THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[romawi]

[DCGweez]

Supposedly leaked photos. Who knows if legit. Look it, but who knows these days.

[RomaShield27]

Apparently they are fake, as link below says, but there seems to some confusion over them. Could well be leaked like DCG said. The red tracksuit top is quite nice (except for the new crest, of course)

http://www.forzaroma.info/2013/12/07/ec ... oto/291226

[RomaShield27]

Convocati: Benatia, Borriello, Bradley, Burdisso, Castan, De Rossi, De Sanctis, Destro, Dodo, Florenzi, Gervinho, Jedvaj, Ljajic, Maicon, Marquinho, Pjanic, Ricci, Romagnoli, Skorupski, Strootman, Taddei, Torosidis, Totti



Fiorentina’s Montella: "De Rossi? There was never a chance he would arrive”
/ Articolo pubblicato sabato 7 dicembre 2013 alle 16:23

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella spoke in a press conference, this is how he introduced the match against Roma. Considering he won a scudetto with the giallorossi this will never be a match like the others:”Roma is a complete squad, they have many options, they physical, they have veteran players who can slow down the match and counter attack. They know how to wait and are patient, maybe more than we do. Tomorrow will be a difficult match for us, Roma is an opponent that I respect very much. They also fear us, so they will face us by giving 101%. There will be a lot of action”

He then spoke of De Rossi:”Unfortenately there never was a chance he would come here. Totti? Based on what he told me it wouldn’t surprise me if he started” He closed by discussing the possibility Batistuta would join the club:”He will always have the doors open as far as I’m concerned and with the club. It’s not up to me have him join the club. I believe we can find a place for him at club”

----------

PROSSIMA PARTITA: Roma-Fiorentina (Stadio Olimpico, 8 dicembre 2013, ore 12:30)
SQUALIFICATI: -
DIFFIDATI: De Rossi, Florenzi, Maicon, Pjanic, Strootman, Ljajic
INDISPONIBILI:
IN DUBBIO: Balzaretti, Totti,
PROBABILE FORMAZIONE (4-3-3): De Sanctis; Maicon, Benatia, Castan, Dodò; De Rossi, Strootman, Pjanic; Gervinho, Ljajic, Florenzi
BALLOTTAGGI: Ljajic-Borriello

[DCGweez]

The worst game of the season for Pjanic. Capped off by a red that will see him miss Milan.

Hopefully Totti is back.

Still I think today was huge on so many levels. One to let Juve know that it won't be a cakewalk (Not yet anyway) 2. To capitalize on Napoli's stumble and send us 10 points clear of 4 and 5.

[juventino_italiano]

[DCGweez]

You guys sub leasing refs now? You don't know the rates do ya?

[RomaShield27]

Great performance and a great win. It was a very good game and to win a game in this manner is perhaps just what the team needed to get back on top form again. Totti sitting on the bench and almost ready to go really helps too. Fiorentina were impressive and played good possession football as expected, sometimes we allowed them too much time on the ball, but credit to the team for stepping it up a gear again in the second-half and getting the winner, and for holding out to the end.

Brilliant for Destro, too, just brilliant. Welcome back Mattia.

Its ok if Pjanic misses Milan, sure its a handy one, and he could do with a rest anyway. Bradley can fill in well. Pjanic does annoy me sometimes, though, with his attitude and temper, he needs to control himself a bit more and be smarter when dealing with the ref.

How good was Benatia in defence today, a rock. Castan's challenge on Rossi at the end, too, was the stuff of dreams for a defender.

[maro]

Missing Pjanic is catastrophic for this team's pattern of play. The only thing that would mitigate the loss of Pjanic would be Totti being fully fit and ready to go. Perhaps Bilan are bad enough for us to get away with it.

[RomaShield27]

[DCGweez]

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/12/09/ ... the-wings/

It was good of Maicon to tell Dodo which goal we're defending.

[RomaShield27]

http://www.asroma.it/en/news/_as_roma_a ... w_stadium/

More waffle on new stadio. They met with the mayor to "present evolving plans for the new 52,000-seat stadium to solicit input and feedback."

The new stadio was originally said to be ready for 2016/2017 season – although that timeframe was given a while ago, I believe, and I don't think an updated timeframe was given recently (presumably as they realised just how difficult building a stadio/facility in Rome can be). What do we think, is 2016/2017 still realistic? Or more like 2020? Or 2030?

