THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[romawi]

I'd say that his transfers have worked out pretty well. I agree, though, this teams needs a bit of work to win anything, but I don't think we're that far off. The midfield is pretty much complete at this point. We only need a player to cover for Strootman until he gets back, and maybe someone to cover for Pjanic. Fullback is where we probably need a massive upgrade though. I don't know how much playing time we can expect from Balzaretti and Maicon next season, and they might be passed it at this point. As for striker, I think we'll see Dzeko linked with us over the summer. He'd be a great option, but his wages might be too high for us to sign him.

[DCGweez]

This was the year to do it. We'll probably lose Pjanic.

Even if we don't, we have the burden of Europe next year and that bleeds off a few points. We'd probably be fighting for 3rd right now if we were in Europe.

[RomaShield27]

Francesco Totti: Three Crucial Points For Roma Against Udinese
/ Monday, 17 March 2014 22:49 / Anthony Wright

Francesco Totti told Roma Channel that the three points Roma picked up against Udinese on Monday were fundamental for the Giallorossi after Napoli won with a late goal against Torino as the battle for second continues.

How did it feel to get back to scoring goals again?
Wonderful, but the victory was the important thing - with or without Totti. They were three fundamental points, as it means we maintain the gap on Napoli, that's our aim for the moment.

How are you feeling?
Good, I've put these two injuries behind me. I started off well, then I had the pulled flexor muscle then the strained gluteus which slowed [my season], but now I will give my all to get Roma into the Champions League. I've trained all week - it's not easy to come back after a month out.

Is the gap to Juventus justified?
They are playing in a league of their own, it's difficult to keep pace with them with their squad. One way or another they are having a great season, but Roma are having one as well.

The dedication to Strootman was fantastic.
It was a heartfelt dedication - he's a great guy who settled in straight away and is a phenomenal player. We're close to him, we're hoping that he comes back for the start of pre-season. We'll have him for the Champions League.

GARCA INTERVIEW: http://www.asroma.co.uk/news/interviews ... st-udinese

[RomaShield27]

A Ten Year Old Nightmare - Alexander Fredriksen
http://romajournal.com/2014/03/20/a-ten ... nightmare/

The Lost Boys Of Totti's Roma - @theinsidelefty
http://theinsideleft.com/zero-a-zero-as-roma/

[Italiamia]

Is that one of Don Semen's light weight buddies from the Roma Addict. What a pussy. '10 year old nightmare'. Give me a break.

[RomaShield27]

Ha ha Gio, you don't agree with Alexander's article? The heading is a bit dramatic, but it tells a good story of what it would have been like to attend such a game.

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Some good stuff piece below about Romagnoli. Good to hear RG still sees him as a centre-back. Game time there has of course been limited with the partnership of Benatia and Castan, but its tribute to him that he's been able to fill in at left-back with such aplomb. He looks very comfortable on the ball, especially when I seen him v Inter. Most of the time converted centre-halfs asked to play in another position can look clumsy and vulnerable, but if you didn't know better (such as all the commentators when he's played left-back) you would think its his natural position.

He's also a better left-back than Dodo. Dodo is better going forward, no doubt, and has some other qualities (somewhere), but Romagnoli is more secure defensively, which is the position. Great to have another primavera player really making himself part of the squad. Viviani and Bertolacci back for next season?

Totti at the WC could still really happen. I'm still not sure about it. I think its still better for him to rest for the summer at his age, but then again, part of me thinks, why the fuck not, in this form, one last time to showcase his brilliance to the world. Although do we want to share it?

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Roma Coach Rudi Garcia Backs Calls For Italy To Take Francesco Totti To World Cup
/ Friday, 21 March 2014 18:18 / Anthony Wright

In his press conference ahead of tomorrow's match with Chievo, Rudi Garcia backed suggestions for Francesco Totti to be selected in Italy's World Cup squad, but also called on Totti and the rest of the Roma team to focus on the present to ensure that they realise their objective of finishing in second place.

The race for second place - is Napoli's elimination from the Europa League an added danger?
There's always a positive and a negative side. If it were my team, the negative side would be to have been knocked out - it's always a bad thing when you have the chance to get into the next round, and especially when the second leg is at home. I would tell my players that we'd then have fewer games, if this were to happen. But it won't happen.

On Totti and his chances with the national team. What thoughts have you got on this? Would you be happy with Totti going to the World Cup or would you prefer for him to rest a bit?
That's an easy answer - I'd be delighted for the captain. If he goes to the World Cup in Brazil it would be great, both for him and for Roma. All that matters now is that he plays as he did against Udinese and that he stays physically fit. Then it's up to the coach, only he can decide.

