Roma v Juve: Roll Call

By: chris | October 31st, 2008

Black & White Asses v Roma

Such a strange, strange time. You’d think the non-game against Sampdoria would’ve afforded some much needed healing time for the walking wounded. Not with Roma. Francesco’s found himself on the sidelines once again – though to be fair it sounds like his stint on Wednesday was going to end very prematurely anyway – and won’t be making the trip up to the northwest corner. Shitty, but par for the course these days.

So did the extra time off, especially considering the weather on Wednesday which would’ve surely piled up the bodies, allow for some more time to right the tactical wrongs and work on the team mentality a bit? Can hope so, but we won’t know anything until the game starts. Yet again, we know nothing going in, probably even less going out.

For now, just a roll call of those making the trip. There’s really nothing to say anymore.

Doni: Will he brain fart? Will he hold it together for 90 minutes? Stay tuned.

Cicinho: Said it once, I’ll say it again: he’s the new Mancini. He’ll be out next summer. Which is good, because it’s time for a housecleaning:

“A sporting director from Lyon, Brazilian himself, told me once that two Brazilians in a team is very good, three is a catastrophe and four is a tragedy. That was exactly our situation.”

Not that Taddei, Doni or Baptista typify Brazilian personalities. Cicinho? Mancini? Sure.

GOMR: It really is quite nice to think we may actually see a back line of Panucci-Mexes-Juan-Tonetto this weekend. They’re about as matchfit as a cadaver, but we’ll take what we can get.

Mexes: Well, it’s Juve. We can look forward to another 3 game suspension when he two foots Nedved in the face.

Juan: One of the benefits to the midweek no-go is Bubble Boy’s chance to make two appearances in one week, even if one was for 5 minutes. Small victories.

Gloria: Do you see that? Three (3!) healthy centerbacks in front of him. Hallelujah, bitches. The way it was meant to be.

Tonetto: Graying by the minute and ready to go, baby.

Riise: Something tells me Torino won’t be the place for his shaky legs to find solid ground. Or the playing surface.

DDR: Here and loving Luciano, goddamnit.

Pizarro: My tender heart. I update my will every time he comes off the trainer’s table. But he could be one of the keys to the inevitable turnaround.

Brighi: Back to supersub duties he goes.

Mirko: Really hope that 5 minute suspension gave him some time to watch back film of last year when he rapidly became a big game player. A return to form does wonders for this team.

Perrotta: Chugga chugga chugga chugga chugga chugga chugga chugga.

Taddei: The fifth defender will be ready and able. Good thing at one end, questionable at the other.

His Holiness: Currently taking applications for limb donors.

Menez: Sounds like Baptista will be ready to go, but Jeremy will be warming up early just in case.

Baptista: Is he healthy? Is he able to play a full 90? Does it even matter at this point?

Okaka: What’s happened to his PT? I understand Spal loves to stick with his most trusted players and those with experience to keep some solid footing, but that hasn’t really worked out thus far, has it? At least this kid was making things happen late in games. Okakachukaka’s a phenom for a reason, show him the love.

Squads

Roma:

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
11 RODRIGO FERRANTE TADDEI
14 FILIPE GOMES RIBEIRO
15 SIMONE LORIA
16 DANIELE DE ROSSI
17 JOHN ARNE RIISE
19 JULIO CESAR BAPTISTA
20 SIMONE PERROTTA
22 MAX TONETTO
24 JEREMY MENEZ
25 GUILHERME DE MORAIS GUSMAO ARTUR
27 JULIO SERGIO BERTAGNOLI
32 DONIEBER ALEXANDER MARANGON (DONI)
33 MATTEO BRIGHI
89 OKAKA CHUKA STEFANO

Ruuuuuuuubentus:

3 Chiellini, 4 Mellberg, 8 Amauri, 9 Iaquinta, 10 Del Piero, 11 Nedved, 12 Chimenti, 13 Manninger, 16 Camoranesi, 20 Giovinco, 21 Grygera, 22 Sissoko, 27 Ekdal, 28 Molinaro, 29 De Ceglie, 30 Tiago, 32 Marchionni, 33 Legrottaglie, 40 Rossi, 41 Ariaudo.