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

Nice piece on Totti:

http://www.thesefootballtimes.net/#!the ... -man/c126o

Also Destro in IBWM 100:

http://inbedwithmaradona.com/100-2013-r ... tia-destro

[maro]

Who was Maicon going to celebrate his goal with, do you think? One report said Totti, but I'm not so sure. Marquinho got the first hug, didn't he? I hope it was Marquinho - an expression of support for a fellow Brazilian after the various reports during the week linking him with a move to Sphincter. I'm not sure Marquinho can contribute much to this side with the way it now plays, but he's never seemed anything other than a committed professional and loyal team-man. We haven't always had a squad full of those types.

[DCGweez]

I believe Marquinho's shots from 50 yards every 5 minutes are an act of protest, no different than those Olympians who help up their fists some 50 years ago.

[Italiamia]

Why are you here, Edzo? I thought you would be in South Africa for Mandela's funeral so you can finally meet some black folks.

[RomaShield27]

Why would I need to go all the way to South Africa for that, Johnny? I'll be heading over to Rome soon enough, sure aren't there plenty of black folk over there I can meet?

[RomaShield27]

Federico Ricci may have made his debut for Roma last week, but his twin, Matteo Ricci, is also impressing at Grossetto, with comparisons to Pirlo.

Roma, Olivieri su M.Ricci: “E’ la fotocopia di Pirlo”
/ martedì 10 dicembre 2013 14:07

Attilio Olivieri, collaboratore di Bruno Conti per circa trent’anni, ha alle spalle una lunghissima esperienza da osservatore durante la quale ha scoperto molti talenti che poi si sono consacrati al calcio che conta. Uno di questi è senz’altro Matteo Ricci (19), centrocampista ora in prestito al Grosseto, pescato da Olivieri insieme al gemello Federico nel Morena nell’ormai lontano 2004. “Bruno Conti era in vacanza per le feste natalizie dal figlio Daniele in Sardegna, era il dicembre del 2004 e andai a vedere dei ragazzi della Morena – racconta in esclusiva a Footballscout24- la scuola calcio del papà di Roberto Muzzi, che allora militava nella Lazio. Matteo era già eccezionale, faceva giocate alla The Waterboy. Restai molto colpito, non era molto alto, ma intravedevo margini di sviluppo anche fisico. Un ‘cervello assoluto’ in mezzo al campo, il fratello gemello Federico giocava da esterno, rapido, si vedeva che era un bel prospetto anche lui, ma Matteo era più avanti. Chiamai subito Bruno per questi due gemellini, ma prima, senza farmi riconoscere, mi avvicinai ai genitori che erano a bordo campo e feci una battuta: ‘Starebbero proprio bene alla Roma’, la risposta del papà fu chiarissima: ‘Magari! Siamo tutti romanisti’. Questa breve conversazione fu uno stimolo in più, la trattativa fu condotta da Bruno con grande discrezione, temevamo finissero alla Lazio visto che Roberto si stava mettendo in mostra proprio con la maglia biancoceleste. Bruno e lo staff hanno gestito benissimo la situazione, visto che Matteo fu titolare da subito, mentre Federico fece più fatica nei primi 2-3 anni, ma grazie anche ai genitori il ragazzo ha saputo aspettare la sua occasione, sono felice per il suo esordio in prima squadra”.

Olivieri commenta i primi passi di Matteo Ricci con il Grosseto in Lega Pro: “E’ stato fortunato, ha fatto un buon esordio in Lega Pro. Io personalmente l’avrei tenuto qualche mese ancora in Primavera, l’avrei dato in prestito a gennaio 2014. Comunque è andata bene così, l’allenatore lo stima e sul campo questo si vede, gioca spesso, nonostante la formazione fisica non sia stata ancora completata. Da’ la palla per un motivo, i suoi passaggi non sono mai casuali, siamo davanti ad un prospetto da Nazionale. Differenze con Viviani? Giocano più o meno nello stesso ruolo ma Matteo è più raffinato, ha più stile. Deve solo terminare la sua crescita fisico-atletica, i suoi trascorsi da trequartista sono evidenti. Mi preme dire che il calcio italiano deve lavorare per formare giocatori di questo tipo, ragazzi alla Pirlo. Bisogna dare spazio e tutelare giocatori che hanno queste qualità per il bene del nostro calcio. Purtroppo adesso gli osservatori puntano solo quelli corrono, poco tempo fa prendevano solo quelli dal fisico piazzato. Per me è tutto sbagliato!”

L’ultimo commento è su Daniele Conti, consacratosi ormai da anni nel Cagliari: “Ricordo quando da ragazzino giocava con il numero di maglia di Falcao: ha avuto troppo poco dalla Roma, meritava di più. Ha trovato pero’ una grande terra in cui ha espresso tutta la sua personalità”.

