THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[RomaShield27]

Jasus fecking christ, I woke up this morning expecting this deal to be done, but nothing is ever simple with Roma is it. If Destro really is looking for more money – we offered him €1.2m I think? – then he can sling his hook. Sure he's only a young fella who has proved nothing as of yet, he should be jumping at the chance of moving to a club like Roma with a new 'project' and a chance to work under a manager like Zeman who has specifically requested him. Preziosi is your stereotypical eccentric lunatic Italian club presidente, but in this particular case his words are bang on:


Genoa fury as Destro rejects Roma
/ Saturday July 21 2012

“I am nauseated. Either Mattia Destro signs for Roma or he can stay at Siena,” blasted Genoa President Enrico Preziosi after he failed to agree personal terms. Preziosi had stated on Friday that Destro should complete his move to the Olimpico “within 24 hours,” but reports emerged in the evening that the striker was struggling to reach a deal on wages. This would therefore allow Juventus, Inter or Milan back into the race to sign the Under-21 international.

“In my 22 years in football, the Destro affair is the silliest thing that has ever happened to me,” slammed President Preziosi on Sky Sport Italia. “Everyone is trying to look after their own interests, but that then creates problems. We are talking far too much about a lad who so far has scored only 10 Serie A goals, so Destro still needs to prove himself.

“Of course when someone sees his name in the papers every day then he tends to demand scandalous sums for a player his age. Competition raises the price-tag, but Destro doesn’t deserve this tug of war. The negotiations have hit the rocks and it looks very dark. It is a scandalous situation and if he doesn’t seal the deal then he will remain at Siena.

“Then there are clubs who play on wages and lads who prefer to follow an extra €200,000 rather than seek a team that suits them. I have to say these negotiations shocked me. I am nauseated and have never seen anything like it. There are players who think they have already arrived and create complications, while their agents believe they’ve found the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

The Destro move had been ready to go through when Genoa agreed to buy out Siena’s half of the contract for €7m, but the row over personal terms with Roma risks destroying the whole thing.

“I do not need to cash in on half of Destro,” continued Preziosi. “If by the end of Saturday the matter has not been resolved, then I give my word he will remain at Siena. Inter, Milan or Juve? Destro was promised to Roma and I keep my word. Mattia has the right to turn down Roma, but in that case he will stay with Siena on the €400,000 contract he has and not the millions Roma wanted to give him.”

[RomaShield27]

From @OfficialASRoma

Totti in Starbucks. I don't know whats funnier, Totti trying to ask for a simple caffè, or the locals beside him who've no idea who he is.

[stefano]

Hahaha. Totti in Chicago.

[Lupa]

Shouldn't you be out stalking him, Stefano? Are you lurking in the background of any Chicago shots?

About Destro, I'm alternately angry with Rubentus and the kid for this situation. Then I have some anger to spare for Roma for maybe letting this happen. Selling Borini to get Destro and now we may not even get him.

[Italiamia]

[Lupa]

To be honest, I wanted to say I wonder if this kid is more trouble than he's worth. Maybe he'll be worth it (and more), but I have a bad feeling about his attitude about this. He's still more promise than proven as far as I can tell.

Preziosi is hilarious at times, but I think is spot on in this case. (not sure what this means about me, that I'm in agreement!)

F*ck'em all. I'm reaching the end of my patience.

[RomaShield27]

So the Destro deal is back on. Well, he certainly hasn't endeared himself to the fans with all this rigmarole. Of course, there will always be negotiations and haggling when it comes to fees and wages, but like I've said previously we did offer him a decent deal (€1.2m) and a big opportunity in his career for a young player who hasn't accomplished anything yet, so its disappointing to see all these complications.

Here's a report from on Totti's message to Destro which Giovanni mentioned helped secure the move.

This evening we play our first friendly on the tour, 14:30 local time (21:30 CET) against Zaglebie Lubin of Poland (live on Sky Italia). Tachtsidis and Castan are expected to make their debuts. I wonder is Stefano going to the game?

of the press conference including Pannes, Baldini, Bradely and Totti yesterday.

[DCGweez]

Respect to Preziosi for being a man of his word but frankly I wish he hadnt. I lost my ideology a long time ago, I know it's all about the money but this kid clearly overstepped himself.

Give me a kid who is happy to be in Rome. Not one who views us a consolation/stepping stone. Even if tht kid has has less talent.

[RomaShield27]

You mean Caprari, right?

[RomaShield27]

New Roma mugshots on team profile page:

http://www.asroma.it/en/team/index.html

None of the new lads there yet. Perrotta and Okaka are, Simplicio too, but no Pizza. Thats a bit feckin harsh.

--------

Totti's clearly been slouching on the couch again all summer. Lookin in great shape:

[DCGweez]

Yes Caprari of course...

Pretty scary that our team only has 17 mugshots. Borriello not even on it.

[p_maldini_3]

what a fucking shame. if i didn't have an exam tomorrow, i'd be drinking coffee with totti.

[forzaitalia]

We beat that Polish team 4-0, Osvaldo, Tachtsidis, Lamela and Bojan scoring. I doubt they're that good of a team we were playing but it's always nice to get a few goals. Tachtsidis scoring on his debut too.

[stefano]

I should go to more Roma games. Worst season ever aside, we have great results together.

[Italiamia]

[RomaShield27]

[stefano]

The game was a bit of a joke. Fans chanting "Polska" and "Roma" at each other. Half empty ballpark. Surreal atmosphere in general. Roma was at least 12 times better than whoeverthefuck we played. Still, we were disorganized defensively in the first half. Stek was not pleased. Overall, really weird experience.

[RomaShield27]

The full match is now available for download in the .

That sounds a bit bizarre alright, Stef. It was a strange choice of opposition, I guess our next friendlies against smaller teams may fare better.

Alessandro Crescenzi going to Pescara on loan with an option to co-own:
http://www.forzaroma.info/calciomercato ... cara-75379

Reports that Ivan Piris is in Rome for his medical:
http://romanews.eu/it,a98397/Mercato-Ro ... Ivan-Piris

[AS Collie]

Chicago is full of people of Polish origin. My pal lives beside Wrigley and he only went for the Polish buzz.

[Lupa]

Saw this article on the offside.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-2 ... rhaul.html

I`m not sure this is really Moneyball; it wasn`t just about saving money, but was also about using certain statistics as the way to choose players.