THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[RomaShield27]

[edge_xeno]

[romawi]

Is Mexes out with a concussion? Or is it something else? Anyways those injuries have been hurting us lately, but we do play against Kiev, the team who has yet to win a game in our group.

[RomaShield27]

Well lads, have we seen it? Have we seen it...? Thats right, Ireland have been drawn in Group 8 for qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Yep, Group 8. We all know what that means. Yes indeed, we all know what means... We will be against one of the greats, one of the best, one of the most feared, one of the true powerhouses in world football. Ireland against The LitM Mirko Vucinic... and Montenegro. Oh Italy are in our group too.

Group 8: Republic of Ireland, Mirko Vucinic, Cyprus, Georgia, Bulgaria, Italy.

[marco]

[marco]

[RomaShield27]

Indeed sad about Prandelli. I wonder if this means he'll be quiting Fiorentina?

The bad weather will be difficult for us alright. If it is snowin badly it will effect our style of play and could turn into a bit of a battle. Having seen Kiev though against United we should honestly come away with the three points comfortably enough. Regardless, if Sporting loss in Wankchester we will be through on count of our better head-to-head with them. All we have to do is match their result. But we shouldn't be looking elsewhere and especially at United to help us through, we need to go out focussed and look to secure our own passage through and win.

Players called:
ANTUNES Gabriel
BARUSSO Ahmed
BRIGHI Matteo
CASSETTI Marco
CURCI Gianluca
CICINHO
DE ROSSI Daniele
ESPOSITO Mauro
FERRARI Matteo
GIULY Ludovic
JUAN
MANCINI Alessandro
MARANGON Alexander
PANUCCI Christian
PIT Adrian
PIZARRO David
TADDEI Rodrigo
TONETTO Max
VUCINIC Mirko
ZOTTI Carlo

Won't get to see the game though, am going to the Kings of Leon gig tomorrow night...

[g.smiley]

[RomaShield27]

Ha yeah right Smilier. Even of that happened it won't effect us as we're planning on getting well tanked before hand, plus one of the lads knows someone who knows someone who's doing security at the main entrance so we're planning on sneaking a few cans in too...





There can be few harder jobs in football than filling the boots of Francesco Totti, but it is a role that AS Roma forward Mirko Vu?ini? is taking in his stride.

Totti quality
Since the Roma talisman hobbled out of his side's UEFA Champions League tie against Sporting Clube de Portugal on 23 October, Vu?ini? has come into his own. He scored the winner in that match, then followed up with the only goal of a game at AC Milan five days later. Another strike, in a 3-2 derby triumph over S.S. Lazio on 31 October, completed a superb period for the 24-year-old. "Of course it isn't easy to replace a player like Totti, in fact it's very difficult," Vu?ini? said. "But I don't want to talk about his qualities, as everyone is aware of them. I play for a team and I try to produce my best football whatever the situation."

Ibrahimovi? comparisons
Vu?ini? had six years with US Lecce before joining Roma, initially on loan, last season, so much of his career has been spent in the shadow of Serie A's leading lights. That has suddenly changed, though, with the Italian media now drawing parallels between him and FC Internazionale Milano striker Zlatan Ibrahimovi?, the leading scorer in this term's UEFA Champions League. Montenegrin international Vu?ini? is unmoved by the praise. "Of course such comparisons are flattering because Ibrahimovi? is an outstanding player and I try to imitate him in some ways. But I haven't changed. I'm still the same and I have to thank my coach and my team for supporting me during the hard times."

'Nothing to lose'
Roma's opponents on Tuesday, FC Dynamo Kyiv, are yet to pick up a point in Group F and have a goal difference of minus nine. Vu?ini?, however, does not believe their lowly status will make the visitors' task any easier as second-placed Roma target the victory that would make sure of their berth in the knockout stage. "This is the Champions League so I don't think it would be right to talk about weak or strong teams," he said. "Dynamo were unlucky to drop three points against Sporting. Dynamo's biggest strength is the fact they have nothing to lose, while we have come here to secure progress to the next round."

'Great players'
The Giallorossi beat Dynamo 2-0 when the sides met on 19 September in Rome. Simone Perrotta and Totti got the goals on that occasion, but both will miss the Matchday 5 return through injury. With Vu?ini? firing on all cylinders, their absence may not be so sorely felt. "They're both great players but we have a long bench and we will try to find some decent replacements," Vu?ini? said.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

[maro]

That's actually quite a good translation for once, presumably because it's from UEFA rather than Channel4 or one of the other muppets. Up to my ears in work at the moment, though have carved out a little two-hour slot this evening to put the feet up and enjoy a glass of wine while watching the giallorossi do their stuff - a kind of sophisticated, classy, antipodean version of whatever it is that Shield will by doing. It must be three weeks since I last saw the boys play and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms.

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

[g.smiley]

[SPqR]

[g.smiley]

Im not gonna watch this game. It's not worth ordering from UEFA.com, and my footie channels cant oblige me. I doubt ill be missing much anyhow.

[romawi]

Whats up with the green?

[romawi]

1 nil. goal for vuci and really good start to the game...

[Italiamia]

Jesus, I take a little time off only to come back and get blinded by Irish green everywhere. And, Roma is ahead 1-0 in only the third minute. Panucci on fire right now.

[g.smiley]

[g.smiley]