. Lord knows it’s been a trying six months for that family.
Julio Baptista….oh boy. I’m pretty sure that was his best showing for Arsenal yet. The Beast was a Care Bear. Except you wanted to punch him. Right in the mouth. Unless you like punching Care Bears, in which case The Beast was just a Care Bear.
Menez & Mirko. Mirko & Menez. Yeremy & Vuci. Vuci & Yeremy. Menez & Mirko. Mirko & Menez. Yeremy & Vuci. Vuci & Yeremy. Menez & Mirko. Mirko & Menez. Yeremy & Vuci. Vuci & Yeremy. Menez & Mirko. Mirko & Menez. Yeremy & Vuci. Vuci & Yeremy. Menez & Mirko. Mirko & Menez. Yeremy & Vuci. Vuci & Yeremy.
Without one of the two the attack lacks any pace and a great deal of fluidity. At least in the 4-2-3-1 the lack of pace could be disguised by intelligent movement, clever positioning, overlapping runs and commanding possession. Watching this attack attempt to build steam is as pleasurable as receiving a rectal exam from a doctor nicknamed “Nubby”.
Continuing with this theme, a healthy Mirko is more important than Daniele De Rossi in Rome. There, I said it.
That said, losing DDR for the return leg is a massive, massive blow – and this is before the inevitable laundry list of injuries.
Loria has set my standards so low for a backup central defender I actually found myself perusing the back files of my brain’s Roma department for Diamoutene’s buyout clause – all of six minutes after he’d entered. (True story – and it’s €3.3m or so.)
Is it me or did absolutely everyone in the stadium know Van Persie was going to pull that peno to Doni’s left? I’m guessing Alex knew this, but also knew neither he nor a cheetah on performance enhancing drugs was fast enough to beat RVP’s left peg of iron. With no chance, it was worth praying he went right.
Van Persie’s the new Pavel Nedved. That’s all.

Tabellino

ARSENAL (4-4-2): Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy; Eboue (82′ Ramsey), Denilson, Diaby (62′ Song), Nasri; Van Persie, Bendtner.
A disposizione: Fabiański, Djorou, Vela, Gibbs, Merida.
Allenatore: Wenger.

ROMA (4-3-1-2): Doni; Motta, Loria (70′ Diamoutene), Mexes, Riise; Taddei, De Rossi, Brighi (57′ Pizarro); Perrotta; Baptista (82′ Vucinic), Totti.
A disposizione: Artur, Tonetto, Filipe, Montella.
Allenatore: Spalletti

Note: 60.003 spettatori.
Ammoniti: Mexes, Brighi, Tourè, Nasri, De Rossi
Marcatori: 37′ pt Van Persie (rig.)

Lowlights

Upon a very brief glance I couldn’t find any of worth, and considering how dire they must be, I’ve decided not to look any further and implore everyone else to do the same.

Player Ratings

I’ve given up on doing player ratings during a liveblog, but let’s just say everyone gets a 6 outside of Motta (12.5), Doni (7.5), Pizarro (7) and Julio Loria (-157).

Next

These guys:

Wonder how the script is coming along?

Some Related Roma Posts:

Category: Team News

« The Pretty Football Liveblog | Home | VotD: Sneak Preview of Roma v Inter »

Kurdt

Yeah,only 3 months left for the season, we need to secure the 4th spot immediately. To get into the final this year is a dream but the real objective still is to get into the champs league next year. We need to maintain continuous appearance in champs league, it brings more fund to us.
Uncle Fester

Daniele, I'm willing to help, but as I'm a non-believer, my prayers wouldn't help at all. What should I do?
Maybe I should invade Roma's training, wearing some weird disguise, in order to cheer the boys up?
I cannot make a show like those fine ladies did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
but nevertheless, If I turned up disguised as a German Pointer or the Spanish Inquisition, it would surely intrigue our players and catch their attention.
Uncle Fester

Well, admiring those photos may make you think about their creator, so I guess, the answer is yes, Jonas.
"Homo sum et nihil humanum a me alienum esse puto". Maybe to keep the balance, when leering, you should repeat after the Kohelet: "Vanity of vanities, said Koheleth; vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
Jonas (from Flemish area in Be

I don't have the Bible daniele, is the playboy good too? :D lol
Daniele

and what the fuck is wrong with Aquinjury now?
Daniele

We need to all say our Hail Marys and read our Bibles.

