THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[DavidP]

can't fault the boys too much today, they've earned the vacation time. it was always going to be tough in sicily without radja, benatia and castan anyway. that said it was pjanic's worst game in the roma shirt. i hope the rest show up next weekend.

[DavidP]

if they want miralem . . .

[forzaitalia]

Pjanic new contract signed!

[maro]

Anyone want to revise their takes on Prandelli's being a smug, self-serving hypocritical asshole?
http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/05/12/pr ... nto/340080
http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/05/12/na ... ale/340077
http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/05/12/ro ... -tv/340066

[juventino_italiano]

Let's take things seriously for a second....

[Bagg10]

Some unbiased sources you got there, Tom.

[Italiamia]

Listen, I don't wish to have Chiellini suspended from la nazionale. I think he deserves league punishment but that's it. I don't rate him highly but if he can help us win then fine. It's about winning from where I sit.

[juventino_italiano]

[p_maldini_3]

that's what prandelli is thinking.

still is hypocritical on his part.

[DCGweez]

I think everyone feels as Gio does. (Who cares about the NT anyway) Just rather Prandelli stay off his high horse about it from now on.

I'd have far more respect for him had he just said that he'll make an exception. I'm sure he'd have done the same for De Rossi.

[juventino_italiano]

[RomaShield27]

Its very hypocritical of Prandelli. Saying Chiellini's elbow was not a "violent act" is just a farce. Both Prandelli and Chiellini can talk as much about it as they want and claim it was just a bit of jostling for position and rough and tumble but there's no excuse for raising his elbow like he did. To be clear, it wasn't an accident, and if swinging your elbow into someones head isn't a violent act then I don't know what is.

The problem isn't Chiellini's elbow (or the numerous other dirty incidents involving him this season) – he's a dirty tough no-nonsense defender, so we've come to expect it from him – its the reasoning behind Prandelli's code of ethics, and it just goes to show what a joke it is.

Its also put a bad taste in the mouth in terms of supporting the Azzurri at the World Cup. I've always cheered for them (when Ireland aren't playing obviously) but with this whole debacle and the way in which Prandelli has gone about this I don't know anymore. It reminds me of what De Rossi said in that interview with the French magazine a few months back. For him, as a child, he didn't support the Azzurri, there was no Azzurri. There was only Roma. Prandelli is making that easier to agree with.

Now lets just wait till he leaves out Destro.

[RomaShield27]

Could anyone explain this to me? What was the story with this?

http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/05/13/co ... ire/340189
http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/05/13/ro ... ata/340151

[RomaShield27]

Guess no one has any input.^^^

Another elbow by Chiellini, this was on Destro, missed by the officials. Can't really see it too clearly to see if it was an elbow but looks nasty enough.

VIDEO: http://www.blitzquotidiano.it/blitztv/c ... o-1862590/

[juventino_italiano]

Doesn't look like an elbow, but still a completely unnecessary AND STUPID challenge...

This worries me for the World Cup.
England seems to have designed their team based on athleticism, stamina and speed to deal with the climate, I can see a speed winger beating Chiellini in a race and Chiellini commiting a terrible challenge or just mistiming his challenge and getting sent off....that would compromise one game and weaken the defence for the next. He's a Materazzi 2.0, let's hope he has the world cup materazzi did in '06.

Sorry this probably should be in the Italy thread....

[p_maldini_3]

look, chiellini is not the most agile defender, but materazzi was in a league of his own. nobody beats materazzi.

[Italiamia]

Roma is prepared to sell Benatia for 30 million. According to the stinking media, there is a long line of potential suitors. Oh, and Shinpin, looks like Spalletti or Donadoni will be leading Milan.

[DavidP]

hey collie, was it you who uploaded the new totti special here some time ago? i didn't bring it over from my old laptop and was looking for it here today without any luck.

[DCGweez]

I think we're likely to lose Strootman and as such, less likely to lose Benatia. Although much depends on Benatia i suppose. I don't see what getting 60m does for this team honestly? It's not as if we can spend all that money on a "big" player willing to come to Rome and the chances of us replacing Benatia and Strootman with players who fit so well is unlikely.

Particularly in the case of Benatia who's familiar with our league and speak the language. I hear their is some 20 year old kid at PSG. Perhaps he's available.

[DavidP]

i don't think we're in a position to refuse a stupid offer for anyone. that was the case last year and i don't think it has changed despite making CL. after the injury it's hard to see us refusing 35m for stroot, though the chances of anyone taking that kind of a gamble are much lower. van gaal is a crazy mf'er though so don't expect the rumours to go away until august 31st. for benatia a 'stupid offer' is much higher. how many central defenders like him are around right now?