[RomaShield27]

/ Wednesday, 11 December 2013 12:17 Anthony Wright

30 years ago today, Carlo Ancelotti suffered his second serious knee injury that would keep him out of Roma's European Cup final against Liverfekkin'wankscum. Il Romanista journalist and club historian Massimo Izzi looks back at the injury and what it would mean for the Giallorossi.

This article was originally written by Massimo Izzi for Il Romanista - this is a translation.

On 11 December 1983, 30 years ago today (my word...), Roma fans found the worst possible news when they opened the morning papers. "Roma player Carlo Ancelotti had an operation at Villa Bianca yesterday from Professor Lamberto Perugia. The operation on the left knee was completely successful but the recovery time is estimated to be about a year". Carlo Ancelotti, a name that comes to mind as we approach San Siro. Carletto was bought by Milan a few years later. He was bought under the stale refrain that "he's basically finished, he has two busted knees". But us fans knew that he was a colossus. We knew it because we had seen him play, recovering and fighting for every ball. And even if he was finished, we wouldn't have suggested he was, because Carlo Ancelotti was the epitome of everything that a fan wants to see in a player who wears a Giallorosso shirt.

But let's go back to that 11 December. The operation, as mentioned, was carried out by Lamberto Perugia, the same legendary specialist who brought Carletto back to football after the first injury. But do you know who helped Perugia in the operating room? Professors Puddu and Mariani. And right now, given the results, you want to entrust the restoration of the Sistine Chapel to Professor Mariani, who got Francesco Totti back on his feet after the injury that threatened to rule him out of the World Cup, because his hands only create masterpieces. The effect of the news about Ancelotti's operation was enormous both for the team, who maybe at that moment (at least on a subconscious level) were giving up on the idea of competing on two fronts (the league and the European Cup), and for the coach. The news about the extent of the injury was given to Nils Liedholm over the phone by Nardino Previdi a few minutes after the operation finished. The Baron was gobsmacked. All of a sudden, he was without his formidable midfield barricade, a wall that recovered possession and transformed into a clever builder of the play.

For us fans it was a shock. The previous Sunday, 4 December, in Turin against Juventus, we had seen Carlo leave the field supported by Boldorini and Alicicco. Not to offend lovers of art, but for me even the 'Deposition' of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a masterful oil painting in the Pinacoteca in Vatican City, does not match the photograph that captures the instant of the downcast eyes of Carlo, Alicicco's grimace of concern and the sullen mask of Boldorini. But even so, we had seen him walking, albeit supported, and this had reassured us. When his knee had failed Ancelotti in 1981, his cries of pain could be heard in the Tribuna Tevere and the child of Reggiolo had to be taken off on a stretcher. This time he was straight back on his feet; he seemed to be in pain, but there were no cries. At the most, we decided quickly, he would be out for a few weeks. Instead the usual ordeal began, a year of plastercasts, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and a slow and gradual return for physical activity at first and then competitive activity. Without Ancelotti, Liverfekkin'wankscum were able to take the European Cup. With Souness and co in the midfield, they were able to dictate the physical terms of the contest. There was a chasm between the two teams in terms of technical ability, Roma had players that no team in the world could rival. The Reds therefore took refuge in the physical encounter and succeeded in imposing themselves on us. If il Bimbo had been on the pitch, even that tactic would have failed. Carlo would have added that solidity to the Roma midfield that would have allowed us to brush aside the English.

Carlo returned against Wrexham on 24 October 1984. When he pulled on that white shirt with the red collar, there was a standing ovation. Ancelotti says that this remains one of the most emotional moments of his life. Then Milan came. In 1986, the Rossoneri regularly requested the captain. In that season, for some reason, all the newspapers were busy explaining why it would be such a good thing to do a swap that would take Ancelotti to Milan and Pietro Paolo Virdis to the capital. Of course, it call came to nothing. Then in the summer of 1987, it succeeded. Carletto came back early from the tour of the USA, the talk of his transfer had become a hammering and then, finally, the black smoke arrived. Galliani lost his patience and blew the lid on the transfer with statements to that effect (how true it is that some things never change). While we were already uncorking the ritual bottle of champagne on the last day of the transfer window, the cold shower arrived - Ancelotti had gone to Milan.

[RomaShield27]

Sunday, 15 December 2013 16:29 / / Anthony Wright

Roma travel to face injury hit Milan on Monday evening, having already picked up more than double the points of Max Allegri's team this season, but they have traditionally struggled for results in San Siro.