I am hoping for us to beat Inter, and for others around us to lose.

We deserve it.
jack

Kistajk, i do not shar your feelings at all. The 4th place spot is going to be a difficult objective especially with how Roma are playing lately, we can not afford a loss.
jack

wtf Aquilani is out for the inter game? The guy has so much promise but hes useless always being injured. Damn frustrating! I dont like Cici in midfield he doesnt have the presence of a natural midfielder. as much as we need offense against Arsenal the major goal is not to allow an away goal obvesly we cant have a purely defensive formation but blazing gun offense is not necessary, unless Arsenal score than its rock and role lock and load offense!

forza roma
Daniele

Doesn't Cici need surgery?
Jonas (from Flemish area in Be

why 6 years and not 10 year contract kurdt? ;)

Perrotta could be out for about 1.5/2 months...nice! Luckily our depth in midfield is better than in defence (where we are fucked with Loria and nervous diamond). Taddei,Pizarro,Aquilani or even Cicinho can play in midfield if necesarry.
Kurdt

I love all the recent articles about Motta that he will be the future of Italy RB. Now let's give him the goddamn 6 years contract!
Daniele

http://www.romanews.eu/news.as...

Fuck.
Amir

You ar right Jonas. Forgat about Casetti.
i m hoping to see juan back for arsenal game!
Otherwice we are in trouble.
Someone said earlier, Roma need to be perfect in order to beat arsenal and i mean all 11 players need to work together. With fans on our side and hopefully Totti and Vucinic at their best i m very optimistic that we would see a totally different game.
That said Forza Roma this sunday. Hopefully we can beat Inter who are also focused too much on manchester at the moment.
Jonas (from Flemish area in Be

any news on Juan & Cici btw?
and is Menez fit for schmInter?
Jonas (from Flemish area in Be

cassetti's still injured amir

I'd play
Motta Mexy Panu Tonetto
Brighi DDR Perrotta
Pizarro
Vuci Totti/Bapt

I'd rather play Baptista (altough he was shite against arsenal) instead of risking another injury to totti, the medical team should just take their time with him instead of always rushing him back to fitness. If he keeps getting on like this we may never see Totti at his best (like his golden boot year) anymore
Amir

LAlapolala, Just because Loria shook his head after the miss ball like an idiot or in your opinion "gun" doesn't mean he played better then Mexes. Loria might love and be ready to die for Roma no doubt about that, but that aint enough to be in the best 11. We don't need lovers or gunners! We need smart tactical, technical and strong defenders and Loria is none of that. He has proven time and time again that Roma is not his level team. I just keep asking my self what Spaletti sees in him after all the games Roma lost due to his mistakes.
Someone mention Vucinic can play a winger! Yes he can but Vucinic is born striker and i think Spaletti can get more out of him as a striker!
here is my best formation against Inter:
Doni
Motta Mexes Panuci Cassetti
Perotta DDR BRIGHI
Pizzaro
Totti Vucinic
Daniele

More surgery for Totti?

Basta.
Chase

Some of you guys are putting Pizzaro too deep in your formations. He cannot in any circumstance play a defensive roll. We will get run through if we leave him as our CDM. he has to play an Attacking Mid or have help beside him.
Sneakers O'Toole

Do Totti's constant injuries force us to make a move for Quags (or a similar player)? I hope so.
Jeff

No Totti No Party
Jacob

Yeah just read about Totti. Don't risk him against Inter or Udinese. This is really starting to worry me. He needs knee surgery to stop this, and I'd say soon. I'd rather have a fully fit Totti than a half-injured one.
Rahul

forgot the damned link, here you go:
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10...
Rahul

goal.com is reporting that Totti is a doubt for the Inter game. :(
Why, oh why?
Lupa

Now that I've read some of the articles (it *is* early in the morning), it seems less likely about the Panucci thing. That article is the most recent, though.

