THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[RomaShield27]

[forzaitalia]

I see Montella/Catania have cancelled all press conferences before their match with Udinese, no doubt because of his possible (likely?) move to us.

[maro]

Let's not get too carried away with this "new philosophy" and "new kind of football" that LE introduced to the backward Serie A - Cunty's just won a scudetto with a workmanlike Rube side who play 'possesso paella' and Ancelotti's teams used to bore gio to tears doing the same. The myth of LE's novita', as I think Zeman observed after about six weeks, has always been just that - a myth.

[DCGweez]

I think the new philosophy had a much broader scope than tactics on the pitch. If I hope this "new" Roma do anything, it is break away from the reactionary approach to everything. I think that's why after losses is when Baldini was most supportive of Lucho.

I'd rather have even another season like this if it moves us towards a stable, long term approach. Not just as a football team but as a football club. I think, at least I hope that everyone realizes that it is Baldini that is the key, not the Mister.

The picture of the tatted up Ultra pointing his finger at Totti is one I hope that is destroyed under Baldini's watch. If that alone is accomplished I'll be happy.

[DCGweez]

Just listened to LE's press conference. I must confess. It's left me quite annoyed, he blames the media and their false portrayal of him

My response to anyone that has ever said this has always been simple, "don't read the paper". Problem solved.

[DavidP]

nostalgia hit today, and i was looking through posts from the ending of the 2009-10 season to amplify the feeling. what a beautiful, roma season that was. i can't imagine that any scudetto that we are to win in the coming years could match that one, had we won it.

[romawi]

[romawi]

Has Baldini in any way denied the Montella rumors? I have to say that I'm not liking the way the club is handling the situation. Catania's president is saying that Montella will be their coach next season, but the media has already placed him as the Roma coach for next season. Montella has a year left on his contract and if there really hasn't been any contact with him, then I would like to see the club publicly state that. If there is actual interest, then club should have said something (e.g. Yes, there is some interest but we're waiting until the season is over to move forward). Either way some official clarification should have been made by now.

[romawi]

Saturday May 12 2012

Montella-Roma deal 'unethical'
By Football Italia staff

While Vincenzo Montella cancelled a press conference today, Catania President Antonino Pulvirenti insists talk of a deal with Roma is “deeply unethical.”

The Coach is widely believed to be making his comeback on the Giallorossi bench after Luis Enrique confirmed he’s walking away at the end of the season.

However, the fact media and even some Catania players are discussing this as if it is a done deal has infuriated President Pulvirenti.

“We are tied to Montella by a two-year contract and losing him would cause incalculable damage. I am really annoyed by this whole affair,” the patron told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I won’t even take this possibility into consideration. It is not even up for debate. Montella will stay with us next season.

“The campaign isn’t over yet and we still have an important match with Udinese, yet some are already trying to force our hand. This sort of behaviour is terrible and above all deeply unethical.

“Catania are not a land to be conquered. Some people need to get this into their heads.”

Meanwhile, Montella has fuelled speculation by scrapping today’s planned press conference ahead of Sunday’s final game against Udinese.

[RomaShield27]

Luis Enrique: Thank You For Everything, Forza Roma!
/12 May 2012 Anthony Wright

Luis Enrique gave his farewell press conference on Saturday morning as the Giallorossi prepare to end a disappointing season with Sunday's final game at Cesena. The coach told of his pride at having coached Roma this year and admitted that while he gave his all to the job, he felt it was a bad campaign for him and could not carry on next year due to the fatigue he had suffered over the course of the season.

Full transcript of Luis Enrique's press conference

I start with a small criticism, but today is the last day and I don't want to get angry. Two days ago I had a meeting with the team, with the staff, to say what I thought, what I felt. It was something beautiful, I said goodbye to the players from my heart. The criticism is what came out afterwards in the press, what I heard had been said. What [was reported that] I said to the players is a lie, almost all of it. This is a great place, but it is a place where we need a bit more help. And I say this for whoever comes after me.

For me it was a wonderful pleasure to be coach of this team, I never regretted coming here. My family was happy to be here. It was me who had to convince them to leave, they were convinced that I would stay. I have had the respect of every fan on the street. I am leaving because I'm very tired, I have given 100% in this season. I know that the summer will not be enough for me to recover and so I cannot pass this on to the team.