Key Injuries

Totti: Out. Prayers, please.

Monty: Can’t have too many healthy players at once, obviously, so Vincenzo’s cycling out.

Cassetti: Still out, still very little news. I suspect this injury involved that transsexual rodeo clown which has gone under the radar for so long.

Aquilani: In the midst of his three week long deep tissue massage.

The Gift: Buffon’s still out. That may be the first “lucky bounce”, pardon the term, Roma has had since Atalanta.

Projected XI

Doni
GOMR, Juan, Sexy Mexy, Tonetto
DDR, Pizarro
Taddei, Perrotta, Vucinic
Baptista

Should be pretty straight forward, provided La Bestia is truly ready to play from the start. If not, throw Mirko up top and Menez on the wing.

Key Matchup

Roma v Roma: They can take care of anyone on their day. Will they beat Juventus, or will they beat themselves? All it’s about with our fair Giallorossi these days.

Predictions

I predict…

…Nedved will dive like a little bitch.

…Del Piero will only look good because Totti’s not on the pitch.

…I’ll have to avert my eyes every time Amauri’s hair gets a closeup.

…Chiellini’s nose will keep someone onside for a goal.

…Sissoko will mskr another contribution to the ever growing list of Roman injuries.

…there will be at least one 22 player scuffle throughout the game.

…and that Mexes will be the instigator.

…finally, that the back line of Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto will prove to be one of the main missing links for the turnaround.

Score: 1-1
Scorers: Amauri (27), Baptista (31)
MOTM: Philou

When: Saturday, 2030 local, 1530 EST.
Where: The Other Olimpico, Torino.
Weather: 15°C, 60% chance of rain.
Streaming: Here.

FORZA ROMA

Some Related Roma Posts:

Category: Team News

« Photo: Do As I Say, Not As I Do. | Home | Chelsea Squad List »

agiamba

That was kind of the point, Johonna. :)
ursus arctos

Novellino has also been mentioned as a possibility for Chievo.

The world would be a greener place if everyone took recycling as seriously as Serie A clubs do when it comes to managers . . .
Pauly WalNUTS (AS ROMA)

In case you didn't know: NEW SECTION!!!
Johonna

"I hear Walter Novellino is available"

When I was doing Reggina research his name came up as a possible replacement there.
KJ's ass

Please, someone dislodge my head from here. I'm tired of tasting Giro's semen.
Bashar

Mihajlovic was Mancini's assistant at Inter Milan.. He was also a player-coach at Inter before as well.

KJ.. you already mentioned that under the alias Relegate Roma..
KJ

Who would have thought Roma vs. Bologna would be so intriguing?

A relegation dog fight plus the Mihajlovic(Lazio) factor? This will be huge, baby!!
agiamba

I hear Walter Novellino is available, I don't think h is demands are too high.

Does Mihajlovic have any coaching experience? Seems really random that Bologna would sign him up, but roll of the dice, could be better than one of the typical relegation guys.
Andre

Daniele, we can think of this situation as a economic life cycle...we had a boom, now were in a bust...someone should pump 200mill into the club to kick start us back up again, haha.
Jeff

Believe it or not Mancini will probably go to Fulham.
Johonna

and that is Poldoski, as in Lukas.
Johonna

But that does bring up a valid point...

If Roma do not pull themselves out of their current slump, what will that mean for the upcoming winter mercato? That is, will they have a difficult time signing the caliber of player they need to haul themselves out of any trough they may be in? Even if money were not an issue, would a player like Poloski want to come?