Anyway, I see that Montella is one of the players talking about the Inter and Arsenal games. Montella definitely shouldn't be talking, as he's about as likely to get into those games as I am. (well, he may have a slight edge on my chances since he's on our CL list)
Lupa

Okay, this is from goal.com so take it with you know what, but they *are* basing it on Corriere dello Sport. If we could re-insert Panucci into our CL squad it would be great, but I think the timing of Cassetti's injury could be a problem, since it happened the same weekend of the list being made rather than after.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10...

From the technical point of view, Panucci would help, but why did it take him so long to finally apologize to Spalletti? Did he get tired of playing Playstation?
Jacob

Im not pissed of at you lalapolala, just disagree. Im not sure about the formation. Your right, Totti can play upfront by himself BUT can Vucinic play behind Totti? I think Vucinic prefers playing besides or in front. Im not completely sure. Menez on the wing is good, andnow that I think about it Vucinic does have the versatility to play wing so yes it could work. If we use that formation its gotta be this or next weekend.

Juan had some physiotherapy, work differently for Aquilani and Menez. Vucinic wasn't on the injury board which is good.

I reckon Menez and Aquilani will go on the bench this weekend. Totti and Vucinic will line-up at front.

Who plays in the midfield out of Aquilani, Brighi or Pizarro.
Sam

In fact the year Totti won the Golden boot he was playing up front by himself.
Sam

@ Jacob. If u remember the old formation, and i doubt you could forget it, because it was so successful, Totti CAN play upfront by himself, when he has two wingers supporting him. Which is what Vucinic and Menez would do in a 4-2-3-1.
Benito

------------ doni
motta - mexes - juan - riise
perrotta - pizarro - brighi
----------- aquilani
-------- totti - vucinic

or

------------ doni
motta - mexes - juan - riise
----- pizarro - brighi
vucinic -- aquilani -- menez
------------ totti
Ian

Doni
Motta-Mexes-Juan-Riise
Cicinho-Brighi
Vucinic-Pizarro-Menez
Totti

Would this work?
Garrett

This was the 1st leg of a 2 game series. Playing away and losing by a "Penalty" is not a bad result. It's 1-0 to Arsenal! Now we play back in Rome to where this game means everything, win or your out! I believe Roma will be more determined to win this leg and continue in the competition.
Now as to what happened in London. Sure Arsenal came out running but still didn't score a goal until a "Penalty" allowed them their goal. In my opinion had Juan or Panucci been in the line up things would have been very hard for Arsenal. As for our attacking we really missed a healthy Vucinic & Menez to put Arsenal on their backheels. I believe in Rome you will see all the Roma players showing their determination. Baptista, Brighi and Aquilani will need to step it up big time with DDR absence. Hopefully Motta will continue his good play and cause problems. Totti just needs to be healthy. He's a different player when he's home & healthy! So to all the Giallorossi fans just remember we love Roma no matter what the results are.
lalapolala

c'mon jacob.dun get mad 8 me..its just my opinion though..forza roma..roma will win. 3-0
Ian

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

Baptista will be live online tomorrow at 1500 CET, which is 900 ET, if I'm not mistaken.
Jacob

Roma to beat Inter 2-1.
Jacob

Mexes was not worse than Loria. How would you play when u pretty much have to cover for two defenders. Sure he gave up the penalty, but he made a ton of crucial tackles, that if Loria was going for, the defenders would have gotten past him.
Jacob

