THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[maro]

Yes, Cassetti's been struggling with injury for a while. He wasn't expected to play against Sphincter.

[RomaShield27]

Oh I see, I didn't realise that. So Rosi at right-full? Presumably that whys Caprari is in the running to start, then, as we're a bit short of options on that side (and with Menez seemingly off the radar).

[maro]

The players will win or lose this game, thredddzo. It will be easy to be wise after the event, but the fact that it's so clear that it's not clear what Monty should do shows you that it will be a bit of a roll of the dice, whatever happens, and the result will be used to vindicate or castigate disproportionately.

[Lupa]

I see that things were rather lively here while I was away. Always nice to see a newcomer warmly welcomed.

What party in Catania, Shield? Catania is an unlovely place and an unlovely place to play. I recall Simone saying he hated going there because there was no control of who got onto the pitch after games. (I guess he won't have to worry about that, since he's suspended)

I hope these guys have the pride to finish out the season on a high note. I'm tired of seeing this team whimper when they should charge ahead.

[ASR1927]

[DavidP]

Catania (4-3-3): Andujar; Potenza, Silvestre, Spolli, Capuano; Biagianti, Carboni, Ledesma; Maxi Lopez, Bergessio, Gomez.

Roma (4-4-2): Doni; Cassetti, N. Burdisso, Juan, Riise; Greco, Simplicio, Taddei, Rosi; Totti, Borriello.

[RomaShield27]

Welcome back Lupa. lol Jeff what is that video you posted? The Catania players celebrating Genoa's winner over Samp? All I meant by party, Lupa, is that I read there's a big crowd expected today for Catania's last home game and so quite a hostile atmosphere can be expected, as always in this stadium. Like you said it can be quite intimidating bordering out dangerous with all the people around the pitch.

So its a 4-4-2 with Taddei and Rosi on the wings, much like we anticipated earlier in the week. Totti will have his work cut out for him today. Lets see how it works.

[ASR1927]

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

Well, no Champions League football for Roma, and who knows when the next time will be when we'll be back in the Champions League. Disappointing second-half. I knew it was gonna be tough and we'd been under the cosh for a bit but we offered nothing at the other end and couldn't hold on to the ball for any sustained period. It felt as if we were always gonna concede and it was inevitable that they were always gonna score and we were always gonna need a second to win. The boys worked hard but we were stretched to the limit and hit by a lot of injuries and unfit players (Juan, Pizza, Vooch), but in the end we just didn't have enough in us to win, and we didn't really deserve to, either. Looks like it could be the end of Montella's reign, too, which is disappointing for him.

At least Rubentus lost today as well so we don't have to look behind us. And Samp are in B (disappointed to see them go down), so they won't be fighting for their lives against us in the last game. Hopefully Udinese secure that 4th CL spot – a point may be enough for them against Milan, assuming they've a better head-to-head against Lazio (anyone know for certain?). Disappointing day all round. Think I'll hit the boozer.

[Italiamia]

They all suck. Making excuses for Vucinic again, Edzo. Not that I would place any blame for this one on him. His work rate was very good today. At least you did not mention his "dodgy ginocchio".

[DonSimon]

Basically we're a good few transfer windows short of being a proper team. The presence of Loria on the pitch amply demonstrates that - and don't we always lose whenever he scores? The worst thing about playing in the EL is that Italian teams, Roma included, don't seem to bother to play well because it's an "inferior" and "unimportant" competition (yet one that's caused Serie A to lose a CL slot) so I'm not expecting much from next season's adventures in Europe.

[DavidP]

[DavidP]

I say this is our dream team for next year (Barca style):



-Bring back Curci (2m) to be a backup for JSB
-Replace Riise with Ziegler (3m)
-Put Isla (9m) at RB
-Palombo (6m) as our vice-DDR/Buckets
-Pastore (32m) as our Iniesta
-Sanchez (28m) as our Pedro
-Bring back Bertolacci (free)

That totals to 80m. I think there will be enough muneeh, provided we get rid of Menez (15m), Brighi (4m), Cicinho (5m), Doni (3m), Loria (we pay 1m), Simplicio (2m) and Borriello (13m).

Of course, promote some Primavera youth in Viviano, Caprari, Cresczensi, etc.





Note: this is purely hypothetical and too good to be true. Plus, if I know what I was talking about I wouldn't be sitting here.

[DavidP]

The highlight of today's game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKuseqU58uw

[maro]

I suspect Pizza will be gone over the summer, Davit. I'm not sure that playing him and Totti together doesn't completely constrain the team-shape and tactics. Which isn't to say I don't love the way the little fella plays - having been perhaps his most loyal advocate over the years (though perhaps I share that title with Lupa). And he and Totti were, of course, absolutely essential to Spags's 4-2-3-1; I'm not sure Pizza can play with Totti in any other formation, though, and together they tend to leave the team a little bit short on pace and power through the middle of the pitch. If it's a 4-3-3, with DDR at the bottom of the midfield three, I suspect we will need a slightly more mobile 'regista' (Pastore might actually be a reasonable fit there, if he can be relied on to do his defensive duties), and then the third midfielder will need to be a box-to-box runner, rather than a technical player.

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

[DavidP]

[red]