On the other side of that, are there any players currently in Roma's youth academy that may be ready for the move? That could be a source of cheap, passionate talent.
Uncle Fester

Maro, I suppose Mancini won't want to come here. As Johonna said, he prefers England. His agent stated that
M. wants to coach in the Premier League. "Mancini really likes England and London in particular"
mac (so ugly it hurts)

Menez and Okaka are so young they can be taught to play the stiker postition well enought until we get a real striker come Christmas. Menez can use his speed to get by defenders, and as I was saying Totti would be giving him the best damn passes ever so that may help. The quote from DDR is exactly right. This formation 4-3-1-2(I think) makes the best use of our mid fielders and the best use of Totti feeding the ball to two stikers instead of one. Lastly we don't have a guy who can play wing except Menez. (I'm not counting Taddei anymore and Vucinic is not a winger.)
maro

A little taste of one's own medicine? I'll leave the autofelatio to you, Pauly. Anyway, Mancini's got a great track-record as a proven winner, say what you like about his tanned ass. I'd say either him or Steve McClaren. Assuming we could lure him away from Twente for a relegation scrap.
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

Mancini Maro? Yeah, "pretty fekkin’ funny. It’s good to see someone round here has still got his sense of humour in such dark times. Good work, [maro]. Funny stuff."

There maro, a little taste of your own medicine......

Btw, good to see you're back. I have to go take a midterm, so LATER!
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

Maro, shut up.
ursus arctos

I think Mancio much prefers to sit on his well-tanned ass until someone is willing to pay him more than he's getting from Inter to do nothing.
Johonna

I think Mancini wants only English ass now.
maro

Beat some arse into shape. No holes barred. That kind of thing.
maro

Sorry. Bloody dyslexia. I think you guys know what I meant.
maro

I'd say we should replace him with Mancini. That guy has a proven track-record as a winner and I'm sure he'd come in and beat off to some in-shape bottoms.
ursus arctos

Mazzone is the only immediate alternative that makes economic sense, because he will work for essentially nothing (as he loves Roma even more than all of you).

And we all know that Pauly would never accuse him of lacking passion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Daniele

When things go down, they tend to go back up. And in our case I expect that to happen.
Fester

Well, I suppose if we lose now to Chelsea (and then to Bologna), they can't help sacking TGIP. When the team loses match after match, firing the coach is what most owners do.

According to s-f portal called goal.com it is considered to replace Spal with Carlo Mazzone as a caretaker manager.
Johonna

As opposed to the upward spiral Roma are in now, Daniele?
Fester

Johonna, I know :D
BTW, I like his comment on going to the ritiro
“We accept it, but we are always against the ritiro because we don't go out and dance and have fun seen that this situation remains with us even when we leave Trigoria.
CMP (ASR) (Denmark)

Mac... Menez up top? I dont get it!
Daniele

Sacking Spal will send us in a downward spiral.
Daniele

Jo,

Your right, or he could say nothing at all.

Daje Roma.
maro

mac, that formation is pretty fekkin' funny. It's good to see someone round here has still got his sense of humour in such dark times. Good work, mac. Funny stuff.
ursus arctos

ale & J, Mancini negotiated the terms on which his backroom staff left the club, it was one of the things that dragged that process out by a couple of days.

And la Gazzetta is reporting that Bologna will be presenting Mihajlovic as their new manager tomorrow morning.

Makes Bologna - Roma even more interesting than it would have been anyway.
Johonna

Fester, that is what players always say to the press - doesn't make it so.
Fester

De Rossi takes Roma responsibility
“The problem is not between the Coach and us or the club, but it is between each and every one of us. We have had injuries, macroscopic oversights and many other things that haven't helped us, but we are not annoyed with the Coach.

“It depends on us,” De Rossi admitted. “We have to work and be professionals. If things don't go well, you have to work hard.

“In every case, it is beautiful to know that there are people that encourage us. It gives us that something more,” added De Rossi.
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

I would just like to see changes being done, or coming from Spalletti's side, but they are not happening. If it looked like he was at least trying, I would not have a problem with him. In fact, from our style of play, I just saw a big step backwards this past Saturday, big, and that is unexcussable.