Totti cant play upfront by himself. He needs someone good with pace (VUCINIC) to support him. Menez should replace Baptista. Lalapolala u r an idiot. Not one but twice did he nearly cost us a goal. It was embarrassing his performance. Juan might play against Inter, Cicinho def out. Menez could return to bench, same with Aquilani. If Juan does not play I say PLAY PANUCCI.
lalapolala

btw, loria shakes like a guy with a gun aimed to his head when he try to protect the goal from eboue(after he missed the header)..stupiiiid loria...lol. he shouldnt be playing anymore for roma...but yes, i still stick to my opinion dat mexes played worst than loria dat nite...
lalapolala

AMIR, no im not arsenal fan.i was,am and always be a roma fan.but i was so frustrated with the way mexes played dat nite. i mean, he has been playing at this champions league level for many years but he gave away balls so many time..
brento

"One of the worst calls of the season is Inter vs. Siena. Maxwell gets a pass when he is offside and than turns and passes to Macion who is way offside. Beside Macion there are two other Inter players offside. Of course Macion scores and Mourhino runs down the field cheering. Then Curci gets a game suspension for protesting the call."

HAHAHA! Stefano. I remember this so clearly. I remember watching and just laughing that no flag went up. All the inter players were looking around like, "what the fuck? they're not gonna call us offside?" Then they just started running around like it was a well deserved goal.

This goal really is the epitome of the help Inter get.

Someone should post the link to this disgraceful non call. I'm too lazy to find it right now.
Rossi

i like how that looks sam. do gotta be careful not to allow an away goal, than we would need to score 3. I truely believe Roma are capable of simply running over Arsenal at home. it would have to be one of the best games Roma has played this season for us to qualify.
Kurdt

Isn't it too early for Spal to talk about the tactic? we get intermerda on sunday and if Arsene knows, he has a lot of time to think about the tactic. I believe they will play counter-attack on the next game.
Bashar

Man.. I feel bad for Fiorentina, Milan, Valencia and Bordeaux.. They were so close to going through..
Sam

According to Channel4, il corriere dello sport is saying that come the return leg spalletti may return to the 4-2-3-1. I think this is the perfect solution. Arsenal attack using the wings, but cant defend well on their wings. We could play

Doni
Motta Mexes Juan Riise
Brighi Aquilani
Menez Pizarro Vucinic
Totti

You can swap Aquilani and Pizarro if need be. But this is a great solution. Pizarro pulling the strings in the midfield. Vuci and Menez running rampant on the wings. Totti holding the ball up waiting for Menez and Vuci to burst by.
Kurdt

The result is important but I REALLY want to see a full squad Roma (minus Loria of course) in the next match. Seriously, how many times did we get to fill in the full squad this year? once? And our players should talk less from now, they will just jinx the result.
kappa

Why do all the arsenal fans spell like 12 year old's? I'm sure Roma will come through in the end on pure motivation. I am also hoping for Juve but I think Inter will pull through.
Ciao, Allo Prossimo!
ben

to be realistic I think we have 10% of going through. I think 10% is still a lot so there is something to play for. I don't know what you guys think but I would rather lose 3-2 and SCORE 2 goals than draw 0-0. I want roma to out play Arsenal, not just get the results. Obviously having a good defense is important to outplay an opponent, but we should really shift the mentality of the players.
Amir

Lalapolala you must be arsenal fan! Since you said Loria played better then Mexes!
Loria might be a good player, i dont know.. there is something in him since Spaletti still has trust in him, but one thing is for sure, Roma has been very unlucky with him !! And i can bet you if he plays again against arsenal, Roma is out for SURE!!!
Sneakers O'Toole

Totti has to demand a double team, and someone from the midfield has to play well enough to make one of the center mids play on them instead of helping Totti, and we're golden. Totti's vision and Menez and Vuc's speed will get in behind the center backs.
Sneakers O'Toole