Next year I will definitely not be coaching. I'm very passionate; it was an adventure, one you called a project, a word which we are tired of. For me it was a fantastic adventure, but I have used all of my energy. The results are what counts, but for me it was a very bad season. For me, this squad have improved a great deal - not for the results but for the commitment they showed I have always thanked them and I thank them again today on my last day in public.

They threw themselves into my vision. Certainly some fans have not understood what I did, but I think about being honest with myself first, then with the club, the players and the fans. I said right from the start that if I could not be of help to the team then I would leave.

This support, which behaved in the most faithful manner, is important for the team and the club. I am proud that we marched together, I hope for a path full of success and I hope [that Roma] become a true team. I have no reproaches to make against anyone. If I have made some mistakes, I apologise, but I continue to be convinced that in Italy it is possible to play good football. I continue to prefer attacking football, even if you prefer that I should improve the defensive phases. But it was wonderful, [I am] very proud to be the coach of Roma. Thank you for everything.

What mistakes do you think you have made?

Many errors, many. I tried to improve the team in the best way in every game, but they have their own personalities and they must interpret movements, how one play can become entirely different. I tried to make their work easier. There are many things to improve. They are so competitive that every defeat was a huge disappointment. I want to win every game, and it's right to judge a coach on results. The results are there, and next year I will have done what I have done. I remain convinced in a certain way of playing football.

In this broken dream, did the fear of going the whole way influence you? How was your relationship with Francesco Totti?

Yesterday I made a joke with those who gave me the Tapiro d'Oro. I spoke so much about Francesco who I am enamoured with that my wife is jealous. He has been very special, from the start I have had a great feeling with him. At the start of a training session after I had left him out of the team I told him that I had absolutely no problem with him. Indeed, it's been a pleasure to be with Francesco, he is a champion. I will stay here for another three or four months to get to know the city, I have no fear. I always saw the support was loyal, many times they did not like what they saw but my problem was only with tiredness. I don't think I will recover my strength this summer. For me this job is a passion, maybe I must think in a different way but I was made like this, I would prefer to have one intense year than three slow ones.

In Spain a Portuguese won the league, in England an Italian is winning it. Here in Italy there were, at the start, two foreign coaches. What differences are there?

We were two foreign coaches, though even [Sinisa] Mihajlovic is almost Italian. It isn't that Italian football is different. Italian coaches are neither better nor worse than others. It has not been as difficult as you would see it. It has been a tough season, but there are Italian teams like Juventus, Milan, Udinese who have played well. And I have been treated in an incredible way by my colleagues, who have been very kind. They have given me compliments whether they have beaten me or whether they lost. It was a pleasure at Coverciano. Yesterday I went back home with the Tapiro and my children asked me what it was, and I replied that it was a prize for the best coach in Serie A.

Did the atmosphere in Rome create additional difficulties?

No, I'm here, I tried to do my job. I know that this profession is judged by everyone and it must be like that because I represent a great club, a great city. I have no criticisms to make. It has always been an honour to coach this team. For me it is not a resignation, it is the right time to leave so that the club can prepare itself in the best way possible for next year. Now everything can start again - it is not a year that has gone to the wind, as the team have improved this year. The squad is stronger and more responsible. I have made the first steps and another person will continue my work and will have the strength that I did not.

At Roma you did not lack anything, you had absolute support. The criticisms were not exaggerated. In such a place, how can you step back? And you had also said that you were not sure of your decision...

Before being a coach I am a person, as are the players. I'm sorry that it disappoints you. Now they're angry that I'm leaving...

If you had reached your objective of European football would you still have gone?

Every defeat hurts, both the club, the fans and me. If we had finished third I don't know. But this is the reality, and this is my decision.

What advice would you give to Vincenzo Montella or to whoever comes after so that they don't tire themselves out too much?

I don't think I have to give advice, the club will certainly pick the right coach. I only ask for patience with them and a bit of peace so that they can do what they can do, which will not be within the first 10 games

Why did your idea of football stop at Bologna-Roma? Do you think you've failed on a technical level?

Bologna-Roma was a good game, but we were at something other than a high level. It's possible to play good football. When one gives 100% they are not a failure, I'll never say otherwise. It has been a strange season, difficult without a doubt.

You are the only one to pay for this season...

I don't see it like this. I'm not angry and I don't need to pay. It isn't necessary to look for blame, instead Roma must improve and give many satisfactions in the near future.