The injury list, or suspensions excuse are no longer applicable.
mac (so ugly it hurts)

I totally agree that the formation needs to change and that is all on Spaletti. Spaletti needs to stay, change formations and get things on the right track. Should have happened sooner, but now it will have to change.
Besides, DDR, Pancucci, and a very few others I'm completley disapointed in our players. These guys are professionals, a lot of them play at the highest levels for their home nation and a few have won the World Cup. Vucinic, and Perotta are the main two. Taddei makes a good effort but is not up to starting anymore. I don't care how bad the coaching is, and or if a formation is not working, you have to make space for yourself to receive the ball and you have to make runs to get open. Neither Vucinic or Perotta are doing that. Also, whatever formation gets picked it will have to be with 4 defenders in the back. While the midfield up front will change the basic back line will not. The defenders need to their jobs better and the midfield/ front line has to move to get open so that the defenders are not forced to play long ball. My dream at this point is to see them going to 4-4-2 really soon. Then work towards 4-3-1-2 looking like this.
Panucci, Juan, Mexes, Tonetto,
Aqualani, DDR, Brighi,
Totti,
Okaka, Menez

Perotta, Taddei, Pizza Man, Vucinic would all make great subs in this formation. I know that we don't have real stikers, but I truley believe that anyone can have great chances with Totti giving them the ball. If this system was given a chance now, by Chrismas we could have a real stiker and a CB to fill in the gaps and help turn this ship around. I will not give up on the coach or this team. There are stil a lot of games left
Johonna

Alessio, I will answer if I may, he left with Mancini. I dont think he was fired, per se, but as he knew that Mou would want his own coaching staff, I think he knew there wasnt really a place for him anymore.
Johonna

But UL, football is at least partially played in your head.

If a player does not believe the coach knows what they are doing, then there will be constant second guessing on the pitch. If Spalletti really has lost his dressing room (alla Mancini with Inter) then it just doesnt matter how good of a tactician the he is. The players will not do what he says when they are on the pitch; instead, they will do what they think the right thing is (ie, long balls up).
agiamba

Samson....the whole Totti/delPiero/Ronaldo thin.....don't you have better things to do with your time? Like work out?

Ursus, Mihajlovic isn't still with Inter? Or was he part of Mancini's squad that got the boot.
avala

amen
UL

Guys, seriously. Enough of Spalletti getting sacked.

As fans we must pull together positive attitude towards the team and everyone needs to show solidarity to move out of this terrible time.

It is one thing to demand new tactics, another to demand the head of a very good man that is still a great one.
avala

True, Bashar, but that team hit the skids later on and kept sliding. The only coach that would replace Spal and conform to the budget would be Mazzone. Was Soros a fantasy or did the 'rich arabs' tale kill that one ?
Samson

Menez should be starting.
Bashar

I was looking at our results from 2004-2005 and we had 13 pts around this stage I believe. This year is truly terrible.
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

Shouldn't most us agree that Menez should be starting, and if needed, that Taddei should be coming off the bench?

Shouldn't Spal know that, or shouldn't he being doing that? Or are we all just crazy then?
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

Zack, I take that back about Taddai. I meant that for others, such as Riise.

Taddai's main problem is that he lacks speed. We need Menez who has youth, speed, and flair, would put a lot more fear into the opposition.
Zack Della

Taddei has skill, but he is not the most gifted player to ever grace the pitch. His hard work makes up for the absence of speed or strength.
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

The players don't care, but they also lost all respect for him. That is a truly bad sign.
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

The truth of the matter is that Spal did great for our in the past, especially during those troublesome years, but the present is a crisis.

I could see if he was at least TRYING something new, some sort of change in the system, especially the players who play without passion and skill (taddai). Where are the changes when we need him to implement them?
Samson

I know Zack, its almost like they dont care anymore.
UL

Spalletti is going no where.

He just needs another plan. No one wants or needs him gone.
Zack Della

What concerns me is that De Rossi has been playing his heart out throughout this run. It's everyone else that sucks.
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

Spaletti "clingers," where are your answers to my questions?

Maybe because you have NO way to defend his current tactics?
Samson

I think that if Spal leaves, we will take a chance with a small name italian coach.
Samson

We will know for sure if Spal is gonna be sack depending on the result against Bologna.
KJ (i like to add stupid shit

Pauly, leave this discussion for those that actually know about calcio...