How do you position Ljajic in this Roma team that you're rebuilding?
There's no problem with Ljajic. Adem has already shown that he can be decisive and that's what I expect from my forwards. There are choices I have to make, but for now what counts is that everyone feels important. That's the truth, it's not just words - I'm convinced that everyone is important. Of course it's easier to say this when we're at the start of a run of 5 games in 10 days, as we'll need everyone.

Regarding the attack, Gervinho has always played - he has only been substituted twice. Could this have disadvantaged his team-mates, like Ljajic, since Gervinho is never rotated?
The results and the stats are what count. For a forward this means scoring, making an assist or being part of a crucial move. We have to look at the profile of the player as well, if I have the fortune to have two similar players I can make a choice. When I only have one with a particular profile, it's normal for things to stay as they are if things are working. We have to pay attention to his physical condition, but you see this more on a day to day basis. I'm just thinking about winning in Verona - that's what's important at the moment. After Chievo, we'll see.

What about Totti's condition - how will Totti be managed in these games?
You all saw it - he's not just come back, he's come back in excellent form physically and mentally. He always has a desire to play, afterwards we'll see how things are. It's no news when I say that he can't play for 90 minutes five times in a row in 15 days, that's easy to understand. We'll see, it's important to win against Chievo first - we'll evaluate things afterwards.

The stadium, do you think you could be the coach who leads Roma out to make their debut in their new home?
I hope so, but you all know that things don't just depend on what the coach wants. I've said before that I'm someone who always has his bags ready because anything can happen in football. I hope to stay here for a long time because I'm really enjoying it here, but we'll see.

Florenzi has never been used in midfield, could we see him in that position in the future given the absences?
Yes, we could see him in midfield. I kept him fresh in the last game through my choice, as although there were absences in midfield I felt it was better for him to help out later on rather than play from the first minute. We still don't have Daniele for this game, so we'll have to find answers. Mazzitelli is improving a lot, I think he could come into any game to help the team.

Is Balotelli a Roma player? Would you like to manage him?
I think I've already answered this question before - this isn't the time to talk about the transfer market. I want everyone in the squad to be focused on the end of the season. I don't want to talk about ins and outs, I don't think this is useful. There are a lot of good players out there, but we also have them at Roma.

The defensive crisis seems to be over, except for Balzaretti. Has Romagnoli become a full back now or will he go back to being an alternative to Castan or Benatia?
Alessio is a centre back, definitely, but he's also versatile and intelligent. He has great maturity for his age, he came into the team with calmness and he really did well in a position where he still needs to learn things. It's possible to say that we're stronger defensively if he plays on the left but less strong offensively. It's not in his nature to attack, but we do gain a player who is dangerous with his head at set pieces if he plays.

Totti and Destro haven't played a lot together, it seemed before as though you had some reservations but recently they've shown that they've found the right balance. Will you continue to use them?
It's a solution that worked well in the last game, in the future it will depend on who I want to play, on the balance of the team and on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. In them we have two players who can score goals, and in Francesco we have a player who can make a lot of assists as well. It can be a problem when they both play together, because of the fact we don't have a centre forward on the bench. If we need to score a goal in the last minute and if they're both tired then it could be a problem. That's another of the aspects that I have to evaluate.

[red]

I wouldn't want Totti at the World Cup if I was a Roma fan.

I don't want Aberdeen players in the prime of their careers to play international football - never mind players of an age where rest becomes really valuable.

[DavidP]

[RomaShield27]

Nice, David. He may well have been. Good to see him get the nod again tonight (back fully fit), with Dodo on the bench.

Roma XI v Chievo - De Sanctis, Maicon, Benatia, Castan, Romagnoli, Nainggolan, Taddei, Pjanic, Destro, Totti, Gervinho

[red]

[DonSimon]

[Italiamia]

[DonSimon]

Hahahaha! You sad twisted bitter old cunt. Say what you like about me but leave the good Roma fans I have met out of it.

[DavidP]

https://twitter.com/Youngcules/status/4 ... 0763515904

http://www.football-espana.net/40548/be ... a-wishlist

[RomaShield27]

Benatia is, for me, the single most important player at Roma at the moment (after Totti, naturally). When you think about all the problems we've had with out defence down through the years and general lack of organisation, and compare it to our defence this season, you can see how crucial he is. De Rossi plays a pivotal role in it too, of course, but you still need a commanding presence in the heart of the defence. Castan has done well, too, but he has flourished in the partnership of playing alongside Benatia.

We certainly can't afford to lose him. He has to be kept at all costs, even more so than Pjanic.

[DCGweez]

Scarily enough, it's probably Gervinho. Even today, he provided two assists.

[RomaShield27]

http://www.forza27.com/stadio-della-roma/

Looks great.