He meant Mexes, Kurdt. I would probably take Perrotta out of that lineup and put in Pizarro. We need people that can hold onto the ball, and Pizarro did a damned good job of controlling the game. I was thinking Brighi and Aquilani as somewhat withdrawn center mids with Pizarro in front. Then we would have Vucinic and Menez outside, Totti inside.
Stefano

One of the worst calls of the season is Inter vs. Siena. Maxwell gets a pass when he is offside and than turns and passes to Macion who is way offside. Beside Macion there are two other Inter players offside. Of course Macion scores and Mourhino runs down the field cheering. Then Curci gets a game suspension for protesting the call.
Kurdt

Btw John, there's 2 menez in ur lineup, a double role? I agree we should put Aquilani instead of Perotta or Pizza, perhaps we can sub in Pizza somewhere in the match.
Kurdt

"loria was playing better than mexes" I bet you're watching from your PES2009 I say.
lalapolala

loria was playing better than mexes dat nite.mexes gave balls away & a penalty of course.baptista-beasty is the worst player dat nite.he looks more like ball-picker forced to play football....
john

Roma needs to get back to flank football. It seems to be the most consistant form of attack in the sport. Get the 4231 going again or a more orthodox 442. with Menez on the flank id say Roma would be 2x more dangerous and not give up much defensively if DDR Aquilani and Brighi are in the midfield with him.
Totti-Vucinic
Perrotta Brighi Aquilani Menez(in the messi role)
Riise Juan Menez Motta

I feel that should be a balanced and explosive team
Caroe

Actually EPL-defenders don't pass. They just hit the ball as hard as possible because they can't pass.

EPL is just as defensive-minded as any other league. Look at a player like Torres who has lost his attacking touch because Rafa wants him to play more defence. Ridiculous.
chris

Awful day for any teams in the Big Three leagues - Spain, Italy and Ingerland. Only Man City & Udinese went through of those leagues.
Dhaw

Whats wrong if Italian teams are defensive minded ?
I dont find anything wrong with it. Its tactics. No rule in the book says u cant b defensive.
Ppl want defenders passing which results in goal and EPL pundits calling that througball then please watch EPL all your life.
Rahul

Just finished watching Bremen steam roll Milan. The draw was so undeserved, Bremen were by far the better team. :)
Dhaw

Wow bad day for Italian teams in Europe eh.
Samp out, Fio out and Milan out.

Milan really that bad or Carletto really doesnt know what the fuck he is doing anymore.
Caroe

We struggled because the game was played the English way. That was always gonna happen. Some of the English teams will probably struggle when the game is played the Italian way. That's what we should do, slow down and play with consideration.

Remember Viola-Everton last year? Viola destroyed Everton at home and Everton destroyed Viola at home too.

Manchester and Liverpool can certainly play a more tactical game but I doubt Arsenal and Chelsea can. That's why I'd at least give us a solid 35 % chance of beating Arsenal.
chris

Fiorentina are very unimpressive. Ajax have been just awful in the league this year and spent the weekend struggling past one of the worst teams in European football. Have to say I'll be pretty shocked if they squeak 4th. Genoa have a better shot.
Daniele

Yes Milan and Fio will only worry about the league now.

But Viola will driop im sure of it. They are waaaay too lucky, and not that capable.
DeGuilio

so only Udinesse advance. Milan should be ashamed blowing a 2 goal lead at home.

Both Milan and Fiorentina losing hurts our top 4 chances. it's a shame because Fiorentina will never get out of the group next year. Milan maybe too
spqr

Whoops totally missed out on Pizarro! yes, he'd definitely be in my starting 11.
lamagica

not bad...for me, i'd go with pizarro in for perrotta under those kinds of considerations (need to score) and based on how well he imposed his presence in the 2nd half..
spqr

Does Motta's emergence as a top RB push Cicinho up to RW as opposed to RWB? Perhaps Cicinho follows in Mancini's footsteps and moves from RB to RW.