You are like the 13 year old teenie bopper that thinks she knows alot because has the team posters all over her wall.
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

Rijkaard is not what this team needs now, or ever. The guy does not seem to have guts, vision, or a sense of passion within him. The players need someone who would instill a sense of "determination" and "inspiration" in them, he would NOT be the one.

This is a joke, but Maradonna would be better than him.
KJ

Daniele, while you may not agree with me on Aqui, I'm sure that some do...

Anyway, the formation should fit the players, not vice versa....Hear that Spalletti?

Play Menez on the wing to run, run, run..He cant finish for shit, so putting him in the middle is a complete waste
Zack Della

It's not 05, and that's all there is to it. He didn't have unruly players in 05 that bullshitted large portions of the games. It won't get better when the problem is mental and comes from the top.

Rijkaard is a pipedream, but he is about to take a job in south africa, how much money could he command?

Ursus, what winter mercato?
Ian

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

I love DDR! Let's hope he's right!
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

Daniele, why argue with him? why?
PaulyWalNuts (ASR) (from the o

So for those of you who still have faith in Spaletti, how will you feel when he sets up the usual formation, again....with the usual numb-nuts, again.....and when we look totally lost, again......without any heart and determination, again?
Daniele

Explain how he plays for himself KJ?

Dude is Roman born, always wanted to wear the shirt, and fights hard.

Yeah he has an injury bug up his ass, but when he is on point, why not keep him?

The question is, is he worth all the layoffs, and for the right/wrong price.

Who knows. Aqui should have been one of our biggest worries (contract) but now its nowhere near the forefront.
Zack Della

A 5-3-2 with Cicinho on one side and Menez on the other is quite the interesting formation. Menez doesn't have trouble tracking back because he is the fastest man alive, and he is a threat on attack. I would enjoy that formation.
Robbie (ASR)

Its hard to get on a board and talk about a crushing loss that and rehashing the wound. I can't blame "loyalists" for absentia.
ursus arctos

Can the sack Spalletti partisans explain where they are going to find the funds

a) to pay off his contract; and

b) to hire a new coach, especially one of Rijkaard's stature?

To this outside observer, it seems like complete science fiction to me (and would hobble your winter mercato, to boot).

And are any of the Romanisti willing to say that Totti making yet another "inspirational return" against Chelsea is precisely NOT what is needed right now? That's what I think, but I'm not a true believer.
Daniele

Bashar,

I don't know. But what goes down must go up.

Hopefully it starts with Bologna.

This is like 04/05 but worse imo.
KJ

fyi, I am not Relegate Roma, but I am part of its organization

moving on, it seems selling Aqui would be the best thing for Roma...He seems to only play for himself, so by selling him, not only are you making a little $$$, but selling that selfish idealism as well
Daniele

Zack - But what has he done on the whole.

Without Spal taking over in 05, where the fuck would we be? Serie B. Don't forget that 04-05 season. One of the worst in our history.

In football and Italia esp, people are so quick to can the coach. 9 times out of 10 it does not work.

But that is my opinion.
Bashar

Sometimes players just need a change... I'm with Spalletti 100% but I really want to see what will happen if someone else comes in with fresh ideas.
Bashar

And Ronaldo.. you're not trying to pass yourself off as someone else?
Zack Della

We can't afford to beat around the bush though. We all would like Spalletti to stay, but this funk can't last longer than Sunday. It's the "what have you done for me lately" method, he's done nothing but lose the team.
Bashar

Daniele.. It can get worse.. I think Bologna are ripe for the taking (no offense Ben) and I hope I don't end up regretting saying this. A humiliating defeat and now they fire their coach. If we can't beat them then we have no right being in the top half of the table. Now's our chance.. A win vs. Bologna will give us some sort of confidence against Lazio and then a win against Lecce might help us overcome Fiorentina. If we can get anything out of the derby and Fiorentina (say 2-4 pts) then we will be prime for a comeback. But any European place might be a little tricky right now.
Christiano Ronaldo (manU)

UL: Its pathetic that that motherfucker whose a Palermo fan is now trying to pass himself off as someone else.

His original name wasn't working anymore and alomost no one asnwered him. So the "ignore" thing worked then. Everyone, keep that in mind, and in time, he will stop coming here.
Daniele

Loyalists?