19.45, 16 December | Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan

Recently the Giallorossi have learned how to win at Milan with four wins and two draws in the last eight meetings, but have only won 18 out of 86 away games against the Rossoneri. Last season's 0-0 draw was overshadowed by racist chanting from visiting fans towards Mario Balotelli and Kevin-Prince Boateng, causing the game to be temporarily stopped early in the second half. The chants earned Roma a €50,000 fine and caused the Curva Sud to be closed for one game.

Coincidentally the referee for both of last season's matches between the sides, Gianluca Rocchi, will also be in charge of Monday night's game. The Florentine has a record of handing out cards to Roma players including six reds, and the five diffidati (Miralem Pjanic is already suspended) will have to toe the line. Michael Bradley is likely to come into the starting lineup in place of the banned Pjanic and Primavera midfielder Luca Mazzitelli has been selected in the squad for the first time, but the real boost for Roma is the return of Francesco Totti.

The captain was included in the matchday squad for the Fiorentina game last weekend and remained on the bench throughout, but after training with the squad for nearly two weeks he could lead Roma's attack against Milan. With Marco Borriello out injured, Rudi Garcia is aware that his options up front are limited, saying in his press conference that "neither [Totti] nor [Mattia] Destro will be able to last a whole game. We'll see. The good thing is that he's back but he's not at 100%".

Although Garcia has a couple of selection problems, Allegri has something of a crisis on his hands after Stephan El Shaarawy and Kevin Constant joined his lengthy injury list. El Shaarawy's absence could open the door for Riccardo Saponara to start in the attacking trident, with M'Baye Niang and Alessandro Matri the other options for the coach. Robinho, Ignazio Abate and Valter Birsa are among the others who are sidelined for Milan.

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Florence).

Roma squad: Mehdi Benatia, Michael Bradley, Nicolas Burdisso, Leandro Castan, Daniele De Rossi, Morgan De Sanctis, Mattia Destro, Dodo, Alessandro Florenzi, Gervinho, Tin Jedvaj, Adem Ljajic, Bogdan Lobont, Maicon, Marquinho, Luca Mazzitelli, Federico Ricci, Alessio Romagnoli, Lukasz Skorupski, Kevin Strootman, Rodrigo Taddei, Vasilis Torosidis, Francesco Totti.

Injured: Federico Balzaretti, Marco Borriello, Gianluca Caprari.

Suspended: Miralem Pjanic (1 game).

Diffidati: Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi, Adem Ljajic, Maicon, Miralem Pjanic, Kevin Strootman.

Milan squad: Christian Abbiati, Ferdinando Coppola, Gabriel, Daniele Bonera, Mattia De Sciglio, Philippe Mexes, Cristian Zaccardo, Cristian Zapata, Bryan Cristante, Urby Emanuelson, Nigel De Jong, Kaka, Riccardo Montolivo, Sulley Muntari, Antonio Nocerino, Andrea Poli, Riccardo Saponara, Mario Balotelli, Alessandro Matri, M'Baye Niang, Giampaolo Pazzini.

Injured: Marco Amelia, Matias Silvestre, Robinho, Stephan El Shaarawy, Valter Birsa, Ignazio Abate, Kevin Constant.

Suspended: None.

Probable Lineups:

[red]

Some really careless moments from Roma in a game that, broadly speaking, they played pretty well in.

Obviously the first goal Roma conceded was awful, but I found the second one very hard to understand.

Why, with not very long left and with a lead, would Roma have players chasing around high up the park trying to press Milan? Surely in those circumstances you drop back into your own half and focus on denying the opponent space.

What made it all worse, though, was that Roma didn't even fully commit to the press. They committed enough men that they were going to leave thmselves in an awkward situation if the press didn't work, but they didn't commit enough men to it to give it a reasonable chance of working.

I'd be interested to know what Garcia made of that given, from what I've seen of Roma, he seems far more inclined to focus on men behind the ball rather than on pressing high up the pitch.

Obviously there were other issues on Milan's second goal as Roma hadn't put themselves in an impossible position - just an unnecessarily difficult one.

Otherwise, I though Roma did rather well to cope without Totti and Pjanic, especially in the first half. Of course the ball retention and decision making weren't what they probably would have been with Totti and Pjanic in the team, but the movement of the front three was very good and Bradley and Strootmen were really dominant in middle of the park in the first half hour or so, even though they were outnumbered, which gave Roma a really good platform from which to control the game.