Sampdoria at the Olimpico: Part Deux.

By: chris | January 13th, 2009

Roma v Samp II

The important part: the game will not start anew, but the lineups may. Wonderful, because I don’t think Spal had enough subs. I wish the game had began anew, what happened in October can’t conceivably be called football, more like shallow water polo or something of the sorts, but whatever. So 84 minutes and 40 seconds of soul tickling calcio.

Lady luck’s deep hatred for all things giallorosso seems to have tempered in recent times, a thankful development after the first third of the season. Unfortunately we’ve reverted back to October time for this game and lady luck is mighty pissed once again (it’s a female thing). Mirko was suspended for the game which meant Francesco saddled up; now Francesco is injured, Mirko’s still suspended and the team is desperately in need of a striker with one, maybe two working knees. Enter a maybe-kinda-sorta-not really Jeremy Menez to complement the bumblin’-stumblin’ Julio Baptista. Oh, and Doni’s out. Plus the originally suspended Philippe Mexes who will be partnering Super Mirko in the stands.

Of course, the team/bench will be featuring a freshly knocked Alberto Aquilani (hamstrung) and a freshly fresh David Pizarro (fresh), who have about six seconds of match fit game time between them since the beginning of time. Or November 4th, which is both when Roma arose from its slumber and when eternity began anew – because the world runs on Roman cycles, dontchaknow. So that’s Totti, Doni, Mexes, Vucinic, Tonetto, Okaka all out while Menez, Aquilani and Cassetti will all be sporting at least one crutch as they make their way to the pitch in the early evening.

Yes, this can only go well.

The original preview. My how things have changed.

Last Five

Roma: WWWLD
Sampdoria: LLWLD

As bad as Roma were earlier in the year, Sampdoria have been equally as bad the entire campaign. They picked up slightly against the fish-in-a-barrel types in the last two months (Torino, Reggina, Lecce & Bologna), but still have yet to beat anyone of real note. They’ve drawn with Inter, Juve and Udinese, and yet can’t get those three points. Despite the disappointment of a dropped two points against Milan, I’d say this puts Roma in the drivers seat for the three points. And let’s call a spade a spade here: they need these three points. No ifs, ands or butts about it.

Squads

Roma:

AQUILANI
ARTUR
BAPTISTA
BERTAGNOLI
BRIGHI
CASSETTI
CICINHO
DE ROSSI
FILIPE
GRECO
JUAN
LORIA
MENEZ
MONTELLA
PANUCCI
PERROTTA
PIPOLO
PIZARRO
RIISE
TADDEI
VIRGA

I was shocked to see “21″ in the little preamble on the official website only to realize the “21″ feature Virga, Greco, Felipe and Pietro “The Chosen One” Pipolo. And at least one will be on the pine. Again: this can only go well.

Sampdoria:

Portieri: Castellazzi, Mirante.
Difensori: Accardi, Gastaldello, Lucchini, Raggi, Campanella.
Centrocampisti: Delvecchio, Dessena, Franceschini, Padalino, Palombo, Pieri, Sammarco, Stankevicius, Ziegler.
Attaccanti: Bellucci, Bonazzoli, Cassano, Fornaroli.

Campagnaro is out for Samp, but other than that are looking pretty stacked.

Projected XI

Artur
Cicinho, Juan, Panucci, Riise
Taddei, DDR, Brighi
Pizarro, Perrotta
Baptista

Hardly ideal, but at least they’re all running on full tanks. The same can’t be said for the best options off the bench, however.

Key Matchups

From the original preview:

Roma v Cassano: This one’s pretty self-explanatory, particularly for those who’ve been a fan for more than two years.

Sampdoria v Cassano: This one’s also self-explanatory, as an emotionally charged Cassano can be extraordinarily volatile and destructive. Normally TGIP’s boys going a man up is less than favorable, but exceptions can be made, particularly if it’s Talentino.

Roma v Roma: Any Cassano effects aside, this is the only matchup worth talking about until they can find their feet. A battle within themselves.

Roma v Cassano: Ditto.

Sampdoria v Cassano: Ditto.

Roma v Roma: They may have found their feet, but their greatest nemesis is always the one within. Ditto.

Predictions

Game: 2-1 Roma.
Goals: Brighi (39), Taddei (51), Cassano (70).
MOTM: Brighi.
Cassano Red: 70.

When: 2030 CET, 1430 EST.
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome.
Forecast: 11°C, and in a cruel blow: rain.

Streaming: Here.
Liveblog: Possible.