Relegate Roma, who are you a fan of?

I am here, not shopping for anything, and I will always support mis squadra through whatever.

Thanks for the concern though.

I really can't bare the thought of losing Spalletti, I know this is bad, but it can only get better IMO.

I really hope nothing drastic is done. Spal is our dude.
Bashar

brad.. Shit!! I forgot about Menez! Toss Riise under a bus. Change that 4-4-2 to Menez on the left instead of Riise.
Bashar

If Spal goes then Rjikaard will be the logical option. Plus we can trade him for Ancelotti next year..
brad

bash- i want to see riise nowhere near the first team ever again, i was against the signing in the first place and i hate that i havent been proven wrong.

relegate roma (kj?)- i think the loyalists you mentioned havent been posting here much for quite a while now, a bit too much of immaturity going around this board imo
Bashar

My laptop stopped charging so I'm gonna have to live without it for 3 weeks.. I don't think my offsiding (new word) will be affected as I can access it during work and from the phone.
Christiano Ronaldo (manU)

Rosela Sensi comes here to post? Fester, what should be write for her?

Kstajk: I remember very well you said that. I hate you for it too.

George: quit being a cry-baby and just accept the fact that Napoli lost. There is no such thing as game fixing in the "world of football," in fact, in any sport. How is that for a contradiction, George?
Relegate Roma

http://bologna.theoffside.com/

the first relegation dogfight of the season! remember this one counts
Zack Della

Vucinic needs to become acquainted with the bench. We have no time for his bullshit right now. Put in Menez who is actually a threat to the other team.
UL

I am assuming you are probably KJ... the usual fuck off hat goes to you.
UL

I have been a loyalist for years and that will never change.
Relegate Roma

http://www.youtube.com/user/AS...
UL

http://www.romagiallorossa.com...
Relegate Roma

UL, thats the point..the so-called "loyalists" have been no where to find
UL

Must it always get so childish in here?

Makes it a real shame when you want to have a serious discussion regarding something you are very passionate about.
Andre

I still believe.
Relegate Roma

Quick...lets do a Roma Roll Call

Chris? MIA

Daniele? Shopping for a new man purse and capris to match

Lamagica? Oh yeah, NHL started, how convenient!!

Gio Libertino? jump ship to Barca, huh?

Pauly, Mustafa, Fester- well, your second team isnt doing to well, huh?

This message is approved by offside subscribers united in the fight to relegate Roma to where they belong, Serie B.
Bashar

Or a 5-3-2 actually would be very nice.

------------- Doni
------- Panucci, Mexes, Juan
Cicinho -------------------- Tonetto
----- Brighi De Rossi, Pizarro
--------- Vucinic, Baptista
Bashar

I want to see a 4-4-2.

Doni
Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto
Cicinho, De Rossi, Perrotta, Riise
Vucinic, Baptista
brad

-----------doni----------
panucci-mexes-juan-tonetto
----ddr-brighi-pizarro----
--------menez-totti------
-----------beast---------
that would be my line up versus chelski tomorrow, if totti's fit of course, if not drop beast back to attacking mid and throw vuci up top. vuci has to hit form sometime, and judging by the goal he scored for montenegro against italy, he still has the ability, i think he just needs to get a couple for us and it'll fall back into place.
Prade's Illegitimate Son

Ah ok zack just asking cause I also saw that at some other boards. Rijkaard not the right man anyway.
zack della

The Rijkaard thing isn't rumors, it's just a few of us saying that we would like Rijkaard.
george

the bad part is when we here totti wont play.

that will be a killer

but im afraid he wont play guys, romanews saying he still feels lots of pain.
ursus arctos

adam, to add to the intrigue, it's also very likely that Bologna will be managed by ex-Lazio "legend" Sinisa Mihajlovic by the time they play Roma.
Rosella Sensi

How dare you expect me to buy you some new players?! Shame on you! I don't have enough money to buy new clothes!!!
george

funny adam
adam

I cant wait till Roma plays Bologna next week, it should be a great relegation dog fight.