What legacy do you leave Roma? Do you think you have left a mark?

I have never thought about leaving a mark, I try to do my job, then if someone picks up something off me then fantastic. I don't know who the next coach will be, but he will have his own ideas and if he can help Roma that will be brilliant. I'm not worried if I'm talked about, I would like the next coach to be given the same support that I was given.

Is Italy a closed chapter from a football perspective?

No, I like Italy a lot. I won't be Italianised in football terms, but I like Italy, Roma very much so. Can my football be a winning one here? I'm sure that it could be, but I have no hard feelings. Will I try it again? Who knows, it's better to recover a bit first. Thanks for everything. Forza Roma!

------------

Full audio of it here: http://soundcloud.com/vgit/luis-enrique-12-05

[RomaShield27]

[DavidP]

[Lupa]

[romawi]

[p_maldini_3]

first the posseso paella, then a year off? this guardiola-wannabe-ism from enrique is ridiculous.

[Italiamia]

If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen:


http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/12052012/ ... tanco.html

[RomaShield27]

Cesena-Roma, le FORMAZIONI dei quotidiani: chi accanto a Totti e Osvaldo?
/ (Redazione Forzaroma.info) - Cesena, ore 18:00, ultimo atto della Roma targata Luis Enrique.

Il tecnico asturiano vuole salutare l’avventura nella Capitale con una vittoria, i bianconeri retrocessi non sembrano l’ostacolo più duro da superare e la squadra giallorossa è obbligata a difendere un settimo posto prezioso in prospettiva Calcioscommesse. Come al solito Francesco Totti guiderà la truppa con l’obiettivo di segnare quei due gol che gli permetterebbero di sorpassare Josè Altafini e mirare a Giuseppe Meazza nella classifica dei cannonieri italiani di sempre. L’unico dubbio nelle formazioni dei quotidiani è chi completerà l’attacco: detto del numero dieci, l’altro sicuro è Pablo Osvaldo, alla ricerca di conferme in chiave Europeo, mentre la terza maglia sarà assegnata ad uno tra Fabio Borini (che appare favorito) Erik Lamela e Bojan Krkic. Per il resto lo schieramento è quello annunciato in settimana, con Marquinho di nuovo in difesa (Taddei è squalificato), il rientro dell’ex acciaccato Kjaer e Lobont a difendere la porta.

LA GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT
Lobont, Rosi, Kjaer, Heinze, Marquinho, Gago, De Rossi, Pjanic, Totti, Osvaldo, Borini

Panchina: Curci, Cassetti, Josè Angel, Greco, Perrotta, Lamela, Bojan

IL MESSAGGERO
Lobont, Rosi, Kjaer, Heinze, Marquinho, Gago, De Rossi, Pjanic, Totti, Osvaldo, Bojan

Panchina: Curci, Cassetti, Josè Angel, Greco, Perrotta, Lamela, Borini

IL ROMANISTA
Lobont, Rosi, Kjaer, Heinze, Marquinho, Gago, De Rossi, Pjanic, Totti, Osvaldo, Lamela

Panchina: Curci, Cassetti, Josè Angel, Greco, Perrotta, Bojan, Borini

IL TEMPO
Lobont, Rosi, Kjaer, Heinze, Marquinho, Gago, De Rossi, Pjanic, Totti, Osvaldo, Borini

Panchina: Curci, Cassetti, Josè Angel, Greco, Perrotta, Lamela, Bojan

CORRIERE DELLO SPORT
Lobont, Rosi, Kjaer, Heinze, Marquinho, Gago, De Rossi, Pjanic, Totti, Osvaldo, Bojan

Panchina: Curci, Cassetti, Josè Angel, Greco, Perrotta, Lamela, Borini

[DavidP]

[RomaShield27]

Vote for Florenzi for the best young player in Serie B this season. So far Insigne just ahead of him:

http://sport.sky.it/sport/speciali_spor ... _2012.html

[RomaShield27]

@OfficialASRoma

CESENA-ROMA Roma (4-3-3): Lobont; Rosi, Kjaer, Heinze, José Angel; Pjanic, De Rossi, Marquinho; Lamela, Totti, Bojan

A disposizione | Substitutes: Curci, Cassetti, Perrotta, Gago, Greco, Osvaldo, Borini