THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[maro]

Keita's one hell of a player. To think that he and Yaya Toure' were the midfield back-ups at Barca back in the day. Technical, mobile, intelligent. The most interesting thing on Wednesday night, though, was the way Cholevas has chosen to transliterate his name (having been Holebas in all of the Italian things I'd seen). Much for the philologist to observe with satisfaction in that. Ucan must be particularly disappointed not to have been fit over the past couple of weeks as he'd certainly have seen some playing time. Perhaps we'll get a little of Sanabria and Paredes at home this weekend if things are going well. The latter, certainly, could lend a hand to the midfield stocks where legs are likely to be getting tired. Mbinga-wang-wang's done okay - under pretty demanding circumstances - but he did make a couple of shocking mistakes for which we were lucky not to be punished. The difference in the depth of the squad between this year and last is pretty remarkable.

[RomaShield27]

Yeah, to think Keita, Holebas and Yanga-Mbiwa are back-up players, not to mention then the likes of Ucan, Sanabria, Paredes (perhaps ones for the future), it makes you realise how much depth we have. And all while missing Strootman.

I've been quite surprised with Keita, who has been excellent. Being 34, coming off a few bad injuries, not much game time at Valencia, sure you'd have reason to be skeptical. I thought he might just get a few games coming on as a late sub to shore up the midfield, that kind of thing, but he's shown he's still got it. Not just defensively, but technically, too, on the ball, he's done great.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with Paredes and Sanabria over the next few weeks, with a tough run of games approaching we do need to rotate and rest a few heads. Plus Garcia said today we may play a 4-2-3-1 against Verona and play more forward players, which may see them get some game time.

[RomaShield27]

Francesco Totti: I Want To Win One More Scudetto Before I Retire
/ Friday, 26 September 2014 23:19 / Anthony Wright

To mark his 38th birthday on Saturday, Francesco Totti took part in Roma TV's programme 'Slideshow', where guests are shown images and videos and are invited to take the subject in any direction they choose.

His first derby in the youth teams

My first derby, I can see Alessandro [Nesta] behind me, a great friend of mine. You can already see that the two of us could become captains of Roma and Lazio. We've always had a great relationship, we saw each other often during the international breaks with the Italian youth teams and I still consider him to be a great friend.

Giuseppe Giannini

Il Principe, my idol and role model when I was young. I always followed what he did. Even though we played in different positions, I looked at him as the captain. Fortunately I got to know him, I played alongside him and he taught me a great many things. I've luckily been able to do what he did - to become the captain and wear the number 10.

First goal in Serie A against Foggia on September 4, 1994

I remember the day before when the coach [Carlo Mazzone] told me I would be playing instead of [Abel] Balbo. I was speechless, I didn't expect to be playing in the first game of the season. Scoring a goal in front of our fans was a unique feeling. I must thank my parents, they've always followed me and supported me. Even though I have a family of my own now, fortunately they have always been there. Mazzone was like a second father to me, I was lucky to come across him at the right time in my career. He made me a better player on the pitch and, most of all, off of it. He knew what the atmosphere in Rome was like and was able to guide me because he's a great person. I will always thank him because he made me improve in so many ways.

The Curva Sud

Finding the right words isn't easy. The fans give you so much. I've been there and I know what the fans experience. Being a Roma fan is to have a feeling of pride, they give you pride that other fans don't. Thank you to them, and let me tell them that they are brilliant.

His goal against Parma in 2001 that secured Roma's third scudetto

It will be hard for me to forget that day, to score a goal under the Curva and win what I'd always dreamed of winning was an indescribable joy. I hope that this scene will be repeated before I retire.


The murals at Rione Monti

I love them, it means I've given a lot to this team and the fans recognise that I've done so. Going around the city and seeing your face has a certain effect on you. Every so often I have to explain to my children why they see me painted on walls, but they've got used to it now. I'm proud to be a Roman.

The death of Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri and when he and Tommaso Rocchi laid wreaths under Sandri's portrait displayed under the Curva Nord

I think this was a gesture that came from the heart. When a fan is killed because of a game of football, it's always a shameful thing no matter which team he supports, it should never happen. Football is a form of entertainment. I had the fortune to know Gabriele Sandri's brother and his family, they're fine people. Honestly I also wanted to go to the funeral as well, and I was glad to. I felt I should make a gesture that went beyond football rivalry.

Meeting Pope Francis

It was an unforgettable day that gave me some unique emotions. I'm happy to be able to get to know such important people.

His family; marrying Ilary Blasi and his children

It was one of the most beautiful days of my life. She was a girl who made me happy, a wonderful person inside and out. She has her faults as we all do, but thanks to her I'm able to do what I want on the pitch - enjoy myself and play well. She has given me everything, she's given me two angels and hopefully we'll have more. If she wants, that is. [Cristian and Chanel] are my life, I'll do anything with them. No one can give you what they can. There's nothing more beautiful than being the father of two children who love you.