If so, what about this lineup for the 2nd leg? (Health not taken into consideration)

------------------------Doni-----------------------
-Motta-------------Mex-------Juan-----------Riise--
----------------------Brighi-----------------------
Cicinho--------------Perrotta---------------Menez---
----------------------Totti-------------------------
----------------------Vucinic-----------------------

A bit offensive but we need to score right?
Uncle Fester

1-1. Booooooo.
Caroe

Ambrosini is probably the best Italian player of the last 20 years.
avala

No, just drawn and quartered, lad.Now you see how everyone has learned the virtues of Imperial Bearing from the Engleesh
(sic). That's why they can be so obnoxious with the EPL, it's genetic.
lamagica

THIAGO MOTTA: ´DE ROSSI È IL MIGLIOR GIOCATORE ITALIANO´

pubblicata giovedì 26 febbraio 2009

Thiago Motta sogna De Rossi. Il centrocampista brasiliano del Genoa, intervistato da Sky Sport 24, si è espresso in merito alla voglia di molti suoi connazionali di giocare con la nazionale di Lippi. Poi, ha dichiarato tutta la sua ammirazione per il centrocampista giallorosso: "De Rossi per me è il miglior giocatore italiano. E' un fenomeno. Io con l'Italia? Giocare con un campione come lui sarebbe davvero un onore e un privilegio".

some nice words by thiago motta, who considers ddr to be the best italian player atm. i'm just waiting for gianfranco to post a similar declaration for ambrosini, who according to his (un)trained eye is better than ddr.
Uncle Fester

No, I'm not their follower. I just want a club from my poor country to achieve something.

Hmmm... do I deserve being disembowelled and/or roasted for that 8) ?
DeGuilio

just saw Kewell had a goal earlier for the Turks
DeGuilio

the Galatasaray Bordeaux match looks fun. 3-3 with 10 minutes left. Gal was up 3-1 but the Frenchies got 2 within 2 minutes to tie (and i think progress if the result stays)
DeGuilio

boo to you uncle fester. unless you follow this team as well, we want as many Italian teams advancing as possible in the Cup. With Villa out we can at least say the EPL is only the top 4 (if and when they progress 2 or 3 teams in the CL)
chris

"Mentally superior"? Surely the only mental inferiority was within that sentence.
Uncle Fester

Is anyone watching Lech-Udinese match? Or am I, one more time, a weirdo?
Anyway, 1-0 for my countrymen. :D
Jeff Spicoli

"Anyways, when (probably) the Italian teams come out on top they [the epl] are going to be making retarded and long excuses."

Hawk: kind of like everyone here with the excuses? Lets face it everyone, the epl is far superior, both physically and mentally, than Serie A. I hate to admit it, but as much as we hate it, its true.
Yazan

i think ermes should make a movie about motta's game against arsenal!
Hawk

CapoCorso, the problem is that they don't wait till the second leg. Inter DIDN'T want to win at the San Siro, they just didn't want to concede. It's the "special ones" arrogance. The Bridge was always going to be hard going into for Juve ecpecially when their fullbacks suck and Roma didn't have Vucinic and Totti at 100%. Also we played with Loria... so basically 11 - 2 men. And the Emirates is also tough to go to although the fans wern't very physced at the game. I don't blame em though. Anyways, when (probably) the Italian teams come out on top they are going to be making retarded and long excuses.
Daniele

Don't worry Capo...

We still have one leg to go ;)
CapoCorso

I can't blame the EPL knobbers for gloating. It is pretty bad that the top three teams in the Seria A can't score a fucking goal in three matches. Now I have to listent to all the EPL shitheads talk about the Italian tactics and how defensive minded they are. Man I wish they could have seen the real Roma on Tuesday.
Kshitiz

Doni saved a penalty against Ibrahimovic when we played Inter at the olimpico probably last year or the year before that
Bashar

Sampdoria is pretty much out of the UEFA Cup unless they can score 3 goals in the 2nd half without reply
Daniele

he saved rigori for Brasil.

