THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[maro]

[Frenchesco]

[Frenchesco]

[maro]

[Frenchesco]

[Frenchesco]

[aba_bab]

[Kroo]

[vtec]

[maro]

Well, dibdib [sic], if you think that Cicinho is a "must buy so long as the deal is right and under the right conditions" then I agree. He's a must buy. If the fee is right and it fits the rest of the side's demands. Let's hope Leverkusen accept our offer for him, then. You muppet.

Interesting performance tonight from the boys. Very interesting. It's dangerous to read too much into a single match like this but, still, I thought the mentality of the team was quite different from this time last year. Last year they were desperate to win, anxious, over-keen, and the result was the energy which led to 3-0 and the nervous energy which led to 3-4. Tonight there was a different kind of composure. They played like a much more mature team. They very much wanted to win, but this time they seemed to know it was only the Supercoppa. They already had a more important trophy in the cabinet and they're expecting to compete for still more important trophies in the very near future. We shall see whether that simply reflects the fact that it was only the Supercoppa; my suspicion is that it had an awful lot more to do with the games away against Lyon last season and against ManUre. They know they're ready for the big time and are looking forward to measuring themselves against the best again. A big call, I know, but I think it's right.

I don't know Inter's injury situation, but for those who want to defend Mancini as a tactical genius - what the hell's he doing putting out a back-line consisting of four centre-backs and a midfield of three holding midfielders? I mean true holding midfielders. Ugly, ugly, ugly. And that's not just Ibra's nose. Chivu is a wonderful player as I thought you got to see in subtle ways on a number of different occasions tonight; he isn't, though, a left back when you have Burdisso on the other flank. And an aged Zanetti playing within his limitations of pace and energy alongside Dacourt and Vieira playing in the same way? Please.

How rubbish was the ref tonight? I mean, seriously. Playing against 12 and we still didn't let Inter get a look in.

Panucci was assured; Mexes, I thought, was quite outstanding and seemed to revel in the fact that he was the leader of the back-line. Cassetti showed dibdib what he offers in terms of reliability and knowledge of the system. Tonetto is, simply, a legend. DDR was outstanding and with Aquilani really controlled the midfield but I thought that Inter line-up hardly offered them a challenge and barely fired a shot. Totti is, well, Totti, which is tantamount to saying that he is a simply extraordinary player and on the basis of one showing I'd say he's recovered a further yard of pace even on his best showings last season. Giuly will be excellent. Had he scored a hatrick tonight as he ought to have done then all the headlines would be about him. I thought Voochie looked like he had much more confidence than at any time last season and offered exactly what we need from that left flank - ability to link up play on the inside, strength in the air, ability to hold up the ball, and a willingness to get beyond Totti in central areas. He didn't do what he could have done with the opportunities which fell to him, but a revealingly impressive showing. And Taddei was quiet - by which I mean he worked his socks off, as usual. How boring. And did all that we really expect of him.

As for the penalty, Frenchesco, I think you may find that this is the new regime when Totti himself earns the penalty. Henry (to compare little things with great) did this over the past season - when he earnt the penalty let someone else take the penalty on the basis that having been beaten up and brought down needed a chance to regain his composure. When someone else earns the penalty I bet Totti steps up again. That's my reading, anyway.

[maro]

Good call, 'tec. Shall we wire you some money so you can keep up those bets all season?

[aba_bab]

Nononono, you're not gonna pull one on me professor. What i meant was that Cicinho is a must buy, whether or not we have the ability to meet the demands of Real is another.

Ya well, you guys stick to your Barusso, Mathieua's, Pits, Nuts and any other 13 yr old ball boy from Leeds Utd to keep you boys happy at how great roma will be in about 30 yrs.

I want big names, and i want them now. The only RB i'd prefer over Cicinho would be Zambro.. thats it!

And agian, i'm not knocking Casetti, he had a wonderful few important games, but he wasnt always the most reliable player to have on your flank. He played very well against Man Utd at home for example, but then agian was a bucket of shite agianst torino. He's a quality backup, no more, no less.

tec?? 4-2?? Inter win?? You DESERVE to lose the money

[pocari_fenrir]

Kroo, thanks for the prediction offer, but i cant handle it with the Serie A pool, EPL pool and EPL predictions.

anyways, what a way to end the day, was at the Toronto Comic Arts Fest and im welcomed home with news of how we spanked Inter good.

didn't see the game but seems like one hell of a game we won. what a biased ref too. sending off Perrotta like that and 3 penalty appeals. we perservered and we got the win finally. Chivu must be sulking after realizing what he's gonna be missing out on. i dont think i would take him back unless he came on a free transfer and a salary lower than Mexes.

[arthurfonzarelli]

[p_maldini_3]

[marco]

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

[Lombardiamia]

[romawi]