His celebration at beating Roberto Pruzzo's scoring record

Part of me was sorry, but the other part of me was happy. I've achieved many other personal objectives, other than the scudetto. Beating Pruzzo was important, but I never thought about it until I was very close.

A video of Totti's most significant goals for Roma

The famous cucchiaio against Inter: I still don't know if that is the best or the second best goal of my career. That goal had everything - class, technique, astuteness, strength... I think that's enough. A brilliant goal. Against Real Madrid in the Champions League: Real Madrid have always been my second team, scoring in such famous grounds always give you incredible feelings. I've done it with Roma in the Champions League, and winning because of your goal is every player's dream. Against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2006: It was my first with my left foot after the injury. I scored a great goal under the Curva and from that game on I thought my left knee was still fine. In fact, they'd actually made it better! The penalty against the Netherlands in the semi-final of Euro 2000: Looking back at it I still don't know if I was crazy or not. Almost no one else would have done something similar, a cucchiaio in a penalty shootout that would take us to the final. But I got the feeling I should and I'd said that in training to [Paolo] Maldini, [Luigi] Di Biagio, Nesta and the others. I told them that if we went to penalties, that's how I would take mine. No one believed me. I went up to the spot thinking I wouldn't have it in me - [Edwin] van der Sar was in front of me, two metres tall, and I was afraid in front of him and that orange wall behind him, but my instinct and courage took hold and in the end it all went well. The penalty against Australia in 2006: If I hadn't scored we definitely wouldn't have gone through. We were down to 10 men, we were tired, and it would have been a different game with extra time. Fortuantely I had the courage, calm-headedness and the desire to take it. I felt motivated, I'd come off a bad injury and I hadn't known whether I would make the World Cup. Then I made the 23 with my determination and desire, and I became an important player for the group. The World Cup is the most important thing I've won. Becoming world champion isn't easy and is what everyone dreams of. Even now when I go around and people call you 'Campione del Mondo', it makes me stick my chest out a bit. And it's also a brilliant feeling for Italians.

Daniele De Rossi

He's a friend, I've shared good times and some bad times with him. He's grown up here and now I'm proud that he will be the future captain. He'll definitely become captain before long but he's already a captain, even without wearing the armband.

A still from the film 'Gladiator'

He [Russell Crowe] looks like Mattia Destro... The gladiator is a Roman symbol, it gives you the tenacity and determination to take on any opponent.

Gianluigi Buffon

He's one of the few friends I have in football, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I hoped to play with him at Roma one day, he had been close. He's an opponent now but I'll always think well of him.

Antonio Cassano

He's mad, but he's the player who I've connected with best. We talk the same language with our feet, he did things that no one expected. We shared a lot of great times, when he came to Rome I treated him like a brother. A little problem drove us apart, I still don't know the exact reason for it but unfortunately these are things that happen in life. When I see him I always greet him, we exchange messages every so often. He's not reached his potential in my opinion, technically he's one of the best in the world, it's just his head that's failed him sometimes. I'm happy that I've got to know him and that we played together.

Embracing Diego Maradona

He is football, no one will ever be able to do what he's done. He did everything there was to do. Embracing the best player in the history of football was wonderful.

Winning the Golden Shoe in 2007

That was also thanks to my team-mates, who helped me to score. I never would have expected it but I was at my best that year and everything was going right.

Franco Sensi

President Sensi was an incredibly important figure for me, he gave me heart and soul. It was him who stopped everything and made me stay in Rome for ever. When I was young, there was a moment when the coach, Carlos Bianchi, said he didn't want me, he thought I was a normal player. He went to the management in December and said "It's Totti or me". He wanted to bring [Jari] Litmanen to Roma. After the tournament with Borussia Moenchengladbach and Ajax, who had Litmanen, [Sensi] told him: "I choose Totti". Fortunately I never left. Everything was done for me to go to Sampdoria on loan. I definitely would never have gone back to Rome and I wouldn't have been able to do what I've done. I'll thank him for the rest of my life, he gave me so much. Sensi was like a father to me, Rosella was also like an older sister. I had a great relationship with the whole Sensi family. Luckily I had the chance to show my abilities in the only shirt I've ever wanted.

Vincenzo Montella

I think he'll become one of the best coaches in Europe, because he has everything. He was also a great player, we all saw that. I had good and bad years with him, but the scudetto year was the best of all - he was a quick, instinctive player. He's a good, competent coach now, he has lots of potential and he's gone great things since he started.