Important to remember, however, these are all still plans.

Ready by 2016-17 season. Giovanni?

[red]

Be a pity if they don't leave more of a solid block at one end to allow for something resembling a classic curva.

[RomaShield27]

I think they said the plans for the Curva would be that it resembles a wall, as in be something akin to the yellow wall in Dortmund's home ground. Its also separated from the other two main stands, as in not a continuous stand. Making the new 'curve' would always be a contentious point, but i think they done a good enough job of it.

Of course, I love the curva and the ideas of all curves in Italian football, but the actual concept of a 'curve' – originally created as it goes around the end of a running track – is now outdated with these modern new stadia. There is an 'end', a home section for the season ticket holders and ultras etc (like Juve's Curva - still called a Curva even though its not?). Once they make the 'Curva' end so it allows the fans to make it their new space, their new homes, like a 'wall' of giallorossi, I think it'll be good.

Have to say I really like all the plans for the new stadia. I'm very impressed. They've gotten lots of things right and seem to have covered all areas. However, the real hard work starts now.

Few random, contradictory bits:

Stadiodellaroma.com site – work will start by next September

says 9 months is the earliest work could possibly begin:
- 20 days Roma presents an official draft plan to the Comune di Roma
- city would take 90 days to consider it
- final decision within 120 days
- thats 7 months, but it may need "regional expertise", i.e. Lazio region, taking it to 180 days, 9 months

24 months building time. Ready for 2017/18 season. And that timeframe is only if there are no hiccups, which there are bound to be.

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Ora i passaggi burocratici obbligati con il Comune Il via libera a inizio 2015?
giovedì 27 marzo 2014 08:56
http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/03/27/or ... 015/326109

Il percorso burocratico è segnato e condizionato dall’articolo 192 bis, emendamento all’ultima legge finanziaria che in pratica semplifica ciò che la legge sugli stadi doveva riscrivere in toto. Il club giallorosso lo farà entro due settimane, massimo 20 giorni. Dal momento della presentazione il Comune avrà a sua volta 90 giorni di tempo per dare l’ok, bocciare o chiedere le modifiche del caso per il benestare. Passato questo primo step, la Roma dovrà presentare il progetto definitivo, seguendo le osservazioni eventuali degli uffici tecnici competenti. Dalla presentazione del progetto definitivo il Comune avrà 120 giorni (180 se, come in questo caso sono interessati altri enti come la Regione Lazio) per dire l’ultimo sì. Come riporta l’edizione odierna del Corriere dello Sport, ragionevolmente, dunque, si può dire che se tutto filerà liscio, la Roma avrà il via libera per costruire il suo stadio alla fine dell’anno o al massimo all’inizio del 2015.

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Enzo Giordani: http://in-the-back-of-the.net/2014/03/2 ... ella-roma/

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Mayor Marino has assumed the role of the unfortunate killjoy: "Let me be clear: the stadium will only be completed if all the infrastructure, in particular to ensure the viability".
http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/03/27/la ... oma/326137

Venditti: "To build it in two years need a miracle"


"The very idea of building a new stadium in the Tor di Valle is irresponsible. That portion of land is characterized by another landslide risk " - Zaratti Filiberto, commissione Ambiente della Camera

http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/03/27/on ... ico/326087

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20% of VIP suites already sold. 50 VIP suites in total. 10 boxes sold. Cost €150,000 each per season (5 year minimum obligation) = €1.5m per season. Maybe sponsors ones, sold as part of deal, Nike, Disney etc.

http://www.forzaroma.info/2014/03/27/gi ... vip/326075

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Totti: "Roma fans deserve their own stadium – a unique stadium, a stadium which is really able to give them goosebumps. It’s a wonderful project; this will be the home of all Roma fans. We hope to win so much here, and really raise the Roma flag high. Me captain in the new stadium? It could be. We’ll need to see how we all are, but for sure having a project like this is something that involves us all.”

De Rossi: "We really are projected towards the future. We can’t wait to play in this stadium -- of course we’ll keep winning in the current one too, but the new one is making our mouth water. The support will be more influential than anywhere else; it will be an extra gear and an extra source of pride, it will beat all others in terms of beauty, passion, heat – it will be just wonderful.”

[Italiamia]

They only way I see this new venue completed as "planned" is if multiple bribes are made first to the folks who must approve this project, and second, to the Unions and their minions who will actually construct this stadium. There are simply too many levels of bureaucracy. It would be great unless something goes wrong, and something always goes wrong in Italy. Just take a look at the autostrada between Salerno and Reggio Calabria. That serves as a microcosm for the entire country.

I cannot envision the first match being played before 2020 at the earliest. My guesstimate is the 2022-23 season. Totti may be a grandfather by then.