THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[maro]

Anyway, enough of this football rubbish. What did you make of the rugger today, Shieldypoo? I thought your boys were valiant in defeat. Aren't they always? They did terribly well only to be smashed by the mighty Black machine by a mere 10 points. I mean, for once they actually scored more than half of what the Blacks managed - more than half! That's an extraordinary achievement - I mean, it's better than Inter managed in the first leg of the Coppa final last season or in the CL against Liverpuke.

[RomaShield27]

Congrats on the win today Maro. Thats all I've to say on that. I'm going to the pub.

[maro]

Oh, that's no fun.

[maro]

Next you'll be telling me that Byron O'Drizzle has a tender shoulder and a curious habit of bouncing on it and thereby causing himself self-inflicted injury.

[vtec]

since when are you a fan of the french national team, maro?

[Frenchesco]

[Frenchesco]

[Italiamia]

[Bagg10]

[vtec]

but the french commentators are probably the worst of the whole lot. they are terribly biased and second to none when it comes to mispronunciating names. i wanted to strangle the fucks for calling the portuguese defender pepe pep the whole time.

[Bagg10]

Yeah they said Andranik Teymourain(an Iranian international) was an Armenian International.

[maro]

Chris, did you write your review of our midfielders before or after I had my little chunter on Aquilani the other day? I just read your elegant round-up this morning, but I know it's a few days old, but hadn't read it when I went off on my little ramble. Clearly, I agree entirely - the little things, the way he does things right and does them wrong: that's what marks him out for me, too. The only question is whether he has the temperament. If that's all good, he will be very special indeed.

[RomaShield27]

Anyone watch the Austria-Croatia match? Austria showed a lot of heart and determination and were really unlucky not to get something from the game. They were a breath of fresh air, really, and played with a great honesty and raw commitment to replicate the passion of the fans in the stand, but for all they're efforts just weren't technically good enough to get that equaliser. Then on the other side you had Croatia who dived all round them, that Srna fella was a disgrace. And did Tottenham Hotspur really pay £16m+ for Luka Modric? He was very bad. Germany v Poland should be a war. There is quite a significant Polish population over here and they're a nice people, so I hope they win.

[cg916]

Think I wrote it Mon or Tues, maro. Posted Thursday. I forget. But it was after your chunter chunter.

Aqui just needs a year of tranquility for his temperament. Consistent playing time, health and maybe even a new contract would do the lad a great deal of wonders. Frustration seems to be his greatest issue and one which could easily be fixed. In fact, health could simply be the first domino to fall, the rest following suit.

Podolski on the left today is giving me fantasies of adding another German legend to Roman lore.

[giallo-rossi.ie]

Ancelotti: I'll Only Leave For Roma

AC Milan head coach Carlo Ancelotti has again revealed that he would only leave the San Siro to manage Roma.

48 year-old Ancelotti had been strongly tipped to replace Avram Grant at Chelsea after the Israeli was sacked last month following a trophy-less season at Stamford Bridge.

However, Ancelotti reportedly knocked back an approach from the West London side, and has since insisted that he will remain in charge of Milan for next season, despite a poor season, which saw the Italian giants miss out on qualification for next season’s Champions League.

The Rossoneri finished in only fifth place in Serie A and fell at the last sixteen stage of the Champions League to Arsenal.

But despite having a clear commitment to the Milan cause, Ancelotti has explained that if he were to one day part company with the San Siro side for another outfit, it would be for Serie A rivals Roma.

The former Parma boss captained Roma during his eight-year stint at the Stadio Olimpico in his playing days.

"Why didn't I join Chelsea? I have always said that I would only desert Milan one day for Roma," Ancelotti said to Corriere dello Sport.

Milan have already been busy preparing for an improved showing in all competitions next season. Mathieu Flamini has been secured on a free transfer from Arsenal and Gianluca Zambrotta will join from Barcelona after Euro 2008 comes to a close.

Legendary captain Paolo Maldini is also set to remain at the San Siro for another season after reversing his retirement plans.

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Don't know what to make of this. Carlo is a good manager and all, but I'm quite happy with life under Spalletti. It would be a real shame to be priced out of such a talented manager.

[loazzi]

Spalletti is a great tactician. He is not a "winner" yet. I was very frustrated with him at times during the first 2/3 of the season. He made some poor substitutions and even moreso, non-substitutions. He did much better towards the latter part of the season IMO. I think he is growing and developing and within a year or two he may be ready for the big time. I just hope Roma will be big time so we can reap the rewards.

[caos]

giallo-rossi SPALLETTI replay to PORCELLOTTI sound much better .

[Jamoldo]

Briz, you are weird.

Giallo, Ancelotti is a Roma legend and so of course he's going to say things like that.

[vtec]

[Bagg10]