Rudi Garcia

He's a great man - not because he's my coach now and I have to make him play me! Adapting yourself to Italian football isn't easy for a foreigner, which means he is mentally strong. Usually the first years are the hardest for a foreigner in Italy, but it's been the opposite for him. He's been able to form a great team and a great group, he's reunited a group that was falling apart after two hard years. I didn't know him before he joined but now I can say I've got to know a brilliant person. A true person, who makes everyone feel important and makes you feel good, and when a coach does that you give 101% on the pitch. We're all hoping to enjoy some success together, very soon.

Roma squad presentation from last August

Every year I get older, unfortunately... It's good to start a season in front of our fans after two or three months being away - I think that's too long for them, just as it was for us.

James Pallotta

He has a fantastic personality, he's still young inside. He's a jack of all trades because he follows everything, he's interested in you, and we like how he is when we meet him. He's always open, he'll definitely make Roma great. He's doing so now and will continue to do so in the future. If one day he gives us the joy of having our own stadium that would be the best.

The new stadium

It will be Roma's new home. Just looking at the project makes me shudder, playing in the new stadium would be brilliant. I hope I'll be able to, even if it will be difficult. We're all impatiently waiting for that time to come, but the important thing is that it gets done.

[Italiamia]

[maro]

I only saw the second half, but I thought that was pretty damn impressive - the most striking thing was the speed of the ball movement and the intensity of the play. Even under Spags at our best our ball-speed wasn't anything like that. Sure Verona were hard to break down because they defended so deep and well and left so little space between the lines, but they were being asked a constant barrage of questions. We also won the ball back extremely quickly, high up the pitch, and conceded almost nothing in that second half on the break - one chance and then the freekick which was a bit nervy. I wonder if Keita sometimes has just a few too many touches, but he was excellent again. The spirit in the squad is also clearly exceptional at the moment. Only Emanuelson looked a bit on the outer.

I thought these comments from Rudi were interesting:
Manolas meglio di Benatia, non so segnerà come lui, ma mi sembra sia partito meglio?
Lui é veloce, ci da una grande mano e sono sicuro che arriverà anche il goal erché li ha fatti in passato.

Quite a lot is contained in that opening clause.

It also looked like Ljajic was more involved than he has been which is a good sign. And nice to see 10 minutes for Paredes . . . . He was content to be tidy and simple, but got forward once and should have been picked out by a better pass.

[Lupa]

Loved Florenzi's impact when he came in. No Nonna to kiss today, though. Also, glad Destro scored (and what a goal) after missing a sitter in the first half. I was starting to worry about a 0-0 game, which shouldn't happen against Verona at the Olimpico, even if they are sitting pretty high up in the standings right now.

[DCGweez]

Decent display but the boys looked pretty tired. Couldn't be happier to see Ale making such an impact.

Worried for tuesday though. Keita has played a lot of minutes as have Pjanic and Nainggolan and now they will asked to run a lot. I think Florenzi is sure to start if we do play a 4-3-3.

[Lupa]

Was Nainggolan limping when he went off or was that just his tired walk? A little worrisome there. I thought he was better than any of the writers of pagelle that I saw today.

[DCGweez]

I saw him limp and i saw Maicon limping off the pitch after the match.

[maro]

I limp after every game. And I always also play the next one.

[Lupa]

You're limp after every game? How often do you play?

[maro]

It'd be poor form to have a boner in the showers. Besides, it'd intimidate (even more) some of the newer guys in the side.

[Italiamia]

La mia cugina Calabresella a destra.

[DavidP]

even though it seemed like we were playing with 9 men at times, we had so many options every time we went forward. the totti-maicon-pjanic exchanges were delicious, ljajic had some decents moments and keita wasn't afraid to get forward either. imagine if we had a maicon for the left and a center forward who could contribute to our pattern of play.

[maro]

Of course, I'm not sure a team could support two fullbacks who interpret the role the way Maicon does and Destro's job is to occupy the two centre-halves and run away from the ball to create space in which others can play.

[maro]

[Lupa]

haha -- I was also wondering how she had the same dress as my Nonna. (well, years ago)
Yes, Maicon showed his value again. Cole had a couple of nice touches in the first half (passes to Totti), but disappeared in the second.

[Italiamia]

I agree with Garcia about Manolas and I found myself saying they same thing yesterday. Bigger and faster than Benatia and very composed at 23. He's an impressive kid.

Hey, Edzo: where is the 'bring back Zeman'graphic you are working on?

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

Tough game yesterday alright, we done very well to eventually break them down, but it took a lot of effort and energy to do so. Only hope it doesn’t effect the lads too much going into Tuesday, which is a massive game. Not ideal preparation, really, I’m surprised there wasn’t more rotation. Nainggolan, Pjanic, Keita, Maicon, Florenzi, all players we’ll need v Citeh, all look pretty tired. Hopefully they’ll be ok.

Iturbe is back in the squad and should be available, which is good, his pace could be key.

Castan and Astori are out, though, which is a big blow (not to mention DDR). Mbiwa against Dzeko/Aguero is worrying.