What does that matter? ;)
Uncle Fester

Jonas, search and thou shall find
http://www.reuters.com/article...

"Almost exactly three months after shipping seven goals in a Champions League match, goalkeeper Doni is basking in the accolades after helping Brazil reach the Copa America final. Doni saved two penalties, taken by Diego Forlan and Diego Lugano, as Brazil beat Uruguay 5-4 in a shootout following a 2-2 draw in Tuesday's semi-final."
Rossi

Pannucci apologizes once he get jealous of Motta killin it out there. Maybe he came back down to earth, we like ya but we dont need ya
Jonas (from Flemish area in Be

did Doni ever stopped one penalty?
I mean ok penalty's should always go in but it would help if Doni should choose the right corner now and then. Altough it's also 80 % luck of course? When he stops some penalty's he may put fear in the pen. taker, like Reina who is a good penalty stopper.
Uncle Fester

Daniele, journalists need some hot news to have money for their mortgages. I won't be surprised if that turns out to be just a small crisis. Google doesn't say much on that, anyway.
Sneakers O'Toole

They are saying that Daniele and his wife are not having the best of times. I haven't heard divorce, but I've heard split. Whether it's just a big fight or a solid divorce I don't know.
Sneakers O'Toole

Effectively, Toni isn't even Italian because he has nothing to offer the national side. Rossi is good. He would do wonders for us. We NEED either Quags or Rossi this summer to give us another forward. We need to start easing into life without Totti. Juve have done spectacularly at using Del Piero when he's healthy but not forcing it when he isn't, and it has reaped fantastic benefits. We should have done that a year or two ago with Totti, and need to do something this summer. The fact Totti didn't try to score from 25 yards out says it all to me.
Daniele

Is Juan fit for Inter????

Danielino and his wife are divorcing?
Sneakers O'Toole

Yeah, not giving up away goals is almost more important than winning. The arrogant prick that Mourinho is, he would want more to beat Manchester in their own stadium than to win at home. Juve has worse width than we do, but they are magical at home typically. I think the Juve Chelsea fixture screams extra time.
CapoCorso

Anyone watch Rossi for Villareal yesterday? Love that guy. Man I wish we could sign him. Pisses me off that two of the best Italian strikers (Toni and Rossi) are not playing seria A.
Rahul

And they have these so called experts of the game prancing around proclaiming to the roof tops that Premier League is the best and everything like that ... argghhh
Hawk

Damn how I hate Sky Sports and Goal.com, as soon as they saw 1-0, 1-0 and 0-0 they started bragging that English sides are "a class above everyone else". Roma and Juve were away from home and Man U didnt score and thats what Inter wanted. Can't they STFU until the 2nd leg is played????
Uncle Fester

Caroe, ask and it shall be given to thou.

I checked it in Google, following an old saying:
"In Googlis non est, ergo non est"

And I found this:
http://ultimigossip.myblog.it/...

"Il calciatore della Roma Daniele De Rossi è stato abbandonato dalla moglie Tamara Pisnoli. I due si erano sposati nel 2006 ed hanno una figlia , Gaia di 2 anni. Secondo voci non confermate, causa della separazione sarebbe l'interesse dell'ex ballerina per un ex pugile."

How much truth is in that, Uncle Fester does not know.
chris

So if he's allowed back, defensive depth (Serie A) is....

Mexes
Juan
Motta
Riise
Cicinho
Cassetti
Diamoutene
Panucci
Tonetto
Loria

And really, I'm not sure a 36 year old man 6 weeks from match practice - when he'd had little to start with anyway - is the guy to send against 12 at the San Siro.
Bashar

Doesn't help us for the CL.. no siree!!
jasperaldo (ASR)

finally.. we need the old grumpy man back
chris

Panucci finally apologized:

http://www.romanews.eu/news.as...

And may be holding a press conference any moment now.